It's orange and starts with "K"

[rimshot]

Well, today I made my decision on whether I would buy a Kioti CK20 HST with FEL and Backhoe or the tried and tested and smaller BX24. I just typed an email to my Kioti dealer telling him to grab a crate with a CK20 S HST inside and get it pllumbed for a backhoe and FEL. Since I live 230 miles from the dealer his offer in writing to pickup & deliver for warranty work was of essence. I also had him add two 3/8 chain hooks and weld them with a gusset plate to front bucket which added $150 to the deal for the above package costing $17250 with free delivery and tires loaded. He charged $1500 to my credit card and balance is due on delivery.

I darn near bought the BX24. It would have been good enough but would probably have to drag some of my logs rather than carry them. I'm thinking either tractor would have held it's value for four or five years before I shall probably sell. But I hope I have it longer. Now, I caught enough heck for comparing two tractors for being in different classes on another thread. I settled on the two brand names and picked their smallest TLB's. I felt good about the two competing dealers out of probably ten I deallt with over the phone and internet mostly and got the best deal. The Kioti won out based on the fact that it was a bit more capable and the dealer incentives of free pick up for warranty and delivery. I think the Kioti stands a good chance (in the next few years) of holding it's resale as well as Kubota's venerable BX24.


Lot's more to chat about. Hope to read you observations on this thread.

Thanks for helping me spend my money.

rim

 

[Dmace]

Welcome to the Pack!

The wait for the tractor to arrive will be tough but worth it. You will love it!

 

[albmn10]

Excellent choice rimshot, thats quite a little beast you bought.. As far as resale, youll be surprised at what the next few years will hold. Now with Bobcat selling the (rebadged) Kiotis , a much greater audience will now be exposed to these tough tractors. Their value will continue to climb.. Welcome to the pack.. Matt

 

[Gittyup]

You made the best choice, rim. Congrats and be safe.

 

[Kendrick]

My intrest was in the durability issue. I liked the fact that these tractors were much sturdier in my opinion then the kubotas. If i have to wear gloves to work a piece of equipment 1 of 2 things has occored. my parents got involved and got somthng for me or I just found out I need to see about returning a defective piece of equipment

 

[ChuckinNH]

Congratulations Rimshot! I think the choice you made is very sound, and I'm sure you will have many happy, and productive hours on the beast. Make sure we get some pictures when it arrives, and keep us updated on what you are doing with it, and how it's working for you!

 

[rimshot]

Thanks to all of you for checking in. Chuck, I will certainly post some pics of that thing all cleaned up and while it's new. Even though it wasn't a big deal to me, the dealer told me he would grab a new CK 20 ( 22h.p.) SHST that was still in the crate and had never been parked outside in the lot. They have to get the hydraulics for the FEL and backhoe plumbed in. Once this tractor gets to it's new home it gets a bay in my new garage. Well, maybe after a week that is because the first week it's going to stay in my attached garage with heat so I can sneak out and play with it after dinner. So, in the meantime my pickup gets displaced.........

To make it convenient for the dealer I have got to wait to receive it until Feb 9. That's the week end when the dealer comes up North to spend his time at his second home that is only 30 minutes from here. He will trailer up my TLB at that time. Beats driving down there with my pickup and driving back for a total of 460 miles for me. Incidentally, that little fat-so of a CK20 including the loaded rears is going to tip the scales at 4500 lbs with backhoe and FEL according to the dealer.

rim

 

[TBDonnelly]

I only have one word to say............Congratulations!!!

Don

 

[LBrown59]

Cingrats ; but now you will never know how great the BX24 is.
== L B ==

Thanks to all of you for checking in. Chuck, I will certainly post some pics of that thing all cleaned up and while it's new. Even though it wasn't a big deal to me, the dealer told me he would grab a new CK 20 ( 22h.p.) SHST that was still in the crate and had never been parked outside in the lot. They have to get the hydraulics for the FEL and backhoe plumbed in. Once this tractor gets to it's new home it gets a bay in my new garage. Well, maybe after a week that is because the first week it's going to stay in my attached garage with heat so I can sneak out and play with it after dinner. So, in the meantime my pickup gets displaced.........

