What can a ck30hst do?

[SnowSeb]

after reading a post about possible hst weakness "no guts hi gear hst", i started wondering. I have a ck30hst and now about 10 hours on it. I am completely new to tractors and never worked with any other tractors before. It did seem a bit weak going up a slight incline in my driveway in high gear. I tought that it was the way it is supposed to be, but now i'm not sure. On this issue and in general, what should a tractor like mine be able to do. Pic shows the small incline of driveway. Loader seems strong, lifting full bucket of wet dirt without hesitation.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

You ask a hard question because it is so general. However, at only 10 hours, I would say don't worry. The reports related to the CK20 probably have nothing to do with a CK30. And the CK20 folks seem to indicate that they saw some improvement after their first fluid change. If you see weakness after that time, then you might want to begin to seriously question things. Photos don't really show inclines very well, but I find that my HST (neither are CK30HSTs) machines struggle or stop going up steep inclines, even if the incline is only a couple feet of vertical rise. Going up a gradual incline is pretty easy in high gear range but depending on where I am on the incline the engine may start to show a little strain. Again, at only 10 hours, unless you feel something that seems really wrong, I wouldn't be too worried about it. Keep an eye on it, and report back later after a fluid change.

 

[SnowSeb]

I tried this test today: engine warmed up for about 20 minutes(it's about -8 celcius, 17 farenheit out), then drove back and forth and operated fel up down, dump... for another 20 minutes to make sure it's really warmed up. In 2wd, high, on flat pave, blower and fel of the ground, i chocked the back wheels with 2x4 lumber, it would only struggle up when rpm was up to 2200rpm, any lower rpm it would not go up. Same result in forward or reverse, easing slowly or fast on pedal. It will go up if a few inche away from it and will go over as if not there when in Medium range.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> i chocked the back wheels with 2x4 lumber, it would only struggle up when rpm was up to 2200rpm, any lower rpm it would not go up. Same result in forward or reverse, easing slowly or fast on pedal. </font>

When the tractor was struggling did you see the rpms drop? Did the engine struggle? Or was it just the HST that was straining? Can you give the folks a bit more detail. Also, just for clarification, did you have the snowblower and the front bucket elevated a bit so they were not dragging on the ground creating resistance?

There are several CK30 owners out there, I would think that the folks with HST could duplicate your test and let you know if you have something to worry about. Maybe Getut can chime in and help you out with his experience with the CK20.

 

[DK35vince]

Sounds normal to me.
Plenty of power in low and medium range.
Struggles a little pulling a hill in high range. I've read similar issues with some Kubota 3130 HST owners with similar weight to HP.
My advice is don't chock the wheels in high range and all will be fine.

 

[SnowSeb]

The snowblower and fell were off the ground, the engine never strained, just the HST. I tried different rpm from idle to 2300rpm. Only struggled slowly over when at 2200rpm or higher. Not trying to be funny, but i know the purpose of a tractor is not to driver over 2x4. It is just a "standardized" test that anyone can duplicate as a comparison. If there is any other ways to easily test the HST i would like to try. Just want to make sure my CK30 is operating at it's full potential. Having never used another tractor before it's hard to know what to expect. I did not speak to my dealer yet, just wanted to understand what is "normal" for this tractor to do. Anyone with a CK30 would like to share their comments?

 

[NIXON]

snowseb,
While I don't own a Ck 30 , I do own an L3130 .
High range is fairly enemic on this machine . It really doesn't like hills at all(in High range) . But then I figure High range is for transport only . I think it's just the nature of the beast . It does okay on flat ground ,but I still can't just floor the HST pedal and expect it to accelerate quickly . It has to be done with a slow and progressive use of the pedal . I don't think you are experiencing anything abnormal . All the best , John

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( after reading a post about possible hst weakness "no guts hi gear hst", i started wondering. I have a ck30hst and now about 10 hours on it. I am completely new to tractors and never worked with any other tractors before. It did seem a bit weak going up a slight incline in my driveway in high gear. I tought that it was the way it is supposed to be, but now i'm not sure. On this issue and in general, what should a tractor like mine be able to do. Pic shows the small incline of driveway. Loader seems strong, lifting full bucket of wet dirt without hesitation. )</font>
There is nothing wrong with your tractor. High gear is high gear, just as it would be in an automobile. Try putting your car in high gear and starting off with the wheels chocked and see if you can get it to go over the chock. Same thing.
The CK20 is a two range, the CK25/30 are three ranges. Each range from low to high gives progressively less torque/pulling power. In high gear, on flat ground, with any tractor, you don't shove the HST pedal to the floor and expect it to just take off running, the engine will drag down until the momentum is caught up with and then the speed will be there. Going up an incline on and HST tractor in high range is no different than going up an incline in an auto in high gear where you haven't had sufficient speed to carry you up before the incline begins to win.
The CK HSTs have one pressure relief valve for forward and one for reverse. If the tractor works great in low and midrange, they're using the same relief valve, and nothing is wrong. If you were having the problem with all ranges, then you would suspect the PRV has a problem. The CK20s DID have SOME models that had a PRV problem, fixed by replacing either the spring plug or the whole valve, but the 25/30s have no known such problem. They also have a higher pressure relief than do the 20s.
As a medical professional, I've seen this happen when people are told the side effects of medications. They're going to find them.
I think the problem getut had with his tractor made a lot of people begin to suspect they're tractors had the same problem even if they didn't. Even I was beginning to wonder, but I know mine is just as it should be because it TEARS it up in low range, using the very same PRV that high range uses. Yours is just fine. Enjoy it. John

 

[Chuck_McC]

I agree with KiotiJohn and some of the others that Hi-range is for transport speeds,not for gauging the working power potential of the tractor. I have a CK-30 and I am impressed with the tractor. Do your work in low or mid range and transportation in high range.

 

[shoppintractors]

Hey Chuck,

Welcome to TBN and congratulations on the CK30 purchase.

Don