Buying Advice Looking at Kiotis

[coobie]

You guys are clearly big on the split brakes. I already am on that boat as the H has split brakes and I don't think I could handle it without them. I also see the point of if I have a 45 HP tractor there isn't a whole lot I can't push over. But I did make it through the woods today. With some decent clearing, I could get the CK with 60" bucket and mower through to most places. Now some places I could do the same for the 72" DK. But there are a lot of places that I HAVE to get through that are constricted by either huge (2' thick, 80' tall) trees, or this stone wall made of the biggest rocks I've ever seen. The trees I couldn't get down if I wanted to, the rocks, maybe, but with a ton of work. Thus unfortunately 60" is the maximum I can get through. I see k0ua's point of getting smaller implements, but I think I would want 72" on the DK, and 2 sets of implements is something I don't have the money or space for. Now, I've sat on both tractors. The DK is nice, but I'm comfortable with the CK as well. The treadle doesn't bother me, unlike other treadles I've seen, but the brake placement is bad. You can use them with the cruise, but why Kioti didn't put the clutch with the treadle on the right and the brakes on the left is beyond me. The independent PTO isn't a problem as I've got to throttle down anyway to engage/disengage.

It seems that it comes down to either the brakes and power of the DK, and doing some serious wood work, or no brakes with less power but access everywhere.

In dealers, MIE has been great to work with, Budd's All Tractor has also been great, they have given more personal attention than MIE, but that's just because their a smaller younger dealer. I feel comfortable with both, so that is not an issue.

I won't be doing any serious earth moving or consistently going through mud, so I hope no fancy brake work will be necessary, I like split brakes but they are not an absolute necessity. Also, let's remember that it's not like the CK only has 1 brake, they're split, just hard, but probably not impossible to use.

I think it comes down to will the CK do everything I want. If it will, I'll probably go with it, otherwise it'll be the DK and I'll just figure something out with the with (like a 2nd tractor )

Sorry for the long post, but I would appreciate it if you guys would weigh in on the above question.

Thanks,
Tony

It seems to me you have already made your choice the CK.Good luck on your purchase.

 

[Threepoint]

[snip]
I think it comes down to will the CK do everything I want. If it will, I'll probably go with it, otherwise it'll be the DK and I'll just figure something out with the with (like a 2nd tractor )

Sorry for the long post, but I would appreciate it if you guys would weigh in on the above question.

Thanks,
Tony

Can't say definitely that the CK will do everything you want, but given the access restrictions you've described, it's pretty clear that the DK definitely won't, unless you're willing to remove some trees and stones or downsize the bucket and implements. So unless two tractors are in your budget, sounds like an easy decision. Happy shopping!

 

[boggen]

i am not brand specific person, could careless, kioti, kubota, deere, etc... etc.. etc... scuts (sub compact tractors) start to loose the extra stuff quickly that makes life easier, in the CUT area of tractors out there, they still miss some feature of the bigger tractors, if ya hunt around between your HP range ya looking for, you are bound to find the features wanted.

ya i realize dealer and having warranty issues. but now that you narrowed down to HP, basic features, and physical size. maybe open up a little bit to other brands. if anything for comparison. its not like you will buy and resell tractor in a couple years, it most likely going to be with ya for a few years to come. whats a couple plus hours to do your shopping around / researching?

 

[TJP89]

boggen, I'm with you and have already looked at many other brands. This hunt has been on for about 2 months now, and I'm finally down to my last 2, that happen to be Kioti. If I was brand loyal I'd have already had a JD or CNH in my barn. So tell me if the CK is capable for what I want. From all I've read, seen, and heard, it is, and because of its size I think it will be the tractor for me. I wish the DK35 was still being made, as that would really be the perfect tractor.

Tony

 

[k0ua]

boggen, I'm with you and have already looked at many other brands. This hunt has been on for about 2 months now, and I'm finally down to my last 2, that happen to be Kioti. If I was brand loyal I'd have already had a JD or CNH in my barn. So tell me if the CK is capable for what I want. From all I've read, seen, and heard, it is, and because of its size I think it will be the tractor for me. I wish the DK35 was still being made, as that would really be the perfect tractor.

Tony

Yes, it is really nice!

 

[worthb]

A CK 20 can be "enough" tractor if you have the time, patience, and creativity. The CK 27-35 offer a lot in their size class for the money. The only negative I can find is the loader lift capacity. I just take smaller loads of gravel. You will learn to work within the limits of whichever machine you choose.

 

[TJP89]

Alright, I made the decision and it is the CK35 with KL130 loader. If there was a smaller DK, that's what I'd have gotten. Don't know why Kioti stopped the DK35. But as I don't plan on constantly pushing this tractor to the limit, I believe this tractor will work just fine on my property. After signing the papers I asked when the tractor could be delivered. The dealer said that one of his mechanics lived right near me and the guy could drop it off on his way home today. Well that was great by me, and now there's a brand new Kioti sitting in my barn! Pulling into my barn with the new CK I noticed the ROPS cleared the door by about .5". Knowing that on the taller DK I'd have to go through the pain of folding the ROPS every time I went into the barn seemed to confirm my decision to go smaller was correct.

Well now that I have the tractor I'm sure I'll have lots of questions here. I have a lot of brushhogging to do, and some serious trail expansion. I have my eye on a decent used brushhog, so I'll be keeping my weekends busy.

k0ua, that comment about your DK didn't help.

Tony

 

[murphy1244]

Welcome to the Pack! Enjoy..

 

[Msamt]

Congrats, now leave it outside and wash some of that "new" off...

 

[Gittyup]

You can get a CK with shuttle instead of HST and the split brakes then work perfectly. I know HST is better in most cases, but with the shuttle you'll gain a little more power and can use those split brakes as intended.