ck20 or lb1914?

[farmerjim]

was looking into either the ck20 or lb1914 w/fel and gear transmission. first off, i plan to use the tractor for snowremoval, woodlot work(hauling trailerw/firewood),mowing pasture/lawn, grading/boxblade driveway, haytedder and hayrake. there are only 3 dealers in my area and i've only been to 1 so far. i got to demo the lb and it was a very nice/powerful machine and seems to fit my uses well. they didn't stock any ck20 machines, as the dealer told me that it's "gutless" a gardeners tractor. maybe he was trying to push the lb because it was in stock? i don't really need anything bigger than 25 hp at the most as we have a couple of older deeres and case backhoe for the heavier work. you guys on the site w/ the cks seem to do a lot of work w/out any hp issues.

 

[Steve_Miller]

I'd try the other two dealers first. This one sounds like he is trying to dump something, not that there's anything wrong with the LB. I've got no complaints about my CK20J w/FEL and Backhoe.

Steve

 

[mielkemanor]

I am a very happy LB1914 owner. The tractor works great. with no problems. It has a FEl.. The CK20 and the LB 1914 are both very nice tractors. The LB 1914 is more old school design where the CK20 has a more modern operators control center. I liked the gear setup better on the LB1914. I would recommend trying out the CK20 before you decide. You can't go wrong with a Kioti. Good luck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JayC]

<font color="orange"> they didn't stock any ck20 machines, as the dealer told me that it's "gutless" a gardeners tractor. </font>

Dem sound like fightin words! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I'd like to see that dealer try to tell that to the many satisfied CK20 owners on here. By reading owners posts about the CK20, it sounds like a brute. Do a search for the CK20 and you will get lots of results. If you are considering gear, I'm thinking the LB1914 may be a bit better because it is a shuttle-shift while the CK is not. But, the CK has a mid PTO while the LB does not. I don't know which mower you are considering, but that will need to be taken into account. Btw, I would look at a different dealer. Good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[GerardC]

The dealer sounds like a real jerk! I wouldn't give him a dime of MY money with an attitude like his. It also sounds to me like he won't be there after the sale.
Go to the other dealers and see what they have to say. Betcha they talk very highly about the CK20. And remember, you can always shop out-of-town as many, many others have done without any problems. Gerard

 

[wart]

hi I have a lb1914 with backhoe , york rake , 48" rototiller and 54" mower i love this tractor. but its weakness is pto horsepower, really noticeable when rototilling. but it pulls a 72" york rake and a 400 lb drag to smooth a camp rd. without much problem. it sure is a step up from the gravely model Ls that use to do all the work my kioti now does. 300 hrs and still working. I would try ck20 doing exactly what you intend to do with it and make your decision from there. good luck wart

 

[Steve_Miller]

One other thing is that the CK20J is syncronized between first and reverse.

Steve

 

[KiotiJohn]

Funny that dumb dealer says the CK20 is gutless as it has the same engine as the LB1914. You actually get a little more out of the 1914, but not enough to say the CK is gutless. He just doesn't have any, and for some crazy reason, doesn't want to buy any. They sell very very well around here, better than the LB.
If you need a mid mount mower, you'll need the CK, but I don't recommend the mid mount mower at all. Not a great design at this time. Rear mowers are better for me as I can back up under things, and have no trouble getting around obstacles. But it does take practice if you're not used to R.mount.
Either of these tractors is a good bet, the mechanical shuttle on the 1914, to me, makes it a little better choice in that respect, but the sloped hood and curved arm loaders of the CKs make it better in that respect. Just try them both, and take the one YOU'RE comfortable with. Just don't buy it from the liar. John

 

[AutoUnionTypeC]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( If you need a mid mount mower, you'll need the CK, but I don't recommend the mid mount mower at all. Not a great design at this time. )</font>

Can you expand a bit on that? I'm curious as I bought my CK20 with the mmm/mmsb. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I thought they were the exact same decks with different drive components. Both made by First Choice........ Correct? Regards, J

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Can you expand a bit on that? I'm curious as I bought my CK20 with the mmm/mmsb. I thought they were the exact same decks with different drive components. Both made by First Choice........ Correct? Regards, J )</font>
I don't know anything about the snowblowers (and don't want to!), but many of the MMMs had problems that may have been corrected by now. I can't remember now the exact problems they were having, but I think it was to do with the discharge. In any event, there were too many returns to satisfy me that the MMM is a good option. John

 

[farmerjim]

thanks for the info guys. i went past the other dealer in my area but they were closed, i will return this weekend to check out the ck20. they have 1 w/ a fel and backhoe it was locked up in the gate so i wasn't able to see it up close. i had planned to go w/ the rmm as i need it to be easy to attach and detach for other work during the summer months. as the mmm's on the kioti and pretty much everyother cut i've seen, look to be beasts to take on and off. one other ? i have about the ck in the gear version, hows the gearing in 1st gear. i have heard that 1st is really slow then 2nd is a bit too fast.

 

[GerardC]

farmerjim:

I wouldn't say that "1st is really slow then 2nd is a bit too fast".
There is a Hi/Low lever and then the Shifter for Rev., 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. (See attachment). They all have their purpose. Trust me when I tell you that when your working next to your house, garage, car(s) etc. or just moving around close to anything that matters, 1st gear comes in real handy. You get the hang of what gear to use for what task after awhile. Hope this helps. Gerard