About to pull the trigger... I think?

[Kipper76]

Went and looked and drove A Kioti CK25 and CK30 today. Gear and Hydro... boy hydro is nice

Also was considering Branson 3510i and Mahindra 1816 gear.

Prices:
CK25HST with loader, shredder, box blade: $15,895
CK30HST loader, shredder, box blade: $16,595
Branson 3510i with loader: $16,900 - thinking this is too much $$ after looking at the Kiotis.
Mahindra 2816g with loader: $14,948

CK35HST is $17,295 just for tractor loader and a DK35se is only $400 more but tractor seems like over kill for my 10ac place.

Is $1700 worth 5 Hp to go from 25 to 30? That's about $20/mo on 84 months.

One last wrench. Contacted a guy with a 2006 Branson 2910i, 143 hours, with loader, shredded and post hole digger for $9900. Seems like a good price and there should be power train warranty remaining. Going to look at it either tomorrow or Saturday.

Saving money is always a good thing. Should I go new? Does $9900 sound like a good price for the 2910i?

Since the Kioti's are 2008 models should I try and get them down some? Heck, the CK25 isn't even in the line up anymore.

I think any of the above tractors would ft the bill fine. I just need a shove one way or the other. That HST was nice! Though, saving about $10k (after interest and initial cost) is nice too!

Thanks for any opinions/advice.

 

[whitedogone]

TractorPriceGuide.com - John Deere, Kubota, Kioti, Mahindra Prices

 

[newbury]

Look at Bobcat- the albino Kioti.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

ck25 will handle a 4' brush hog, the ck30 & 2816 a 5', and the 3510i a 6'. It also comes with a 6' QA bucket on the loader and is a significant jump up in frame size and mass, which translates to lifting and traction.
OTOH, the ck30 with mower & BB saves you another $1k in implements if buying them new, so if it will do what you need it to it's probably your best deal.
(I'd still go with the Branson if you can afford the extra payment)
the used Branson doesn't sound like a bad deal if it's in good shape, either - but I'm pretty sure it will be out of warranty and you won't be able to get low rate financing for it.

 

[Kipper76]

Look at Bobcat- the albino Kioti.

Closest dealer is 70 miles away and called him.

Can't even get a CT230... they are all sold out.

CT225 was a laughable $14,847 tractor loader only CASH price, and $17,675 financed

Compare that to the CK25HST loader, box blade, shredder for $15, 895 with finance options. Not so good... told him this offer too... he was surprised.

 

[Kipper76]

ck25 will handle a 4' brush hog, the ck30 & 2816 a 5', and the 3510i a 6'. It also comes with a 6' QA bucket on the loader and is a significant jump up in frame size and mass, which translates to lifting and traction.
OTOH, the ck30 with mower & BB saves you another $1k in implements if buying them new, so if it will do what you need it to it's probably your best deal.
(I'd still go with the Branson if you can afford the extra payment)
the used Branson doesn't sound like a bad deal if it's in good shape, either - but I'm pretty sure it will be out of warranty and you won't be able to get low rate financing for it.

The quote for the CK25 is with a 5' Howes shredder... would the dealer sell me that if it couldn't handle it? I'm not clearing small trees/saplings... be weeds/grass at worst.

The CK25HST weighs 3109lbs and the CK30 3142lbs vs the Branson @ 3756lbs. Is 600lbs a "significant" difference in tractor land?

Been looking at payments and Kioti requires 10% down vs 0 down for Mahindra and Branson. Not really apples to apples when the payment on a Kioti is averaging about $50 less for comparable lengths of time.

I hate it that I am a tweeker and a shopper.... so many things to consider!

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Cat_Driver]

With so many great tractors for sale you can het more tractor for the the same money. Do a little search and you will be stunned at some of the deals.

