Will the CK27 be "enough" tractor

[Kiotikarl]

Interesting thread I have a Ck30 TLB gear and wished i had gone to the ck35, at some times i seem to run a little low on torque. I had the dealer install a diverter valve on the loader this fall, and had the fuel pump cranked, boy day and night difference:drool::thumbsup: We did have a 2009 DK45SEC and sold it since after 3 years only 148hrs on it. The main reason for the low hours, was due to size, bigger isn't always better. The CK30 2010 is a little over 300hrs as of today, we use it all the time. I do a lot of loader work and never regret buying a shuttle shift tractor over an HST.

 

[IslandTractor]

Its fun debating tractors though:laughing:
I think in your case where you seem to make miles of roads out of the desert, then extra hp is not wasted at all. In my case I think all the DK50 would do is maybe run a box blade fractionally faster, but probably not since the HST's have all the same settings and it seems in mid range at lower speeds its the HST that's the limiting factor, not the HP... The 50 would probably brush hog faster, but I don't have one and I'm not sure I'm getting one. I'm not planning on a snow blower either so maybe I'll never ever wish I had the extra ponies? Maybe if I sell the tractor but I can show perspective buyer the shop manual with all the specs and do a decent sales pitch that unless your using maximum pto hp alot, you won't miss the few hp difference.

The emphasis on horsepower in tractor selection is unfortunate. HP certainly is important but has to be balanced with frame size, loader, 3PT, operator station, drivetrain, traction, ballast, and of course most importantly matched to the needed tasks and implement sizes. While a little extra HP is not a bad thing, the exaggerated focus on HP rather than the other factors probably does lead to poorly planned purchases.

 

[kiotiken]

The emphasis on horsepower in tractor selection is unfortunate. HP certainly is important but has to be balanced with frame size, loader, 3PT, operator station, drivetrain, traction, ballast, and of course most importantly matched to the needed tasks and implement sizes. While a little extra HP is not a bad thing, the exaggerated focus on HP rather than the other factors probably does lead to poorly planned purchases.

I'm a little confused. We're comparing the CK27-35 here, everything you've listed is exactly the same except for hp. I agree with your earlier posts that the DK series is much more capable and if you're looking at the CK35, why not consider the DK40, but at some point money has to come into play. If you have lots of it or not, if you're not making a living with your tractor, there's only so much you're willing to spend. I really wish I had a DK40, but thinking back to when I was trading my Deere in and writing a cheque for the CK30, I was already thinking I was crazy for buying something so expensive for my 3 acres. If I had bought the DK40, I'd probably be wishing I'd gone for the DK50, and then I'd be wishing the RX6010 was avail when I was buying and then ...

The OP asked about the CK27HST vs other CK models. I recently noticed my manual listed a different travel speed for the CK25/27HST than the CK30/35HST, other than that, the only difference I know of is hp. The CK27HST is probably great but my dealer doesn't stock them or sell them unless specifically requested because the price diff is so small to move to the CK30. I love my CK30HST, but would do the CK35HST if I could chose again.

 

[kiotiken]

One more thing, if there was no difference between the CK25 and CK35, they wouldn't have made anything more than the CK25.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm a little confused. We're comparing the CK27-35 here, everything you've listed is exactly the same except for hp. I agree with your earlier posts that the DK series is much more capable and if you're looking at the CK35, why not consider the DK40, but at some point money has to come into play. If you have lots of it or not, if you're not making a living with your tractor, there's only so much you're willing to spend. I really wish I had a DK40, but thinking back to when I was trading my Deere in and writing a cheque for the CK30, I was already thinking I was crazy for buying something so expensive for my 3 acres. If I had bought the DK40, I'd probably be wishing I'd gone for the DK50, and then I'd be wishing the RX6010 was avail when I was buying and then ...

The OP asked about the CK27HST vs other CK models. I recently noticed my manual listed a different travel speed for the CK25/27HST than the CK30/35HST, other than that, the only difference I know of is hp. The CK27HST is probably great but my dealer doesn't stock them or sell them unless specifically requested because the price diff is so small to move to the CK30. I love my CK30HST, but would do the CK35HST if I could chose again.

My general comment on HP was just that, general. We spend too much time arguing HP on TBN. I wasn't relating to the CK27 vs CK35 choice specifically but pointing out that we focus too much on the HP rating. However, it does fit with supporting the CK27 for as you point out every other factor I listed is the same. Sure, it is sometimes nice to have a bit more HP but it is not often that that missing HP really makes or breaks the ability to get a job done. The CK35 has a significant practical advantage only for mowing and otherwise the two are going to perform at a similar level.

With the DK 40vs45vs50 choice it really shows even more clearly what a marketing boondoggle horsepower is. I believe the difference in price between each of those varients of the otherwise identical tractor is about $1500 or more. The ONLY difference is the size of the pistons. It may cost Kioti $50 more to build the 50 vs the 40. Kioti can upsell their customers because men love horsepower and don't think straight when given the choice. A DK40 with $3000 extra to spend on extra implements will be a more efficient machine than a DK50 with only basic implements. Anyone who really thinks through what they will be doing with one of these CK or DK tractors really needs to think a bit more carefully than just drooling over HP. That is my point.

 

[kiotiken]

... I want enough power to get the job done in a timely manor without having to rely on low range whether it is HST or gear. ...If a person wants HST, then they are best off with the max HP in that frame size. Maybe the $$$$ is a factor in a decision, maybe not.

