Thoughts at 40

phiferpharm · May 12, 2012

Spent a good part of today working with the Kioti and thought I'd share some observations now that I have 40 hours on it. I tried to group these by each of the major components of the tractor, but some cross over by their nature.

HST - I thank the TBN members who convinced me that HST didn't rob you of the control of the tractor, or require me to turn in my " Man Card". You can be much more precise in getting lined up to swap implements, the cruise control allows you almost infinite speed control, and you just feel less fatigued after doing a days work on the tractor.

Electric PTO Humm-- I do miss having the clutch to gently "Goose" the Bush Hog blade into rotation. I tried starting the PTO with the Tractor at slow idle, but it still seems to give a good jolt when it starts. Maybe more time with that will make it work better for me.

3 Point controls - I commented in another thread that it seemed to "chatter" when going up and someone said to try adjusting the speed knob below the seat. They were right and now there is no problem. In general, the 3pt held a very precise level throughout the day with the Bush Hog and the cut I got was nearly as good as my ZTR does. I'm also glad I went with the Turf tires- it didn't rip up the grassy areas like my AG tires did. With all that said, I will be in contact with Brian (MtnViewRanch) once I get the additional valve control installed. It will make it nearly perfect to be able to fine-tune the top link.

Kioti Hookups - These REALLY make a difference from my previous tractor. The adjustable lower links, easy sway bar adjustments, remote handle to raise/lower the 3pt from behind the tractor, make it so much easier to connect/disconnect implements. Again, I think adding a hydraulic top link will be the final piece to making this go from good to outstanding.

Well, that's it to this point. I did spend the last two evenings making a carry-all bed for my toolbox, chain saw, rakes, and weed wackers. I'll post that up in the projects forum later. Not pretty, but functional.

Coyote machine · May 13, 2012

Nice report on the tractor. May help those looking a HST's etc.:thumbsup:

ERE · May 13, 2012

400 hours after getting my HST, I wonder how I could have ever agonized over gear vs HST. It's great for the reasons you mentioned, and in the tight spaces in my vineyard, a gear tractor was a PITA - I just didn't realize it until I went HST.

murphy1244 · May 13, 2012

With all that said, I will be in contact with Brian (MtnViewRanch) once I get the additional valve control installed. It will make it nearly perfect to be able to fine-tune the top link,,,
You allready have the one remote to do the top link.

MotorSeven · May 13, 2012

Doug that PTO jolt won't get any better, mine still does it at idle after 700 hrs. I think it's just that our idle is set higher than the old gear tractors that would just lope along at idle like a carb Harley.

HST's...I was at my dealers on Friday and we were talking about gear vs hst and sales. He sees much more cost and maintenance on clutches than hst's. Also, a shuttle shift is a much more complicated system than a straight hst. He said it is almost impossible to "sell" someone a hst that have never operated one, nor done any research on it.
Old ways die hard and those that won't even try one are probably missing out on a way more than they figured. I've owned a gear, driven(worked) a couple of different shuttles and inmho the hst is the best for me and I'd like to shake the hand of the guy that invented it:thumbsup:

phiferpharm · May 13, 2012

Gotcha Murphy, but I'm using that one with my Grapple, which is the second -best thing with the new Tractor.

You are spot on Rick-and the bonus ( or maybe not) was grammie climbing on and heading out on the tractor. Her first comment on return was- this is easier than driving the Rhino - are we missing any items you can use with this (err- lets see- forks, landplane, Backhoe, rear view video- okay maybe I'm being a little over the top here :laughing

Seriously, I realize I probably shifted enough for a lifetime with my Mustang and Honda S2000. I went to a truck with automatic for a reason, and they apply to the tractor as well.

IndyIan · May 14, 2012

phiferpharm said:
Kioti Hookups - These REALLY make a difference from my previous tractor. The adjustable lower links, easy sway bar adjustments, remote handle to raise/lower the 3pt from behind the tractor, make it so much easier to connect/disconnect implements. Again, I think adding a hydraulic top link will be the final piece to making this go from good to outstanding.

I found the hyd toplink actually makes hooking up take longer as you can't adjust it from behind the tractor. Also you can't easily see what the link is doing when you go to the remote lever either unless you climb up onto the tractor...
I find though lifting or lowering the 3pt can usually get the toplink to line up eventually.
The top link is worth it though to run the box blade, and mine is also my ballast so it stays on for weeks at a time. If you don't box blade alot or have implements that need adjustments on the fly, I wouldn't get a top link to aid hookups.

phiferpharm · May 15, 2012

IndyIan said:
I found the hyd toplink actually makes hooking up take longer as you can't adjust it from behind the tractor. Also you can't easily see what the link is doing when you go to the remote lever either unless you climb up onto the tractor...
I find though lifting or lowering the 3pt can usually get the toplink to line up eventually.
The top link is worth it though to run the box blade, and mine is also my ballast so it stays on for weeks at a time. If you don't box blade alot or have implements that need adjustments on the fly, I wouldn't get a top link to aid hookups.

Makes sense as far as hooking up. I'm thinking more along the lines of easier adjustment for the Bush Hog. When I set it to the level I want for mowing, it is not a good heighth for raising it to either drop it in backing into brush or when running from one area to another with the wheel off the ground. I saw that my PTO shaft was actually touching the top of the Bush Hog if I wasn't really careful lifting it. I'm thinking it would be easier to hydraulically adjust it, instead of getting off the tractor to manually change it. I have been using the Bush Hog for ballast and now that I made a carry-all, it can also serve that function by placing weights on it. I purchased a 55 gal plastic barrel and for now am just filling it with water. It works almost as good as my 6'8" 350 lb son, but doesn't complain about riding on the carry-all :ashamed: ( just joking safety police..)