DK50SE HST

[jj4osu]

Most everyone seems to think the 45 is the better bet for $$. How about going down another notch to the 40hp? Still the same tractor isn't it, other than the engine/pto hp. Haven't priced it, but assume another 1200-1500 drop there, is it worth it? Would a 40hp still pull a 6.5' TR3 grooming our arena? Shouldn't be any difference hauling bales with the same loader & 3pt capacities, weight, etc.


thanks for advice guys!

Jeff

 

[IslandTractor]

Would a 40hp still pull a 6.5' TR3 grooming our arena? Shouldn't be any difference hauling bales with the same loader & 3pt capacities, weight, etc.

Absolutely a 40 will pull that rake and without breaking a sweat I might add. Bales will the the same with each of these three as the hydraulic output and loader/3pt capacities are identical.

I got the 40 instead of the 45 which at the time saved me something around $1500.

I am a bit biased but completely convinced that the DK40se is the sweet spot in the whole DK lineup. Does just about everything the 45 and 50 can do and does a lot more with FEL than the otherwise very nice DK35se. Speaking of which, the DK35se would pull your arena rake just fine (it is 38hp) but it might have trouble with the bales as the KL351 lifts only about (I'm guessing) 1600lbs. If your bales weigh less than 600-700lbs or so you should consider the 35 too.

 

[mx5guy]

More power means more fuel comsumption, universal Law of HP

 

[IslandTractor]

More power means more fuel comsumption, universal Law of HP

Understood but if you have a 40hp engine generating 20hp at 1600rpm and you compare it to a 50hp engine of identical design just with bigger bore which is generating the same 20hp at 1500rpm, is there a difference in fuel consumption?

A turbo four cylinder generating 150hp will use less fuel than a big displacement V8 generating the same 150hp but that is different as the engine designs are quite different. What happens if the engine is virtually identical except for displacement?

 

[Mousefield]

It takes energy to create horsepower. I am sure my CK35 would burn a bit more than the CK25 or CK30 even though the engine is the same except for the displacement.

 

[IslandTractor]

It takes energy to create horsepower. I am sure my CK35 would burn a bit more than the CK25 or CK30 even though the engine is the same except for the displacement.

Yes, it takes x energy to produce y horsepower. Right? So if the only difference between engines is the ability to go higher than y on the horsepower scale, then for y horsepower, regardless of the displacement, shouldn't it take x energy for each of these three engines?

 

[Coyote machine]

Seems the displacement might influence fuel consumption due to more air intake results in 'possibly' more fuel. Turbo may be exception regarding fuel efficiency...though it would allow for more air in for the same displacement; I think results should be run by an independent laboratory, possibly the one BP uses, not like they're busy right now!:laughing:

I have a dk-35se and it is a great tractor and does a lot of work for its 38 actual HP. It would seem if you get the beefier 401 loader; and it is a self-leveling, which the dk-35 does NOT have available, you should be able to accomplish all your tasks. However less stress might be on a larger displacement model like a 45-55, with longer life expectancy for the entire ownership time.

I'd balance what you can afford with what you feel is the minimum hp you could do the work with then add a buffer of affordable hp, for a margin of error toward the up side, just in case.

 

[PA hayseed]

I have a DK45SE HST, and after spending a couple hours a week cutting grass, I can't help but think that just 5 more hp might get the job done just a little quicker. I didn't read the specs, but I would imagine that 5 more hp might make the tractor go just a little faster. Even if it was just one mph, that saves alot of time running around, in the long run.

I don't know what specs are different, but I am a big fan of bigger tractors. My 45 has done literally TONS of gravel, shale, topsoil, moving excavating and filling. When I make the long runs, I wish it went faster. Other than getting from point a to b, the 45 has done the work it has needed to. And it did some work it probably shouldn't have tried.

I'm not a tractor expert, or even Kioti's #1 fan. I owned a 28hp, went to a 45, and now wish I would have gone to something around 55-60. I would love to run a giant batwing, but I don't think it would handle the abuse on really hot days or on top speed med gear in anything but low cut grass/field. I know for a fact it has a hard time handling wet field work with a six footer on it. have to go slower which equals too much time cutting the field.

