Tractor Sizing Why are Kioti CK's so **** heavy?

[DroppedAxle]

Looking to buy a used CK25/27 (and maybe CK20). In researching I once again compared to Kubota B2320, B2620, B7800 since these seem to come up used much more in my area. Am I reading it right that those CKs are almost 2X the weight of the seemingly comparable Kubotas?

I understand that additional weight can be a plus and might indicate a higher quality build (I think so), however it can also be a disadvantage since engine sizes will need to be larger (?), towing requires more truck, and so on.

Though I don't intend to use this in the yard much, I will inevitably need to drive it there from time to time. My new worry is that a 3800 lb (or so) Kioti is going to tear up the ground just by being so heavy.

Am I right to worry about this? And why does Kioti build machines that are so much heavier than their direct competition?

Thanks.

DA

 

[wolftree]

DroppedAxle,

Most of the B series Kubotas have an aluminum transmission/differential housing. I am sure other brands have some tractors that are aluminum as well. Kioti is using cast iron housings and there is where most of the weight is. It is for you to determine if the cast iron weight is a positive or a negative for your application. Wider tires can offset most weight for yard use.

If in doubt as you compare tractors, carry a small magnet with you to attach to the housings.

 

[tractchores]

There are good and bad things about the extra weight. I did some comparison when I bought my tractor. More weight can be great for ground engaging tasks like FEL or BH work as it can translate into more traction and the tractor is less likely to be 'thrown around'.

On the flip side heavy can have some issues as well. If you do any work over a septic field then you want lighter weight, work on a lawn or landscaped surface, in wet or muddy areas etc all benefit from lighter weight. Also if you do any work on finished, but non-vehicle friendly surfaces like a walkway or a pool deck less weight is better. I do a lot of woods work and even with the relatively light kubota I notice major compaction (tire tracks that remain for 1 year +) in the forest if I leave the backhoe on, without it the impact is much more minimal (it's about a 1400 lb swing).

I'd say that you'll want to take a look at your typical jobs and think if weight will help or hurt. My thought in the lighter tractor was that I can always add more weight if I want to, but can't subtract it. Something like a BH can double the weight of the machine, so it's possible to add significant weight if desired. I don't personally think that weight in this application has a direct relationship to quality as none of the brands you're looking at have a poor quality reputation and some of the brands with the best reputation are the lighter ones.

 

[TripleR]

Just a different approach, the CK has some features the Bxx20 Series doesn't that I really like. Depending on the type of soil, the added weight may or may not be a problem. We routinely drive our L570 through our yard and on occasion have driven our M8540 on it with no to minimal impact.

 

[k0ua]

Looking to buy a used CK25/27 (and maybe CK20). In researching I once again compared to Kubota B2320, B2620, B7800 since these seem to come up used much more in my area. Am I reading it right that those CKs are almost 2X the weight of the seemingly comparable Kubotas?

I understand that additional weight can be a plus and might indicate a higher quality build (I think so), however it can also be a disadvantage since engine sizes will need to be larger (?), towing requires more truck, and so on.

Though I don't intend to use this in the yard much, I will inevitably need to drive it there from time to time. My new worry is that a 3800 lb (or so) Kioti is going to tear up the ground just by being so heavy.

Am I right to worry about this? And why does Kioti build machines that are so much heavier than their direct competition?

Thanks.

DA

I drive my Kioti DK35se with loader, loaded tires, and approximately 800 lbs ballast weight across the lawn all the time without damage, and I am north of 6600 lbs with that. Not a problem. Tractors are all about traction, Weight improves traction. Unless you are looking for a mowing machine, a tractor that weighs more will push, and pull more and handle weight picked up by the loader safer than a lighter tractor. Kubota philosophy is that you can add weight to a tractor to do these things better. 3pt weight, weighted wheels, loaded tires. They make many of their smaller tractors lighter because people like to use them for mowing machines as their primary task, and advise people to weigh them down for loader work. Only problem is that some people do not read their manuals advising this or take it as a "suggestion" instead of a fact. Some of the other companies put more weight into the chassis and axles to begin with. Notably, LS Kioti, and Mahindra. I am not sure what models you are comparing side by side, but I am doubting the "twice as much" weight differential. But the Kioti will be significantly more than the same sized Kubota. As an example my last tractor a Kubota L3400hst was about the same size as my current Kioti DK35se, and the Kioti outweighs the Kubota by 1066 lbs. Just different ways of doing things, but I sure would not worry about a CK series on your lawn with R4 tires unless it was wet.

James K0UA

 

[sweettractors]

FWIW, Some manufacturers have been known to make thicker/heavier castings to coverup poor castings. Ken Sweet

 

[VictorW]

I like the weight for what I do because it gives me the added traction. My R4 tires will only rutt the yard after an all day rain. A neighbor has another brand that is lighter but similar hp. We were doing a job where he couldn't pull what mine could because of traction. For me, the hp matches the traction due to weight. So as mentioned, figure out what your primary jobs will be and whether weight would help or hurt.
As far as why they are built heavy, that could open a big discussion as sweettractors possibly started. I'll stay out of this one other than to say my tractor works fine and does what I want.

 

[DK35vince]

I've been mowing my lawn with a DK 35 with loaded rear tires for years.
It doesn't hurt my lawn.

 

[murphy1244]

Compare the Axles.

 

[Coyote machine]

FWIW, Some manufacturers have been known to make thicker/heavier castings to coverup poor castings. Ken Sweet

Something Deere does?!