CK20s reviews

galaxie428 · May 4, 2009

I was hoping that maybe some of you folks that have the CK20 could tell me what you think of it. I was reading some reviews on other sites and they were pretty mixed. Many of them said it was underpowered and could not pull its own weight up a hill in high gear. The other complaint was for it to have a medium range. Some folks had problems with the FEL frame cracking but I am aware of that problem.

I would use it mostly for moving mulch, dirt, gravel, some tilling and maybe mowing and towing a home made roller. The roller is about 3800lbs. I also have a three story barn that has a ramp up to the second story that I would need to haul things up.

Do you see any issue with any of those things? How about the roller? I can pull it with my Polaris but those tires are really hard on the grass and it really has to dig in to get it turned.

If you could do it all over again, would you buy the 25 with the 3 ranges?

Dmace · May 4, 2009

There are hills that my CK20HST cannot make up in high gear but that is what low gear is for. Would I like a mid gear, sure but is it a necessity, no. I have not found a hill that I could not climb in low gear even with the loader, backhoe, loaded tires, and cab it will climb hills that my pucker factor won't. I have never towed anything with it so I don't know how it would do with the roller but if an ATV can pull it then I have no doubt that the CK20 will pull it without hesitation.

I like the extra hp and gear of a CK25+ but that also means a much larger tractor overall and if you are working in and around a barn, then you will appreciate the smaller size of the CK20. It has great capacities and the CK25 is not much higher in terms of loader lift and backhoe strength. Plus the CK20 is lighter and can be towed by a 1/2-ton truck and car hauler trailer.

4 years later and over 350hrs on the clock, I would buy it again. It has performed some incredible work and still amazes me when I use it. Since your major need is front end loader work, I recommend an HST transmission and probably turfs or industrial tires for mowing.

Slackdaddy · May 4, 2009

Do not forget, the reviews you are reading about under powered and cracked loader are reviews of the OLDER CK20.
The newer model is the CK20S, it has an updated loader and 2 more HP, to help in high range.

I have a 2 month old CK20S, I have a 20 acre wooded lot, it is perfect for my needs (moving stuff, logging, tilling garden, digging, etc)

rimshot · May 4, 2009

<I was hoping that maybe some of you folks that have the CK20 could tell me what you think of it.> (Galaxie)
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Even though the Kioti CK20 is quite unique, perhaps the best way to assess it is to compare. It ranks near the top so far as that FEL and it's lifting capabilities are concerned. The rating at the bucket pins is 1100 lbs. I don't believe the closest competitor can make this claim. The newer models CK20 s are rated at 22 hp. But just take a look at the CK20 up close and personal. It's built as solid as a little tank isn't it. Try shaking a rear fender because you just gotta love that solid feel. How about that air suspension seat? They just don't all come with one of those. Lot's more but I can't stop until I let you have it with the show stopper...............drum roll..............you get a cup holder with every ck 20 you buy!

Sorry, limited to one per customer.

rim

IslandTractor · May 5, 2009

I had a CK20 and loved it. That is not to say that it could not be improved and the main area left to improve IMO is to add a 3 range HST.

The CK20 will do all the tasks outlined and do them effectively. For loader work one can generally get by with high range. For the tilling and towing work you are likely to be in low range regardless of how many ranges you have. The area where a mid range would be most helpful is in mowing/bush hogging and in traveling with a backhoe up hills/inclines.

If I was to buy another 20-25hp tractor again today I'd still get the CK20S even though I would continue to grumble about the lack of a 3 range hydro. The rest of the package is still better than what other manufactureers have put out recently. That said, I cannot imagine that Kioti is not going to add a 3 range one of these days now that Kubota has done so with it's B range.

garydc · May 6, 2009

I have a CK20 I bought last July with 180 hrs am now at 400 hrs and love it, it does most of what I would like it to do very very well and the rest quite adequate. I tend to agree with Island that the mid range would be an excellent addition along with a couple more ponies in that strong but compact frame size would make it a totally unbeatable little tractor, but as it is I would definitely buy again. Gary

jimb1724 · May 8, 2009

I've had my CK20HST since March 2004. THe new CK25 & 30 were not out until later that year. I didn't want to wait and I wasn't sure that I wanted the bigger overall size of 25/30 frame. After 5 years and 330 trouble free hours, I have no regrets. The machine is a BEAST in low gear. As others have said a mid range would be nice, but in reality it would only add perhaps 1-2 mph of travel/work speed compared to low gear. I live on the side of a small mountain so any work I do with the machine is in low gear (for safety and "pucker factor") anyway...

In low gear I can run the machine up my steep driveway with the backhoe on and a full bucket of dirt... no problems at all. In the winter I push a 54" blower up hill (with v-bar chains on the rear) while blowing 12+ inches of that nasty white stuff.

With the uses you are suggesting, I would imagine you would want to be working in low gear with the infinitely adjustable speed for safety as well.

If size is not an issue, than the new 27 might be a better machine for you, especially with the current free loader deal.... might make the price difference minimal....

Good luck with you decision.
Jim