CK25 w/backhoe question

[bjepple]

Looking at a slightly used CK25 gear w/bh to replace my JD 770 w/bh that got stolen last year. Can't remember if it is a 2365 or 2375 bh on the Kioti but here's my question, is the bh close enough to mount a swivel on the tractor seat and remove the bh seat? My Deere was close enough and I was going to do that but then it decided to leave me. On my Deere you had to flip up one seat to use the other but I wasn't sure if that was the case on the Kioti. I haven't seen this one in person yet but my father looked at it. It's been awhile so I don't remember exactly but I think it had less that 100 hrs. He has the tractor, loader, backhoe (all Kioti), and I think a Kuhn tiller. He was originially wanting $19k but I think he then backed off to $18k.

On a side note, I haven't really done much searching on this, but does anyone know of a FOPS/Canopy/Sunshade that has forward facing worklights built into it? I don't need a FOPS certified structure so anything would work but I would love to get the worklights out in front of me.

Thanks,
bjepple

 

[bluechip]

The backhoe on this model has its own seat and sits behind the main seat, you would have to have pretty long arms. The LK30 tlb package has flip up seat like your deere. Did you get a deere John letter when your 770 left you?
sorry. Tractor theft really is not a joking matter, but unpleasant things in the past are usually better left there. Hope you get that Kioti! Cant help on the canopy. some just add lights to a commercially availbable sunshade. There is some extra wiring available on the CK to do that. The LK30 has front and rear work lights on the FOPS already.

 

[Gittyup]

Looking at a slightly used CK25 gear w/bh to replace my JD 770 w/bh that got stolen last year. Can't remember if it is a 2365 or 2375 bh on the Kioti but here's my question, is the bh close enough to mount a swivel on the tractor seat and remove the bh seat? My Deere was close enough and I was going to do that but then it decided to leave me. On my Deere you had to flip up one seat to use the other but I wasn't sure if that was the case on the Kioti. I haven't seen this one in person yet but my father looked at it. It's been awhile so I don't remember exactly but I think it had less that 100 hrs. He has the tractor, loader, backhoe (all Kioti), and I think a Kuhn tiller. He was originially wanting $19k but I think he then backed off to $18k.

On a side note, I haven't really done much searching on this, but does anyone know of a FOPS/Canopy/Sunshade that has forward facing worklights built into it? I don't need a FOPS certified structure so anything would work but I would love to get the worklights out in front of me.

Thanks,
bjepple

That sounds a tad high for a used CK25, almost as much as I paid new. Unless it's like 50 hours or less, I'd think $16K to $17K. Good tractor, though. Make sure you research the loader and check it out carefully before you buy.

 

[bjepple]

That sounds a tad high for a used CK25, almost as much as I paid new. Unless it's like 50 hours or less, I'd think $16K to $17K. Good tractor, though. Make sure you research the loader and check it out carefully before you buy.

Even with the backhoe and tiller?

 

[Gittyup]

Here is another data point. Brand new, March 2005 CK25 TLB, grill guard, loaded tires, welded on hooks, 12" posthole digger, 7' woods rear blade: $19800. My backhoe is a Rhino, 18" bucket. At the time, the dealer recommended it over the Kioti 2375.

 

[gravel13]

Bjepple, I paid just over $19k for my CK25 gear with loader and 7.5' backhoe brand new in 2005(I'm in New England and prices tend to run higher out here, not sure about your region). I don't know how much a tiller runs but the asking price does seem a bit high. Do you know what year tractor it is, there was/is a issue with the KL130 loader being prone to cracking under the inspection plate. This could be a bargaining point for you to get the price down. The new loaders have the torque tube extend through the loader arms. If you search the Kioti owning/operating thread for loader cracks you will find it. (not all loader cracked though, but worth looking into to get the price lowered.) As mentioned there is too much room between the backhoe seat and the tractor seat to put a swivel in to reach both. As for lights there are a few owners that have fabricated light mounts for front and rear facing. I hope to add some to mine this spring. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[bjepple]

Thanks for the input guys (and more is certainly welcome).

I wouldn't give the guy $19k or even $18k for it. I really don't even want the thing. As I mentioned earlier, I had a JD 770 (24 hp) with a BH. I'm one of the few cases where I want to go smaller. IMO what I (we) had was the wrong size. My two brothers, father, and I are making this decision for what goes at our cabin. The JD loader didn't really have enough life capacity or height for my tastes (the Kioti would be much better, I've got an F350 dump truck). The backhoe also didn't seem to have much power so logic would dictate that we go up in size. But, unfortunately the 770 was really too big to mow (bushhog) with all the trees we had to deal with. So it was too big and too small at the same time. (yeah I know, I should just buy two tractors!) And if we go bigger, the 5' implements would be too narrow. They would work for a while, but I like them wider than the tractor.

