New DK45s

[foxbat21]

I'm the proud new owner of a DK45s. Had a MF 230 diesel from 1982.

I looked at the JD 5103 and the Kubota MX5100.

The JD was nice but when you added the remotes and telescoping links, it was 8k more than the 45S.

The Kubota was lighter, 6K more expensive and not finished as nice as the Kioti.

The dealer wanted 800 bucks for draft control, 800 for remotes and they are standard on the 45S.

The deck on the Kubota is super thin, it was like standing on 29ga sheet metal.

I also looked at the NH TC-series but didn't like the shifter placement and spent 5min looking at it. I did like the TN75 but it's a little to big for my spread.

I have 10 hrs on the 45S in a week. Cut some hay, raked, and baled 80 bales. Pushed some log scraps over the hill and dug into some dirt piles.

I've used 1/2 tank of fuel in those 10hrs, which would be 7gal of diesel.

A great tractor at a great price.

 

[carpenter383]

Congrats! I bought a dk40se a couple months ago, I've put about 54 hrs on it already! The 50 hr service was more expensive than I expected, it was about $260 ish if I remember right. I've been very happy with the machine so far. Which loader did you get?

 

[foxbat21]

I got the 451 loader.

The things that I don't like about the tractor are the seat belt retractor and where the PTO switch is on the fender.

I'm going to correct both in time.

 

[Dmace]

Congrats and Welcome to the Pack!

Post some pics of the new tractor when you can.

 

[JoelD]

Congratulatons, update your avatar so we know where you are.

Good luck with your new machine, I love mine.

Joel

 

[carpenter383]

PTO switch on the fender? Mine's on the dash

 

[IslandTractor]

Welcome aboard Foxbat.

 

[deputyrpa]

Wecome to the Pack Foxbat! You chose wisely. I have the same complaints about the PTO button and the seatbelt retractor. I often have to tilt the seat up to grab the **** thing. I usually droop it over the 3pt lift and draft control levers. You may find that the seatbelt wears against the seat back bolt. Or maybe it's just my moderate height and ripped torso

I also find the PTO button on sometimes. I'm glad there's a switch on the dash.

Other than that, I'm happy with the DK45S. It's a tough unit, and adequate for my 400 acres. I lease my 160 acres of farmland, and do mostly road and ditch maintenance, stormwater and home improvements, rock removal and trail work. I also have been assigned the duties of neighborhood pet mortuary service, it seems.

I think I said this before.....but I Need Grapple. And a DK65.

 

[foxbat21]

I want a grapple and DK65 too.

I think I will get a Markham in the couple of months and use the rear remotes to drive it. The WR Long kit is nice but for me the grapple will be pushing the limits of my budget.

 

[rvaitor]

I want a grapple and DK65 too.

I think I will get a Markham in the couple of months and use the rear remotes to drive it. The WR Long kit is nice but for me the grapple will be pushing the limits of my budget.

I ended up with about $2300 in my grapple set-up. This was a versatech grapple and the WR Long Kit(very nice to be able to control from the loader lever). I use it to grab ungainly stuff and junk.

Tell us about your hay equipment, I am considering doing some haying but am concerned I don't have the power.

 

[o2batsea]

I've always wondered where the Ancient Hose Graveyard was....

 

[Baranx4]

I am considering doing some haying but am concerned I don't have the power.

You have more than enough power. There are many balers available that you will have no issues using. Many people with pto hp in the 20's bale hay. Consider this, on some of the older balers there are poney motors on them that only have 16 h.p.

There are many threads here on the subject do a search.

 

[foxbat21]

I have a NH 273 square baler. It was fine behind the 34hp of the MF 230.

So the DK45 is more than enough.

My dealer has a customer that rolls 5x5 round bales w/ a DK45, he didn't know the brand of baler. I bet he doesn't have steep hills though.


I cut hay w/ a CCM drum mower, the weight of it taxed the MF 230. With the DK45 it is a perfect match.

 

[deputyrpa]

I have a NH 273 square baler. It was fine behind the 34hp of the MF 230.

So the DK45 is more than enough.

My dealer has a customer that rolls 5x5 round bales w/ a DK45, he didn't know the brand of baler. I bet he doesn't have steep hills though.


I cut hay w/ a CCM drum mower, the weight of it taxed the MF 230. With the DK45 it is a perfect match.

I roll 4x5s and squares with the DK45, but the 9' disc mower turns a bit hard.

 

[TerryJ]

Congrats on the new DK45s! I love mine and have not had one problem out of it so far.

 

[rvaitor]

I have a NH 273 square baler. It was fine behind the 34hp of the MF 230.

So the DK45 is more than enough.

My dealer has a customer that rolls 5x5 round bales w/ a DK45, he didn't know the brand of baler. I bet he doesn't have steep hills though.


I cut hay w/ a CCM drum mower, the weight of it taxed the MF 230. With the DK45 it is a perfect match.

What is the cutting width of your drum mower and do you use a tedder or rake?

Thanks.

 

[foxbat21]

I got the 5' model about 4yrs ago. It replaced an old worn out Ford 501 6' sickle mower.

One of my best buys. Now w/ the DK45 I would get a disc mower and forget the hassle of pulling the drum mower into transport.

I paid 1900 for it. I didn't have remotes on the MF230 and money was tighter back then.

A tedder is next on my list. I have a IH 2 row corn planter that I'm looking at giving up for one.