Will be looking to buy

djt · Jan 26, 2006

Sirs,

I am a new member, but just want to say what a great site. I am in the beginning stages of research, but like what I see with the CK20 or CK25. I will not be looking to purchase until fall, but would appreciate any product or pricing information that any of you have.
I have about 2 acres, mostly grass, with a 250' driveway. I will be looking to remove snow, and various small landscaping projects. I will want a FEL to start, and add other attachments as I need or can afford them.
As I wrote earlier I am new to the site as well as the tractors, so any information would be appreciated.

Thanks

wallace · Jan 26, 2006

Welcome aboard,
Have you been out and seen the size difference between the 20 and 25?

djt · Jan 26, 2006

No, I have not been to any dealers yet, trying to obtain as much information as I can so I can ask the important or intelligent questions.
Thanks

rapracing · Jan 26, 2006

I started like you. Looking and gathering information. I almost purchased a (the other orange tractor) but on my way to the dealership I stopped and looked at the Kioti. Started looking at the CK 20 and the other orange tractor, in my opinion just did not compare for the price. I then decided maybe I should get the CK 25 and when all was said and done I decided for the little extra $$ I would go with the CK30HST /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif What a machine!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Wallace mentioned size and there is a big difference in the CK 20 vs CK25/CK 30. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif.
Bigger is better as long as it works in the enviroment that you are going to use it. If you need a machine that will navigate tight places then when you do look at them you will see why the 20 would be best. I am not sure, maybe Wallace or another dealer would have some good input, but the weight difference between the 20 and 25 may eat up a large part of the 5hp. My terrain is some what hilly and steep so I liked the wider stance of the larger frame machine. Get out there and have a look /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
HEY!!! Why no ORANGE font /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Dmace · Jan 26, 2006

All I can say is that I love my CK20 and wouldn't trade it for another. Now, after having it for a while and trying others, I would still buy this tractor over the "Other Orange Tractor" even at the same price.

You can see some pics of my setup here.

Check your PM's djt.

rapracing · Jan 26, 2006

You are absolutely right. We have to look at what machine fits into the job we have for it to do. Sounds like the 20 was just what you needed. I said bigger is better but not if it doesn't work. When I looked at going from the 20 to the 25 though, it really made no sense to me. I know there are those who have the 25 who probably will not agree but....... When looking at the price difference to the 30 it seemed to me to be the logical thing to do. The 20 is a great machine. It is what sold me on the Kioti tractor. I had one at my home to try and on the hill side I just thought the extra width and weight would be better.

KiotiJohn · Jan 26, 2006

Welcome to the forum djt. I maintain other property, but my home is on two acres as well, and my CK20HST has been about all I've ever needed. There have been few times when I really required a bigger machine, and I've always found a way to make do with what I have.

I have all the goodies to go with it including the loader and backhoe, and more, and we get a lot done.

That said, if I had had the opportunity to buy a CK25 at the time (they weren't quite out yet), I probably would have stepped up to at least that. The only other option I had at the time was the 3054 or DK35. I wasn't interested in a lot of clutching as my knees are beginning to tell on me!

I don't know what else you need to do on your property, but I think the CK20 will handle most any job including the snow removal, although I never have any of that to do here in FL. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

There isn't as much difference in the prices of the 20 and 25, but there's a good jump to the CK30, but it may be worth doing, espcially if you get any 0% financing. You won't really feel a lot of the difference in price over time.

John

AutoUnionTypeC · Jan 27, 2006

I am very happy CK20 owner too!!!! I did have clearance from the CFO to go larger, and was very tempted by the CK25, but I knew the 20 was perfect for my current needs. Not too big, not too small, just right. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif For two acres I have to believe the CK20 is your machine, but if you do go with the CK25 I recommend sticking with the shuttle shift. That's the configuration that suits the CK25 best....IMHO. I have to agree with Dmace I'd buy the CK20 over any of the other orange models. If you go far enough up their food chain they can beat it with hp, but the have nothing to match the build quality. One thing you didn't mention is your grass cutting intentions; do you plan to mow with your new tractor? Enjoy your search.

Regards, Jamie

djt · Jan 27, 2006

Thanks for all the information, and I hope it keeps coming. A site like this in extremely educational to a first timer like myself. In response to the grass mowing, I plan on using my lawn tractor at least for quite a while.

Thanks again and hope to hear from you all soon.

Killowatt · Jan 27, 2006

Welcome to the forum. It's been a great source of info for me....

My Ck20 is just a year old with almost 100 hours and I'm very happy with it. I looked at green, blue, and the other orange machines and have no regrets with Kioti.

Haven't had a hint of a problem except for a defective drive belt on the MMM (belly mower) which was replaced under warranty. Also the MMM is NOT designed for rough/hilly lawn. Have bent the wheel mounts several times! I suggest a rear mount mower if you have anything other than a "golf course smooth" lawn.
The FEL is just great, tractor starts well even when cold, and just sips fuel! Hydro is powerful and makes FEL work faster.

One stat that is rarely mentioned - CK20 is just under 78" at top of ROPS! It will JUST fit into my regular height garage door opening. When I looked up at top of ROPS on CK25 that sucker looked like 8 feet high! Maybe an exaggeration, but it may be a consideration! It was for me.

Ind. Tires with rear chains and loaded tires are good in snow!

