Another "What Size" thread by a clueless newbie....

[IslandTractor]

Definitely no cab on that deal.

Agreed on it being a good tractor that would meet my needs.

Right off the top of my head, I do know there is a DK45SE with cab for $14,500 reasonably nearby me. Turf tires.

Boom.

2006 Kioti DK45S 4x4 Compact Tractor

However, no FEL, no implements.

That is a DK45S not DK45SE. Different generation tractor. The DK45S is also a very nice tractor though but is a previous generation DK. The new series came out in 2007. I think the DKs was still made for a while but then dropped. It was slightly larger as I recall but not enough to make a difference so the overlap could not be justified.

 

[Shawn B]

You aren't plowing or into crop cultivation or doing major ground engaging work. Sounds like you are mostly planning FEL work and other tasks that turf tires would be fine for. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss this tractor. I would imagine the tires would likely be no issue at all especially as you have 4wd. The flip side of the turf tire issue is that it tells you the tractor was probably pretty lightly used mostly for mowing. Not a bad thing. Consider too that the implements are all pretty nice and would cost you well over $3K. Seems they would be needed for the tasks you outlined too.

OK, that explains what you meant by "ground engaging work".

My ignorance knows no bounds. :laughing:

Alright, so maybe I should grab a tractor-savvy friend and make a road-trip(?)....



Just checked with a local country-boy who knows this specific area.

IslandTractor, he agrees with you, almost word for word. :thumbsup:


I'm gonna give the guy a call.

THANKS!

 

[Xfaxman]

Been searching on Craigslist like a fool. Twice a day. Everything within a state or two of me.
----------------------------
Thanks for any input or advice,-------

Hope you are using SearchTempest Online Classifieds Search - All the Classifieds. One Search. , saves a lot of time!

 

[Shawn B]

Hope you are using SearchTempest Online Classifieds Search - All the Classifieds. One Search. , saves a lot of time!

Well, uh....no. I wasn't.

Thank you sir.


IslandTractor, after discussing it further with my wifey. I *think* I would like turf tires even better than the other options.

I hate the ruts left in my pastures by my Hay-Baler Dude. I've got some low spots (to fill when I have a tractor) that got really rutted (to smooth out when I have a tractor), and I hate the ruts. Nor do I want any sort of huge ruts going from my hay-bales to my cow-pastures. I'd prefer to treat my turf a bit better if possible.

Well, I just shot an e-mail to the address as provided.

You guys rock. Seriously.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well, uh....no. I wasn't.

Thank you sir.

IslandTractor, after discussing it further with my wifey. I *think* I would like turf tires even better than the other options.

I hate the ruts left in my pastures by my Hay-Baler Dude. I've got some low spots (to fill when I have a tractor) that got really rutted (to smooth out when I have a tractor), and I hate the ruts. Nor do I want any sort of huge ruts going from my hay-bales to my cow-pastures. I'd prefer to treat my turf a bit better if possible.

Well, I just shot an e-mail to the address as provided.

You guys rock. Seriously.

The only issue other than traction I can see as a potential negative for turf tires is that they trade off "toughness" for the gentle flexibility. They will be less resistant to puncture in the woods for example than R4 tires or even Ags. Still, I would just be careful and understand that there are lots of compromises with tractor equipment and there are also lots of workarounds if you make good use of the implement that sits on your shoulders.

 

[Guesseral]

I was just wondering, you do have to change the wheels (rims) to go to R1 tires but do you have to change them to go to R4 industrials? I didn't think you needed to change between turf and R4, that could be a possibility.

 

[IslandTractor]

I was just wondering, you do have to change the wheels (rims) to go to R1 tires but do you have to change them to go to R4 industrials? I didn't think you needed to change between turf and R4, that could be a possibility.

I don't know either but R4s are a great all purpose choice if you are not primarily either plowing or mowing nice lawns. They overlap both turf and Ag tractor functions. I think you need a true Ag application to justify choosing Ag tires over R4s for a 4wd tractor.

