New Kioti Owner

[saboism]

Just dropping in the forum to say hello from Middle Tennessee, since I've finally made my decision on a new tractor purchase and went with a Kioti. I'm now a proud, and very excited, new owner of a Kioti CK35 HST, which is a huge upgrade from my old Kubota L235. Many factors went into my ultimate decision to go with this make/model, and rather than recap, most of the details are in this thread I posted over in the general buying forum. I've lurked these forums a bit prior to signing up in 2011 and have always found them a fantastic resource with some excellent membership, for that I'm thankful.

So she was delivered Monday night with only enough time to move the old out and get the new Kioti into the barn. I had my first actual seat time last night doing a bit of mowing with my finish mower which immediately confirmed I purchased the right machine for me. Now to dig around this forum and get myself more educated...

Oh, and pics or it didn't happen right? No action shots yet but snapped one this morning before heading to work, she's patiently waiting for my return...


And here's a shot from the day I took delivery, next to the old L235. It didn't hit me how much of an upgrade I really was getting all around until I saw it in a pic.


The old Kubota has treated me well and done most of what I've asked of her, but it's time for her to move on to server another. It certainly served a greater purpose of showing me exactly what I needed and wanted out of a newer machine. We'll be a little sad to see her go. Oh, and she was that beat up already when I got her.

 

[KiotiJason]

Congratulations, I've had my Kioti now for just over a year and it has been flawless. Enjoy!

 

[KevT]

:cool2: Congradulations, but you will still miss that K orange

 

[saboism]

Last night before I began mowing I decided it was time to learn (and stop being so lazy) how to remove the loader. I was pretty amazed how simple it was. It took 10 minutes tops and probably only took that long because I was following the manual as it was my first time. Now I'm no longer nervous about it and won't hesitate to remove it when just mowing. The ride felt a lot nicer mowing without it, and bonus that the lights become useful when the FEL's not there! Forgot to snap a pic but will try and remember to grab one tonight.

So far I'm extremely happy with this tractor. Already planning some minor basics like mounting a decent toolbox and adding some front and rear work lights to ROPS, but waiting until she gets her first 50 hour service done before I go futzing with anything. Maybe looking at hydraulic top link next year.

 

[k0ua]

Last night before I began mowing I decided it was time to learn (and stop being so lazy) how to remove the loader. I was pretty amazed how simple it was. It took 10 minutes tops and probably only took that long because I was following the manual as it was my first time. Now I'm no longer nervous about it and won't hesitate to remove it when just mowing. The ride felt a lot nicer mowing without it, and bonus that the lights become useful when the FEL's not there! Forgot to snap a pic but will try and remember to grab one tonight.

So far I'm extremely happy with this tractor. Already planning some minor basics like mounting a decent toolbox and adding some front and rear work lights to ROPS, but waiting until she gets her first 50 hour service done before I go futzing with anything. Maybe looking at hydraulic top link next year.

Great looking machine, I have it's older bigger brother.

 

[mj007]

I doubt that he will miss it at all

 

[Hdoilcan]

Congratulations on your new tractor...... the ck35 is what I'm hoping to be my new tractor also.

 

[Hdoilcan]

Was the ck35 too heavy for your lawn for mowing? Any issue's with the r4 tires on the lawn?

 

[phiferpharm]

I wonder how many of you run without the loader? I tend to either have it on with my bucket and Ratchet Rake or my grapple, even when using my Bush Hog. I've assumed that it serves as somewhat of a counter-balance to the BH.

 

[k0ua]

I wonder how many of you run without the loader? I tend to either have it on with my bucket and Ratchet Rake or my grapple, even when using my Bush Hog. I've assumed that it serves as somewhat of a counter-balance to the BH.

When I used to finish mow about 7 acres at my old place, I always had the loader off. It makes quite a bit of difference. My present tractor and setup here in the woods in Branson, I have no reason to take the loader off. I took it off once to see how easy it was.

 

[DK35vince]

I always take my loader off to mow.

 

[saboism]

Was the ck35 too heavy for your lawn for mowing? Any issue's with the r4 tires on the lawn?