For two acres and a long drive I think the CK20 would be perfect for you!!

Happy Hunting! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

VictorW · Jan 27, 2006

As Kilowatt mentioned, the rops on the CK 25 & 30 is high. I put mine in the 45' position on my CK30hst and it just fits under a 7ft, door. The CK25 & 30 are heavier and may make rutts if your ground is soft. I was thinking during your mowing time. I have my CK30hst with R4 tires. I was worried about them for snow plowing but to my amazement, never slipped a bit unless on ice. The CK 20 is a tough machine and I thought about buying one but I did the "a little bigger might be better just in case routine". As someone said, the CK20 is narrower and that may be a plus for your uses. The one thing I would consider is getting the HST. It makes work a lot faster and I have never lacked for pushing or pulling power.

If I were you, I'd go take a look at the 20 and 25 and see what feels comfortable for you. Maybe you'll have some specific questions which I'm sure you'll get responses to. Both tractors you're looking at should do what you want. Think about the future uses too. Happy tractor looking. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

gravel13 · Jan 28, 2006

I too was originally looking at the ck20 and wound up getting the ck25, but not the hst. Go to a dealer and try out a ck20 and ck25. Depends on where you are located in MA but if you want I am more than willing to let you come over and play around on my ck25.

IslandTractor · Jan 28, 2006

Here's another vote for the CK20 from a satisfied owner. The size of the machine is much more appropriate for 2 acres than the big brother CK25/CK30 frames. Easier to store, more manuverable etc. Also, unless you are pulling some implement that requires lots of hp, I don't see the advantage of the bigger tractors in a property your size. I use mine on a 4-5 acre property to brush hog, clear overgrown meadow etc and it is fine. Bigger might move things faster at times but I used to maintain the land with a Sears lawn tractor so one needs to reality test occasionally in this tractor sizing business.

I am not arguing the CK30 is not a great machine, just that it is bigger than most people need for maintaining a 2 acre plot. Also, even though it is 50% more powerful and heavy, it doesn't come close to being 50% more capable when looking at things like the FEL or BH or size of PTO implements. I can pull a 48" brush hog, the bigger machine pulls a 60. I can pull a 60" rear finish mower, the CK30 a 72. More capacity, yes but again not particularly relevant when you are talking 2 acres. Point being that you should not assume a 30hp machine will do jobs 50% faster. Consider the more compact storage requirements for tractor and implements and balance that against the incremental gains in capacity and cost.

Good luck. I am sure you'll be happy with either (but in this case smaller is better /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)

Maineiac · Jan 29, 2006

Not to confuse the matter further, but I am completely satisfied with my LB1914. It is a gear machine, so the ease and convenience of HST are missing. On the other hand, it makes a little more power than the CK20, has a little bit better ground clearance, and can be found at a price FAR less than the CK.
I have 1000' of road to maintain and snowplow, plus a small woodlot and many other projects on the 5 acres I manage. This machine (TLB) has exceeded my expectations in performance and price.

djt · Jan 29, 2006

Since I do have the time, I will look into the LB1914. A few questions I have already is about the PTO. How useful is the midpoint PTO and is there much advantage to having a live PTO. I will add a backhoe at some point and was wondering if the live PTO helps in operating it. Thanks again for the great comments.

VictorW · Jan 30, 2006

After having an old Ford 8N without a live PTO, I would never want to go back but that's just my opinion. As far as the bh, you would probably run it off the tractor's hydralic system unless you buy one that has a PTO mounted hydralic pump which usually has a higher price due to the extra pump. Some people like these because it doesn't work the tractor's system. As far as the mid PTO, it depends on the attachments you add. The most common that use a mid PTO are a front mount snow blower and a mid mount mower. Think of what attachments and bh you want to add and that may help your decision. A mid PTO can be added later if you need it.

TBDonnelly · Jan 30, 2006

...I will look into the LB1914. A few questions I have already is about the PTO. How useful is the midpoint PTO... 

I don't believe the LB1914 has a Mid-PTO option. ???

Don

wallace · Jan 30, 2006

( Since I do have the time, I will look into the LB1914. A few questions I have already is about the PTO. How useful is the midpoint PTO and is there much advantage to having a live PTO. I will add a backhoe at some point and was wondering if the live PTO helps in operating it. Thanks again for the great comments. )

The only use for the mid pto would be to run a mid mount mower.
The Lb1914 does not come with a mid pto.
The backhoe will have no affect with a live pto on either the CK or the LB.
If you choose to run a backhoe down the road do not get a mid mount mower, unless you dealer carries the Woods brand that is the only backhoe brand on the market that will work with a mid mount mower. (that I am aware of)

If you are doing a lot of mowing were there is lots of forward and reverse that is where it is nice to have a live pto.

KRK · Jan 30, 2006

I'd second this opinion to investigate the LB1914. I have one (and yes, it does not have a midpoint PTO) and for me, too, it has been everything I needed and done everything I ask. Working with gears has become second nature and the shuttle shift changing from forward to reverse makes most work very easy. Actually, although there are 8 gears (8 forward and 8 reverse) I wind up doing nearly everything in just two of thee so gear changing is minimal. Do not overlook the fact that the LB1914 has acres of real metal instead of plastic so it will bend rather than shatter when that tree comes down.