 

[ksJoe]

Hope you are using SearchTempest Online Classifieds Search - All the Classifieds. One Search. , saves a lot of time!

Last I looked, searchtemest won't email you results. noticraig.com will email search results as soon as they pop up.

 

[mhineman]

I have a 40 hp 4WD Foton tractor. Granted it is not one of the "brand names" you are looking for but it has served me well. Just take the size and capabilities from this post. The tractor weighs about 4000 pounds. I have a Koyker 160 loader and I think it weighs about 1000 - 1200 pounds.

I make hay on about 40 acres of fields from 2 to 8 acres in size and some are very rough ground. With the 4WD in place I have no problems. I intentionally got a "small round bale" baler. It makes a 4 foot by 5 foot bale that weigh about half as much as a 5 by 6 foot bale. As you mentioned you can have the bales made a little smaller in diameter to reduce the weight. A friend has the larger bales and I moved his alfalfa bales that weighed close to 1500 pounds, but I didn't like it a lot. I have several 3PH attachments that weigh at least 600 pounds that are hooked up when moving large bales or I put the 3PH bale spear and use a bale as a counterweight.

I got this tractor in early 2008 and currently have a little over 2000 hours on it. I've only had typical repairs for that many hours (front bearings that were very overloaded, broken hydraulic lines), but there are no dealers for this make tractor anywhere close to me. I've always been able to figure out just about any repair I needed to do.

For mowing the pasture I'd recommend a bushhog be as wide as the wheel width or more. Keep in mind the direction the bushhog blades spin. You want the blades coming backward on the side near the previously mowed part to have the best chance on "lifting" the stems pushed over by the tractor wheels. An older sickle bar mower does a great job of clipping what the cows don't eat too.

It sounds like in the winter when you are moving bales to your cows the ground can be wet and/or soft. The Ag tires will be much better than turf tires then as the turf tires would be more likely to spin and tear up your pasture. Whenever I'm moving hay or logs and the ground is soft or wet I make sure to be in 4WD.

You mentioned trees up to 36 inches in diameter and you needed lumber for a corral. Depending on the tree species you should consider having some one with a portable sawmill come out to your place. I have a portable sawmill, but I'm a little too far away. BTW, I also do logging with my tractor. I have a skidding winch that mounts on the 3PH.

 

[Shawn B]

MHineman, thanks for the input. Interesting idea on the portable lumber mill.



Well, I still have not had a return e-mail from the Craigslist guy on the New Holland. Sent him two now from my end. It looks and feels like Fall outside. My buying window is closing fast. Moving on....



I did find a 2004 Kioti DK45, 4wd, 45 hp, 38 pto hp, 429 hours, 3800-3900 pound tractor. Comes with a KL1470 FEL (quick attach I do believe) and a canopy. Looks really clean.

$13,500.00

I signed up for and looked it up on The Official Tractor Blue Book ($99.00 ouch) and it gave a low-retail of $11,201 and a high-retail of $13,034. That pricing with no FEL nor a canopy. I would also have to factor in additional amount for condition of "Very Good (Add 5-10%): Well above average - low hours. Clean, properly maintained. No mechanical or cosmetic repairs needed. Maintenance schedule strictly adhered to. Equipped with extra cost options. Type of equipment in demand." All of which is applicable.

With that in mind, $13,500 seems very reasonable to me.

I already sent the specs/info/serial number to my banker. Going to see the tractor tomorrow, hour and a half from here. Bringing a dualie and 10,000 pound low-boy (?) trailer. If the tractor checks out, and I am bringing a friend of mine to test, inspect and drive it, I'll get my bank to wire-transfer funds, and be done with my tractor-search.

I really appreciate you guys pointing me in the right direction on my size/work requirements. It has made my search much more informed and made me confident in my "required specifications."

I hope this Kioti works out. Got about 3-4 weeks or so, and I'm gonna have to be moving bales.