Only issue was one time turning around with mower engaged at the top of the hill, which is still on a slope. I was in 2WD, ground was a bit soft, and I spun rear tire and dug a hole. Switched to 4WD and haven't had any issues. I wouldn't mow if it was too wet. I think it also helps that the CK35 is about 5' wide and my finish mower is 6'. That said, I don't use it to mow the nicer stuff close to the house and only mow the 2 small fields with it, where I don't care so much. With the slope of the property I just leave it in 4WD now and haven't had any issue. I turn slowly. I snapped some pics yesterday so you can see where I mow and how it comes out. Grass was higher than I normally let it go this round so a bit of clumping which I could have minimized if I went slower, but again I don't care that much. I also should probably cut a bit higher too. As for the weight, I like the extra weight given the slope.





I'm about to see if the loader goes back on as easy as it came off so I can continue my 'shrubageddon' project to reduce the amount of landscaping I need to take care around the house. :thumbsup:

 

[DK35vince]

I'm about to see if the loader goes back on as easy as it came off so I can continue my 'shrubageddon' project to reduce the amount of landscaping I need to take care around the house. :thumbsup:

How easy it goes back on depends a lot on how level it is where it was taken off.
Everything level and lines up it goes real easy.
Not so level and you need to mess around lining up the holes, not quite so easy.

 

[ritcheyvs]

... I'm about to see if the loader goes back on as easy as it came off ...

That's report I'd like to read. I never felt a need to remove the actual loader although I've had the bucket off several times (which is very quick and easy with the SSQA interface).

 

[k0ua]

That's report I'd like to read. I never felt a need to remove the actual loader although I've had the bucket off several times (which is very quick and easy with the SSQA interface).

Its pretty easy, as long as you don't do it on soft ground.. Need really hard ground or even better concrete. If one side sinks.. that's when the trouble starts...Otherwise hookup is pretty easy.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Only issue was one time turning around with mower engaged at the top of the hill, which is still on a slope. I was in 2WD, ground was a bit soft, and I spun rear tire and dug a hole. Switched to 4WD and haven't had any issues. I wouldn't mow if it was too wet. I think it also helps that the CK35 is about 5' wide and my finish mower is 6'. That said, I don't use it to mow the nicer stuff close to the house and only mow the 2 small fields with it, where I don't care so much. With the slope of the property I just leave it in 4WD now and haven't had any issue. I turn slowly. I snapped some pics yesterday so you can see where I mow and how it comes out. Grass was higher than I normally let it go this round so a bit of clumping which I could have minimized if I went slower, but again I don't care that much. I also should probably cut a bit higher too. As for the weight, I like the extra weight given the slope.

View attachment 428478

View attachment 428479

I'm about to see if the loader goes back on as easy as it came off so I can continue my 'shrubageddon' project to reduce the amount of landscaping I need to take care around the house. :thumbsup:

You have a beautiful place there! :thumbsup:I always leave my loader on when I brush hog my field, I think I may try taking it off the new tractor this season just to try it out.

 

[saboism]

It went back pretty easy. I'd say 5 minutes. Didn't need to follow the manual it's fairly straightforward. And yes, when I removed it I did it on my concrete parking area, flat and level. It's the spot the first pics at the beginning of thread are taken.

 

[k0ua]

It went back pretty easy. I'd say 5 minutes. Didn't need to follow the manual it's fairly straightforward. And yes, when I removed it I did it on my concrete parking area, flat and level. It's the spot the first pics at the beginning of thread are taken.

Do it 5 more times and you could probably get your time down to 3 minutes or even less.

 

[davrow]

Wow, that is a shiny tractor! Looks good, glad you like it!

 

[TJP89]

Your loader experience is different than mine. I got it off in about 5 min, drove it around a little to see what it was like, and then tried to put it back on. lined up good, hydraulics good, but then it was half an hour of fiddling with the joystick to get the pins to go back in:smiley_aafz: I don't take it off now, but don't really need to as I'm either using the loader, or mowing the woods or field, no close in work. Light isn't a problem since I have 2 forward facing ROPS mounted LED work lights that make a HUGE difference in night visibility.