My father and I have the older CK series (it's a sweat & money partnership. My sweat and his money.
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Based on about 40 years of running an 8N Ford and 5 on this CK35 - here are a few of my thoughts and opinions - some things you asked for (and some you didn't).
On the newer CKxx10 series the telescoping lift arms on the 3pt became options instead of standard like the older CK series like ours.
If you have the choice to skip those and save some $ then do it. Even the cheap $99 Quick Hitch from Harbor Freight (Which you can find cheaper w/ coupons) is better than the telescoping links (because once you have a QH, you'll never move the telescoping links again anyway)
Transmission - We got the Manual w/ Shuttle shift - not a day goes by I don't wish we had the hydrostatic instead. When we bought it our only thought was replacing the 8N for mowing duty. Never having a FEL before we never considered the amount of work we would end up doing with it and thus the amount of time spent changing directions back & forth.
Backhoe - don't have one but would love it if i did. I agree with finn1 to an extent - if you're going to do a LOT of digging, buy & resell or rent a dedicated machine. If you're just looking to do a few small projects here and there and play as much as work then a backhoe attachment is ok. Get one that uses a sub-frame not a 3pt and the dealer should help you size it to the tractor
Box Blade - depends on what you want to do. The heavier / harder the material you want to move (VA Red clay vs pea gravel) then the heavier the BB should be. More metal means more money and (mostly) you get what you pay for. I have a Box Store brand BB that I bought used and it's definitely light weight. I can move dirt with it but when it's dry I pretty much have to till it first because I can't get enough weight on the BB to cut.
I am a huge fan of Everything Attachments. They make quality products and stand behind them 100%.
I would love to have one of their BB's one day but right now my usage and budget don't make that possible. *Disclaimer - I do own one of their grapples and I love it!
Rotary Cutter - Again this depends on what you want to do. If you're mowing an already cleared field of just grass and the occasional small sapling then light duty cutters will work for you. If you plan on mowing rocks and trees (exaggeration - don't mow rocks and trees on purpose) then you're going to need a a heavier duty model (preferably with a "stump jumper"). And just like the BB - more metal, more money.
As far as size, I just re-used the 5' ones I already had for the 8N because I already had them. :laughing: If I were starting from scratch I would have no hesitations about going up to a 6' - BUT consider the weight and the terrain you plan to mow also. A heavy duty 6' on some steep hills is a lot different animal that a 5' light duty on flat ground. You have to see where you fit on that scale.
Other things to consider
- I second the idea of getting the 3rd function on the FEL. I scratch built mine but there are pre-made aftermarket kits and I think Kioti even offers one now. It's easier to add now than later, esp if the dealer can do it during the assembly of your tractor.
- Industrial vs Ag tires - that's about as controversial a topic as any when it comes to tractors. I'll let you draw your own conclusions but for me the more ground engaging work (plowing, dirt moving, etc) you plan to do the better you are with Ag tires. (You should note that the Ag rims are different that the Industrial and you can widen the rear end width on the Ag rims. You need spacers to do that with Industrial)
- Fluid Filled / Loaded rear tires - Absolutely, no matter what you get. To max the FEL lift capacity you need rear end weight. I don't know about the newer Tractor/Loader combo but for us the loader manual stated a 700 lb counterweight IN ADDITION TO loaded rear tires.
- Rear Remotes - you're going to need at least one for the backhoe anyway so go ahead and get two.
- Top-n-Tilt kit - as long as you have two rear remotes and a box blade you may as well get a T-n-T kit to go with it. You'll thank me later. I have a hydraulic top link now and am looking into getting / making the tilt one soon. There are several on the market or you can build your own. Brian at FitRite hydraulics is a member here and sells a very well thought of product that's worth your time to look at.
As a side note I think on the newer CKxx10's that the "fancy" hand crank tilt link is now an option too - this would be another time/place to save money if you have the choice to skip that and add the hydraulic T-n-T set-up instead.
Well that's about all the ramblings I can come up with right now. Way more than you wanted I'm sure.
Good luck with your purchase and enjoy the new machine.