To make it convenient for the dealer I have got to wait to receive it until Feb 9. That's the week end when the dealer comes up North to spend his time at his second home that is only 30 minutes from here. He will trailer up my TLB at that time. Beats driving down there with my pickup and driving back for a total of 460 miles for me. Incidentally, that little fat-so of a CK20 including the loaded rears is going to tip the scales at 4500 lbs with backhoe and FEL according to the dealer.

rim

 

[Mastertech]

Welcome to the Kioti side

 

[rimshot]

TBDonnely and Mastertech, I see you are from Michigan. I'm wondering if your dealers have proven satisfactory so far as your experience has revealed. We don't seem to have many dealers in the state but something tells me this brand is in for a growth spurt and that equates to more dealers.

rim

 

[KiotiDave]

Hi Rimshot,
After the first 20 or so hours you will realize you made the correct choice. As for re-sale in our area the market is somewhat flooded with the BX series and the values go down when availability is too great.
Congrats on your purchase and many happy productive hours to you.
KiotiDave

 

[RexB]

Congrats rimshot, after all your research you'll love it. That was a good price and accomodating dealer. Save up your sleep, cuz after the beast is delivered you'll drive and work it most waking hours

 

[TBDonnelly]

TBDonnely and Mastertech, I see you are from Michigan. I'm wondering if your dealers have proven satisfactory so far as your experience has revealed. We don't seem to have many dealers in the state but something tells me this brand is in for a growth spurt and that equates to more dealers.

rim

I'm three years into ownership and over four years of knowing my dealer. He has been top notch!

Don

 

[hosejockey2002]

Incidentally, that little fat-so of a CK20 including the loaded rears is going to tip the scales at 4500 lbs with backhoe and FEL according to the dealer.

Good choice for the work you want to do. You have literally twice the weight of the BX24 so you'll be able to get it done much more efficiently.

 

[rimshot]

Something that I noticed about this tractor forum from the start. This might not represent a scientific survey or anything but it appears to me that practically all of the Kioti owners that post are very satisfied over all with their selection of tractors. I read nearly all of the reviews (not all posts)and perhaps I can recall one or two negative reviews as opposed to an overwhelming majority of positive postings. I think that observation goes beyond the fact that this is a Kioti forum.....................................I'm hoping that comment doesn't bring out any soreheadsss but to each his own. Thanks all for sharing your kioti experience, good or bad.

rimshot

 

[Bigboyskioti]

Congrats! I've owned my CK20hst for about 10 months and have not regretted it for a second. They say normal owners put 50 hours a year on this size machine. Well I've never been normal. I have around 120hrs. The thing is after about 50 hours you will see a power gain (at least I did). Here's many happy hours to ya!

 

[Mastertech]

Rimshot - There are 2 dealers semi close to me one is 40 miles away in Morrice and is small but is trying hard to grow. The other is 80 miles away in Almont (where I bought my CK30) last year). The one in Almont is real good to deal with. I bought a used Kubota B2150 from him a few years ago and got good service. So far I have been saving up the little warenty issues such as a burnt out glow plug light etc. for a trip down thwere next month.

Where do you live? How about you TB Donnelly?

 

[rimshot]

(pm to MasterTech)

I'm in the upper peninsula and there are no dealers up here that I am aware of but the Morrice dealer had every thing in stock. The fair price and an accommodating package was what it took to push me over the edge. I was obviously a serious potential buyer a that point.

As a matter of fact, My tractor for all I know is still in the crate but nothing was so much as even stored outside. It would not have matttered it if it was outside in the snow but some would expect a new tractor to be new I spose. I missed the dealer in Almont and don't even know where that is but I doubt I would have done any better considering the free initial delivery and hour or so of familiarization with the tractor he plans on giving me at my house upon delivery. Add to that pick up & delivery of tractor for all warranty claims during that period of time the are in effect. He even filled the rear tires for free. I take delivery a week from Saturday weather permitting.

Thanks for posting your comments.

rim

 

[IslandTractor]

Congratulations. I loved my CK20 TLB. The BX is also a great machine so you could not have made a mistake either way.

I agree with your points (and KiotiDave) about resale of the CK20 TLB. I sold mine after two years as a trade in so that was (despite fairness of the dealer) about the maximum depreciation one could expect. It still only cost me something in the range of $15/hr to operate including fuel over 150hrs. The BX's are very popular as first tractors so they hold their value too but I think KiotiDave is right about the numbers of used ones on the market.