About to pull the trigger... I think?

[Kipper76]

Only $400 more but you will likely run larger implements to cover the additional frame size. In terms of a "seat of your pants feel". The CK will feel like it has more power as it will be asked to do less work. Basically same HP, less size. It all depends on what you plan to use it for. You will get a stronger loader with the DK.

Yes.

If you go with the CK25, I would. Why get a 25hp machine when you can get a 27hp for virtually the same price.

FYI, i have a Bobcat CT230 (white CK30) and only 2.5 acres. No such thing as overkill in my book. I wanted the CT235 (CK35) but Bobcat didn't extend the rebate to them. For me it would have been about $4k more, which wasn't worth it.

The CK35 really wasn't a consideration. I would go to the DK35 then too. But if $1700 is worth going from CK25hst to CK30hst.. then another $1000 would be worth going to the CK35, right? So then I should just go DK35se for anther $400 an be done with it? Now I jumped from (tractor loader only $$) from CK25hst for $14,795 to the DK35se for $17,650. $2900 more and $80+ more per month. Who knows how much more after paying interest???? And on top of that I'll be buying bigger & more expensive implements.

I completely agree with NOT buying too small. At what point to you draw a line an feel you have enough tractor?

Oy! My brain is scrambled....

Going to look at the used Branson 2910i in about an hour.

 

[gilbertmsg]

I have a CK20 and a four (4) ft. howse bush hog. It pulls a five (5) ft. finish mower, five (5) ft. rock rake and four (4) ft. box blade with ease. We have 10 acres and at times the tractor seems a little small. After almost 2 years of use I love my small tractor. It does most anything the CK 25 or 30 will do, and gets into places the larger frame tractor will not. Of the ones you are looking at, I believe the CK25 with five (5) ft. implements will be plenty for your needs. Just my .02.

Eddie

 

[big bubba]

go with the tractor that you think will meet your needs, then size up one. you'll thank yourself in 5 yrs bb

 

[Johndeere3720]

Probably the CK30. It will do what you want and should be enough horsepower for your needs.

 

[Kipper76]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just looked at the used 2910i. Hard not to go for it. It is in pretty good shape. A scracth here or there and the bucket looks used.. but **** it's 3 years old and has 143 hours.

What advice do ya'll have fo rchecking this thing out thouroghly??

I ran it in every gear forward and reverse (all 12 each way), ran the PTO with the shredder, followed all the loader hydrolic lines looking for leaks, looked under the hood for leaks, checked oil level...

Any other specific things I should look for???

The whole deal is:

Branson 2910i with loader, 143 hours
5' Howes Shredder
Post Hole digger
5' Howes box blade
$9500

Sound ok???

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just looked at the used 2910i. Hard not to go for it. It is in pretty good shape. A scracth here or there and the bucket looks used.. but **** it's 3 years old and has 143 hours.

What advice do ya'll have fo rchecking this thing out thouroghly??

I ran it in every gear forward and reverse (all 12 each way), ran the PTO with the shredder, followed all the loader hydrolic lines looking for leaks, looked under the hood for leaks, checked oil level...

Any other specific things I should look for???

The whole deal is:

Branson 2910i with loader, 143 hours
5' Howes Shredder
Post Hole digger
5' Howes box blade
$9500

Sound ok???

Price sounds good, sort of hard to pass up, but I don't think that I would run 4th gear high range in reverse on a regular basis, if ever.

 

[flusher]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just looked at the used 2910i. Hard not to go for it. It is in pretty good shape. A scracth here or there and the bucket looks used.. but **** it's 3 years old and has 143 hours.

What advice do ya'll have fo rchecking this thing out thouroghly??

I ran it in every gear forward and reverse (all 12 each way), ran the PTO with the shredder, followed all the loader hydrolic lines looking for leaks, looked under the hood for leaks, checked oil level...

Any other specific things I should look for???

The whole deal is:

Branson 2910i with loader, 143 hours
5' Howes Shredder
Post Hole digger
5' Howes box blade
$9500

Sound ok???

My neighbor has a Branson 3510. Nice strong machine.

Looks like you did a pretty thorough inspection on the 2910.

143 hours--the engine is hardly broken in.

I assume you check the maintenance record on the 2910, or at least asked the guy when he changed the fluids and filters.

If it checks out OK and has good maintence history, I'd say go for it.

Don't know what the financing situation would be for a 2-3 year old tractor that's out of warrenty.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

if you have the cash, the 2910 is a hard to beat deal

The quote for the CK25 is with a 5' Howes shredder... would the dealer sell me that if it couldn't handle it? I'm not clearing small trees/saplings... be weeds/grass at worst.

The CK25HST weighs 3109lbs and the CK30 3142lbs vs the Branson @ 3756lbs. Is 600lbs a "significant" difference in tractor land?

Been looking at payments and Kioti requires 10% down vs 0 down for Mahindra and Branson. Not really apples to apples when the payment on a Kioti is averaging about $50 less for comparable lengths of time.

I hate it that I am a tweeker and a shopper.... so many things to consider!

Thanks for the replies!

those should be dry weights - with fluids and loader the difference will be greater.
Also - that 600 pound difference is similar to filling the tires on the CK machines. The footprints will be similar between the 2, but the 3510 (and 2910) will have more ground clearance. The CK will likely feel less "tippy" on slopes because it's as wide as the Branson but you sit about a foot lower - the flip side of this is better visibility from the taller seat.

I suspect at this point none of the choices you've listed are bad picks, but I'd drop the ck25 off the list as the CK30 gives better performance in the same size package, the 2910 is a great package price, and the 3510i really is a different class of machine. (not discounting the Mahindra, but it seems to have dropped off your radar, so was trying to avoid muddying things up)

 

[Kipper76]

Price sounds good, sort of hard to pass up, but I don't think that I would run 4th gear high range in reverse on a regular basis, if ever.

If it wasn't supposed to go there they shouldn't have made it possible.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

If it wasn't supposed to go there they shouldn't have made it possible.

I suppose that you are right, I just hate to think of what could easily happen going in reverse at maximum speed. I guess we just need to use some common sense.

Good luck with your tractor purchase.