Trade up?

[unhappykioti]

Using brakes to turn shorter with an HST!!! I'd like to see that one.

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'd be looking at a real high HP economey tractor. Say a 50Hp Kubota MX5100 2WD for about 13k, or you can find 2WD New Holland TN65's with low hours for about the same. NH TT-Series are very cheap too, but you can tell in some ways. Moving a few HP up is just not going to make a real difference, you need a much bigger tractor if you expect a real difference.. not just the next model up.

[Gent]

Originally Posted by ERE

I have discovered, sadly, that I purchased too little tractor for my needs. My CK25HST is perfect size for maneuvering in the vineyard, but it will only handle a 5' mower. The problem is the huge amount of time I am spending on mowing. I mow about 8 acres of pretty mixed terrain. Some of it has to be done very slowly because of slope or rocks/trees etc. Anyhow, this has been a rainy spring and I feel like I'm living in the seat. Seat time is good, but that many hours mowing is getting to be a drag.

I'm not sure what my options are other than tough it out. Tractor performs beautifully and only has 193 hours on it. I suspect that I'll get unpleasant sticker shock if I try trading up. Have any of you tired it?

Has anyone tried a 6' mower on a 25? The official answer is that 5' is the biggest and I suspect that's about right based on RPM drop when I mowing uphill.

Have you seen the TYM Tractor line? To me these tractors out spec many out there in the field. If you have to trade up be sure to keep an open mind when picking out your next tractor. I here you can get a 23 and 27 hp TYM with a loader now between $10995 and $11995.

[pjf]

Ere

What is the width between your vines

[LBrown59]

Originally Posted by Gittyup

Get another tractor. Then you'll have one for you and one for the wife. Both of you cutting will cut the time way down.

My wife and I do that with these.


Together they cut a 9 foot path.
Makes short work of 2.33 acres.

[ERE]

Width between vine rows (center to center) is mostly 10 feet with two rows at 9 feet. Actual width when the vines are leafed out is probably two feet less. I can easily get a 6' mower through and with care, I can manage a 7' in the narrow rows. The main problem is I have about 18 feet turning on one side of the rows (28 on the other). It's already a bother with the CK25 in that I have to raise the bucket above the 7' fence height to make the turn on the 18' end. I think with any larger tractor I will need to drop the bucket to make that turn or back back out the row to make the turn on the 28 foot side.

I looked at the TYM. The 353 HST looks interesting, but I can't find any dealers that post prices on their web. Same problem for Kioti. I can't get any dealer to quote me a price (two of the closest dealers (70 miles) didn't even respond) and the dealer I purchased from isn't listed on the Kioti web site anymore.

[MotorSeven]

ERE,
I would give a light weight 6' bush hog type cutter a try. There is a difference between the light & heavy weight mowers. If you are mowing the same ground on a regular basis & the grass isin't too tall i do not see why the Ck25 could not handle a 6'er. It's a $500 gamble compared to a $5K loss if you trade up. I have 244 hrs on my CK & the dealer is offering $11.5K on a trade to a DK40se.
RD

[unhappykioti]

If the loader is causing problems turning why not just take it off. For the type of mowing you are doing I don't think a bigger mower would be a problem.

[IslandTractor]

Originally Posted by MotorSeven

I have 244 hrs on my CK & the dealer is offering $11.5K on a trade to a DK40se.
RD

Do it.

[MotorSeven]

Island....shhhhhuuush

Went to the dealer the other day, got all the numbers from 24 months up to 84. Talked later to the War Dept.(wife), & apparently it has been sent out for a feasability study pending appropriation of funds. Since the financing specials end on July 1, i have been presenting favorable arguments ref the purchase on a daily basis......................tic...toc.....tic.....

RD