buying ck25 or ck30

I looked at Kioti over the weekend and have been reading specs from website. My question is, what is advantage of ck25 over the 30 when the specs are nearly identical on the tractors? If the 3pt lift, loader and frame are the same (appears that why) why would one choose the 25 over the 30? For a few $$ more and a few pounds, the 30 seems like a logical choice. What am I missing here?

That's it. A few bucks and possibly a slight bit less fuel consumption. I see no difference in the two machines other than 5 less HP.

You've done your checking and have it right. I chose the CK30hst and am very happy with it. A little extra pto hp allows my 6ft bh to work fine and engine hp helps with pulling 6ft implements. You could use a lower gear range if needed on the CK25 or mow a little slower. Everything else is the same such as hydro pump volume and lift capacity which you already found out.

Thanks for confirming specifications. HighBeam - what do you use to pull your trailer? I plan to "commute" 100 each way maybe onece a month. The CK30 sure is a fine looking machine and every thing I've read indicates that too. (Excepting the bucket issue perhaps.)

tractorguy2 said:

I plan to "commute" 100 each way

Click to expand...

Sounds like an excuse to get a bigger truck also !

Jim

Sounds like you're in the same boat I was once in two months ago. Went in to the dealer looking at the ck25 but ended up going with the 30 for the extra ponies plus I really liked the Woods 1012 FEL w/Quick Attachment setup(the 25 had a KL130). If you're worried about the loader issue see if your dealer carries Woods or Rhino or other quality aftermarket loader. The curved booms of the KL loader are prettier but I did not notice a huge difference in visibility/efficiency between it and the Woods when I operated both on the dealer's lot digging, leveling, etc. Either way you go, you will love the tractor, they really are a great toy, er tool. Get QA on your FEL if you plan to use(or think you may ever want to) things other than a bucket on your loader frame like grapples, forks, etc... Change out is simple and takes less than a minute.

What are your planned uses? That may help you decide as well. If you plan to use HP dependant PTO attachments go with as many ponies you can. If your use is more FEL and ground engagement the 25 may do as well and you can put the extra $ towards attachments, that is if $ are tight.

JMHO from another newbie.

williekioti is correct. If your use is ground engaging implements or primarly use of the hydraulics (FEL) then the CK25 can save you some money. And with the difference in cost you can make for that in other implements. I have approx 150hrs on mine, with a little over a year of use. I run a 5' bush hog in Low Range 4th gear. Where I could see the difference in the CK30 is the PTO HP; you would probably be able to run in High Range 1st gear bush hogging. I have tried with mine and I'm at dang near WOT (primarily cut pasture only). I move more Dirt and Rock with mine then I spend on hogg'n.

I trailer my CK25 once every 2 months from VA to PA about 80 mile one way trip. First off I'd recommend a Diesel, I have trailered with both and there is a big difference. I have a 97 dodge 3/4 ton Diesel 4x4 auto 8' bed extended cab (190HP - 420ftlbs torque). It pulls my trailer and tractor just fine, I'm not out to break and land records while towing since to me it is expensive cargo. Any newer diesel trucks, will ultimately have more torque for pulling. Keep in mind going up mountains I down shift. On flat stretches of road, no problem. I have a small car trailer, only 14' long, it works, but it was a too good of a deal to pass up. I plan to go bigger in the future. However I have no room for implements.

Good luck with both decisions

Check out the new trailering section up under oil for lots of people's photos.

You'll need at least a full size half ton to tow the CK30 but you will be better off with a truck with somewhat higher ratings. A lot of this depends on whether you are buying a truck to haul the CK or if you are trying to check to see if what you have is adequate. I already owned my truck and had it set up to tow a travel trailer so I knew what my ratings were and had made a few upgrades. Buying now to tow the tractor regularly I would love a 4 door dodge diesel just for a nice extra margin.

I tow with a 98 chevy 1500 4x4 and 5.7 liter engine. 265 factory HP and 330 TQ. The tractor weighs 4500 with one implement and my trailer weighs 2500. Yep, 7000 lb trailer. I have weighed the actual load and get just under 6500 on the trailer axles and 6500 on the truck axles. I tow just fine and have no trouble keeping up with traffic and under control. 11 mpg towing.

I actually enjoy the tow and it is part of the process of a full day tractoring. I need to bring at least one five gallon jug of diesel to endure that I don't run out of fuel during a full day's work.

I don't want to get involved with new trailers and trucks to haul the tractor. I have (the use of) a chevy 3/4 ton PU (gas). From all that has been said, it seems like it would be wise to consider the lightest weight tractor that will perform the tasks (light brush hogging, firewood, trail making, snow moving). I guess I really want the lightest tractor with the highest rated FEL - and I can add ballast rather than raw tractor weight.

As everyone has said, the only difference is hp. The HP difference really only comes into play at the PTO, for the most part, because the CK25 can't be stopped when pulling or ground engaging. You'll almost always lose traction before you run out of hp. However, mowing or using other high-torque/rpm PTO attachments, like a large tiller, is where the CK30 has the advantage. So, if you are not using the PTO for such tasks to any large extent, the extra $ for the CK30 buys you very little extra capability. I have no plans to mow with my CK and am mainly digging, hauling, or pulling. That is why I opted for the CK25. I spent the money saved on implements. Now, if I ever sell it, the CK25 will have a slightly smaller market to draw from because of its lesser PTO capabilities. But, I have no plans to sell. My kids will have to bear that burden when I die.

In general, today's machines have way more hp than they need. Far too much emphasis is given to it. This is driven by competition between manufacturer's that use it in marketing hype to sell the consumer. In many cases, it's far easier (read cheaper) to add a fuel injector or the like to boost hp than it is to put a heavier duty frame, axle, or tranny in a machine. Further, the tranny/frame upgrade is harder to quantify in terms that the consumer can relate to. For many tasks weight, gearing, frame strength, and hydraulic capabilities are more important.

So, if you really need the hp, then get it. If not, buy other things that you need with the money instead, be it an implement or a pretty neglace for your better half.

Tom