I demoed a Kubota BX1850 w/FEL and MMM a month ago and really liked it. Most of what we mow is closer to lawn than pasture so I think a MMM or RFM would be better than a RC. I'm not a fan of HST but I was really impressed with the Kubota (I plan to post my thoughts in the Kubota forum when I get time). I was able to move a 55 gal water tank (full) in the loader with no implements on the back end in 2WD. I even used my 5' BB and 5' RC behind it with no problem. I was trying to get it to bog down and only did it once. That was mowing thick, wet leaves still left from last year with the MMM going up a pretty good hill in low (it only had 2 ranges) as fast as I could go. It didn't stall (or come even close for that matter), you could just tell that 18hp diesel was starting to grunt a little bit. I was going a lot faster than I would normally mow, I just wanted to find out what it would do. Even in high range, I would spin the tires when I was using the loader before I would stall and it had R1's with wheel weights (not sure if they were filled or not). Anyway that stuff should be in the other forum.

Back to the Kioti, we were going to offer the guy $16k for it. I'm not sure if he is in a position where he can take that or not. He bought it when he was building a new home and doesn't need it anymore. We are dealing cash, but I'm guessing he borrowed for it so he probably still owes more than that. Personally, I'd rather not spend the money to get the BH. The Deere had an 8.5' BH and this is at most a 7.5'. The Deere was too small and this is only going to be worse. I do construction and on occasion I rent a mini ex. When I do, I try to line it up to take to the cabin for a weekend since I don't rent for anything less than a week. We can normally get done in two or three weekends spread out through the year what needs to be done with a hoe so while we would certainly use the BH, most of the time it is a very expensive ballast box. What's really bad in this situation is there are two of us who want the smaller tractor and two that want the bigger one. Oh yeah, and one more reason I like the 'bota was the low center of gravity of a subcut. My dad almost turned over the deere several times doing stupid stuff and he is going to be retiring soon and spending more time there without supervision. I thought it was normally the parents who had to keep an eye on the kids! I know a lot of people who come to this site may be looking to buy and the general idea is go as big as the money permits to allow room for expansion in the future. But in my situation, we have had the property for over 11 yrs, and had the Deere for about 8 so I've got a pretty good idea of what we would use it for and the subcut seems to be a better fit to me. Ok, now I'm starting to complain about stuff you guys have no control over but I felt a little background may be helpful for, well, anyone.

Sorry the post went so long.

bjepple

 

[bjepple]

Bjepple, I paid just over $19k for my CK25 gear with loader and 7.5' backhoe brand new in 2005(I'm in New England and prices tend to run higher out here, not sure about your region). I don't know how much a tiller runs but the asking price does seem a bit high. Do you know what year tractor it is, there was/is a issue with the KL130 loader being prone to cracking under the inspection plate. This could be a bargaining point for you to get the price down. The new loaders have the torque tube extend through the loader arms. If you search the Kioti owning/operating thread for loader cracks you will find it. (not all loader cracked though, but worth looking into to get the price lowered.) As mentioned there is too much room between the backhoe seat and the tractor seat to put a swivel in to reach both. As for lights there are a few owners that have fabricated light mounts for front and rear facing. I hope to add some to mine this spring. Good luck and keep us posted.

As far as the cracks in loader are concerned, if doesn't have the redesigned loader I will put my foot down against it. Even if it has the "fix", some have commented on here about still having excess flex with the old loader. My heart goes out to you guys with the problematic arms and I hope they get an acceptable solution before long, but I don't want this to turn into a disucssion about that.

bjepple

 

[gravel13]

If you think you will be doing more mowing than anything else, than the BX with the MMM is probably the way to go. I know exactly what you mean about being too big and too small. I would really like to have a John Deere 110 TLB but it is probably too much but there are times where my CK25 is not enough. I'm sure we all fall into that category once in a while, bigger is not always better. Good luck.

 

[Gittyup]

Well if you liked the BX1850, have you considered a Kioti CK20? The CK20 might hit the sweet spot a little better for the two that want a bigger tractor. Or the tractor that I like best in this size: TYM T273. There's also comparible JD, NH, MF, Mahindra, and other makes to choose from.

For ground engagement, a CK25 is a small step up from the 770. The CK digs better because it's much heavier and has higher hydraulic flow. I've operated both with a backhoe, and CK is a tad bit better... to me. Nonetheless, the CK25 is too big and heavy for mowing in confined spaces. It sounds like you are looking to Mow first, ground work second. In that case, a smaller lighter machine might be just the ticket.

Look around the corners of the access panel in the cross tube. If you don't see cracks, remove the cover and look underneath at the four mounting holes. If the loader is cracked, offer $15K. You can afford to just buy new loader arms. The dealers could probably be presuaded to cut you a deal on the new arms, putting you at 16K -16.5K with a new loader. If there are no cracks, the CK25 would still be a good buy at $16K. Though I'd immediately be contacting a dealer about installing the infamous "kit". Or tell the seller that you will give him 16K if the loader kit gets installed first.