MESSMAKER
Veteran Member
I brush mow building lots with a Bobcat225(ck27) with a loader. It is not unhandy but it is heavy(3500lb with mower and almost 4300 with loader). That is a lot of weight for a lawnmower.
Buying Advice ck20 or ck27
- Thread starter grizzlydave
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Gittyup
Elite Member
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- Oct 4, 2007
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- Mid Atlantic
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- Kioti CK25 Shuttle Shift, loaded tires, JD X739
I'm not saying the CK27 is the better choice for the user. It really depends on space to work, space to store, and money to spend. And digging and mowing need conflicting optimum attributes. However, in most cases, if there is room to work a CK20, there is room to work a CK27. The CK27 isn't all that much bigger in x and y. Yes ,the bigger tractor is always more capable, but not always more practical. That said, I'd still go with the biggest tractor practical within budget.
The CK20 would be a better mower if it had more HP. I think it's PTO power is too low for serious mowing. But, then I wouldn't buy any Kioti if mowing were a big part of the my work to be done.
The CK20 would be a better mower if it had more HP. I think it's PTO power is too low for serious mowing. But, then I wouldn't buy any Kioti if mowing were a big part of the my work to be done.
earljr59
Bronze Member
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- Fairfield illinois,usa
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- 2007 kioti ck 25/130 loader and D-17 allis-Chalmers ,L3301 Kabota La 525 fel
Very well said Gittyup.:thumbsup:
RSKY
Veteran Member
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- Oct 5, 2003
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- Kioti CK20S
I have a CK20HST and have recently used it in much the way you intend to use your tractor. I put in a circular drive for the oldest daughter. It is about 220' long and the depth I cut out depended on how deep I had to go to get all the 'black dirt' out, it varied from 9" to 18". I simply tilled the dirt loose then used the loader to scoop it out. It took a while to do with a 4' tiller and bucket but I was in no hurry and had to be careful about being in the sun at the time.
If you intend to do mainly dirt moving then get the HST. Daughter had never driven a tractor but after helping me unload the sewer pipe one morning she was hooked. That afternoon after the second triple axle truck load of gravel was dumped she came out of the house and stood around for a while then asked me if she could drive my 'toy'. I spent the next hour on the porch drinking lemonade while she dug, dumped, and spread gravel. Left hand on the steering wheel, right hand on loader control lever, right foot working the forward/reverse pedal, big smile on her face.
I am sure the 27/30/35 (same chasis, different engine) would do the same job a little faster than the 20. And if I had money to burn that is what I would have bought. But for the price difference I would get the 20HST and a ZTR mower. Nearly everyone I know that tried mowing their yard with a CUT has ended up getting a different mower for the job. The CUT's are slower mowing are not as manurerable getting around trees and because they are heavier they tend to rut the yards. If you have very many trees or other obstacles you can cut your mowing time in half with a ZTR over a CUT.
As for the 20HST not having power in high range, it does not if you press the pedal down all the way. In the 'book' that came with it the specs show a maximum 4' rough cut mower with the gear tractor and a 5' with the slightly less powerful HST. The resoning for this, so I have been told, is that with the HST if you hit a heavy patch of grass you simply let up on the forward pedal and the tractor catches up.
Since the dirt I dug out was spread all over the front yard to help on a drainage problem nearly every bucket was transported sereral hundred feet. I would scoop in low range, back up, jerk range lever to high and move across the yard to dump. Then position for the next scoop. Range lever to low, scoop and so on. Sometimes I would forget to put it back in low range to scoop and it would choke down but never stalled on me. I do wish there was a mid range. Oh and the tractor is not fully broke in so I only ran it at lower rpms and did not use full power. Thus I was a little slower doing everything.
All in all I am satisfied with my CK20. It is small enough to fit in my shop without folding the rollbar. And when in the shop it doesn't take up much room. It is easy to transport on the trailer I got for it. I can even pull it with my little RAV4 for short distances. It is very manuverable and extremely easy to operate. And best of all it was the cheapest new tractor I could find to buy. I actually gave less new than some people were asking for three to six year old Kubotas with many hours.
My five foot four inch tall wife has driven it some, as has my six foot seven inch tall son-in-law. All were comfortable on it.
First picture shows daughter with sewer, second is drive after first load of gravel facing west, third is drive facing east to where it connects with the old drive. Notice in the first pic the hooks on the bucket. Handiest thing since pockets on a shirt.
If you intend to do mainly dirt moving then get the HST. Daughter had never driven a tractor but after helping me unload the sewer pipe one morning she was hooked. That afternoon after the second triple axle truck load of gravel was dumped she came out of the house and stood around for a while then asked me if she could drive my 'toy'. I spent the next hour on the porch drinking lemonade while she dug, dumped, and spread gravel. Left hand on the steering wheel, right hand on loader control lever, right foot working the forward/reverse pedal, big smile on her face.
I am sure the 27/30/35 (same chasis, different engine) would do the same job a little faster than the 20. And if I had money to burn that is what I would have bought. But for the price difference I would get the 20HST and a ZTR mower. Nearly everyone I know that tried mowing their yard with a CUT has ended up getting a different mower for the job. The CUT's are slower mowing are not as manurerable getting around trees and because they are heavier they tend to rut the yards. If you have very many trees or other obstacles you can cut your mowing time in half with a ZTR over a CUT.
As for the 20HST not having power in high range, it does not if you press the pedal down all the way. In the 'book' that came with it the specs show a maximum 4' rough cut mower with the gear tractor and a 5' with the slightly less powerful HST. The resoning for this, so I have been told, is that with the HST if you hit a heavy patch of grass you simply let up on the forward pedal and the tractor catches up.
Since the dirt I dug out was spread all over the front yard to help on a drainage problem nearly every bucket was transported sereral hundred feet. I would scoop in low range, back up, jerk range lever to high and move across the yard to dump. Then position for the next scoop. Range lever to low, scoop and so on. Sometimes I would forget to put it back in low range to scoop and it would choke down but never stalled on me. I do wish there was a mid range. Oh and the tractor is not fully broke in so I only ran it at lower rpms and did not use full power. Thus I was a little slower doing everything.
All in all I am satisfied with my CK20. It is small enough to fit in my shop without folding the rollbar. And when in the shop it doesn't take up much room. It is easy to transport on the trailer I got for it. I can even pull it with my little RAV4 for short distances. It is very manuverable and extremely easy to operate. And best of all it was the cheapest new tractor I could find to buy. I actually gave less new than some people were asking for three to six year old Kubotas with many hours.
My five foot four inch tall wife has driven it some, as has my six foot seven inch tall son-in-law. All were comfortable on it.
First picture shows daughter with sewer, second is drive after first load of gravel facing west, third is drive facing east to where it connects with the old drive. Notice in the first pic the hooks on the bucket. Handiest thing since pockets on a shirt.