Don't know if this helps or not, thought I'd give you one owner's thoughts. I know someone on here will tell me they run a 92' mower in high gear through 6' tall weeds and brush, but that isn't my experience.

 

[jj4osu]

I have a DK45SE HST, and after spending a couple hours a week cutting grass, I can't help but think that just 5 more hp might get the job done just a little quicker. I didn't read the specs, but I would imagine that 5 more hp might make the tractor go just a little faster. Even if it was just one mph, that saves alot of time running around, in the long run.

I don't know what specs are different, but I am a big fan of bigger tractors. My 45 has done literally TONS of gravel, shale, topsoil, moving excavating and filling. When I make the long runs, I wish it went faster. Other than getting from point a to b, the 45 has done the work it has needed to. And it did some work it probably shouldn't have tried.

I'm not a tractor expert, or even Kioti's #1 fan. I owned a 28hp, went to a 45, and now wish I would have gone to something around 55-60. I would love to run a giant batwing, but I don't think it would handle the abuse on really hot days or on top speed med gear in anything but low cut grass/field. I know for a fact it has a hard time handling wet field work with a six footer on it. have to go slower which equals too much time cutting the field.

Don't know if this helps or not, thought I'd give you one owner's thoughts. I know someone on here will tell me they run a 92' mower in high gear through 6' tall weeds and brush, but that isn't my experience.

Still haven't decided yet.:confused2:

I really don't recall hearing guys think they bought too much hp very often. The thing is according to the specs the extra 5hp from the 45 to the 50 only gains 1.5 pto hp. Anybody know why? But strangely Bobcat publishes different numbers...thought they were the same engine.
For the 40-50hp models -
Kioti: 41/32.5 45/36 49/37.5
Bobcat: 41/30 45/34 49/38

So Bobcat is showing 4hp increments in engine & pto hp, whereas Kioti is showing 4hp increments in engine hp, but 3.5 & 1.5 increments in pto.


Don't know that it matters really though, the big pto job I need is probably too heavy for any of these anyway. Have an old 7' Rhino beater that i use...I "think" I remember my dad telling me it needed 55hp (assuming pto hp) to run it...I've got an old 90hp Allis that runs it fine, but sucks to do anything that isn't really field work...hauls a bale ok too I guess...when I can keep it running.

So I'm really thinking my sweet spot might be the 45, save 1500 and get another attachment...but heck, 1500 over 5yrs is only $25/month...THIS is why I haven't got anything yet!! Need to sh*& or get off the pot I guess.


A bit off topic, someone mentioned adding a grapple...the more I think of it, the more I think that would probably be the most useful thing I could have other than a bale spear. I've already got a ton of work lined up for it if I get one...but when talking to the dealer, he was talking about something that would cut and pick up that went on the 3pt...I was thinking an attachment to the fel just to pick up piled up branches. Maybe need to get this from another source? or just improve my communication maybe...BUT, anybody know how much there run?

 

[IslandTractor]

A bit off topic, someone mentioned adding a grapple...the more I think of it, the more I think that would probably be the most useful thing I could have other than a bale spear. I've already got a ton of work lined up for it if I get one...but when talking to the dealer, he was talking about something that would cut and pick up that went on the 3pt...I was thinking an attachment to the fel just to pick up piled up branches. Maybe need to get this from another source? or just improve my communication maybe...BUT, anybody know how much there run?

Might have been me. My point is that a grapple is far more useful than an extra few horsepower. Given that Kioti/Bobcat like to charge $1500 bucks extra just for boring out the identical engine block, I think you get much better value taking the lower hp and using the savings for an implement. There are precious few times that I run my DK40se at full PTO rpm so there is probably less than 1% of tractor use for me that could even potentially benefit from more HP.

How long would it take to do this work with a higher HP tractor with a standard FEL?