Buying Advice Downsizing from Kioti CK20

[chelydra]

Again, thanks for all the good comments. Just for clarity, a smaller tractor would actually be *more* useful to me now. For example, the smaller JDs will take a 47" snowblower, which would take care of a lot of paths that I otherwise have to do with the Ariens (when the snow isn't too wet) or by hand (too often).

There's no doubt that the CK20HST is a far more capable machine, and I really like it. But the heavy work is done, and I'm down to lighter loading and snow removal. In both cases, just a little narrower would make the tractor much more useful to me. Hence the search for something smaller and affordable. Alas, the JD 1046 and X-series are pricey, and apparently too new for deep discounts. Kubota doesn't seem to have an under-50" blower as needed here. I'll probably keep the BH, and perhaps sell the whole outfit in the spring if I can find something suitable (perhaps used) to replace it.

Cheers-

Chelydra

 

[Don87]

Again, thanks for all the good comments. Just for clarity, a smaller tractor would actually be *more* useful to me now. For example, the smaller JDs will take a 47" snowblower, which would take care of a lot of paths that I otherwise have to do with the Ariens (when the snow isn't too wet) or by hand (too often).

There's no doubt that the CK20HST is a far more capable machine, and I really like it. But the heavy work is done, and I'm down to lighter loading and snow removal. In both cases, just a little narrower would make the tractor much more useful to me. Hence the search for something smaller and affordable. Alas, the JD 1046 and X-series are pricey, and apparently too new for deep discounts. Kubota doesn't seem to have an under-50" blower as needed here. I'll probably keep the BH, and perhaps sell the whole outfit in the spring if I can find something suitable (perhaps used) to replace it.

Cheers-

Chelydra

I mentioned keeping the CK20, because you said you needed 700 to 800 lb. lift capacity on the FEL.........smaller tractors just don't have that capacity.

To get the narrow width you desire, you are getting into riding mower territory, well below the SCUT level.

You could order something like an 'orchard tractor'. they have a narrow width, but from what I've seen they don't come with FEL's, but you could get one fabricated. I can only imagine how unstable they might be, and the price will be significant.


EDIT: Unless you look into Simplicity: http://www.simplicitymfg.com/index.cfm

 

[bp fick]

The small Kubota BX is right about in your wheel house, as you described your wants/needs.

If you have a chance to actually sit on one, or use one, you'd probably be thrilled. BX1860

 

[blueriver]

Just an opinion ... never ever downsize, you will regret it. You will find yourself trying to do jobs with a smaller unit that you used to do with a bigger machine and then you will regret it. Or break something !!

Pull off the hoe, add ballast, can you move your rear wheels in?... That would make it narrowed for a smaller blower ... now that I say that whats wrong with blowing a 5' walkway opposed to a 4' ??

 

[chelydra]

Just an opinion ... never ever downsize, you will regret it. You will find yourself trying to do jobs with a smaller unit that you used to do with a bigger machine and then you will regret it. Or break something !!
Pull off the hoe, add ballast, can you move your rear wheels in?... That would make it narrowed for a smaller blower ... now that I say that whats wrong with blowing a 5' walkway opposed to a 4' ??

I've been trying to find out about the rear wheels. However, I really am finished with the major landscaping here, and a smaller machine would be far more useful. Looking again at jobs I do, any loader capacity over about 500 lbs would be useful. And since I've very rarely run the CK20 at over 2500 PRM (vs. 3000 firewalled), I doubt that I'd need more than 15 HP or so. Re the blower, there's a max of about 51" between immovable objects in one key area.

Kubota BX looks like best option if I ever can afford to downsize. Need to get to a dealer to see if I can sit in one OK, and then hope that prices on new tractors drop a bit while used prices stay up.

 

[blueriver]

I've been trying to find out about the rear wheels. However, I really am finished with the major landscaping here, and a smaller machine would be far more useful. Looking again at jobs I do, any loader capacity over about 500 lbs would be useful. And since I've very rarely run the CK20 at over 2500 PRM (vs. 3000 firewalled), I doubt that I'd need more than 15 HP or so. Re the blower, there's a max of about 51" between immovable objects in one key area.

Kubota BX looks like best option if I ever can afford to downsize. Need to get to a dealer to see if I can sit in one OK, and then hope that prices on new tractors drop a bit while used prices stay up.

It sounds like to me your set to downsize ... so do it.