Any happy CK35 owners?

[chsdiyer]

I'm looking at a newer CK35 and plan to use the front end loader (and pallet forks) a good bit. In reading up on this tractor, it seems there are a lot of unhappy owners with the front end loader performance. I've also read a lot of other reviews of issues people have had with this tractor. The alternatives I'm looking at are the LS XG3025 and Kubota L3200 (yes, i've seen the 35 page L3200 vs CK35 thread). Anyone have any good experiences with the CK35 or am I better off looking more at the LS which seems to have far better front loader specs?

 

[N2DFire]

First question - Older CK35 & KL130 loader (Tier III 2015? and older) or CK3510 & KL4010 loader (Tier VI 2016 & up) because they have slightly different specs.

Second Question - and I'm not trying to be an @$$ - but where are you seeing these unhappy owners at & what type of performance issue are they unhappy with?

I can only find one thread here with 2 posts about the new CK3510 / KL4010 loader & an issue when using pallet forks.

I ask because generally speaking if you find someone unhappy with the tractor performance they are asking it to do more that it's capable of and probably should have bought a larger tractor to begin with and I just want to make sure that's not the case here.

For example - My Father and I "Co-Own" our tractor (Well he paid for it but I end up running it most of the time LOL). I know we were slightly "disappointed" when we discovered it wouldn't lift *all* round bales of hay (dry 4x4 No problem, green 5X5 or larger - forget it) but . . .
1) We didn't think about that when we bought it because we weren't moving round bales then.
2) We don't move that many round bales now anyway (maybe a dozen a winter) and it's only for place to place transport not stacking / unstacking so we're eventually going to make a 3pt hay spear.

If those were considerations when we bought it, we would have stepped up to a DK40 (and almost did anyway).

All in all we have done quite a bit of loader work including dirt moving (rebuilding a pond and excavating for retaining walls), spreading asphalt millings, and LOTS of grapple work and so far I have not once been disappointed in what the tractor / loader can accomplish - I just have to remember to work inside it's capabilities. As my father is fond of reminding me, it's a 35hp farm tractor not a D9 dozer.

 

[chsdiyer]

Steve,

Thanks for the response. It's a 2015 CK35. The comments that i've seen have been on this forum or maybe another as well. Commonly people said they either didn't get the CK35 because of the loader limitations or they did get it and were disappointed. One example is .... Kioti CK-35 Tractor Review - YouTube. He mentions he had an older CK 30 and was not happy with the performance of his CK35. In the comments section this year someone asked how he was liking it after a while and he mentions he would not buy this tractor again. I've read several people complaining about hydraulic leaks as well as smoking issues during it's regen cycle. Also saw multiple complaints about the rocker peddle sticking. I'd been set on the LS or a Kubota but I have the opportunity to get this CK35 for 14k with a finish mower and disc plow (if that's what it's called). I'd really like the front loader to be able to lift a lot which is what drew me to the LS, but this seems like a very good deal on the kioti. But i'd rather spend a little more if the other tractors are better performers and more reliable. And no offense to your questions...I should have backed up my statements better. Thanks for the response!

 

[finn1]

If your primary use is a loader and forks, consider a skidsteer.

I traded my Deere skidsteer foe a new CK4010, and find that the visibility and capability of the skidsteer is far better for front end work.

The CK has a nice cab and will be better for snowblower use and, of course three point work.

 

[chsdiyer]

So we average 1/2" of snow here a year and really it's more like none. I do intend to use the front end load a lot for things such as moving gravel, moving sections of trees to mill, moving brush to a pile to burn, moving construction supplies when we build our house (not pallets of stone or grass). If I need to move super heavy stuff I can pay a friend with a skid steer. The three point strength would be nice for grading the property and raking out all the roots left by the dozer that cleared the land, as well as cutting the grass (which at the moment is brush).

The LS is definitely weaker in the PTO, but has a 1600lb front load lift capacity.

The L3200 is also a good deal at 17,500 with forks, brush hog, and box blade. 2013 with 84 hours. But to ship here makes it almost too expensive.

