Reading TBN can be expensive

[phiferpharm]

Well, the two hats and my checkbook say I'm now a member of the pack - or will be when they deliver on May 2nd. I'm hoping my Barn, electrical, water and new fencing is done by then. If we finish sooner, then we will move up the delivery.

I really like the dealer and everything was as discussed. DK45se HSTwith 401 loader, 3rd valve, Grapple already set up with Quick Connects ( they had it set up on the Tractor for me to see today), Deluxe canopy, deliver new tractor/take the FarmTrac for $19880.00 with trade. That and the 50 cent sodas (including my favorite AW Rootbeer) in the soda machine - well what's not to like They also have agreed to come by and do services calls as they are available or lend me a trailer to take the tractor for service.

Hopefully the delivery goes as smoothly as dealing with these folks has been so far. I'll post pictures when she gets here..

[k0ua]

Congrats fellow pack member, You got a great deal on a great machine


James K0UA

[phiferpharm]

Okay - I'm ready to howl. Got my DK45se HST and Grapple this morning. Their were quite number of features I didn't know the Kioti had when I purchased it, so that was a very pleasant surprise and the grapple is awesome. I went to pull out a dead tree branch and out came the whole dead tree! I really think I'll get even more use out of the Grapple than I imagined.

After two hours, I have just a few comments. 1- A box blade is not enough weight to offset the grapple, so I'll either have to use the Bush Hog for now or come up with a better counter-balance. 2- What was I EVER thinkin' having a manual tranny. What a difference this makes for any front loader, Grapple, Ratchet Rake work.

Final thing - a BIG thanks to Orr Tractors in Bunnell. Scott, who is the sales manager, brought the tractor out himself, took all the time I wanted to show me features, show me how the Grapple and everything else works, and just do everything to make sure this was a pleasant experience two

Now back to the tractor!

[k0ua]

Okay - I'm ready to howl. Got my DK45se HST and Grapple this morning. Their were quite number of features I didn't know the Kioti had when I purchased it, so that was a very pleasant surprise and the grapple is awesome. I went to pull out a dead tree branch and out came the whole dead tree! I really think I'll get even more use out of the Grapple than I imagined.

After two hours, I have just a few comments. 1- A box blade is not enough weight to offset the grapple, so I'll either have to use the Bush Hog for now or come up with a better counter-balance. 2- What was I EVER thinkin' having a manual tranny. What a difference this makes for any front loader, Grapple, Ratchet Rake work.

Final thing - a BIG thanks to Orr Tractors in Bunnell. Scott, who is the sales manager, brought the tractor out himself, took all the time I wanted to show me features, show me how the Grapple and everything else works, and just do everything to make sure this was a pleasant experience two

Now back to the tractor!

Congratulations on your big beautiful new tractor. Yes the boxblade while better than nothing is not going to keep your rear on the ground. I have loaded tires, and 750 lb ballast box on my Dk35se whose loader is not near as strong, and at times I could use more.. So yep get some real weight back there... As for the hydro coming from a gear tractor.. indeed.. it seems most people are astounded at the ease and control when they make the"jump to lightspeed" I have been trying to tell them for years.. but an awful lot just wont listen.. and want to go on and on about power loss, and whine, and heat.. and all those other true, but who gives a darn about things.. At least I don't give a darn... and my new Dk35se only whines a little in HI when trying to climb a hill, which I never do. I have had 2 gear tractors, and while they served me well, I will never go back.

James K0UA

[phiferpharm]

Thanks James, I'm gonna do some searching on TBN and see what I can find. For now I can use my Bush Hog if I need to, but that is not a long-term solution.

My son just got in for a few days ( He's a cross-country trucker) and this is what he wants me to use as a counter-balance this weekend

[Kioti Tom]

Congrats on your new tractor. I want to you to the pack.
Since you have the KL401 loader, I checked the loader specs on the Kioti site and found they recommend 1,047 lbs ballast on the 3 pt. If you are unable to make a ballast box,(many are discribed and photos shown on TBN). Due to a medical problem, I cannot use a arc welder or mig. So I got a 1,000 lb weights box off of ebay. I put 4 Farmall Model A wheel weights in it and then filled it to about 2 in. above the weights with gravel. about 1" to 1 1/2" in size. Before the gravel It weighed 755 Lbs. (600 lbs weights, 155 box weight). I don't know what it weighs now, but the gravel made the rear wheels kinda light as I was using the bucket to move the gravel and fill the weight box which I had removed to fill.
Just giving alternate ways to do a ballast box.

Have fun with your new purchase.

Tom

[phiferpharm]

Thanks Tom, I'm gonna start searching around over the weekend. For now, the grapple work I have is in pretty open area, so I can hang the Bush Hog on the back and not back over anything.

[MotorSeven]

PP congrats!> are your rear tires loaded? For a counter weight, there is a thread someplace where a guy built a plywood box, embedded the 3 point attachments then filled with concrete. It was 2K lbs...too much, so figure out what size of square for 1K of concrete and you would be good to go. One of these days I will make one so I can get into tight places when using the forks(my garage) as the box really sticks out too much on the sides.

A cubic foot of concrete weighs about 150 lbs, so a 2x2x2 cube would weigh 1200lbs(I think)

[IslandTractor]

I find that either a backhoe or medium duty bush hog are adequate ballast. Smaller implements are only partially effective.

[phiferpharm]

Thanks Motor- No they aren't filled and I think I want to try the weight box ( or (thank you James) barrel first. IT - I'm putting my SQL 172 on as soon as i finish my coffee and finishing reading the TBN news. Late start this morning as I had my son and Grand-kids over last night. Talking till 12:30 am kinda slowed me down this morning.