Buying Kioti HST 40hp for the farm-Advice?

EzraWalker · Jul 25, 2022

I have four older tractors ranging in age from 73 years and as new as 37 years. Haying impliments that saw the Great Depression. Our farm is growing fast and we need higher productivity. I’ve landed on the Kioti HST 40hp with front loader, backhoe attachment, hay rake, hay drum mower and round baler. It will also drive a pellet mill of the PTO. I was hesitant to consider the HST tranny because this is a 20 year purchase and I don’t know how they hold up. The mechanics of this model tractor are pretty overbuilt and very impressive. I have long admired the South Korean machinery quality. I’m in this for the long haul. I will be selling my 1969 Case 580CK Road King backhoe and I absolutely need what I am buying to do some heavy work. Does anyone have experience with the HST tranny and the tow behind hydraulic backhoe attachment with 8’ depth capacity and a 12”-36” wide bucket? They warn against trying to mount it on the 3 point hitch because the torsion can break the tractor frame when digging. The tractor frame on this model is MASSIVE! The same class JD tractor has a rear axle half the thickness and cast body almost half the thickness. They also use an advanced twin hydro pump that I have seen before on some pretty impressive 60-90hp tractors. But I have no experience with this brand. Before I slap down the cash….anyone have a horror story that’s true?

nrosario · Jul 25, 2022

Can you please provide the exact model?

RustyA · Jul 25, 2022

40 hp might be a little light for haying and round baling? We did it with a manual transmission and it struggled on grades with full 4x5 baler. Added a 57 hp utility weight tractor and what a difference both cutting and baling.

Quickster2 · Jul 25, 2022

I have a DK 45 and would recommend nothing smaller. I run an older Hesston 1091 and MF 120 baler. I would not want to go smaller. I had a Yanmar 336D (wish I still had it for other duties) previously while only 33 HP and not 40 HP I decided 45 HP would be the minimum. You also lose a bit of efficiency (usable power) with the HST compared to a manual gearbox as well. Need to make sure you have enough PTO power beyond the rated HP of the tractor. God luck.

rScotty · Jul 25, 2022

EzraWalker said:
I have four older tractors ranging in age from 73 years and as new as 37 years. Haying impliments that saw the Great Depression. Our farm is growing fast and we need higher productivity. I’ve landed on the Kioti HST 40hp with front loader, backhoe attachment, hay rake, hay drum mower and round baler. It will also drive a pellet mill of the PTO. I was hesitant to consider the HST tranny because this is a 20 year purchase and I don’t know how they hold up. The mechanics of this model tractor are pretty overbuilt and very impressive. I have long admired the South Korean machinery quality. I’m in this for the long haul. I will be selling my 1969 Case 580CK Road King backhoe and I absolutely need what I am buying to do some heavy work. Does anyone have experience with the HST tranny and the tow behind hydraulic backhoe attachment with 8’ depth capacity and a 12”-36” wide bucket? They warn against trying to mount it on the 3 point hitch because the torsion can break the tractor frame when digging. The tractor frame on this model is MASSIVE! The same class JD tractor has a rear axle half the thickness and cast body almost half the thickness. They also use an advanced twin hydro pump that I have seen before on some pretty impressive 60-90hp tractors. But I have no experience with this brand. Before I slap down the cash….anyone have a horror story that’s true?

Size of castings and metal parts doesn't have all that much to do with strength - especially not in axles or castings. Massive castings make me wonder why they did that. It's the alloy and processing that makes an axle strong. But if you have the machines you list then you know all that.

No towed behind or three point or ANY tractor-mounted OR accessory backhoe I've ever seen will come anywhwere near the capability of the 580 Case. Not even close. We are not even talking about similar tools. You must know that too.

40 HP HST will not handle the hay equipment that you are proposing. You'd be better off to double the HP and go shuttle or manual shift.

But you must know all this. Why are you asking?
rScotty

hornett22 · Jul 25, 2022

I'd probably go 50 Hp and shuttle shift. I'd probably keep the Case too. You can always sell it later.

Raul-02 · Jul 25, 2022

EzraWalker said:
I will be selling my 1969 Case 580CK Road King backhoe and I absolutely need what I am buying to do some heavy work. Does anyone have experience with the HST tranny and the tow behind hydraulic backhoe attachment with 8’ depth capacity and a 12”-36” wide bucket?

Happy Koiti owner here:
Dunnno what you mean by heavy work. But if you are hoping a tractor backhoe will keep up with a Case 580 you are in for a broken heart.
I do not believe that the Kioti is going to make a good replacement for the case. There's also a youtube video about a guy whose backhoe snapped just outside of warranty.

Thing about tractors is they are multitaskers, they are utility machines. A backhoe was built for a purpose. As a general rule, multitaskers don't do a lot of things terribly well. Heavy earth-moving projects are among that lot.
Tractors are not as tough as a purpose-built backhoe and can't move the weight a backhoe can.

If you really need a heavy machine keep the case.

ljjhouser · Jul 25, 2022

Welcome to TBN.

hkbirdman · Jul 25, 2022

Raul-02 said:
Happy Koiti owner here:
Dunnno what you mean by heavy work. But if you are hoping a tractor backhoe will keep up with a Case 580 you are in for a broken heart.
I do not believe that the Kioti is going to make a good replacement for the case. There's also a youtube video about a guy whose backhoe snapped just outside of warranty.

Thing about tractors is they are multitaskers, they are utility machines. A backhoe was built for a purpose. As a general rule, multitaskers don't do a lot of things terribly well. Heavy earth-moving projects are among that lot.
Tractors are not as tough as a purpose-built backhoe and can't move the weight a backhoe can.

If you really need a heavy machine keep the case.

You state that the new machine will need to do some heavy work. I agree - keep the Case 580 - you will never match the output that you get from that machine.

Raul-02 · Jul 25, 2022

Raul-02 said:
If you really need a heavy machine keep the case.

WAIT A MINUTE~!!!

Belay all that. The Case is a POS and you need to lose it before it drags you to hell.
I will help you~!! Yes, I will Save you from a fate worse than death actually.
Pay my driver and truck rental and I will take it off your hands with no charge to you at all. Totally free.
Hurry, before anything worse happens