 

[chsdiyer]

Well, it's a moot point now. Even though I had a day or so left to pay on ebay, the guy decided to sell it locally instead. LS it is.

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback!

 

[N2DFire]

Well, it's a moot point now. Even though I had a day or so left to pay on ebay, the guy decided to sell it locally instead. LS it is.

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback!

Well that's a bummer but hey - it just wasn't meant to be.

So we average 1/2" of snow here a year and really it's more like none. I do intend to use the front end load a lot for things such as moving gravel, moving sections of trees to mill, moving brush to a pile to burn, moving construction supplies when we build our house (not pallets of stone or grass). If I need to move super heavy stuff I can pay a friend with a skid steer. The three point strength would be nice for grading the property and raking out all the roots left by the dozer that cleared the land, as well as cutting the grass (which at the moment is brush).

Really the only place I see that loader lift capacity is an issue would be the trees to the mill. Gravel you will never fill the bucket with more than the loader will lift/carry. Same with Brush. Construction supplies you *could* exceed capacity but in reality it just means more trips with smaller loads. Not much way to make the tree sections lighter without making them shorter so it really is specific to what you need here.

The L3200 is also a good deal at 17,500 with forks, brush hog, and box blade. 2013 with 84 hours. But to ship here makes it almost too expensive.

Based on the Snow comments I'm guessing Charleston, SC and not WV LOL
I picked a random Zip code for Charleston SC and there are 5 Kioti Dealers between 95 & 120 or so miles from you. Our dealer was a little over 100 miles away and delivered for free (2014 prices we picked up our New CK35 Gear w/ Loader, filed tires & delivery for about the same as you're looking at here - no attachments though).

I'm not sure how much you're getting quoted for shipping on the LS, but it might not hurt to at least make a couple phone calls and get quotes on a CK3510 (or even a CK4010) just to see if it's "close enough" in price for New vs Used.

... smoking issues during it's regen cycle. ...

Just to clarify for future readers - the older Tier III emissions standard models are the CK series (i.e CK35) and it has no regen cycle, that's the new CKxx10 series that have to meet the new Tier IV emission standard. (i.e. CK3510).
I'm not 100% sure what year model the change happened but I do know ours is a 2014 Tier III.


Best of luck whatever way you go.

 

[chsdiyer]

Thanks for the continued info Steve!

It's hard for me to translate lift capacity to actual objects. Good to know the loader can always lift a full bucket of gravel. I found this nifty calculator that helped me understand how much various logs weight... http://www.forestryforum.com/calcs/log_weight.htm

Yes, Charleston SC. I've never been to Charleston, WV but I'm sure it's weather is quite different.

The LS shipping rates have varied from nearly free for the furthest dealer to 350-400 for the closer ones. I'm actually tempted to buy the Kubota because that guy has been the nicest I've talked to. I feel like all the dealers I talk to seem a little annoyed that I've called. They certainly don't respond to email request for info. Not like car dealers that's for sure. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try a Kioti dealer though the CK2510 is probably closer to my price range.

Thanks for clarifying the Regen. I'm not sure what I was reading. Perhaps I got confused because all I could find on Kioti's website was the CK 3510 and tractordata says the CK35 ran from 2006 - ... so I thought maybe the CK3510 and CK35 were one in the same.

Thanks again!

 

[chsdiyer]

Oh yeah, I had looked in to Kioti, but based on these package deals, I would say like Kubota they are out of my price range SPECIAL PACKAGE DEALS – Carolina Outdoors

The 17500 is my max which makes the Kubota tough with $500 shipping on top of that price.

 

[N2DFire]

Oh yeah, I had looked in to Kioti, but based on these package deals, I would say like Kubota they are out of my price range SPECIAL PACKAGE DEALS Carolina Outdoors

The 17500 is my max which makes the Kubota tough with $500 shipping on top of that price.

Sorry - I've been stuck in meetings the last day or so & they frown on me being on TBN instead of listening. :laughing:

CK3510 HST Package
$25,800
- $2,500 Assuming the Advantage 3.5 Ton in 18' ($2,995 Retail on Ebay)
- $900 Assuming the low end SBX60 ($776 - $905 on TractorHouse.com)
- $1100 Assuming the Razorback BH5 ($995 - $1295 on TractorHouse.com)

Puts it at around $21,300 for just the tractor. Granted it's been a few years since we bought ours but that sounds a little high to me.

