Tractor Sizing 3 options

[slofr8]

Hi,
I've had an older standard shift, 30hp Kubota for 4 or 5 years and it's time to upgrade. I have 57 acres of land with about 20 acres fields and the rest wood lot.
I rough mow the fields a couple times a year, I have a logging winch to cut fire wood, I have a snow blower, land plow and disc, and box blade and rake for road maintainance and making lawns around the house and would like to add a brush/root grapple to the fleet. Phew!
The Kubota might be a little under powered at times for the mowwing and snow blowing. Might just be because I'm trying to go to fast tho and can't quite find the "right" gear, but does a good job with the rest.
If I was to consider only Kioti, I was first looking at the CK35 hydro. as it specs out as being about 500 lbs. heavier then mine and R4's might let me cut my lawn also. $17,000.
Then looked over at the DK35 hydro. Wow, nice and big. $21,000. Why not go for the DK40 hydro with the bigger loader. That'll really handle the root/brush grapple nice. $22,000.
Now Im a little over budget. Introduce the DS4110. $18,000.
With R1's I'm not gonna mow my lawn but it'll kick butt every where else. It's missing a few features of the others but its things I can do with out for the most part. Only thing (if it is a thing) is it's a shuttle shift. I tried it in the yard and I think it's way ahead of what I'm using now and may be better at some things then the hydro, but is it the right choice for me. I have 2 boys 10 and 12 and they will be soon helping me with some of this stuff too.
I'm not starting a "hydro vs. shuttle shift" thread, I understand the trade offs but it's more of how big do I need. I was working on a rock wall near the house last weekend and would have liked the smaller CK. I'm half done mowwing the fields and with this wet weather the exra hps. would be nice and ags a must. Next month I start my fire wood and I'm sure the DS would work fine, maybe the best. Then the snow blower goes on and stays on 'till April. Decisions, decisions!
I not sure what I'm asking for, as much as just typing out loud. I've searched and read stuff on line for ideas untill I can't see straight.
There is no "one size fits all" here, I know that but I'm just trying to make an informed decision.
Sorry for the long post. Any comment will be apreciated. Think of it as a bunch of guy talking tractors. Oh...and having a couple of beers........ I'm not the only one right?.....right?

 

[southerniltractor]

Depending on your location, you can probably do better on the DK40. Where are you located?

Mike

 

[dennis52]

I also had a standard gear change old Kubota for 15 years and made the change to a shuttle shift DS4510HS with no problem; and I don't miss the extra features of the DK series

 

[slofr8]

Depending on your location, you can probably do better on the DK40. Where are you located?

Mike

Northern Maine. If I went with the DK40, I might have to forget the root/brush grapple for now. Man I'd like to have it tho.
Dan.

 

[MotorSeven]

"57 acres of land with about 20 acres fields and the rest wood lot"

I say DK40 or 45. I know you don't want the shuttle vs hydro debate, but do yourself a favor and go run both before making that decision. I mean run them like you are doing loader work...back & forward, then simulate trying to pick up something with forks that takes a feather touch on the throttle. My neighbor has a JD shuttle & I have to borrow it every now and then because it's a 65 horse, it gets the job done, but every time I get back in my DK seat I smile when my foot touches those hyrdo pedals.

 

[VictorW]

Just a tip on horsepower and it doesn't matter if shuttle or hydro other than the hydro does rob about one more hp from the pto.. The CK35 is 34hp, the DK35 is 38hp, the DK40 is 41hp, and the DK45 is 44hp. If you need a loader with about 1200lbs lift = the CK35, @1500lbs lift = DK35, @2600lbs lift = DK40 or 45. If it was me, I'd be looking at the DK35 or 40.

My CK30hst is nice with the hydro for what I do but I think you would also like the shuttle shift over what you have now. As far as your boys, I learned on an old 1948 Ford 8N when I was 13 years old. They'll have fun with the clutch except maybe starting on hills at the beginning. When they get old enough to drive a car or truck, they'll be ready for a nice 5 or 6 speed hotrod.

As MotorSeven mentioned, give both the shuttle and hydro a try in whatever model you decide. Better yet, drive several models. There's nothing like taking it for a test drive to know for sure.

 

[carhartt56]

Just a few words I have heard here before ( have you ever heard anybody say , I wish I had less horse power ) I bought a Dk40 se ss last year , and only take care of 10 acers , half pasture the other half yard. 6' finish mower ,6' rotary mower . Always the power there no matter the conditions , wet, tall and thick . Mowing is my main use , but the box blade, pallet forks , post hole digger ,fel ,all together keep it busy most of the year. The pallet forks are really nice for moving brush , but would be nicer with a grapple . Shure would have been nice to have that cab also , maybe some day .

 

[grsthegreat]

I went with the DK45 HST cab tractor........you can never have too much horsepower. Sometimes i wish i went with the DK50....but too late now. HAHA. Its an amazingly strong tracotr. LOVE IT

 

[slofr8]

Thanks for the feedback guys. All good things to consider.
Yesterday I went from the ck35 in the morning to the ds40 by the time I went to bed and this morning I'm leaning towards the dk40 and postponing the grapple. Harder to add hp's or hydro than it is to add implements right? I'm way to busy at work to do any brush cutting this year any way. Thats "back burner stuff". Snow removal, Fire wood and mowwing take priority.
The other thing would be that all my current implements are sized for my 30hp Kubota. Mowwer 5", blower 6', box blade 6', rake 7', disk 6', winch should be fine. It should all be O.K. but I'd be mowwing inside my wheels a little with the ds or dk. Glad I don't have to decide today.
Thanks again.
Dan.

 

[indianaEPH]

I went with the DK45 HST cab tractor........you can never have too much horsepower. Sometimes i wish i went with the DK50....but too late now. HAHA. Its an amazingly strong tracotr. LOVE IT

i agee. if had 57 acres i would be getting at least 50hp! you can always throttle back