RK55SC First Impressions

[RKTractorFan]

I have owned my RK55SC for approx a week now. However due to rain, work schedule etc I finally had a chance to use it today and Id like to share my first impressions coming from a competitive brand.

1. I was hesitant on the Shuttle vs Hydro for quite some time and coming from a Hydro that make it worse. I have to say I am very very glad I ended up going with the shuttle. With my other tractor, when I would go up an incline in low, it would bog the engine down, in turn bog the PTO down. It seemed to lack pure power/torque. Thats the only way I can describe it. Loader work has been fairly easy, as is mowing etc. For those of you on the fence with Shuttle vs Hydro, do yourself a favor and goto the local RK store, drive both and make your determination. I like the power and selections I get from a Shuttle and dont mind alittle clutch work.

2. The Yanmar engine is much quieter and seems to run cooler and more efficient that my Mahindra. I think Mahindra gets away with the no DPF by running their engine hotter, which I think burns way more fuel than average. Maybe someone can confirm? Not to mention, the Mahindra was LOUD.

3. The A/C in this tractor actually works pretty well. I always thought the reason my other cab wouldnt cool because there was so much glass, so I tinted the windows which made a pretty big difference. My new RK55 cools just as good as the other without the need of window tint. Although Ill get it tinted anyhow.

4. I had a great buying experience, the sales person and manager at my local RK store in Lake Wales, Florida was knowledgeable, friendly and more than accommodating. I had plenty of questions that were answered to my satisfaction.

5. I do love the LCD screen and and find the rest of the fit and finish of the tractor very pleasing. I do however miss my array of gauges, especially a temp gauge.

Overall, I LOVE this tractor and am extremely pleased with everything so far. This is my 5th tractor in 4 years (I know, I know) and I must say that this is my favorite by far.


I have a few questions hopefully someone can help answer.

1. I cant figure out how to disengage the PTO to make it spin freely when trying to connect a PTO shaft. My old tractor had a PTO button just like this one, but it also has a lever that looked like the 4x4 lever to disengage the PTO to make it spin freely.

2. Anyone know of a reasonably prices 84" finish deck? I bought a King Kutter 6' finish deck a few years ago from RK for $1700ish, but their 84" is stainless steel and is priced at $3,000. Seems like most of the 84" decks are priced fairly high though.



Feel free to ask any questions or if I can help with anything in your decision making.

 

[Btown]

I believe the RK 55 hydro has auto throttle to end the bogging down when you get to hill. What Mahindra model did you have? Yanmar does make a excellent engine.

 

[DonRybak]

RKTractorFan, welcome to the owners club. As I have posted a couple times I absolutely love my RK37HSC. I too have had a great experience with Dan and Allen at the Lake Wales store where I purchased mine. They have never been too busy to answer questions or just sit outside under the awning and chat for a few. The manual says that the A/C will lower the temp inside the cab approximately 15 degrees from the ambient outside temp. When it's 95 degrees that 80 feels pretty darn good. I have actually had to turn mine down later in the afternoon when the sun has dropped down low. I too have wondered about the PTO shaft not free wheeling when not engaged. That would definitely make connecting the PTO shafts easier.............Don

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I have owned my RK55SC for approx a week now. However due to rain, work schedule etc I finally had a chance to use it today and Id like to share my first impressions coming from a competitive brand.

1. I was hesitant on the Shuttle vs Hydro for quite some time and coming from a Hydro that make it worse. I have to say I am very very glad I ended up going with the shuttle. With my other tractor, when I would go up an incline in low, it would bog the engine down, in turn bog the PTO down. It seemed to lack pure power/torque. Thats the only way I can describe it. Loader work has been fairly easy, as is mowing etc. For those of you on the fence with Shuttle vs Hydro, do yourself a favor and goto the local RK store, drive both and make your determination. I like the power and selections I get from a Shuttle and dont mind alittle clutch work.

2. The Yanmar engine is much quieter and seems to run cooler and more efficient that my Mahindra. I think Mahindra gets away with the no DPF by running their engine hotter, which I think burns way more fuel than average. Maybe someone can confirm? Not to mention, the Mahindra was LOUD.

3. The A/C in this tractor actually works pretty well. I always thought the reason my other cab wouldnt cool because there was so much glass, so I tinted the windows which made a pretty big difference. My new RK55 cools just as good as the other without the need of window tint. Although Ill get it tinted anyhow.

