wondering about lk3054 and dk40se and others..

[jsg]

hello all

thank you for the great information.

for 2009, i plan to increase my acreage under cultivation from 4 to at least 10 acres of vegetable and flower production.

currently i am farming these 4 acres and maintaining a 20 acre woodlot with a 350cc atv (which is also what i am using to farm)

i find i am lacking in 'pulling power' for tasks such as discing and rock (big rock) removal...i cut and buck trees in the woodlot - transportation in an atv pulled cart is not a problem.

i find i am also lacking in a proper snow removal system.

there are small nuisance trees at various spots on our property which i would like to remove

drainage trenches need to be dug and maintained (surface drainage, not tile drainage)

i have been leaning towards the lk3054, primarily because of what i thought was an 'integrated tlb' and its small size (width) is similar to the atv so as to maintain my current farming methods of bed making etc..(as well as fitting the woodlot trails)

also, i felt it would be more suited to other more landscape-type jobs during times when the field needs less mechanical attention.

however, being on 80 acres (50 of which are rented out annually), of which i expect to use 25 between now and 2011, 30 hp seems small.. not to mention that the ground clearance is less than what i would want for vegetable farming.

older tractors are selling for relatively high prices, i am not very mechanically inclined, and in general, i would simply prefer a newer investment.

the price i was quoted for a lk3054 tlb was about the same as for a dk40se without a backhoe

so far the only test drives i have had were on a lk3054 and two bransons (3510 and 4720)

knowing that only i can answer this question, i still am asking the group here if a backhoe (as part of a compact, sturdy unit) and smallish size is worth not having 10 more hp, quick attach bucket, extendable 3pt arms, higher loader capacity, and more ground clearance..?..

would a backblade (for drainage ditch), and a toothbar (for loosening soil around stumps and lifting rocks) be suitable and cost-effective substitutes for a backhoe?

i think i have answered my own questions, but feel free to reply if you have read this far..

 

[Gittyup]

A back blade and toothbar are rarely a substitute for a backhoe. A loader is for loading, not really for digging. Backhoe is for digging. I have a backhoe. Costs a lot to buy. But sure is sweet to have when you need it. That said, small trees can be popped out with a loader.

And a boxblade is more useful than a scraper blade, but does depend on the tasks that need to be accomplished.

If I were considering the LK3054, then why not the CKs? The LK3054 is better suited to construction type tasks rather than farming. My first reaction is that the CK35 would be a better investment. Of course the DK40 would also work quite well for you. If you don't have a lot of big stumps, or trenching to do, forgo the backhoe.

I would think you could get better pricing on the Bransons. The Bransons are nice for pulling because they are about as heavy you will find. The Branson 50HL loader is really good too. Also, check out Mahindra.

I personally don't think you size a tractor based on acreage, but rather on tasks at hand. As best I can tell from your tasks, 35 - 40 hp should be fine. Though, some might suggest you go up one size for the tillage/plowing work.

Just remember that a bigger tractor means that everything else must be bigger: truck, trailer, barn, implements, etc.

 

[jim_n_nh]

See my posts regarding the backhoe on a lk3054. I like the tractor.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Now there's a hard question for ya.

The DK loader is 2700lb lift. This allows things like pallet forks, boom poles etc.. A backhoe is the cat's meow. I wouldn't give it up for anything.

5-10 acres and getting larger.

Do both. You won't be sorry you did!

 

[jsg]

hello all

thank you for your replies.

there is much i have to consider and i appreciate the time and effort you have given me.

i want to be efficient in terms of production, use of my finances, use of my time, and use of my equipment.

i have some smaller equipment which tends to sit for somewhat extended periods of time, yet i am pleased with the work they perform when necessary.

i suppose i really need to be able to efficiently tackle the major tasks (which are primarily income-generating) and at the very least take a hearty stab at the tasks which have caused me frustration and 'equipment-envy'.

thank you for listening.

 

[rcrcomputing]

hello all

thank you for your replies.

there is much i have to consider and i appreciate the time and effort you have given me.

i want to be efficient in terms of production, use of my finances, use of my time, and use of my equipment.

i have some smaller equipment which tends to sit for somewhat extended periods of time, yet i am pleased with the work they perform when necessary.

i suppose i really need to be able to efficiently tackle the major tasks (which are primarily income-generating) and at the very least take a hearty stab at the tasks which have caused me frustration and 'equipment-envy'.

thank you for listening.

Good luck in your decision. It's a hard one. I'm going to ramble a bit here.
When I was looking for my first tractor, I priced several brands in the 20hp range. With the help of TBN'rs, I found, I'd better get one bigger than I thought I needed, and a backhoe as well. This thru me way out of whack on the price.
Sooo, I began, with KiotiJohn and others help to consider the Kioti.
What it boiled down to was, If I wanted a backhoe, I almost had to choose kioti because I was at my limit on the payment I was willing to live with.

