Stability of CK20S versus CK27

[Not Retired Yet]

Thanks Island - ultimately what I would like is something to handle a grapple (like the Markham LD-48 or so) on the front end and to have TnT with a box blade on the backend. As far as HP goes, 20 or 27 either will do me as I don't have to get it all done in short order. I've got two gates (6' and 16' I believe), for convenience it would be nice if whatever I get fits through the smaller gate too. I know the 20 only has 1 remote available while the 27 has 2 available. I think (strictly guessing here) that the 3rd speed would be more a "nice to have" like a backhoe but not a necessity like the grapple & TnT. With the box blade work I can see, I'll consider the TnT as a must. With no hands on experience can a 20 be setup and handle the extra hydraulics needed for grapple and TnT?

 

[MichiganIron]

Thanks Island - ultimately what I would like is something to handle a grapple (like the Markham LD-48 or so) on the front end and to have TnT with a box blade on the backend. As far as HP goes, 20 or 27 either will do me as I don't have to get it all done in short order. I've got two gates (6' and 16' I believe), for convenience it would be nice if whatever I get fits through the smaller gate too. I know the 20 only has 1 remote available while the 27 has 2 available. I think (strictly guessing here) that the 3rd speed would be more a "nice to have" like a backhoe but not a necessity like the grapple & TnT. With the box blade work I can see, I'll consider the TnT as a must. With no hands on experience can a 20 be setup and handle the extra hydraulics needed for grapple and TnT?

CK20S - 22hp
CK27 - 28hp

The CK20S has the hydraulic output necessary for grapple work. Although the KIOTI Kits available for the tractors limits the CK20S to one rear outlet, there are several options available for adding additional outlets for a front grapple or TnT systems.

The CK20S is a little tank. The CK27 is a larger tank, with a 3 range HST. The third range in the CK27 is a little more than a convenience. It adds a lot of operational enhancements to the tractor.

 

[IslandTractor]

The CK20S is a little tank. The CK27 is a larger tank, with a 3 range HST. The third range in the CK27 is a little more than a convenience. It adds a lot of operational enhancements to the tractor.

Agree. The CK20 would be better with a 3 speed no question and that is my own personal #1 wish for it. It is not necessary for loader/grapple work or road travel but for mowing the middle range would be a real enhancement.

The trade off in going to the CK27 is size and weight, both the good and bad aspects of each. If mowing more than 3-5 acres it would be nice to add a foot of width to a bush hog or finish mower and you can do that going from the CK20 (48 for bush hog, 60 for finish) to the CK27 (60 and 72 respectively). You lose some manuverabilty and need a bigger trailer as trade offs.

I am a bit biased because I loved my CK20. There were very few things I could have done with a bigger CK that the 20 could not handle. That is especially true for grapple work. If I was to upgrade to a CK27,30 or 35, I would investiage getting a Woods loader to gain another couple hundred pounds of lift over the KL130.

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Thanks guys - this helps a LOT. I really think either one will do everything I need. My biggest concern was making using the box blade as convenient as possible. I can see a ton of grapple and box blade work in the next few years so I wanted to make sure whatever I got would be as easy to use as possible. Sounds like the 20 or the 27 either one can run a grapple and TnT on a box blade. Now it's just a matter of pricing stuff out and see what I can afford. If it turns out I can afford either setup, what are the key differences? I saw the spec differences but what about the "operational enhancements"? Did you mean spec wise or more creature comfort type enhancements?

 

[Gittyup]

The bigger CK's do give you much more advantage with their much higher hydraulic flow in the form of faster cycle times and less drain on HST and power steering when doing all three at the same time. This all translates to better and faster performance. I've used both sizes and the bigger tractor is faster when doing a lot of work that requires maximum hydraulic flow.

Get the bigger tractor. Load the tires and add your grapple plumbed to rear remotes and you've got the best there is in this size range. If you really insist on HST, I'd go up to at least the CK30 though. It'll fit through a 6' gate (if you are careful). But, if you have to tow, it means a bigger trailer for sure.

Any of them will work quite well though.

 

[Gittyup]

The big differences are:

weight (over a 1000 lbs)
hydraulic flow (like 13 vs 7 gpm or somthing like that)
pto HP (weight effect on HP is meaningless when using pto stationary like with a chipper)
3 range HST vs. 2 range (read all the stories, you'll be glad you got 3)
shuttle shift vs none on manual trannies (less reverse gears in CK20)
convenience and ergos of rear remotes (2 vs 1 OEM)
Ground clearance (only marginally different)

 

[IslandTractor]

The big differences are:

weight (over a 1000 lbs)
hydraulic flow (like 13 vs 7 gpm or somthing like that)
pto HP (weight effect on HP is meaningless when using pto stationary like with a chipper)
3 range HST vs. 2 range (read all the stories, you'll be glad you got 3)
shuttle shift vs none on manual trannies (less reverse gears in CK20)
convenience and ergos of rear remotes (2 vs 1 OEM)
Ground clearance (only marginally different)

Just to present the flip side:

--Cost (?$$$$ more for CK27, at #1000 heavier and most of that being steel I will guess about $1500-2000 maybe more)
--Loader strength really not different. (Gittyup says KL130 is faster but I never had to wait for my KL120 loader so not sure how to use the extra speed unless doing hours of dump truck loading etc)
--2 speed HST fine for loader work, disadvantage for mowing
--CK20 will keep up with the typical 4-5 inch PTO chipper so more power not needed unless using a 6 inch or bigger chipper
--Implements being 12 inches smaller on average are cheaper and easiler to store and mount. (and used implements on craigslist are plentiful and not abused as larger implements typically are)
--Trailering easier and possible with 5000lb SUV rather than bigger pickup
--More economical to run (fuel and fluids)
--Manuverability and storage space

As I have indicated earlier, I am unabashedly a CK20 fanboy so am biased. When I decided to upgrade it turned out that the cost of going beyond the CK line to the DK was a relatively small amount more than going from CK20 to CK30 (I don't recall exactly but maybe $1500-2000). Considering the substantial performance and feature differences between the CK20 and DK40se, that was an easier financial pill to swallow compared to the relatively smaller benefits of going from CK20 to 30 at that time.

I would be happy with either the CK20 or CK27. If I were buying new I'd also consider the DK35se and DK40se. They are all great tractors and individual needs/finances will swing the decision one way or the other.

 

[mx5guy]

I went with ck27, was not much more $$$, had choice of ck30 for extra $800, but did not need the extra HP, I use mine at cottage lot, very hilly and wider stance and bigger tire is why I went that way. I seldom go faster low, and terrain dictates speed, I did drive it on the road on the way up so High was nice to get there, but steep hills I could not go faster than M. Very happy with choice. at least so far. and yes its a little tank, and very good on fuel

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Thanks everyone. It's great to know that either really should be able to do everything I need. I appreciate the pros/cons of each being listed as well as the differences between the two! It looks like it'll come down to strictly cost since the capabilities (for what I need) are there on both. Now to get my wife's car paid off so I can use that on a tractor payment...

 

[Highbeam]

I am jealous of your grapple decision. I really need a grapple but am hunkered down financially. I've needed it for years really.