CK27 HST vs CK35 HST for mowing

[cletus99]

Although I'd really love to get a DK40, it's just not in my price range right now. I've been talking with my dealer about getting a CK35. I believe he said the price for the CK35 hst with FEL would be about $18400. Pretty sure that included 2 rear remotes I had asked for. Anyway he told me he had a CK27 HST in stock that would save me about $2000. My only concern is how it will handle mowing having the less pto hp. I already have a 5 ft rotary mower so I'll be using it with it. Saving the $2000 would allow me to go ahead and purchase a 6 foot finish mower that I will otherwise have to wait to get and really need. I guess my question is how well will the CK27 run a 5 foot rotary mower and a 6 foot finish mower?

 

[Ranchofla]

Although I'd really love to get a DK40, it's just not in my price range right now. I've been talking with my dealer about getting a CK35. I believe he said the price for the CK35 hst with FEL would be about $18400. Pretty sure that included 2 rear remotes I had asked for. Anyway he told me he had a CK27 HST in stock that would save me about $2000. My only concern is how it will handle mowing having the less pto hp. I already have a 5 ft rotary mower so I'll be using it with it. Saving the $2000 would allow me to go ahead and purchase a 6 foot finish mower that I will otherwise have to wait to get and really need. I guess my question is how well will the CK27 run a 5 foot rotary mower and a 6 foot finish mower?

Well I have a CK20 about 4 horse less than the CK27 at the PTO and I run a 4' brush hog and 4' finish mower without issue. I can not tell you if the horsepower difference is enough or not as my only previous experience was with a JD model 50 ( don't remember what he HP was) and a 5' brush hog.

Rancho

 

[SSdoxie]

I don't run a finish mower so have no idea if they pull more HP or less than a rotary cutter (bush hog), the 27 is same as my CT225 and I run 4' rotary because was what I had with the old previous tractor, and mine could easily handle the 5'. My cutting does not involve any major hills or grades to speak of, so yes the 27 will run it but the 35 will be able to do it faster. When comparing exact same tractor except engine HP like the CK27, 30, or 35 the increase in HP equals ability to do the same job faster.

 

[cletus99]

I know that the CK35 would run them better and I may still go with the CK35. I'm trying to see if anyone has experience running these size mowers with 20 hp pto tractor. My gut is telling me maybe not. I'm quite sure it'll be fine for anything else I will use it for around here because there's no difference otherwise. Just concerned about mowing. I do not want a smaller mower than 5 foot rotary mower and a 6 foot finish mower.

 

[k0ua]

I know that the CK35 would run them better and I may still go with the CK35. I'm trying to see if anyone has experience running these size mowers with 20 hp pto tractor. My gut is telling me maybe not. I'm quite sure it'll be fine for anything else I will use it for around here because there's no difference otherwise. Just concerned about mowing. I do not want a smaller mower than 5 foot rotary mower and a 6 foot finish mower.

I am not trying to push you one way or another, but I will offer this experience from years ago.. I was running a 6 foot finish mower with a Long 2360 full sized UT, but when I switched to a CUT the New Holland TC33DA, with a BEFCO 5 foot finish mower, I cut down considerable in mowing time by going to the smaller more maneuverable tractor with HST. It made cutting around trees much easier and the ability to find the right "gear" with the infinitely variable ground speed of the HST made a lot of difference even though my mower was 1 foot narrower. I never really bogged down with the 5 foot finish mower, but this is a 33 gross horsepower tractor, I am not sure what it put out on the PTO.. but probably about 26. I think you would be better served with a 5 finish mower. but I don't know your working conditions either.

 

[cletus99]

Thanks James. I don't have any trees to worry about. Mostly long straight flat cuts.

 

[DK35vince]

Can't help you with the 27 but the CK 35 should run a 6 or a 7' finish mower no problem.
I don't have a CK but I have an older model DK 35 with the same basic engine as the CK 35 and my DK runs a 6' brush mower and a 7' finish mower fine.

 

[Illini22]

I bought a ck35 new in dec of 2012. Picked up a used frontier 84" finish mower a few months later. The tractor handled the mower fine. The 6' gill box blade could stop it though (900lbs).
I got rid of the ck for over reasons.

 

[Illini22]

I bought a ck35 new in dec of 2012. Picked up a used frontier 84" finish mower a few months later. The tractor handled the mower fine. The 6' gill box blade could stop it though (900lbs).
I got rid of the ck for over reasons.

 

[joe04785]

I got a ck30 hst along with a 6 foot finish mower that mow's 3 acres with no problem. If the grass is really tall and thick you will just have to slow down for a bit. No big deal to me though. If you mow your grass every week, then you shouldn't have a problem.