The bales are under 500lbs so both machines would technically be able to handle it.
I have a JD ride on mower and hate it. We specifically want it for this purpose as well.
CK is out of my price range I believe. It for us would be the CS or CX.
The CX is your sweet spot, and from the sound of it you know that; now, to get him on board.
If you're insistent on one machine the CK wouldn't be for you. You can mow your lawn with it, of course, but you don't want to; it's not a lightweight.
How is your property? Is it hilly? Rutted? Smooth? Any obstacles? Outbuildings? Subcompacts like the CS series are great and have their place; my first 'real' tractor was a Deere subcompact and it was a stout little machine. Soon, however, I outgrew it; once I started finding uses for the tractor I quickly realized I would be better off with something larger. The 25 horsepower was fine for my uses, it was the physical size. It's a really common story.
In my mind at least, a CX might help you avoid that by going one size up from your perceived needs; they're going to expand once you have the machine! You two will discover all kinds of uses for a loader once you've got one!
The biggest shortcomings to the subcompacts are the things that actually make them so appealing. The small size does limit some of their uses; the small tires make for a good mower, but you're now limited in ground clearance for other tasks. That restriction on height also causes the 3 point hitch to become what's called a 'limited' Category 1; some Category 1 implements will be too tall to use. Things like post-hole diggers, for example. Going into the CX will give you a good bit more room back there. The CX will also give you greater hydraulic capability, and 18.8 PTO horsepower to the CS2220's 16.3.
Both machines are roughly 4 feet wide, so they'll use the same size 3 point implements (landscape rake, box blade, rototiller, etc), the CX will just use them better. The CX weighs more by default, but I'd still get the rear tires loaded with Rim Guard, and both machines should always be properly ballasted when doing loader work.
Your husband seems to be leaning towards the lesser tractor out of some notion that the old Ford will pick up the slack. If the Ford was ready for the job you wouldn't be looking for a new tractor, or certainly not with the same sense of urgency. When it's together he can have all the fun in the world using it for the enjoyable tasks, but let the new machine do the stressful work in comfort. Anything that Ford can do for you the CX will do more efficiently, and will do it with less pain on the body.
Tell him to let the Ford be fun, let it be a project, but you never
depend on a project.
Take your time, operate both machines to get a good feel for them, and buy what is right for you. That said, maybe talk to them about the CK26xx. You may find it to be love at first sight; many of us did.
Have fun! I hope I didn't miss anything in this rant, lol.
