CK2610 HST vs CK3510H

[RDA]

I've been reading post after post on this site for the last couple weeks while researching for a tractor purchase, seems like a lot of knowledgeable people on here so I figured it's the best place to ask my question and receive some good input. I apologize if this gets a little long but I'm going to try and give out as many details as I can right away.

The Kioti tractors have caught my eye and I'm trying to decide between a CK2610 HST with the KL2610 FEL and the CK3510H with the KL4010 FEL. Kioti tractors are fairly new to my area and didn't come to town until Bobcat quit with their tractor line. From what I gather, the two brands are very similar so it's probably not much of a coincidence that the local Bobcat dealer that is now selling the Kioti tractors. I do have some experience operating a Bobcat CT235 with a 7TL FEL that a friend of mine has so I know roughly what that size tractor is capable of. With that said, my biggest question would be what is the CK2610 HST capable of?

My intended uses would be stump removal in food plots, mostly ironwood stumps (which are more shallow and spreading roots than deep) 4 to 8 inches in diameter in basically black sand soil. The Bobcat CT235 seemed to have no trouble at all relatively speaking, there was only a couple times I had to cut off a main root from the stump to get it to pop out with the FEL. I would also be mowing the trail system throughout the woods, preferably with a 60 3pt brush mower and using a tiller in the food plots. I would want to use a 60 tiller as well to make sure I'm covering my wheel tracks. I have 7 total acres of food plots right now, most of which the ground has already been broken with a disk or plow pulled behind a Farmall M from the 1940's. Of course there will always be random jobs with a FEL available at all times too.

So is the CK2610 HST going to be capable of all this work or am I better off going with the CK3510H which I know is capable of it? I have some requests for quotes out to different dealers but have only heard back from one so far and it was a $3,000 difference between the 2610 ($18,500) and the 3510 ($21,500). That $3,000 difference could allow me to buy the brush mower and tiller, otherwise I won't be able to swing those purchases this year.

How big of a deal is the telescopic 3pt lower link kit that is no longer standard? Should I want rear remotes? Any other goodies I'm not thinking of, besides a backhoe that I'm not that interested in? I would really appreciate any thoughts or comments.

Thanks!
Ryan

 

[AMD]

RDA - I contemplated the same things as you recently and I personally chose the 3510. More HP at the PTO will be a big help for tilling and mowing. I've already had the engine bog down a few times while mowing where the grass is thicker and this would have been magnified further with ~6 less HP. I run a 5' Woods... I don't think you'd regret the extra power though.

Overall I'm very happy with the machine once I got over a few little things that I'm attributing to a learning curve. It may be disappointing to think you won't be able to afford the implements this year but I do think you may be able to get somewhat of a better price based on what I paid in CAD. If another quote comes in better you could get a used brush mower potentially.

For the tasks you mentioned I don't think the rear remotes are necessary.

 

[RDA]

What are some of the little things that took a while to get used to? The FEL specs on the 3510 are what really intruige me, seems like it would be a pretty powerful loader and make the stump removal much easier.

I do have a swisher mower and atv that I've been maintaining the trails trails with and most of the food plots have already been planted this year so getting the bigger tractor and having to wait on implements isn't a huge deal breaker. Would love to have all the bells and whistles right away but it is what it is.

 

[AMD]

I went from a 1968 MF135 to this so it was a pretty big jump. But it hasn't taken too long - I still have less than 10 hrs on it.

The biggest thing was thinking there would be a parking brake indicator light illuminated on the dash when the parking brake was in fact set... not so much! That and having to change a lot of the settings on my brush mower, not to mention that the smaller rear wheels than I had seem to get down into more of the uneven areas made the first night a bit frustrating. One corner of the mower would drag and then a rear tire would spin. I had it in my mind that the industrial tires were to blame but it's gotten much better now that I've made some adjustments. It's actually working much better and I can't say enough about the HST. It makes going around trees and sharp corners so much easier. I had been reluctant without cruise how it would be to have my foot on the pedal for long periods but I don't mind it at all.

 

[RDA]

How do you like the loader on the 3510? Is it pretty easy to pick the back tires off the ground?

 

[AMD]

I haven't put much use on the loader yet and certainly nothing that has come close to lifting the rear end. It's strong though and I imagine some type of weight would be required.

 

[The Fred]

I have just accumulated 50 hrs. on my 2610 gear and so far love it other than grinding gear shifts (non-HST) and the 3 point hitch is very fast and I must feather it.

Absolutely no issues with the stock power setting to run a 6 foot rear finish mower even in brush or a 6 foot tiller in turf. Also works an 8 inch wood chipper very well. It could use a touch more power in the rough but I cranked the fuel a bit and never looked back. I would imagine the HST version of the 26hp unit would be a little doggy power-wise.

