Price Check Kioti DK40SE HST

[davel8257]

I appreciate all the help.

The kioti's are very impressive tractors. I am on my phone so don't know how to link. I found a thread In a Kubota forum, maybe on this site, where a l3800 was lifting some very impressive round hay bales with a loader spear.

Everyday I change my mind on these three tractors. I figure with the Dk I would never run out of capacity.

BTW, I am not buying it for the primary use as a mowing machine.
I am 35 years old and have already been diagnosed with scoliosis and the doctor told me to never lift over 50lbs.
So I am always looking for ways to save my back.

I'm not sure what you intend to do with your tractor. A FEL is very handy tool; however, it sometimes is disappointing. Many times I find myself pushing stuff around the yard instead of scooping it up. So, I have to dismount, bend over and roll what ever I'm loading into the loader. The best way to actually keep stuff "in" the loader is to have it tipped upward a bit -- which means there's a short lift involved. Having a FEL has changed my life -- to be sure, but just beware that you may be frequently getting off the seat in order to load up tree branches, yard waste, etc... For larger logs, tree limbs, I've chained on a pair of logging tongs -- these bite in. There are grapple add-ons and teeth that can be added to enhance the use of your FEL -- your mileage may vary.

 

[k0ua]

I'm not sure what you intend to do with your tractor. A FEL is very handy tool; however, it sometimes is disappointing. Many times I find myself pushing stuff around the yard instead of scooping it up. So, I have to dismount, bend over and roll what ever I'm loading into the loader. The best way to actually keep stuff "in" the loader is to have it tipped upward a bit -- which means there's a short lift involved. Having a FEL has changed my life -- to be sure, but just beware that you may be frequently getting off the seat in order to load up tree branches, yard waste, etc... For larger logs, tree limbs, I've chained on a pair of logging tongs -- these bite in. There are grapple add-ons and teeth that can be added to enhance the use of your FEL -- your mileage may vary.

That is why they make grapples with teeth that come together, so you can pick up twigs as well as logs, and little rocks not just boulders. Getting on and off all day can wear a guy out. grapples are the coolest thing since sliced bread.

 

[alancamby]

I Am heavily leaning torward the Kubota L3800. I like that it weights less. L3800 with loader will still be fine for my 1/2 ton truck and 7000lb trailer. I am just worried that the DK40 will be to big for my property.

I do have plenty of barn space for either tractor.
When I drive the DK the thing just feels huge with that loader out front. Of course I am used to my current Kubota L2550 (29HP). My L2550 has always had plenty of power with the bush hog style 5' mower.

I am leaning towards the L3800 over the CK35 due to dealer network, trusted name for tractor and engine, parts availability 20 years from now, and good luck with my current Kubota over the last 10 years.

I just don't know.... The reason I want to get rid of the 2550 is that I don't have a loader and I hate to invest in a tractor that is 2wd.

The Kioti CK35 does have a lot of stuff that the Kubota does not. Like the cool pin stabilizers for the 3pt hitch, telescopic hitch ends, integrated loader controls, more of a flat floor with a rubber mat, and hopefully a smooth 3pt hitch...lol... well that is a huge advantage.
I kind of like the Kioti power steering rams (hydraulic cylinders) over the Kubota power steering fear box. The rams would be easier (IMO) and possibly cheaper to change over the steering box.

Any thoughts between CK35 and L3800?

I have looked at both of them quite a bit.

Price is about the same. I am at $18,800 for the CK and $19,500 for the Kubota.
Both are 4wd with R4's, SSQA loader, cruise (added on Kubota).

If my Kioti dealer went out of business...well the next dealer is a good ways away and he seems to only stock 2 or 3 tractors. So cant imagine their service department being much. The local Kioti dealer has about 10 tractors on the lot and was assembling 2 more the last time I was in.
Lots of Kubota dealers around.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm not sure what you intend to do with your tractor. A FEL is very handy tool; however, it sometimes is disappointing. Many times I find myself pushing stuff around the yard instead of scooping it up. So, I have to dismount, bend over and roll what ever I'm loading into the loader. The best way to actually keep stuff "in" the loader is to have it tipped upward a bit -- which means there's a short lift involved. Having a FEL has changed my life -- to be sure, but just beware that you may be frequently getting off the seat in order to load up tree branches, yard waste, etc... For larger logs, tree limbs, I've chained on a pair of logging tongs -- these bite in. There are grapple add-ons and teeth that can be added to enhance the use of your FEL -- your mileage may vary.

That is what grapples are for. FEL with standard bucket is great for scooping poop and moving dirt, gravel etc but a bucket is an inefficient device for picking stuff up. A grapple on the other hand excels at picking stuff up, including square bales. Smaller round bales would also be easy. The max opening of most standard grapples is probably a bit small for picking up large bales and a bale spear would be the tool of choice for that task.

 

[k0ua]

That is what grapples are for. FEL with standard bucket is great for scooping poop and moving dirt, gravel etc but a bucket is an inefficient device for picking stuff up. A grapple on the other hand excels at picking stuff up, including square bales. Smaller round bales would also be easy. The max opening of most standard grapples is probably a bit small for picking up large bales and a bale spear would be the tool of choice for that task.

Looks like we both answered with about the same thing, see above.

 

[alancamby]

I really like the idea of a Grapple.

Since I am looking at more of the CK or L3800, Grapple weight becomes a concern. Some of those things weigh well over 600lbs.

The EA 50" Wicked Grapple is impressive at less then 300 lbs. I can't find another grapple that comes close.
The best grapple in the world is useless if my loader can't pick it up. Some brands, at around 600lbs, will be half or more of the loader capacity.

 

[murphy1244]

I really like the idea of a Grapple.

Since I am looking at more of the CK or L3800, Grapple weight becomes a concern. Some of those things weigh well over 600lbs.

The EA 50" Wicked Grapple is impressive at less then 300 lbs. I can't find another grapple that comes close.
The best grapple in the world is useless if my loader can't pick it up. Some brands, at around 600lbs, will be half or more of the loader capacity.

That's why you buy a DK-40 with 2700Lbs of lift off.

 

[k0ua]

That's why you buy a DK-40 with 2700Lbs of lift off.

It is hard to argue with FEL lift capacity isn't it.

 

[murphy1244]

It is hard to argue with FEL lift capacity isn't it.

I have yet to have anything I could not pick up so yes life is Good!

 

[alancamby]

Yeah.

I just don't know if I need that much tractor.
I know the dimensions are close on paper but when you park the Ck next to a DK40, the DK 40 is huge.

One thing I will miss about the L2550 is the awesome turning. the inside tire will turn almost 90 degrees to the tractor frame. Hit the cutter brakes and it will spin on one tire.

Do the 4WD's doe that (of course with 4wd shut off)?

I was disappointed how little the tires turned compared to my 2550. Will they still spin on one rear tire?