Should I upgrade to a CK30?

bondo478 · Oct 6, 2010

Hi all! I currently have a 2008 CK20S hydro that I bought new in late 2007 along with a KL120 loader, 60" Kioti finish mower and a 60" backblade. I have 170 trouble free hours on it and have been more than satisfied with it and the dealer who sold it to me. I have 10 acres of property, 4 of which is lawn with only one or two trees and no other real obstructions, and the rest is woods. I've often thought a larger finish mower would be great for mowing since I have nothing in the way and my grass get very thick, and a larger bucket and more weight would clear my 200' driveway quicker in the winter. I can't use a snowblower because the driveway is crushed stone and I have too many windows and buildings near the driveway. I also have access to a very reasonably priced quick attach front snowblade, which won't work on my CK20S. I also skid logs out of my woods for firewood, run a PTO powered log splitter, and am looking to get a boxblade in the future for driveway/trail maintenance. I would also like to get a 3pt auger at some point. I contacted my dealer and the free loader program is back, so I can trade my tractor/loader/finish mower/backblade for a new CK30 with loader, new 72" Kiot finish mower and 72" backblade for what I think is a reasonable difference. I know the CK20S is a very capable machine, but would the CK30 fit my needs better? Alot of times, it seems that more power and weight would make my life easier. I grew up on a farm with much larger equipment and sometimes think I may be asking too much of my CK20S.

Loren49 · Oct 6, 2010

Bigger tractor means less time to do what you've accomplished with the CK20. If you have more money than time or if there are things your smaller tractor are unable to do then go for it. Over course, if you'd just like a bigger tractor and are satisfied with the extra cost, why not. On the possible down side, the CK30 is considerably heavier and may not work as well as a finish mower.
I think there's no wrong or right - its up to you.

Good luck,
Loren

Dmace · Oct 6, 2010

It's not easy to over-work such a tough tractor like the CK20 but if you don't mind the extra size, weight, and fuel consumption then a larger CK30 would definitely get the job done job faster. The only disadvantage would be if you had to trailer it a lot or store in a small area. If you can swing it, I say go for it! :thumbsup:

bondo478 · Oct 6, 2010

Thanks for the opinions! My work schedule is pretty tough, so I usually end up plowing late at night or before work in the morning, so time is definitely valuable. I have to reserve mowing to the weekends, when I would rather be on my boat:thumbsup: I know the heavier machine might give me some soil compaction issues, but I already run alot of heavier things over it very frequently, and haven't had any issues. There are many projects I have been wanting to do around the house for a long time that my CK20 would do, but slowly. I don't really have to trailer it much if at all, and my garages have plenty of room for a larger tractor. I probably already have myself talked into it, but I'm still on the fence.

blueriver · Oct 6, 2010

bondo478 said:
I probably already have myself talked into it, but I'm still on the fence.

No you fell off the fence .... I see a new one in your future!!!

bondo478 · Oct 6, 2010

Ha! You may be right! I just keep telling myself that I probably don't necessarily NEED it, but the WANT it keeps coming back

blueriver · Oct 6, 2010

If you can swing the deal and not put any hardship on you or your family ... DO IT!!!

MtnViewRanch · Oct 6, 2010

Well, I would not get the CK30,:thumbdown: I would get the CK35. :laughing: That way you will never want for power. Either one is a big step up from what you have. :thumbsup:

Gittyup · Oct 6, 2010

If you are going to do it, go for the CK35. You bought too small once. Don't do it again.

You can run a snowblower on a stone drive. Just set the shoes so the blower is a couple of inches off the ground.

bondo478 · Oct 6, 2010

The CK35 is also a possiblity. I have run a snowblower that way, but if I leave more than an inch of snow on this driveway, it seems to turn instantly to ice

jimmyj · Oct 7, 2010

Hi Bondo.

I'd love to be able to afford both a CK20 and a DK45. Now I am in the middle with a CK30. I love it and you would too. As long as it's not too big for what you do now, which it does not seem to be.

Josh61513 · Oct 7, 2010

I guess I'll be the odd duck here and not recommend upgrading to a CK30. The skid steer quick-attach that comes on the KL130 (CK25/30/35) is a direct fit for the KL120 on your CK20S. I bought it for mine, it's reasonably priced. The KL130 loader on the CK30 is hardly stronger than the KL120, can only lift about 100 lbs. more. The CK20S should have no trouble with the auger either.

The only significant benefits from the CK30 would be the additional horsepower which could add a foot to your mower width and pull a 1 foot wider box blade. I'd say if you want to upgrade go for at least the DK35 to gain a few hundred pounds in loader capacity, or even the DK40 to get the monster loader.

-Josh

charleyfarmall · Oct 7, 2010

I have a CK27 in addition to multiple larger tractors and one smaller one. It gets the most use of any tractor on the farm because it is perfect for lots of daily chores. It has never been wanting for power. BUT, if you want to mow a field you have to go slowly or get bounced out of your seat. AND, the loader only goes to about 800 pounds, and lots of stuff delivered on pallets weighs more. If I did it again, I would not get a CK with more power, I would get a DK35 with a longer wheelbase and more loader capacity.

gauthier · Oct 7, 2010

Yeah,believe if I thought a perfectly running very low hour 20 hp was to small for my needs,would skip 25-35 hp tractors and get one 40-50 hp,and I got a ck30.

jimmyj · Oct 7, 2010

Hey, what about the DS? It's a lot of tractor for a very good value.

bondo478 · Oct 7, 2010

Once again, thatnks for the opinions! I realize the lifting capacity is not much more, but wouldn't the heavier tractor theoretically be able to lift more weight stably? Also, I still have to push a fair amount of snow, wouldn't it be faster and able to push more with less spinning and sliding with the bigger machine? I think the DK is out of my price range, but I'm curious about the DS. Anyone know what they should sell for?

jimmyj · Oct 8, 2010

The DS should be able to push pull and lift more. I don't know about NY, but in Canada they are about to have a special with the loader included at $19k. The prices in NY should be notably less if memory serves.

Gittyup · Oct 8, 2010

Before stepping up to the DS, ask yourself if giving up HST is worth it to get more tractor. My thoughts are that you don't need that much tractor for your uses unless you want to go to a 7' or 8' mower (not cheap). And implements will need to be bigger to cover it's tracts, which again will cost more. I think the CK35 HST is the best configuration in the CK lineup and would be more than enough to meet your needs.

Gittyup · Oct 8, 2010

bondo478 said:
The CK35 is also a possiblity. I have run a snowblower that way, but if I leave more than an inch of snow on this driveway, it seems to turn instantly to ice

You'll have the same problem with a bucket or scraper blade too. And moving snow with a loader is realy slow going. Blade is fastest, blower most versatile. Might want to think about a salt spreader after removing most of the snow.