Ck20 questions....will I ever decide?

Agentiron · Feb 3, 2006

Ok, I have run across a super price on a ck20 TLB while looking at the Lk3054's. The price is so good, it is making me question my decision that I made today!!! Anyway, the deal is not done and I need help.

I looked at the Ck20 and most thought it would be better to go to a larger machine for my application. One big concern I have is loading her on my trailer with the hoe. It looks like there is very little ground clearance before she starts scrapeing. My trailer deck is about 19" off the ground. I have a 15" dove tail and 3 foot ramps. Any thoughts on folks who load these units up whether I will have problems?

If I got a 52" Bush hog for it, how close in performance do you think it would be to a 3054 with a 60" deck? Most of my work would be grassy weeds, but may like to do some 1" saplings if the job dictates it. I don't want a snail pace either and it seems people are pretty happy with the ck20 bush hogging. Any thoughts here?

I like the size, it may get me in some back yards that the big 3054 would not. I think I will have some trouble loading my truck with either machine. I doubt the extra 6" reach on the 3054 will make that much difference plus the ck is a hydro.

Will there be a big difference between the two machines when forageing into the woods for lumber and such?

The loader lift on the ck20 says it lifts more to max height then does the 3054. Is this possible? The 3054 lists more breakout strength, but less lift strength?

Ok, is there that much difference between the two? That is my dilemma I guess. The smaller unit might get me into some tight areas that the big one won't, but what will the ck flat out not do that the big boy will? It seems that the loaders are close. The 3pt is much stronger on the 3054, but the implements are lighter for the ck.

The luxury on the ck is swell too.

Help me please!

Rivendel · Feb 3, 2006

I just spent an hour this afternoon at my local dealer looking at the same set of tractors. At least locally to price is really close between to two. If you need to get into really tight places like I do, the CK20 is the way to go. If you don't have to squeeze that much, the 3054 probably would be better. The extra wieght and width make the 3054 more stable. I spent a while driving and digging in the dealers back lot with both. Power and capability are close. The 3054 was more stable and felt more solid, but for my property it just won't fit, so as soon as the "CFO" (wife) ok's the deal I'll get a CK20 HST fitted with the loader and backhoe.

bluechip · Feb 3, 2006

The backhoe is nice and close to the rear of the LK3054XS TLB, perfect for up an down ramps on trailers. the backhoe on the CK20 hangs back further. puts lots of weight on back tires (its almost like the tractor is balanced on the rear tires).
If you were closer, Id tempt you with a deal, but I'm afraid shipping would ruin it for both of us.

IslandTractor · Feb 3, 2006

I have a CK20HST TLB. Love it. I have attached a photo of the tractor with backhoe on a trailer that sounds like yours...no problem or ground contact loading or unloading.

I use a 48" BushHog rotary cutter. I would imagine a 52 inch cutter would be about the same. Good performance in brush and no problem with 1 inch saplings at all.

The FEL on the CK20 is remarkably strong and it does have a very high lift capacity. Only 70 some pounds less than that of the CK30 FEL. I did a comparison of capacities with the Kubota B21TLB a week ago (you could search for that post) and found the two machines were almost identical. Point being it is a very versitle and capable TLB.

I have not ever driven a 3054 so cannot directly compare but the CK20 TLB has handled everything that I have thrown at it with aplomb. My only beef is that I think it needs a three range HST as the high range is pretty useless for anything but flat mowing or road travel when the machine is set up as a pretty heavy TLB.

KiotiJohn · Feb 3, 2006

I loath making any certain statements regarding this simply because of the HP difference in these two tractors. As for loading with the backhoe on, if you back up the ramps, the BH is going to start up into the air and not hit anything if your trailer is too low, so that's not really a problem. I drive on, and depending on the grade of the ground I'm on, I have had a little scraping, but not much.
The 3054 is going to pull more, carry heavier implements, but as far as bush hogging goes, you're not going to get a great advantage as the CK20 with a 4 or 5 ft hog on it is going to cut 1-2" saplings. I have cut up to 3" saplings with a 4' hog by backing in a little at a time and letting it cut, back some more cut, you get the idea, but 1" is recommended.
I do a good bit of hogging with my CK20HST, and on good ground, I can stay in high range most of the time and it moves along nicely. Any faster and I get rocked too much!
Yes, the 3054 with a 60" deck and a higher gear may get you done faster than with a 52" on a CK20, but you can, depending on land grade, use a 60" hog on the CK20. I wish I had gotten the 60" instead of the 48" as I now know that I could do all but the most stubborn pastures with 5'. Hilly property may casue too much weight shift on the smaller CK20 frame, but I don't have that problem in N. Florida.
If you're really going to be working in people's tight yards, I would go with the CK20. Pulling tree trunks around is something I've done a lot of, and I've pulled 20' long, 24" diameter pines around with mine. It has a lot to do with hooking up low on the back at the draw bar height and not trying to go fast. I'm amazed at the weight I've been able to drag around with so small a machine.
I hope some of this is a help. Good luck.
John

Agentiron · Feb 4, 2006

You guys are just great!

Bluechip, I had already noted your location in the past and if I were closer would love to do business with you. I can tell that you are quality all the way!

Island, thanks for posting, and attaching the picture. That is a good looking set up. How long is that gooseneck? That unit fills her up pretty good. Do you do landscapeing for hire?

John, thanks alot for you post, you always are very helpful.

Rivendel, thank you as well for the helpful post.

Ok, so it seems that this unit is looking more favorable all the time. If she gets on the trailer, which looks likely, and she will bushhog well enough, and the loader is plenty strong, then I am sore tempted to get her for her.

How is the turning radius? I have heard the Ck30 has a wide berth, and wonder if the ck20 is the same way.

I wish the hoe was a bit longer, but suppose that 90 percent of the time it will be as effective as the 7.5 footer.

Thanks again all, and any other thoughts are welcome.

IslandTractor · Feb 4, 2006

Agent,

I don't own the trailer (dealers) but I recall it was 20ft. Note if you look carefully you will see a 48" BushHog hanging out of the FEL's mouth. That stuck out about 3+feet which exaggerates the total length. (By the way, the FEL had no problem lifting that cantelevered 450lb load for a 3 mile road trip).

As you note, the backhoe is only a six and a half footer. Only an issue if you are routinely digging foundations really. Heck, they had to upgrade something for the CK30, it sure wasn't the FEL lift capacity. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (That'll get the 30 guys riled up).

I don't have a good comparison for you on the turning radius. I don't find it a problem but I also don't find it remarkably tight turning. With the HST and banana pedal it is not much of an issue anyway.

Dmace · Feb 4, 2006

Here is a video of the dealer delivering my new CK20 HST TLB. The trailer is probrably the average size landscaping trailer. There was no problem loading and unloading with the backhoe.

depratt_equip · Feb 4, 2006

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I don't think the spec on the interent for the KL1231 loader are correct. According to the owners manual the lift capacity to full height is 1320 lbs. I'll let Kioti know this on Monday..... I think the specs listed for the KL1231 are really for the KL1230

IslandTractor · Feb 4, 2006

I'm sure Jon is correct on the lift capacity of the KL1231. What is remarkable however is the lift capacity of the KL120 on the CK20. By a fair amount this is higher than any other 20hp tractor FEL (even the Kubota B21 dedicated TLB) and is only 70 some pounds lower than the capacity of the KL130 on the CK30.