HST has always added about $1,000 to the price also.

If you're willing to get JUST the tractor/loader and then buy used equipment off CraigsList then you should be able to get very close to your budget.

Our CK35 Gear w/ Loader, filled tires, and delivery (100 miles roughly) was w/in your budget in 2014. I think if you keep shopping around you can find "New" in your budget for just a tractor and should definitely be able to find used with some implements in that range.

Nothing wrong with the LS & Kubota tractors either and I'm not knocking any particular dealer but be cautious with any "Package" deal - a lot of times they offer very base model tractors at attractive prices then try to up sell you all the Add-on's. It's not a full blown bait & switch but it's very misleading to first timers and hobbiest (like me) that have minimal tractor experience / knowledge.

Best of luck what ever you do & feel free to come back here if you have questions. Lots of guys smarter than me here to help. :thumbsup:

 

[chsdiyer]

Thanks Steve,

Yeah, that price is too much for me. The quote i'm looking at for the new LS is HST with 6ft box blade and pallet forks, loaded tires and delivered for 17k. With the rotary cutter it's 17,700 I think. I'm not sure i'll need the cutter till spring. I've been tempted to buy just a tractor or the kubota (which has land pride implements) for that reason. The dealers don't really tell you what implements your getting and if you ask their first answer is, "oh it's heavy duty, made in ....". The ones I'm getting are LMC, at least their mid grade box blade. I really don't want to go over 17-18k (with the attachments I need), which is what the kubota would be delivered ($18k). I might could get the CK2510 close to that price, but it wouldn't have any attachments.

Thanks for your help!

 

[TheKid760]

I just bought my CK3510HST a month ago.

Got it for 24k. That was with a BB2065 box blade, 2 rear ports, filled tires, backhoe subframe, linked pedal kit and delivery and installation of accessories along with a full factory service manual.

I've put 20hrs on it so far and love it. Grades and leveled area for an 1800 sqft concrete parking area and along with that moved 40 yards of gravel.

It performed flawless and I didn't have an issue. Can't wait to put to more use.

No regen yet and only used 1/2 a tank or so in fuel.

Next purchase will be pallet forks then a grapple to clear a few acres of trees.

 

[450]

TheKid760,

That was a very good price for your setup. I just wish I could get a deal like that. I am looking at $29,500 for CK3510HST, loader and backhoe.

 

[chsdiyer]

That is a nice looking tractor! Looks like you're going to be having lots of fun. Wow, half a tank of fuel in 20 hours? I'm about about 6 hours and close to half a tank.

 

[TheKid760]

18.5 hours

And somewhere between 2/3 and 1/2 a tank used.

Maybe it's the linked pedal kit? That keeps rpm low until it's needed. Making the throttle automatic like a car.

 

[Gittyup]

I'm a CK25 owner since 2006. While I've had some frustrations with the tractor, all but one was made right by Kioti. I have moved well over 1000 tons of dirt, stone, mulch, and more. Performed lots of digging for structures, retaining walls, culverts, trenches, and stumps. Used both the loader and the backhoe as cranes, picking up some huge boulders that likely pushed 2000 lbs. I will testify that that little tractor is a beast of an earth mover. It's a heck of digger. I've used the bucket with a tooth bar to fill it way past the opening with big boulders with no issue. I would say the only time I've had an issue with the loader capacity is with forks on it. The forks just put the weight too far out in front. It still does OK, but a fork lift replacement it will never be (Nor was it intended to be).

It's a heavy tractor, and with loaded tires, it puts the power to the ground and stays on the ground. That's more than I can say for my buddy's Kubota. It doesn't have loaded tires. It's scary light to the point that I afraid to even try to do what I do with my CK on his. It loses traction fast and comes off the ground easily.

