ck 35

bluewater 23 · Jun 17, 2013

Let me try this a different way. I'm looking for the pros and cons of this tractor. Thanks in advance!

IXLR8 · Jun 17, 2013

bluewater 23 said:
Let me try this a different way. I'm looking for the pros and cons of this tractor. Thanks in advance!

What are you going to be using it for??

Illini22 · Jun 17, 2013

I've got about 35 hours on my ck35 hst. The tractor fires right up, steers,accelerates and brakes as it should. I have no forward creep (so far). I've checked the loader bolts twice so far and they are still tight. It handles a frontier (woods) 84" finish mower with no problem. My gill BB with rollover scarifers and hinged rear blade is a load and will stop the tractor with the scarifers down. It will pull the box with a full load thou. The suspension seat is fantastic. All the controls seem to be in convienant places. I do confuse the small brake locking lever with the cruise control at times. If you ever had a tractor without telescoping links, you will appreciate it when you use them!! I also love the ssqa bucket, it's priceless and a must if tou ever want forks or a grapple. If you don't have it, you probably will put off buying them because the lack of it ( my opinion). I wouldn't consider a tractor that didn't have at least these items, especially with the amount of money you will be spending. They are not "bells and whistles". I also had the dealer install 2 sets of rear remotes. The remote that controls my tilt is bleeding down and I either readjust it when needed or disconnect the hoses from it to keep it in the position I wanted. I will have the dealer address that, but I'm waiting a bit. When the bucket has a full load, I sometimes have to back out a few inches to get it to curl or lift. I've read that When they added the ssqa the bucket was pushed out a bit further makeing it a little weaker. I will have the dealer check the hydraulic pressure. I'll take the ssqa any day! The dk40 has a lever near the 3 pt hitch that lets you lower or raise it to help u with attachments. That would be very handy and a nice addition to the ck line up. But so would the loader specs of a dk 40 too

. I am very happy with the choice I made and would make the same one today.

rmorey · Jun 17, 2013

I had a CK25 ('04 model year) without ssqa loader bucket that I traded on a new CK35 with ssqa. Both were equipped with the 130 fel, and I found the curl function of the ssqa fel weaker than the older model. My dealer suggested that only folks who upgrade loaders would notice this, and I should learn to take smaller "bites" with the bucket.

Not wanting to spend the next 10 years with a frustrating (to me) situation, I upgraded to the DK40 with a 401 fel and I am more than satisfied with that decision.

kiotiken · Jun 18, 2013

Pros:

-Big heavy tractor that is excellent for ground engagement tasks.
-Lots/More standard features (SSQA, telescopic link ends/stabilizers, rubber floor, integrated FEL control etc).
-Relatively inexpensive remote kit for adding single or double.
-Priced lower than big names and you get a lot more.
-4 year no hr warranty
-Global company that's been operating since the 40's and makes tractors for 3 other companies.

Cons:
-HST creep.
-Not enough power for the weight to effectively use hi range for anything other than flat ground travel.
-Under powered loader. KL130 will curl more than it lifts and with practice you'll get the hang of moving material, but until you get the hang of it, you'll often have to back slightly out of a pile to raise the bucket.
-Older design. Live PTO, manual 4X4 engagement, simpler dash.

rmorey and I (just noticed his reply, I guess I'm just re-enforcing his comments on the KL130 FEL) have both moved from the CK to DK lines. There's a BIG difference in what the machines can do and all the cons are effectively removed from my list. The CK is a great machine and better than anything you'll get for the money from Deere or Kubota, but the DK may be worth looking at since you're going to be close in price with the CK35. My dealer doesn't recommend towing a DK (with loaded tires) with a 1/2 ton, so moving to a DK with BH will definitely move you to a 3/4 or 1 ton, but since you're a landscaper, that's probably not an issue. The only other tractor I think comes close is the LS you're looking at in your other thread. I'd shop everything if I was buying today, but I'm pretty sure it would come down to LS and Kioti.

Gittyup · Jun 18, 2013

I think the live pto is a plus: simpler with no electric solenoid to fail, and foot operation frees up the hands and allows for quicker reaction if needed. Especially a good match with the manual tranny.

Weight is a huge plus for ground work but a big con for finish mowing. Can compact the soil, cause ruts, or both. Might also be wary of driving over a shallow septic system.

bluewater 23 · Jun 18, 2013

Thanks for all the replys. This is the kind of information I was looking for. As all of you know choosing a tractor is a tough decison and feed back from owners is invaulable.

bluewater 23 · Jun 24, 2013

Anybody have anything else to add on the CK35? Still haven't decided which tractor to purchase.

ToddFather · Jun 25, 2013

bluewater 23 said:
Anybody have anything else to add on the CK35? Still haven't decided which tractor to purchase.

FYI I was facing the dillema of which to purchase also. Was set on a CK35 until I posted and read all the replys from the folks on here. Invaluable info. Based on the info, I have decided to spend the extra $4k or so and go with the DK40 SE but havent pulled the trigger yet. It just makes more sense to me, although I would actually rather be dealing with the physical size of the CK35 (I think i could get away with a 60" tiller and back blade with the CK, for example). I think from what I've read the CK is a great tractor but the DK is so much more and worth the extra investment. My 2 cents.

rmorey · Jun 25, 2013

ToddFather said:
FYI I was facing the dillema of which to purchase also. Was set on a CK35 until I posted and read all the replys from the folks on here. Invaluable info. Based on the info, I have decided to spend the extra $4k or so and go with the DK40 SE but havent pulled the trigger yet. It just makes more sense to me, although I would actually rather be dealing with the physical size of the CK35 (I think i could get away with a 60" tiller and back blade with the CK, for example). I think from what I've read the CK is a great tractor but the DK is so much more and worth the extra investment. My 2 cents.

I agree fully. I originally had a CK25 and upgraded to the 35 to add some umph (technical term) to the snowblower. The problem was the loader (with ssqa). After 5 hours, it was apparent the quick attach actually lessened the capability of the loader IMHO. I caller my dealer, who told me that I needed to relearn how to use this loader.

I asked what other options I had. He smiled and said, "well,...we could always upgrade to the DK40. I have a nice new one outside with a cab". I have never looked back. It can lift 2 1/2 times what the CK loader can lift.

You are gonna own this thing for a long time. A couple thousand dollars are worth it to be happy with your purchase.