4. I had a great buying experience, the sales person and manager at my local RK store in Lake Wales, Florida was knowledgeable, friendly and more than accommodating. I had plenty of questions that were answered to my satisfaction.

5. I do love the LCD screen and and find the rest of the fit and finish of the tractor very pleasing. I do however miss my array of gauges, especially a temp gauge.

Overall, I LOVE this tractor and am extremely pleased with everything so far. This is my 5th tractor in 4 years (I know, I know) and I must say that this is my favorite by far.


I have a few questions hopefully someone can help answer.

1. I cant figure out how to disengage the PTO to make it spin freely when trying to connect a PTO shaft. My old tractor had a PTO button just like this one, but it also has a lever that looked like the 4x4 lever to disengage the PTO to make it spin freely.

2. Anyone know of a reasonably prices 84" finish deck? I bought a King Kutter 6' finish deck a few years ago from RK for $1700ish, but their 84" is stainless steel and is priced at $3,000. Seems like most of the 84" decks are priced fairly high though.



Feel free to ask any questions or if I can help with anything in your decision making.

RKTractorFan: Thanks for the great comments and for your buying one of our tractors. Today's PTOs have some safety features built in but there is a way to get the PTO shaft to turn by hand to help with connections on the 55 shuttle shift tractor. Set the parking brake. Put the range shift in nuetral, put the gear selection in nuetral, press the clutch to the floor and lock it. You will then be able to turn the tractor PTO shaft by hand to the right.

 

[DonRybak]

RKTractorGuy, thanks for the info for those with shuttle shifts but what about us with the hydrostatics? Something really cool like with my Ram when resetting maintenance codes? Push the brake pedal fully 4 times in 2 seconds, crawl out the passenger door and run around the vehicle 2 times, kick each wheel once as going by then cycle ignition switch 3 times while holding in the trip reset button. Just having fun but having a way to release the PTO shaft would be a big help. My wife and I are in our early 70's and it takes both of us to hook up the rotary cutter. I can imagine the neighbors within hearing distance. Did it go in yet? Nope, just a fraction of an inch. Ok, pull it out and lets start over.

 

[RKTractorFan]

RKTractorGuy, thanks for the info for those with shuttle shifts but what about us with the hydrostatics? Something really cool like with my Ram when resetting maintenance codes? Push the brake pedal fully 4 times in 2 seconds, crawl out the passenger door and run around the vehicle 2 times, kick each wheel once as going by then cycle ignition switch 3 times while holding in the trip reset button. Just having fun but having a way to release the PTO shaft would be a big help. My wife and I are in our early 70's and it takes both of us to hook up the rotary cutter. I can imagine the neighbors within hearing distance. Did it go in yet? Nope, just a fraction of an inch. Ok, pull it out and lets start over.

Nice to know there is a fellow RK owner in the area! Im sure that tractor will treat you very very well.

I could be wrong, but I had a twin to your RK37 previously, and I believe there is a lever on the left side of the seat to disengage the PTO. Take a peak and let me know, I believe its just a On/Off lever that you push forward or back. Should be in the same vicinity of your 4WD lever.

 

[RKTractorFan]

RKTractorFan: Thanks for the great comments and for your buying one of our tractors. Today's PTOs have some safety features built in but there is a way to get the PTO shaft to turn by hand to help with connections on the 55 shuttle shift tractor. Set the parking brake. Put the range shift in nuetral, put the gear selection in nuetral, press the clutch to the floor and lock it. You will then be able to turn the tractor PTO shaft by hand to the right.

I appreciate that info! It will def come in handy connecting my RK finish mower

I have found one HUGE flaw with my new tractor though, not sure how to address it. That flaw is I keep running out of things to do with it around the house and have to park it . HAHA


Thanks man

 

[DonRybak]

There is a PTO lever by the seat but it seems like I tried turning the shaft previously with it disengaged and it wasn't turning freely but I'll check it again. That would sure be a big help if it did allow the shaft to turn freely......Don

 

[RKTractorFan]

That's it. It's kind of a Ridgid lever, really hard to move. Probably didn't get it all the way disengaged. Give it a try again, and let us know. A couple times I thought I was gonna break the lever, it can be tough to move