I can't comment on the loader as I have not used it much other than trying the forks and other bucket off my Kubota to make sure they were interchangeable. I've never pulled stumps with a front loader but can imagine it's hard on the machine. I use a mini-excavator and beat the absolute crap out of it pulling stumps.

The extendable arms are not an issue for me anyway. One thing I don't care for is the use of 2 large wrenches to adjust the 3PH upper link and the threaded cheap lower link anti sway bars.

2610 has a great price point and I believe they will sell a pile of them.

I mow on side hills up to 19 degrees with no issues (turf tires).

Mine does have a light on the dash for the parking brake.

Good luck whatever your choice, Fred

 

[N2DFire]

IFrom what I gather, the two brands are very similar so it's probably not much of a coincidence that the local Bobcat dealer that is now selling the Kioti tractors.

Hey Ryan,

They are much more than just similar. Kioti (well Daedong the parent company) actually made the tractors for Bobcat & just painted them white instead of orange.

The Bobcat CT series is the exact same as the recently retired Kioti CK series. (Replaced by the CK10 series with newer Tier 4 emissions engines)

The CT235 would be the Kioti CK35 - a 35HP (Engine) tractor. The 3510 is the new direct replacement for that. So to your question of the 2610 being able to do the same jobs, in essence yes. Maybe take longer on ground engaging work for smaller implement size - make more trips doing loader work for reduced capacity but otherwise will accomplish the same tasks.

Doubtful a 60" mower (5ft) will perform well behind the 2610 - the rule of thumb is 5HP (PTO not Engine) per foot and that will be just under.

For pricing the two main questions become
- is the time traded worth the savings on a smaller machine?
- are there places you intend to work that the 3510 would be too big?

As for attachments - you might be able to get a better price by working on a package deal.

By brush mower, if you're talking about a Rotary Cutter (aka bush hog) you might be better buying used off of Craigslist instead of new. I say this not knowing exactly what you intend to mow nor what equipment prices in your area are like but ..the thing is going to get beat up from day one so why pay for shiny paint? A good used medium to heavy duty cutter here can be found for about half to two-thirds what one sells for new.

Telescopic 3pt lower links
The older CKs were standard and I love them but I also just bought the Harbor Freight Quick Hitch and am in the process of converting all our antique stuff to work with it. Catch it on sale or use the 20% off coupon and you can get it for less than $100. Not sure what the telescopic kit runs but with the QH you won't need it anymore.

Rear Remotes
Ours doesn't have them either and I wish it did. Going to cost about $850 in just parts / shipping to add them (plus my time installing) - now that I have the QH I am really itching for a hydraulic top link (maybe even the full top & tilt kit). If you're thinking you might ever want them it might be easier & cheaper to have them added now. Check with your dealers.

Hope this helps your decision making process.

 

[RDA]

N2D Fire:
The Quick Hitch looks like a pretty slick system, might have to look into that. I'm not positive but I think the telescopic lower link kit is $400 or in that ballpark.

By brush mower I did mean bush hog. For the most part my trails are pretty decent so it would just be periodic mowing to keep them maintained. There is a couple spots I will have to widen up cause my atv barely fits through. I would like something that can bust through some inch to inch and a half diameter brush for doing that. I also have a 1/2 acre plot of clover that I mow three times a summer.

As for the rear remotes I was quoted $550 for a 4 port rear remote so I see there is definitely some savings doing it right away.

The Fred:
Thanks for your input on the 2610. As for the stumps, when I cut out the area I left the stumps about waist high. When we came in with my friends Bobcat CT235 he put the edge of the bucket just below the top of the stump and eased forward in low until the stump was on it's side and then a few bucket curls under the root clump and the popped right out. That's about the only plus to my sandy soils, that and the ironwood roots are really shallow. Now an oak stump, even in the sand, is a way different story, I just don't cut those haha.

AMD:
Thanks for all your input today.

I still have only had one dealer respond back with quotes. I'm a little bummed that no one else has gotten back to me so I can get some comparisons going.

 

[The Fred]

It's a price point tractor for them so I wouldn't expect much dickering. I think I paid mid 16s for mine with gear, floor mat and 2 rear factory remotes installed by me.

Forget everything the books try to tell you about buying horsepower per foot as far as implements are concerned. I fought for 15 years with a 50 inch tiller on a 26hp tractor because I bought what was recommended by the dealer. When I finally got into a 6 foot tiller behind the same machine the difference was so nice being able to cover my tracks, power was NOT an issue at all. Same goes with a 6 foot rear finish mower. Just go for it even with the 26 hp version.

The 26hp has a 1640 cc engine which is large for that size frame, it's very easy to get more power from it. They simply put an older version pre tier 4 engine from something else and de-tuned it.

The 26hp is a bit archaic compared to the common rail 35 and 40 hp versions, it does not run as smooth but for the savings? Well try them both on for size.

You'll love the machine either way you buy.

Regards, Fred