TexasDigger
Bronze Member
Ok I need some advice from someone with experience on both smaller and larger frame tractors. Sorry in advance if its a long post but lots to cover: I am 85 hours into my Kioti CK 3510 HST. I really do love this little workhorse, and if it could run a baler and lift a wet 5x5 hay bale without pushing it to its limit, I would be hooked for life! Even though it has been an amazingly capable machine, unfortunately I have come to the realization that I need more tractor! I'm a little upside down on trading it so price is huge deal. Looking at open station to save $. Need the upgrade to have enough power to run a 4x4 or 4x5 round baler but still agile enough to do lots of FEL work, roto-mowing, and clearing in heavy woods.
I was originally looking at the larger compacts (50-60hp with min of 45hp pto - Kioti DK 6010/5510, LS MT357, TYM, Branson, Mahindra and a few others) but basically every person I have spoken to said these "HST-sized" units would be at their limit running even a 4x4 round baler and most recommended going w shuttle shift over HST for the extra PTO power. If anyone has baled with a HST or any compact shuttle model, please let me know based on their own experience baling with them because that would save me a boatload of $$!! Ie: I dont need the "theoretically based on claimed pto hp..." on a tractor you havent actually put to this kind of use yourself.
I have already made the mistake of buying too small of a tractor once so I definitely dont want to do it twice!! This fear has caused me to look at much larger machines than I originally was. These bigger tractors don't come with hydro setups so my options are all shuttle variants. I am not familiar enough with shuttles to know all of the features and difference in "fully synchronized shuttle", "mechanical shuttle", "power shuttle" etc. I have no problem clutching to get started or changing to higher/lower gear, but I cant see myself having to clutch every time i switch from fwd to reverse - especially when using FEL.. Do I need to be looking at "Power Shuttles" only? Also, on these "power shuttle" units.. I have gotten mixed answers on whether or not u have to clutch when u stop. Please help clear this up - that would almost make the power shuttle feel like a hst except having to flip lever for fwd/reverse??
So far best bang for buck I have found is the LS XU6168 (only comes w "fully synchronized shuttle"?? - what does that even mean!??) or KIOTI RX6620 (Power Shuttle). The power shuttle is not an option on the LS 6168 open station. I really like this LS 6168 but with all the forward/reversing with mowing and FEL my gut is saying I would be happier with the Kioti since it has power shuttle.. One dealer tried to flip me to a Case 60A but the loader wasnt even as powerful as my 3510!! The Kioti dealer I bought my 3510 from also mentioned a New Holland Workmaster 75 but they seem to keep coming back higher than the max budget.
Any help/model suggestions/pricing appreciated because at this point my head is spinning!!
I was originally looking at the larger compacts (50-60hp with min of 45hp pto - Kioti DK 6010/5510, LS MT357, TYM, Branson, Mahindra and a few others) but basically every person I have spoken to said these "HST-sized" units would be at their limit running even a 4x4 round baler and most recommended going w shuttle shift over HST for the extra PTO power. If anyone has baled with a HST or any compact shuttle model, please let me know based on their own experience baling with them because that would save me a boatload of $$!! Ie: I dont need the "theoretically based on claimed pto hp..." on a tractor you havent actually put to this kind of use yourself.
I have already made the mistake of buying too small of a tractor once so I definitely dont want to do it twice!! This fear has caused me to look at much larger machines than I originally was. These bigger tractors don't come with hydro setups so my options are all shuttle variants. I am not familiar enough with shuttles to know all of the features and difference in "fully synchronized shuttle", "mechanical shuttle", "power shuttle" etc. I have no problem clutching to get started or changing to higher/lower gear, but I cant see myself having to clutch every time i switch from fwd to reverse - especially when using FEL.. Do I need to be looking at "Power Shuttles" only? Also, on these "power shuttle" units.. I have gotten mixed answers on whether or not u have to clutch when u stop. Please help clear this up - that would almost make the power shuttle feel like a hst except having to flip lever for fwd/reverse??
So far best bang for buck I have found is the LS XU6168 (only comes w "fully synchronized shuttle"?? - what does that even mean!??) or KIOTI RX6620 (Power Shuttle). The power shuttle is not an option on the LS 6168 open station. I really like this LS 6168 but with all the forward/reversing with mowing and FEL my gut is saying I would be happier with the Kioti since it has power shuttle.. One dealer tried to flip me to a Case 60A but the loader wasnt even as powerful as my 3510!! The Kioti dealer I bought my 3510 from also mentioned a New Holland Workmaster 75 but they seem to keep coming back higher than the max budget.
Any help/model suggestions/pricing appreciated because at this point my head is spinning!!
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