Question on CK20HST

[SkipCT]

New to the forum and in the market for a tractor. I am looking for a 20hp with FEL and backhoe. I'm really interested in the Kioti CK20HST but have a question on the backhoe mount. I found this photo here on the forum and I'm wondering if the grey bars under the tractor are the backhoe frame mount. If so, it seems like the bars (I'm assuming there's one on each side) would limit ground clearance. What say ye?
Photo doesn't want to post properly, so here's the link. (scroll down to see the large photo)
Kioti CK20 HST - TractorByNet.com Photo Gallery

 

[Slackdaddy]

Go with the woods backhoe, thier frame mount has better clearance.
BTW - the BH frame make a good skid pan, you don't want to bottom the tranny out ?

Slack

 

[Gittyup]

Yes, all frame mount hoes will lower your ground clearance. But, they will also protect your underbelly, filters and such too.

 

[Dmace]

Typically, if my front axle clears it then the backhoe arms will too. It would be nice to see how much less you lose with the Woods backhoe. I don't mind the large BH frame since to me it means more strength and less chance of breaking.

Here is the best side view picture I could find of mine with the backhoe mounted. It's not as bad as it looks in the other picture.


Click thumbnail for larger image

 

[Gittyup]

I think my front tierods are just about the same height above the ground as my backhoe frame. Tierods are far more likely to be damaged too. I know from first hand experience.

 

[SkipCT]

Thanks for the photo Derek, that shows it better than the photo I posted (or tried to). I didn't think about the front axle clearance or the mount protecting the transmission and filters...good points!

 

[natem]

I have never bottomed out with the backhoe on, except for going on and off the trailer. As said above even if you did it would protect underneath.

 

[IslandTractor]

I also had a CK20 with the KB2365 and subframe. No issues with ground clearance though the subframe was the lowest point on the tractor.

 

[SkipCT]

When you drop the backhoe can you still use 3 point implements and does the subframe stay on the tractor, or is it attached to the backhoe?

 

[IslandTractor]

When you drop the backhoe can you still use 3 point implements and does the subframe stay on the tractor, or is it attached to the backhoe?

You can still use 3pt implements when you drop the backhoe and that is true for both the Kioti and the Woods BH. For the Kioti there is a part of the subframe about five feet long comes off with the BH so all that remains is a sort of receiver hitch (which still lowers the clearance about the same amount). With the Woods BH the set up is a bit different and only the BH itself with a short mount piece comes off.

Again, with either the Woods or Kioti BH there is no interference with 3PT use once the BH is dismounted.

 

[Gittyup]

You can still use 3pt implements when you drop the backhoe and that is true for both the Kioti and the Woods BH. For the Kioti there is a part of the subframe about five feet long comes off with the BH so all that remains is a sort of receiver hitch (which still lowers the clearance about the same amount). With the Woods BH the set up is a bit different and only the BH itself with a short mount piece comes off.

Again, with either the Woods or Kioti BH there is no interference with 3PT use once the BH is dismounted.

The whole frame comes off with my Rhino backhoe too. All that is left on the tractor are 4 brackets, 2 up front and two in back along the tractor frame rails. These do protrude down the same as the backhoe frame, to about the same clearance as the tierods. No 3PH interference, and the 3PH can be left on with the backhoe as long as you are careful while taking it on and off so as not to bend the 3PH.

 

[Dmace]

As said, the "subframe" comes off with the backhoe and leaves just two small hooks on the mid of tractor and a "receiver" on the back of the tractor. Although, I don't agree that the "receiver" on the back of the tractor protrudes down the same as the backhoe arms. There is certainly more ground clearance with the backhoe off vs. on.

And there is no problem using the 3pt with the backhoe off and the mounts still on the tractor. I believe some Kubota models require you to remove the 3pt arms to attach the backhoe but on the CK20, you just raise them to the top and they are out of the way.

You can see the front hooks in this photo that are left on the tractor:


And here is a better picture with the backhoe mounted I found:


Here is a picture of the backhoe off the tractor, you can see the subframe too.

And here is the rear "receiver" that I circled in orange:

Click thumbnails for larger images.

 

[SkipCT]

You guys are awesome! Thanks for all the info. Derek, thanks for posting the photos, they made everything nice and clear. My wife's cousin has an older Ford 20hp tractor with a Woods backhoe. His mounts to the 3 point hitch, there's no frame like the Kioti. I like the way Kioti does it with the frame, makes it nice and strong.

I appreciate all the input...now I have to do some shopping!

 

[Dmace]

My wife's cousin has an older Ford 20hp tractor with a Woods backhoe. His mounts to the 3 point hitch, there's no frame like the Kioti. I like the way Kioti does it with the frame, makes it nice and strong.

I never really liked the idea of a 3pt hitch mounted backhoe, those 3pt's can lift quite a bit of weight (2000lbs +) but those arms are just not designed for the lateral forces a backhoe will exert on them when digging at the side.

Also, I just noticed I had removed the drawbar and left it on the backhoe. That flat piece of metal in the picture that is laying across the sub-frame at the front of the frame is not part of the backhoe but the drawbar.

 

[IslandTractor]

My wife's cousin has an older Ford 20hp tractor with a Woods backhoe. His mounts to the 3 point hitch, there's no frame like the Kioti. I like the way Kioti does it with the frame, makes it nice and strong.

To be fair, Kioti is not the only one that uses a subframe. Virtually all CUT backhoes are mounted with subframes these days. The day of the 3PT mounted backhoe is gone due to the potential damage they can do to the tractor.

Look at both the tractor branded backhoes (eg Kioti KB2465) and the Woods and Rhino aftermarket BHs. You'll probably be best off choosing some brand that your tractor dealer carries in order to get a bundled price but be aware that both the branded and major aftermarket BHs are all excellent.