The way you guys talk, I should have bought a 5520 (55HP) instead of my 7520, (75HP) same tractor, just less hp. I could be doing all my chores in 1st or 2nd gear instead of 6th,7th or even 8th.

I give up, you win. Lets have a :drink: and move on. :thumbsup:

I'm with MtnViewRanch, and I give up too. To the OP, you have my opinions, take what you wil, but please update us (with pics) when you make your decision. Best of luck.

 

[Not Retired Yet]

With me it was finding the largest frame to fit through both my gates and the amount I had to spend. With the small gate @ 6' that meant ck20 or ck27/30/35 frame. I chose the larger/heavier frame. It was either 35 and no implements or 30 with 1 implement or 27 with multiple implements. I went 27 with fel, toothbar, grapple, box blade, and disk. I decided it was really the best bang for the buck for me. We all have our reasoning and in the end it's up to the individual.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

With me it was finding the largest frame to fit through both my gates and the amount I had to spend. With the small gate @ 6' that meant ck20 or ck27/30/35 frame. I chose the larger/heavier frame. It was either 35 and no implements or 30 with 1 implement or 27 with multiple implements. I went 27 with fel, toothbar, grapple, box blade, and disk. I decided it was really the best bang for the buck for me. We all have our reasoning and in the end it's up to the individual.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[IslandTractor]

We all have our reasoning and in the end it's up to the individual.

I'm sure we can all agree with that. The challenge on TBN is that individuals are coming here to ask participants for help so naturally different opinions will come out. As anyone who spends time here knows, the peanut gallery is more than eager to advocate more, more, more when spending someone else's money. More is not always better but if a reasoned, informed decision leads you that direction, great.

 

[Not Retired Yet]

I agree Island - am I'm a proud member of the peanut gallery here! :-D somewhere buried deep in our collection of opinions and ideas we can always hope for a pearl of wisdom. (but don't forget that pearls start with a lot of irritation... :-D :-D :-D

 

[Fastpitch]

I just want to say thank you to all the members of the peanut gallery for all of the replies. You have given me a lot to think about from many different perspectives and this is exactly what I wanted when I started this thread. There is no other place on the internet that you can go and find this many people who are this knowledgeable and passionate about tractors, so again I say thank you.

Now I wish I could just get away from work in time to go by the Kioti dealer and test drive the different models.

 

[earljr59]

Fastpitch, from your first post and what you want a tractor to do i think any size ck will serve you well and do fine.I hope when at the dealer you try and make yourself think small.Resist the sales pitch to go bigger and remember they call um compact tractors for a reason.Good luck.

 

[earljr59]

@mtn view ranch,I enjoyed your pictures of your dirtworking project and such a nice view. The case dozer looks very nice and looks right at home on the range.:thumbsup:

 

[caver]

When I first got my little Case 310 dozer,

Cool little dozer. Did you fancy it up yourself or buy it that way?

 

[caver]

Fastpitch:

The relationship with my LB1914 soured when the loader couldn't pull a T-post out of the ground or breakout of a pile of gravel. It was a fun little tractor but the loader was a big disappointment. It was my first tractor and you learn by your mistakes.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Cool little dozer. Did you fancy it up yourself or buy it that way?

I did the rebuild myself. Here is what it looked like before I started. I used it as purchased for 3 years, before doing much of anything to it. It is a good little machine.

 

[Fastpitch]

I finally got a chance to go by the Kioti dealer and talk to the dealer and drive a few tractors. I told him that most of the hours that I would be putting on the tractor would be mowing 8 acres that I would probably not let it get over 8". I told him I also wanted a grader to maintain a long drive and a tiller to till a garden but I would only be doing those task a few times a year. He recommended the ck27. The free loader program is on for the ck27 and ck30 but not the ck35 The ck35 has a $2,500 rebate. He said the loader was worth $3,500.

He said that it would be hard to tell the difference between the ck27 and ck35 while pulling a 6' finish mower if I truly used it as a finish mower. He said that if I wanted to go to a 7' finish mower he would recommend the ck35 but he only recommended a 7' if my land was pretty much level. If not he recommended a 6' regardless of which tractor I bought. He carries the Woods PRD and RD finish mowers. The PRD is :shocked: $2,700 and the RD is $2,150 but man that PRD is built well.

He recommended a 5' KingKutter tiller and a 5' woods grader. I believe it is a GS600. He said that the ck35 would handle a 6' and possibly a 7' but if I was only grading my driveway a few times a year was it worth the extra money? He said that he sold more ck27s than ck30s and ck35s combined. He said that most people he sold ck35s to wanted a tractor to run a 6' brush cutter but he thought that the dk lineup was better for a 6' brush cutter. He said that the ck35 was a great tractor and if I bought one I would never want for hp as long as I used implements designed for that frame sized tractor but performing the task that I described he felt that I would be happy with a ck27 plus save some money.

Sorry for the long post but I thought you might want to know what the dealer recommended.

 

[kiotiken]

Thanks for the update. What did he quote you for price difference between the 3?

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Fastpitch that post sounds almost identical to what I went through last year. I wound up with the ck27hst and extra implements. I've been VERY happy with my decision and haven't needed more power yet. Let us know what you decide. Good luck and you'll get a lot of use out of whatever you decide!

 

[Fastpitch]

Thanks for the update. What did he quote you for price difference between the 3?

The CK27 was $16,000, CK30 $16,700 and the CK35 was $18,700. All were HST and included a FEL with hooks welded on. For gear drive models subtract $1,200.