Price Check Price check and review on CK20 TLB

IslandTractor · Oct 3, 2005

CK20 in "den" with big brothers prior to emigration to far off island.

PS: Harvard Outdoor Power in Harvard MA was very friendly and helpful as a dealer.

IslandTractor · Oct 3, 2005

Safe arrival at new home

IslandTractor · Oct 3, 2005

30 minutes after arrival on the island, the first stump is delivered (note: operator still working on technique but backhoe seems powerful and very well suited to CK20)

IslandTractor · Oct 3, 2005

The first change over from backhoe to bush hog was a bit too exciting.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. With the engine off, I had flipped the backhoe seat up to get at the attachment pins on the subframe and did not realize it left the seat pushing on the control sticks. I started the engine to pull slightly away from the backhoe and I couldn't figure out why I wasn't moving forward.... then /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif I realized I was moving UP /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif! The backhoe had lifted the rear of the tractor 12 inches off the ground. I was on a tripod and rising. I had no idea what was happening at this point, but I can, in retrospect, acknowledge that this was my initiation moment for "pucker factor". I shut off the engine, jumped off the tractor and surveyed the situation (pucker factor withdrawl syndrome clouded my thought process so I forgot to obtain a photo of the exact moment). I then realized the seat had been resting on the controls and the backhoe had lifted the tractor. I slowly lowed the beast to the ground (without power). It was a dangerous situation for a newbie and one I had not seen discussed previously on TBN /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. Here is a photo (reenactment) of the seat hitting control levers. Has anyone else experienced this event?? Seems to me that the ability of the flipped up seat to activate the BH controls is literally an accident waiting to happen. OSHA??

IslandTractor · Oct 3, 2005

OK, I survived removing the backhoe and 30 minutes later managed my first ever 3pt hitch attachment to the Bush Hog. I said attachment....adjustment took a while longer as I figured out the mysteries of 3pt geometry. I was able to plow some really nice furrows in the meadow before coming close to getting the thing adjusted properly (who knew it could be angled sideways once raised from the resting ground position) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Live and learn. Once adjusted it worked very well at clearing brush. Not sure yet if it is civilized enough or I am good enough to use it instead of a finish mower to cut the lawn area around the house. We'll see.

Although the CK20/Bush Hog was very effective, after 3 hours use I was wondering if I should have bought a PowerTrac. Looking over your shoulder all the time and backing into brush is tiresome. Once I get the area cleared I will be able to drive forwards to keep it mown however. Otherwise I will need to include a neck massage as part of the operating costs of bush hogging.

JayC · Oct 3, 2005

Nice set of photos! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 It was a dangerous situation for a newbie and one I had not seen discussed previously on TBN . 

It wasn't too long ago I saw a couple similar posts. I don't think it was Kioti related, though. I can't remember where I saw it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

With all that stuff, were you able to drive the 3 miles in HI? How long did that take?

IslandTractor · Oct 3, 2005

( With all that stuff, were you able to drive the 3 miles in HI? How long did that take? )

I could drive in Hi except when going up hills. To give you an idea of what kind of hill, I can drive the hill with my Nissan Pathfinder in 3rd gear but not 4th.

cag · Oct 3, 2005

Ed congratulation on the Ck20 and thanks for the many pics /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif...cag

sodamo · Oct 5, 2005

Great photos. I think Kiotis make terrific island tractors /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

KiotiJohn · Oct 5, 2005

( Seems to me that the ability of the flipped up seat to activate the BH controls is literally an accident waiting to happen. OSHA?? )
I hate to say it, but it's pretty obvious that if you put something up against the control levers, they'll get pushed!! Sorry, but I saw that right away on mine the first time.
Are you using a remote hookup for the backhoe, or running off the power beyond on the main valve? You didn't mention having to move the PB lever over on the main valve when you changed over to the brush hog, so I guess maybe you have a remote?
John

IslandTractor · Oct 6, 2005

In order to use my BH I move the lever from neutral to the A position. I guess that is what you call the power beyond valve. If I leave it in neutral I have no power to the BH.

Regarding how "obvious" the seat hitting the controls is: I was behind the tractor but in front of the BH controls when I flipped up the seat. With my attention focused on the pins securing the subframe, I did not notice that the seat was resting on the controls. That might seem like an obvious thing to miss but I would argue it is also an obvious thing for a designer to take into account as well. The engine was off when I flipped the seat so I did not see what was happening behind me until I got back on board and started the engine to pull away. The power was on to the backhoe because I needed to jiggle the backhoe controls in order to free up the subframe (at least that is what my dealer showed me to do).

I know tractors are not built with the same safety standards as cars but it does seem silly not to have some sort of lock out arrangement. I presume Kioti is not alone in lacking this type of safeguard.

KiotiJohn · Oct 6, 2005

( Regarding how "obvious" the seat hitting the controls is: )
Sorry, I was really just picking on you, and forgot to put the smirky face in the post. You're right, some lockouts as the loader joystick has would be good. I hate the way one has to move that seat anyway. On mine, it's necessary to pull down on the lever to move the seat up! Rather counterintuitive.
I honestly have bumped the controls at times while moving the seat with the tractor running, so really I LIED! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
John

KAB · Oct 6, 2005

I had to go take a look since this has not been a problem for me. With my seat filpped up it just makes contact with the joysticks, not enough to even make them move.

The bottom bolts (seat) are back as far as they can be and the up/down bolts are in the middle setting.

Kurt

IslandTractor · Oct 6, 2005

( The bottom bolts (seat) are back as far as they can be and the up/down bolts are in the middle setting.)

That is interesting. My seat is set at the middle/middle bolt position. I'll play with that to see if it helps.

I agree with KiotiJohn that the seat latch is awkward too. Difficult to do with one hand and even more difficult from the tractors left side which is the obvious place for the operator to stand while removing the BH given that the FEL control obstructs access to the operator's seat on the right side.

Both of these issues are things that one can get used to with time. But they do stand out as suboptimal safety/ergonomic points in what is otherwise a very capable BH.

Dmace · Oct 7, 2005

Hey guys,

This is my first post, but I have been reading the forums for about 2 months now.

I have just about decided on a Kioti CK20 HST. My local dealer gave me a price of $19,300 with the FEL and BH. Also he quoted me another $1800 for a snowblower that I most definitly need.

I was hoping to stay under $20,000. Does this seem high or right in the ballpark.

Anyone find an enclosed cab for one of these yet ?

Thanks,

IslandTractor · Oct 7, 2005

Sounds a bit high for CK20 TLB. I just bought a slightly used (28 hrs) CK20 HST TLB for just under 15,000 from another dealer in New England.

Ed

KiotiJohn · Oct 8, 2005

( I have just about decided on a Kioti CK20 HST. My local dealer gave me a price of $19,300 with the FEL and BH. )
I know prices have increased a few times since I bought mine in Jan. 04, but not THAT much. I paid $16,681 for TLB and boxblade. Even if the price increases amounted to $1000, your price is still high.
John

Kiohio · Oct 10, 2005

If he is buying after our last increase, a week or so ago, (OCT 05) it could be......I'm not saying whether this price is fair or not. Just that prices did go up a decent amount. Anyone out there wanting to buy a Kioti you better get it now!!

KO