 

[woodyacres]

I was in the same predicament between DK35 and Ck30. I chose to go the DK route and could not have been happier. Believe me, you will be much more satisfied with the higher HP and bigger loader. I only have 5 acres, which are 95% woods and I have no issues navigating throught the woods. The DK seems bigger but if you compare side by side its only like 3 inches wider. You will like the extra height and wider wheel base as well.

 

[Kipper76]

With so many great tractors for sale you can het more tractor for the the same money. Do a little search and you will be stunned at some of the deals.

THESE are the "deals!" Texas seems higher priced than the rest of the country???

Mahindra/Branson are at the same dealer.
There are a few Kioti dealers around and these are easily the best prices.

And to perfectly honest... I haven't even bothered to call the "big 3." The local Kubota dealer has a "Special" on his website for a B2920 for $15,299. The above tractors out spec it in every way.

 

[Aaron_D]

CK35HST is $17,295 just for tractor loader and a DK35se is only $400 more but tractor seems like over kill for my 10ac place.

Only $400 more but you will likely run larger implements to cover the additional frame size. In terms of a "seat of your pants feel". The CK will feel like it has more power as it will be asked to do less work. Basically same HP, less size. It all depends on what you plan to use it for. You will get a stronger loader with the DK.

Is $1700 worth 5 Hp to go from 25 to 30? That's about $20/mo on 84 months.

Yes.

Since the Kioti's are 2008 models should I try and get them down some? Heck, the CK25 isn't even in the line up anymore.

If you go with the CK25, I would. Why get a 25hp machine when you can get a 27hp for virtually the same price.

FYI, i have a Bobcat CT230 (white CK30) and only 2.5 acres. No such thing as overkill in my book. I wanted the CT235 (CK35) but Bobcat didn't extend the rebate to them. For me it would have been about $4k more, which wasn't worth it.

 

[Kipper76]

Only $400 more but you will likely run larger implements to cover the additional frame size. In terms of a "seat of your pants feel". The CK will feel like it has more power as it will be asked to do less work. Basically same HP, less size. It all depends on what you plan to use it for. You will get a stronger loader with the DK.

Yes.

If you go with the CK25, I would. Why get a 25hp machine when you can get a 27hp for virtually the same price.

FYI, i have a Bobcat CT230 (white CK30) and only 2.5 acres. No such thing as overkill in my book. I wanted the CT235 (CK35) but Bobcat didn't extend the rebate to them. For me it would have been about $4k more, which wasn't worth it.

The CK35 really wasn't a consideration. I would go to the DK35 then too. But if $1700 is worth going from CK25hst to CK30hst.. then another $1000 would be worth going to the CK35, right? So then I should just go DK35se for anther $400 an be done with it? Now I jumped from (tractor loader only $$) from CK25hst for $14,795 to the DK35se for $17,650. $2900 more and $80+ more per month. Who knows how much more after paying interest???? And on top of that I'll be buying bigger & more expensive implements.

I completely agree with NOT buying too small. At what point to you draw a line an feel you have enough tractor?

Oy! My brain is scrambled....

Going to look at the used Branson 2910i in about an hour.

 

[gilbertmsg]

I have a CK20 and a four (4) ft. howse bush hog. It pulls a five (5) ft. finish mower, five (5) ft. rock rake and four (4) ft. box blade with ease. We have 10 acres and at times the tractor seems a little small. After almost 2 years of use I love my small tractor. It does most anything the CK 25 or 30 will do, and gets into places the larger frame tractor will not. Of the ones you are looking at, I believe the CK25 with five (5) ft. implements will be plenty for your needs. Just my .02.

Eddie

 

[big bubba]

go with the tractor that you think will meet your needs, then size up one. you'll thank yourself in 5 yrs bb

 

[Johndeere3720]

Probably the CK30. It will do what you want and should be enough horsepower for your needs.

 

[Kipper76]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just looked at the used 2910i. Hard not to go for it. It is in pretty good shape. A scracth here or there and the bucket looks used.. but **** it's 3 years old and has 143 hours.