Boy prices sure have gone up since 2006. I paid $20,300 for tractor, loader, rhino 75 ladder frame backhoe w/ 18" bucket, 12" post hole digger, 7' woods 6-way scraper, toothbar, grill guard, and loaded tires. Mine is shuttle shift, which I chose to maximize horsepower and save a couple of dollars. Closest price on similar kubota or john deere was over $6000 more. I just recently had to fork out for the only repair I've had to pay for: blown head gasket $1100. I think the head gasket failure was expedited by a bad oil filter that caused tremendous pressure on the oil cycle. No matter, I'm still thousands ahead compared to buying the others. And there is no guarantee that they wouldn't require repairs too.

I do think the LS's are pretty nice. And the Mahindra Max is too. It's all about the dealer for any of them, anyway, both in initial prep and long term support. Choose dealer then choose tractor.

All in all, though, I'm very happy with my CK. I'm at about 800 hours now. I thought about selling it because I'm done with all major foreseeable chores. Just can't bring myself to let it go.

 

[bullyforyou]

i have a very late CK35HST, with about 100 hours on it now. on the whole it seems to be a decent tractor, but there are a few items that i haven't been impressed with:

1) the hydraulics have a nasty noise that gets louder as the RPM's increase. it sounds to me like the hydraulic fluid is shearing/cavitating through the bend in the hard-line at the front of the tractor. the dealer took a look at it and stated that it was "perfectly normal hydraulic noise", though i've never heard noise like this on any piece of equipment i've ever owned or operated. i don't trust my dealer entirely, but i suppose a noise isn't going to bother me if it isn't hurting performance.

2) low range is the only position you can really get work done in. my rears are loaded, and with a brush mower on the back and some dirt or stone in the bucket, if you stop on a steep hill you ain't getting going again unless you are in low. I think that's partially due to that fact that it IS a fairly heavy tractor.

3) without a doubt, the loader is a bit of a "weak sister". i had a kubota B2620 at one point that i'm fairly certain would go toe-to-toe with this machine as far as lift capacity goes. when i have to move wet, heavy, snowbanks in the winter, anything close to a full bucket is a no-go. i just spread a bunch of crushed bank run recently and about 1/2 to 3/4 full buckets was all it was going to lift. you could cheat a little more by clutching and bumping the revs up, but that kind-of diminishes the utility of an HST tractor. ETA: i think kioti listed this loader with a lift capacity of about 1200-1300 lbs., which is somewhat low for this sized tractor IMO. anyhow, i moved a small lathe with it last fall which weighed in at a touch under 1300#. the loader would *hold* the weight, but didn't have a prayer of *lifting* it. so, i believe their numbers, it's just 1200 lbs. isn't as much as you think sometimes.

in the end i'd say if you are looking for a tractor in this size range specifically for loader work, you'll probably feel there is a bit left to be desired.

 

[450]

Bullyforyou,

What year model is your tractor and what loader model? Kioti list the KL4010 loader lifting 1835#.

 

[N2DFire]

Bullyforyou,

What year model is your tractor and what loader model? Kioti list the KL4010 loader lifting 1835#.

CK35 (Gear & HST) are the older Tier III (2015? and older I think) models that use the KL130 loader. The newer CK3510's (Tier iV emissions) use the KL4010 loader.

The KL4010 is a bit stronger loader than the KL130

Either way the rating is made at the pivot pins of the QA plate - the farther you hang the load out from the pins the more the capacity is reduced (ex Pallet forks - no way an 1800# rated loader will hold 1800# at the tips of 4 ft forks).

 

[bullyforyou]

Bullyforyou,

What year model is your tractor and what loader model? Kioti list the KL4010 loader lifting 1835#.

CK35 HST (not 3510) bought in early 16. loader is the KL130.

i remember reading that the new loaders for the CKXX10 tractors were going to have better capacities than their predecessors. IIRC, the bobcat 235 loader (no idea model) had a significantly higher maximum capacity than the CK35/KL130. i think that was closer to 2K bls. than not.

i probably should have clarified/stated in my original post that my main gripe with my CK seems to be rectified with the newer CK10 tractors. someone at Kioti was smart to make the necessary changes.