1st post looking at a Kioti CK35 HST

[GManBart]

I agree on the counterweight. But I don't think my Gannon box blade extends from the 3 point hitch any further than a ballast box would. I'm sure it sticks out a little further than your homemade ballast box does but I wonder how much further.

Next time I'm at my property where the tractor is, I'll measure the distance from the tips of the lower lift arms to the back of the Gannon. If you could do the same with your ballast box, it would be interesting to compare the distance.

For what I do, how far the counterweight extends backwards doesn't make much difference, but the width really does. I found that in the woods I was always banging the side of the box blade off trees, and sometimes hooking it on trees, when I was moving around tight spots. With the counterweight, it's not a problem. I haven't measured it, but I doubt my weight sticks back as far as a box blade does....I'll try to remember to measure it tonight.

 

[Gittyup]

Loaded tires may be sufficient Pretty tractor.

 

[GManBart]

Loaded tires may be sufficient Pretty tractor.

Loaded tires don't take weight off the front axle, so you over stress them when you use the FEL with anything but very light loads. That's why Kioti specifies a 3pt counterweight...loaded tires are for traction, counterweights are for FEL use.

 

[coobie]

Greetings all and Merry Xmas.
This is my very first post here and I wanted to get a few opinions. I see that Michigan Iron & equipment has a great following here and am fortunate to live just down the road from them. I am interested in a CK35 HST and they quoted me 17,589 with a FEL plus tax. Is this a decent price or should I do some more negotiating? Also, I plan to look at a new LS R3039H. How does it compare to the CK35? I live on 60 acres and want a tractor for property maintenance, food plots and firewood. I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you
Sunnenman

I can speak from experience in dealing with Michigan Iron & Equipment.They are a TOP NOTCH Kioti dealer with GREAT sales and service.I shopped a few other Kioti dealers in Michigan and got my best price at Michigan Iron.Bob,Denise and Tony are super folks to deal with.

 

[Sunnenman]

Bob and Denice were great. I purchase late on a Friday and my tractor was delivered on Saturday afternoon. That's great service considering the tractor was in a crate when I purchased it. I'm glade I purchased when I did because Bob said that the new tier IV tractors will cost approximately $2500 more than I paid. What do you guys recommend for ballast other than loaded tires? My property has a lot of swamp and I want the ability to remove the weight when needed.
Thx
Sunnenman

 

[coobie]

Bob and Denice were great. I purchase late on a Friday and my tractor was delivered on Saturday afternoon. That's great service considering the tractor was in a crate when I purchased it. I'm glade I purchased when I did because Bob said that the new tier IV tractors will cost approximately $2500 more than I paid. What do you guys recommend for ballast other than loaded tires? My property has a lot of swamp and I want the ability to remove the weight when needed.
Thx
Sunnenman

I ended up buying a 1000 lbs rear ballast box and loaded tires.I also chose the ag tires/rims and added about 85 lbs to the rear wheels.I guess you can,t add wheel weights to the R4 tires and rims from what bob told me.

 

[k0ua]

Bob and Denice were great. I purchase late on a Friday and my tractor was delivered on Saturday afternoon. That's great service considering the tractor was in a crate when I purchased it. I'm glade I purchased when I did because Bob said that the new tier IV tractors will cost approximately $2500 more than I paid. What do you guys recommend for ballast other than loaded tires? My property has a lot of swamp and I want the ability to remove the weight when needed.
Thx
Sunnenman

Here is my home made one that is made out of a 55 gallon drum I gave $9 for. Notice the PVC pipes for handle tools and the chain storage. Also notice the 2 inch reciever on the back so you can "tag on" other items you might need to pack around like the sprayer or put a drop hitch ball on to mover your boat around. I also addes some hooks on the sides for 5 gallon buckets or whatever you want to hang on it. it weighs about 750 lbs, and I pack around another hundred pounds of digging bar and chains.

James K0UA

 

[Sunnenman]

James,
Great idea there. What did you use for weight in the drum?
Sunnenman

Here is my home made one that is made out of a 55 gallon drum I gave $9 for. Notice the PVC pipes for handle tools and the chain storage. Also notice the 2 inch reciever on the back so you can "tag on" other items you might need to pack around like the sprayer or put a drop hitch ball on to mover your boat around. I also addes some hooks on the sides for 5 gallon buckets or whatever you want to hang on it. it weighs about 750 lbs, and I pack around another hundred pounds of digging bar and chains.

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

James,
Great idea there. What did you use for weight in the drum?
Sunnenman

Sackcrete and gravel and water. Just mixed it in the drum. Little at a time. There is quite a bit of steel in it too, welded up. Keep in mind your water weight stays in there too, mixed up as a hydrate. If I had it to do over.. I could use a bit more weight.. This one would be about right for your tractor. I would put more steel in the mix. and I might have put in another 2 inch pvc too. You just can't have too many holes for handle tools.:laughing:

James K0UA

 

[k0ua]

All told I have about $100 in the whole thing, I think about $27 in the drawbar from Tractor supply, the steel was scrap, the barrel was $9 and the 2 inch was I think about $12 and the rest for cement mix and misc.

James K0UA