What advice do ya'll have fo rchecking this thing out thouroghly??

I ran it in every gear forward and reverse (all 12 each way), ran the PTO with the shredder, followed all the loader hydrolic lines looking for leaks, looked under the hood for leaks, checked oil level...

Any other specific things I should look for???

The whole deal is:

Branson 2910i with loader, 143 hours
5' Howes Shredder
Post Hole digger
5' Howes box blade
$9500

Sound ok???

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just looked at the used 2910i. Hard not to go for it. It is in pretty good shape. A scracth here or there and the bucket looks used.. but **** it's 3 years old and has 143 hours.

What advice do ya'll have fo rchecking this thing out thouroghly??

I ran it in every gear forward and reverse (all 12 each way), ran the PTO with the shredder, followed all the loader hydrolic lines looking for leaks, looked under the hood for leaks, checked oil level...

Any other specific things I should look for???

The whole deal is:

Branson 2910i with loader, 143 hours
5' Howes Shredder
Post Hole digger
5' Howes box blade
$9500

Sound ok???

Price sounds good, sort of hard to pass up, but I don't think that I would run 4th gear high range in reverse on a regular basis, if ever.

 

[flusher]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just looked at the used 2910i. Hard not to go for it. It is in pretty good shape. A scracth here or there and the bucket looks used.. but **** it's 3 years old and has 143 hours.

What advice do ya'll have fo rchecking this thing out thouroghly??

I ran it in every gear forward and reverse (all 12 each way), ran the PTO with the shredder, followed all the loader hydrolic lines looking for leaks, looked under the hood for leaks, checked oil level...

Any other specific things I should look for???

The whole deal is:

Branson 2910i with loader, 143 hours
5' Howes Shredder
Post Hole digger
5' Howes box blade
$9500

Sound ok???

My neighbor has a Branson 3510. Nice strong machine.

Looks like you did a pretty thorough inspection on the 2910.

143 hours--the engine is hardly broken in.

I assume you check the maintenance record on the 2910, or at least asked the guy when he changed the fluids and filters.

If it checks out OK and has good maintence history, I'd say go for it.

Don't know what the financing situation would be for a 2-3 year old tractor that's out of warrenty.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

if you have the cash, the 2910 is a hard to beat deal

The quote for the CK25 is with a 5' Howes shredder... would the dealer sell me that if it couldn't handle it? I'm not clearing small trees/saplings... be weeds/grass at worst.

The CK25HST weighs 3109lbs and the CK30 3142lbs vs the Branson @ 3756lbs. Is 600lbs a "significant" difference in tractor land?

Been looking at payments and Kioti requires 10% down vs 0 down for Mahindra and Branson. Not really apples to apples when the payment on a Kioti is averaging about $50 less for comparable lengths of time.

I hate it that I am a tweeker and a shopper.... so many things to consider!

Thanks for the replies!

those should be dry weights - with fluids and loader the difference will be greater.
Also - that 600 pound difference is similar to filling the tires on the CK machines. The footprints will be similar between the 2, but the 3510 (and 2910) will have more ground clearance. The CK will likely feel less "tippy" on slopes because it's as wide as the Branson but you sit about a foot lower - the flip side of this is better visibility from the taller seat.

I suspect at this point none of the choices you've listed are bad picks, but I'd drop the ck25 off the list as the CK30 gives better performance in the same size package, the 2910 is a great package price, and the 3510i really is a different class of machine. (not discounting the Mahindra, but it seems to have dropped off your radar, so was trying to avoid muddying things up)

 

[Kipper76]

Price sounds good, sort of hard to pass up, but I don't think that I would run 4th gear high range in reverse on a regular basis, if ever.

If it wasn't supposed to go there they shouldn't have made it possible.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

If it wasn't supposed to go there they shouldn't have made it possible.

I suppose that you are right, I just hate to think of what could easily happen going in reverse at maximum speed. I guess we just need to use some common sense.

Good luck with your tractor purchase.