Will the CK27 be "enough" tractor

[IslandTractor]

There is something about the CK HST's where it doesn't seem the full power is reaching the ground. Not sure if it's relief settings or simply losses in the tranny. In my test drives the geared tractors were distinctly stronger. The HST's just seemed to be "stifled" in my test drives..

Gittyup I don't know if you have a lot of experience with HSTs. Some folks who notice what you have reported are not using the HST correctly. There is a counter intuitive "feature" to an HST which results in more actual power making it to the ground when you do NOT press the pedal to the floor. Max power with an HST at a given engine RPM is usually acheived with only partial depression of the pedal. I don't know if this holds true for the new "40" generation of Kubota HSTs but I believe it is true of the earlier generation HSTs such as are on the Kiotis. Max speed is with full pedal depression but that is different.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

With my Mahindra 3215 HST, I can pull my 700lb 66"wide box blade in mid range about any where on my 80 acres. I doubt that I can do the same with a 72" unit. I can not imagine having to work in low range. It would take forever to get anything done. If you think that these tractors need to do all heavy work in low range, well that certainly is not the case with ANY of my machines and I have several and none of my implements are to small for my tractors.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Twice as fast? Really? I doubt it would be any faster at all for most uses. I pull a 6' very heavy gannon box (~900 lbs) behind my CK25 gear. Pulls it with no problem while cutting virgin compacted soil. Impossible to work it any faster and still maintain control. Maybe if just moving around some loose, sandy stuff on flat, straight terrain, you could go real fast. But, I couldn't. It would be neither effective nor safe.
.

Well, not quite. My 3215 pulls 2.8MPH in low range and 5.1MPH in mid range. Yes it will and does pull a full load of dirt up hill in mid range. I can't even imagine working in low range all the time. I only use low range when rototilling.

Again, the equipment that some of you have for YOUR conditions and capabilities is good for YOU. Everyone has somewhat different circumstances and what works GREAT for you does not in any way mean that it applies to everyone.

 

[IslandTractor]

With my Mahindra 3215 HST, I can pull my 700lb 66"wide box blade in mid range about any where on my 80 acres. I doubt that I can do the same with a 72" unit. I can not imagine having to work in low range. It would take forever to get anything done. If you think that these tractors need to do all heavy work in low range, well that certainly is not the case with ANY of my machines and I have several and none of my implements are to small for my tractors.

That's coz you're just pulling sand! That is very dry granular soil you have there. You couldn't do that in New England where dirt is dirt!:laughing:

 

[earljr59]

I have to comment... all good opinions here, cant really disagree with most of it. If you feel the need for a bigger tractor, go buy one. As for the need for speed,it reminds me back in the late 70's. I was a young cat driver learning the art of building locations and moving the oil rigs. Like all young men I felt the need for speed and felt like thats what was needed to make a show and get er done. On the other cat was An experienced ol guy who I respected and wanted to impress with my skills.He was retired,drawing social security.working as much as the government would tolerate at the time. He told me we could try and outdo each other all day or work together and make it easier on us both. And when it comes to dirtwork ,slow and good go together. Fast and good doesnt apply to gradework. And He said I ought to quit jumping off the cat,when I get older I would regret it.I would be crawling off like him at the end of the day. 35 years later and I have to agree.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

That's coz you're just pulling sand! That is very dry granular soil you have there. You couldn't do that in New England where dirt is dirt!:laughing:

Actually we have very little sand, it is either decomposed granite which when it is hard and dry will stop most anything and top soil. Pictures can be deceiving. We do not have the rocks that so many have.

As we all know, moisture content makes all the difference with how a dirt working job goes. Does this look like sand to you?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I have to comment... all good opinions here, cant really disagree with most of it. If you feel the need for a bigger tractor, go buy one. As for the need for speed,it reminds me back in the late 70's. I was a young cat driver learning the art of building locations and moving the oil rigs. Like all young men I felt the need for speed and felt like thats what was needed to make a show and get er done. On the other cat was An experienced ol guy who I respected and wanted to impress with my skills.He was retired,drawing social security.working as much as the government would tolerate at the time. He told me we could try and outdo each other all day or work together and make it easier on us both. And when it comes to dirtwork ,slow and good go together. Fast and good doesnt apply to gradework. And He said I ought to quit jumping off the cat,when I get older I would regret it.I would be crawling off like him at the end of the day. 35 years later and I have to agree.

When I first got my little Case 310 dozer, I only worked it in 1st gear, but with many hours on the machine I can now do many of the things that I use to only do in 1st gear in 2nd. Not only as good but better. Everything does not have to be done at a snails pace. That is not to say that there are times when you shouldn't work at a slower pace, just that you do not have to do all tasks slow to be able to do them well.

 

[Gittyup]

Gittyup I don't know if you have a lot of experience with HSTs. Some folks who notice what you have reported are not using the HST correctly. There is a counter intuitive "feature" to an HST which results in more actual power making it to the ground when you do NOT press the pedal to the floor. Max power with an HST at a given engine RPM is usually acheived with only partial depression of the pedal. I don't know if this holds true for the new "40" generation of Kubota HSTs but I believe it is true of the earlier generation HSTs such as are on the Kiotis. Max speed is with full pedal depression but that is different.

I own and operate an HST; have been doing so for 18 years. I fully understand how to use them to max. power.

 

[IslandTractor]

I own and operate an HST; have been doing so for 18 years. I fully understand how to use them to max. power.

Well, I guess that rules out operator error!

 

[kiotiken]

With my Mahindra 3215 HST, I can pull my 700lb 66"wide box blade in mid range about any where on my 80 acres. I doubt that I can do the same with a 72" unit. I can not imagine having to work in low range. It would take forever to get anything done. If you think that these tractors need to do all heavy work in low range, well that certainly is not the case with ANY of my machines and I have several and none of my implements are to small for my tractors.

Ya, sorry, I have to agree with MtnViewRanch, I'd pull my hair out if I had to use low range all the time. The Kioti CK line (not sure about the DK`s) has one issue that I HATE and I don't think is common among HST tractors, reverse in all ranges is slower than forward. I could put a brick on the treadle when backing up in low, jump off, go make a coffee and come back with plenty of time to spare, it's just ridiculous. This is a little of an issue plowing snow too, mid range is OK going forwards, but painful when backing up for the next pass.

I have a 60" box blade. I can pull it around with the rippers up or just breaking ground all day in mid range. I don`t think it`s undersized at all because it`s more than my tractor can handle in mid range in some cases. I took advantage of the drought last summer and reworked the stream that went dry at the back of my property. It was still very wet and nothing but clay. I did pretty well, but did have to jump down to low every now and then and I don't think I would have had to with 5 extra hp.

I also agree with IslandTractor, HST is a little counter intuitive some times and takes a little time to get used to. When the tractor starts struggling, you actually have to back off a little and you're usually fine. If I couldn't get the power I needed to the ground with an HST tractor, I'd look at getting more power in the same line, as you can with Kioti, or moving to a bigger tractor with HST. For me and my uses, it's the only way to go.