Kioti CK25 advice needed

[zing]

Hi there, as an intro I have a small (45 acre) hobby farm and have been looking around for a used compact tractor to help out around the property.

I spotted a Kioti CK25 at an auction and am looking for some info/advice. I have been reading (you guys type a lot!) and I see there are probs with about 25% of the loaders and some seals on some backhoes. I was wondering if you guys could confirm from some pictures whether these are the problem items (potentially) and where I would take a closer look to inspect this particular tractor, if I wanted to see if there were any of these problems like stress cracks or leaks, etc. Thanks for any advice you can give!! :thumbsup:

While we are talking advice, what would be a fairly decent price to see this go for? It is an auction, so I don't want to get carried away and overpay it's worth.

The info is:
KIOTI CK25 2006
3CYL DIESEL
Odo./Hrs. : 577 HOURS
4 SPD, 4X4
GENERAL PURPOSE BUCKET
REAR BACKHOE (KB 2475)
KIOTI KL130 LOADER
TIRES ARE 50-60%

 

[zukota]

I like the ck25, almost bought one, but I only have 4 acres.


I think you might need to buy a bigger machine, how much of that 45 are you going to work?

 

[zing]

I like the ck25, almost bought one, but I only have 4 acres.


I think you might need to buy a bigger machine, how much of that 45 are you going to work?

It depends.

It is really like my cottage and so I only get there weekends and vacations, so it will never be "worked". Most of the property is hay which I let a local cattle farmer cut and remove so that it stays in good shape and does not grow out. We trailer in the horses when we go, so our needs are pretty light.
- I like the backhoe for keeping the fences in shape and improving drainage.
- I am thinking about putting in a riding arena, but it would be a pick-away at it job over the course of a summer/fall. Loader would help with that.
- I would like to mow some pasture so I may try to get a mower for it. The lawn tractor I am presently using takes too long and bogs down if I let the grass sit more then a few weeks.
- It might be nice to cut some hay once in a blue moon, but we really only use about 100 - 150 bales a year, so it is not an big concern. Besides I would need to buy a cutter, raker, and baler to do that. Cheaper to just buy them for 2 bucks a bale for now.

My needs may expand when I retire and go there permanently, but that is quite a few years away, so this would fill the gap until that point.

 

[Gittyup]

The loader looks like the original KL130. It's easy to tell the difference. The new KL130B has a round cross tube that is visable through the ends of the loader arms. Frolm the photo, I don't see that on yours. So, if it's the old one, you have to check for cracks: Under the cross member there is a rectangular plated bolted on. Remove that plate and look at the corners of the cutouts for cracks. Decide for your self if you want if it has cracks. Also, Kioti has a kit to fix/stop/prevent the cracks. Check with a dealer about getting that installed. It should be free to you, but I'd check to make sure what my potential costs risks were w.r.t. the kit. From my experience with the loader, me, I wouldn't operate the loader without the kit.

Other than that, the CK25 is a serious workhorse. It should serve you well. The HP will limit you bush hog size to about 5', and 6' for a finish mower.

Don't know anything about that backhoe. When I bought, some were having problems. So, I went with a Rhino brand. With the weight of the tractor, it's a very good digger.

My guess on value is about $14K - $15K.

 

[zing]

The loader looks like the original KL130. It's easy to tell the difference. The new KL130B has a round cross tube that is visable through the ends of the loader arms. Frolm the photo, I don't see that on yours.

Ok, I will try to check and confirm.

So, if it's the old one, you have to check for cracks: Under the cross member there is a rectangular plated bolted on. Remove that plate and look at the corners of the cutouts for cracks. Decide for your self if you want if it has cracks.

Exactly the info I was looking for, thanks muchly!

Also, Kioti has a kit to fix/stop/prevent the cracks. Check with a dealer about getting that installed. It should be free to you, but I'd check to make sure what my potential costs risks were w.r.t. the kit. From my experience with the loader, me, I wouldn't operate the loader without the kit.

I didn't know that! All the other posts I read seemed to imply that Kioti was pretty much ignoring the issue and pretending it didn't exist. This is good to hear. Does the dealer's approach to it depend on if there is still warranty coverage? As well, is there one particular thread I should check that has this info, so I don't need to pester everyone about something you guys have already talked to death?

Other than that, the CK25 is a serious workhorse. It should serve you well. The HP will limit you bush hog size to about 5', and 6' for a finish mower.

Don't know anything about that backhoe. When I bought, some were having problems. So, I went with a Rhino brand. With the weight of the tractor, it's a very good digger.

This is what I have been hearing, good workhorse and reliable for the money.

My guess on value is about $14K - $15K.

Hmmm. That is a little more then I was expecting. Will have to seriously consider my budget before I start to bid.


Thanks very much for your post Gittyup. It is a big help.

 

[VictorW]

I have the KL130 on my 2004 CK30hst, purchased in 04/05, and still have no cracks in my loader without the extra brace being installed. Kioti should provide the brace kit. You'll just have to let a dealer install and should be no charge from what I understand. I had to replace the fuel guage sending unit, under warranty, but otherwise no problems.

My KB2375 had a valve problem when new and once fixed under warranty, no problems. It's a small bh and can't be beat like a dedicated loader/backhoe machine. It does a good job for its size. You just need to know its limits. Some have had to replace pivot bushings or replace the seals in a cylinder but I guess that could happen to any brand.

I'd say a fair price, if all in working order, would be $12k - $13k. The tractor new with fl should have been around $14k and the bh, when I bought, was $5.5k. I might be a bit partial to mine, still shines because I keep it clean, serviced as required, and it gets waxed once a year, but that one looks a little rough in places, so you might get it below $12k at an auction. Especially when it may not be a well known brand in your area.

 

[Gittyup]

I think that backhoe today is closer to $7K, and the tractor with FEL close to $15K. That's $22K for a new setup. So, if you can get it for under $14K, I'd say it's a good buy.

If you find the loader is cracked and you still want it, I'd be talking that up at the auction. It might scare some bidders off, or at least help keep the price down.

 

[Sabretooth]

By anychance are you in Texas?That looks like a Auction house near Tyler "SunnyDay" IMHO if it is just turn around and walk away you will find something else. I wont say anything else

 

[mowog74]

I can speak from recent experience on a couple of your questions. I recently bought a 2007 CK30HST at ~400 hrs with KL130 loader, Woods 6.5' backhoe, and a 4-in-1 bucket, and paid $14,500.

Also, my loader crossmember was cracked as described by Gittyup, and I was able to get the repair kit for free from my dealer, and installed it myself this weekend -- no transport to the dealer required.

 

[MichiganIron]

The 24xx series backhoes have different valves than the 23xx series predecessors. We have not seen any problems with the 24xx series backhoe valves.

The loader does require the Bracket Kit if you want it. The cracks were never a structural problem. It would be your call whether you want to install the bracket or not.