Well she left... and my first review

EJP1234 · Apr 7, 2015

So I have had a CK30hst for about 2 weeks now, and she just left to go back to the dealer, but that was to get the Backhoe with hydraulic thumb they had to order... I have 18hrs on her so far, been using her a bit each day it seems since she was delivered. I got a woods landscape rake, a woods brush cutter, and a woods tiller.

I have done lots of cool things, and lots more cool things to come too. I mainly brush hogged around the property. I live on the eastern shore of Md, and we get ton's of greenbriar vines in the woods and at the edge of our yard going into the woods... well not any more lol... I also cleared off a little more than a quarter acre, all that is left is a some stumps which will be tended too soon... I am going to make it a bit bigger and then plant a food plot there.

I will also get too brush cutting my other property that has about 1/2 mile of the tax ditches running through it, and then plant both sides of it as well.

Having lots of fun on her, shes a bad toy.

I have two tiddly complaints.. One, the rubber floor mat.... that thing will not stay pushed down, infact the nipples don't even go in all the way. As well, the hood latch, not the greatest design I have ever seen.

k0ua · Apr 7, 2015

I wonder if some rubber cement on the floor mat, then get under it with a pair of pliars and pull the "rubber nubs" to make them stretch thru the holes. Hopefully they have square shoulders and this idea would help retain them. Just an idea, I haven't see your mat.

Amvcane · Apr 7, 2015

Congrats on the new tractor, seems like you have it well outfitted with all the attachments and implements you will need for a long while. Treat it well and it will treat you well for many years.
Hood latch difficult to pull? It's awkward, but try pushing down on the hood to compress the new rubber gaskets while pulling the release. It will be much easier to open. At least the hood isn't rattling.
Good luck with your new purchase.

Dr_Zinj · Apr 7, 2015

Kioti CK30 ~= Bobcat CT230

Not sure if there's any difference between the two for mats and latches.

Never had problems with my mats.

My hood latch did give up the ghost last year. I'm currently using 2 cloth covered bungee cords hooked over it and to the frame to hold it down. Thinking of just getting a couple of these and bolting/fiberglassing them on.

IXLR8 · Apr 7, 2015

The mats on my CK30 never moved around until I removed the right side one time. I never could get the nubs back in the holes and it tended to move after that. I never tried to pull the nubs thru, wasn't that important to me and I traded it for the DK40 shortly after that. But I bet if you did, the mat would stay put.

davrow · Apr 7, 2015

IXLR8 said:
The mats on my CK30 never moved around until I removed the right side one time. I never could get the nubs back in the holes and it tended to move after that. I never tried to pull the nubs thru... But I bet if you did, the mat would stay put.

After raising the mat on my CK27 I couldn't push the nubs through, but they pulled through by wiggling while pulling on them from underneath (easy to reach) and have held completely since. Mat lies flat and does not move.

mj007 · Apr 7, 2015

EJP1234 said:
One, the rubber floor mat.... that thing will not stay pushed down, infact the nipples don't even go in all the way. .......

I used pickup bed mat screws and washers on the left mat - don't use the right side due to FEL joystick and HST pedal making it sketchy.

powerscol · Apr 8, 2015

For floor mats, grab the wife's hair dryer

- well have her help :thumbsup::confused2:... heat the nipple location from the top until it is very warm to touch, push hard from the top and grab the floor mat nipple with a pair of pliers and pull through the hole from underneath until the ridge is pulled through. Only pull enough to get the job done.

Hope this helps?

If this does not work, double sided carpet tape (outdoor rated ) should solve your problem.

EJP1234 · Apr 13, 2015

I got her back this evening, took her back to the clearing I'm making to start ripping the stumps.. She handled them like a boss...

The hydro thumb is serious lol...

Expensive toy, but will be used a lot I do think.

Buggs67 · Apr 21, 2015

EJP1234 said:
I got her back this evening, took her back to the clearing I'm making to start ripping the stumps.. She handled them like a boss...

The hydro thumb is serious lol...

Expensive toy, but will be used a lot I do think.

I'd like a thumb for moving rocks etc. Not sure I'll spring for the hydr one. Who made yours?