KIOTI CK20 Runs Rings Around Airplanes

Big Dog

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Tractors in general are intended to work and not be babied. Depending on their size, they are expected to withstand dirt, mud, sun, rain and rough handling, etc. Compact tractors are used for a variety of jobs by landscapers, hobby farmers, light construction and utility contractors, lawn contractors, sportsfield and golf course superintendents and garden centers to name a few. Most are stored in garages. But, imagine a 20 horsepower tractor that is expected to safely race through a slalom course of huge machinery while pulling a three section trailer that weighs over 3,000 lbs. -all while the temperature has dipped well below zero.

A KIOTI CK20 does just that. In use for the last year pulling baggage carriers at St. John's Airport in Newfoundland, Canada, it has far exceeded it's owner's original expectations for reliability, safety and service. But, to truly appreciate how well the KIOTI tractor has performed, you need to understand how extreme the conditions are where it is being used.

The machines typically used to pull the caissons of baggage are called tugs. They can pull up to three carriers; the total train can reach over 30' long and hold 120 pieces of luggage. Snaking around planes, people, and GPUs is no easy task. And, it must be done quickly to stay on schedule. When Provincial Air's last tug needed to be replaced, Dale did so - with a KIOTI CK20 compact tractor.

Safety Features Sell Themselves
Dale bought his KIOTI in 2006 from Rick Powers at Atlantic Trailers (www.atlantictrailers.ca) in Mount Pearl, NL. Rick had been a longstanding Kubota dealer and had retired in 1998 - or so he thought. He opened Atlantic Trailers a few years later to serve the farming and trailer industry of Newfoundland and Labrador. When choosing which tractor lines to carry, Rick found KIOTI to be, "...an equal if not better product than the Kubota product. I decided to sell KIOTI because they had the features, implements and warranty that make it a tractor I can stand behind." And, they can obviously stand up to the tough conditions on Newfoundland. All Rick's customers love them.

Dale had done his homework prior to buying the KIOTI CK20. He thought it was a much better investment and had more options than any competitive model tractors in its size class. He liked the single lever joystick, power steering, front and rear PTO and especially the look of the tractor. Because the CK20 would be working at night, the wide coverage of the KIOTI headlights was also very important. All the pieces seemed to fit together to meet the needs that Provincial Air required in the product.

Atlantic Trailer set Dale up with an attachment on the standard three point hitch that simplified hooking up either a luggage caisson or a GPU. The ROPS and seat belt are mandatory in Dale's mind; safety is one of Provincial Airline's top priorities. "The KIOTI has the maneuverability we need on the tarmac but stops on a dime. We never have to worry that it will slip out of gear.a€? Dale continued, "When you're on a tight schedule or have to drive around people and expensive jets, every second and every inch counts. We can't afford mistakes."

Provincial Air's CK20 is also equipped with the optional foot throttle. Dale calls this another safety feature. When any one of his staff is winding their way from the runway to the terminal, they need to keep an eye both on where they're going and their cargo. Having a foot throttle allows the driver to free up their upper body and turn around when necessary - without accidentally accelerating. The CK20 maintains a stable center of gravity, even when pulling a GPU.

No Walls and No Problems
And, every member of his staff drives differently. "This could be a maintenance nightmare." Dales quips. "These guys come real close to abusing the KIOTI but we've had no problems in the year we've had it. It is incredibly fuel efficient and we've had zero things go wrong with it." This is despite the fact that it is housed outside - all the time. The only time the KIOTI goes inside is when it goes into a terminal building. Then, it goes right back out and stays there. Dale laughs, "Last winter was brutal. It's not unusual to find the KIOTI parked next to a 5' pile of snow. All we have to do is brush the snow off the seat and start it up. The glow plugs and diesel engine perform better than we do, especially at 30 below!"

Provincial Airlines still has eight more tugs in their fleet. As they reach obsolescence, Dale fully intends to replace each and every one with a KIOTI. His says his next accessory is going to be a snow blower. That should get a lot of use in Newfoundland.
 

Jake W

Member
Great post on the Kioti on tug duty. I am liking the sounds of these Kioti tractors and will have to figure out a way to get one in my garage.
 

Big Dog

Super Moderator
SUPER Site Supporter
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tydp

New member
Amazing

Amazing that a 20 HP CUT Kioti could pull more than 3000 lbs on hard pavement in very cold weather!!!! With an optional foot throttle! Unheard of!
 
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