So, fast-forward 2.5 years later.
I am getting the itch to build a big barn. If I had a stronger loader, I could lift truss's up on a pole.
My neighbor regularly gives me lots of "pig bedding". He says just flip the trailor over. I have to get a truck with a chain on the other side to "help". Makes me cringe every time I flip the thing. I wouldn't do it to MY trailor.
I've pulled some big roots out with my ck30 backhoe. Best I can do is roll them. Hopefully downhill.
While a toothbar is a great thing. I don't dig much with my loader, the backhoe does that. But it does allow me to pick up things with my loader that I couldn't hope to pick up otherwise.
Sooooo, now I'm getting a 40 or 45se hst. This means my trailer will no longer haul the tractor with the bh. I'll have to haul them separately. No big deal. Other than loading it on the trailer to see how it looked, I've never needed to haul it anywhere anyway. Of course a bigger trailer means a bigger truck. aaahhh
So now, with a bigger loader, I have to get a grapple, either bucket type or a full grapple and pallet forks.


In the end, If I'd have gotten a smaller tractor in the first place, I would not have been happy at all. (Thanks TBN). I do not NEED a bigger tractor. But I'm going to because I'm convinced, it you have a bigger tractor, it means your a manly sort of man! And might even mean you have a bigger weenie!

 

[IslandTractor]

LK30 TLB vs DK40se without BH....tough choice. I'd say it depends almost entirely on what you need the backhoe for and whether some of your backhoe duties can either be done with rental equipment or postponed until such time that you can affort to add a BH. If you really need the BH then the LK30 (or CK30) would be my choice.

The two tractors are extremely different. One is a well tested old technology and the other a relatively new modern tractor. As a DK owner I've voted with my feet (?wallet) but I think most would agree that despite the solid record of the LK that the new DKs are better in almost every way except price and size.

The loader on the DK40 will lift double what the LK does and that opens the possibility that many of the tasks you planned for the BH might be doable with a powerful loader. I take out small (5 inch) trees with grapple alone. Stumps...you'll need a BH or alternative strategy for anything over about 6 inches or so. I can pop out stumps with the grapple but I have pretty easy conditions to deal with (sandy loam and weed trees). I definitely can get trees out with the DK and grapple that I used to need to dig out with my CK20 and KB2365 even though I had the grapple then too. The KL401 is a strong argument for the DK.

The DK is significantly bigger than the LK. Your property size seems to justify at least the 30hp and easily could use the 40 and the larger implements associated with it. Six foot box blade, six foot rotary cutter, 7 or 8 ft rake, etc vs probably 5 ft implements on the LK. DK will be a lot easier to use with 3pt implements especially as the BH on the LK is not that quick to remove.

If I were on the fence I'd go with the DK and figure out ways to accomplish the BH tasks that could not be done with an FEL. If the BH is really a critical attachment then the LK30 is a great bang for the buck and well proven.

 

[JoelD]

I have an LK3054 TLB. I've found the loader to be quite strong, have not found anything yet that I could not lift. Big stones, 12 bags of 100lb concrete, etc. The backhoe is quick to come on and off, support with outriggers and boom, pull one lever, lift a couple of inches, drive off, unplug hydraulics and good to go. Not certain how much easier it gets than the 4 point system its got. The three point arms hook right up as they affix to the backhoe frame. I personally like the standard straight forward old school gear technology of the LK, easy to fix, etc. After rebuilding a dozer reverser for $3000 I'll take clutch and gears any day. The LK is capable of a lot of work and has a good reputation for durability. With a 4 year warranty I'd consider nothing other thank Kioti if going new. If you plan on a lot of loader work, HST is much much more convenient, that is something worth thinking about. I must agree with others, after owning a number of machines before working my way up to the correct size, going a little bigger is generally always better. Good luck with your decision. Nothing matches a hoe for digging, lifting and placing heavy objects, etc.

 

[jim_n_nh]

Sour puss speaking here, nothing better than a backhoe, IF IT DOESN"T LEAK LIKE A SIEVE". Tractor is great (lk3054) the backhoe sucks.

Jim sorry just venting

 

[rcrcomputing]

Sour puss speaking here, nothing better than a backhoe, IF IT DOESN"T LEAK LIKE A SIEVE". Tractor is great (lk3054) the backhoe sucks.

Jim sorry just venting

You mean leak down? Not actual leaking? Mine leaks down pretty quick. Is a powerfull beast though. It's the 2375 bh