$20,000 TLB/MMM package?

[rogdan]

The boss (wife) reprioritized things for me with mowing 1-3 acres as the primary need. I am now considering a MMM HST mowing machine that I can add FEL and BH to for landscaping. Is there such a beast in Kioti orange?

 

[IslandTractor]

You should be able to get a CK20 HST TLB even with MMM for about 20K. I got one used (minus MMM) with 28hrs on the clock for about 15K. I would personally not choose the Kioti MMM as it is pretty expensive for what you get. Check out a RFM or even the Caroni flail mower which at least one guy with a CK20 has used successfully as an alternative to the MMM. Both decent RFMs and the Caroni flail are almost half the cost of the Kioti MMM if I recall correctly.

If your task is really primarily mowing, you might also take a hard look at the Kubota BX24. It is not nearly the TLB that the CK20 is but it's considerably lighter and probably a better all around mower and definitely has a better MMM option.

 

[KiotiJohn]

If you want to go CK20, you should not buy the Kioti backhoe for it as you can't use the MMM with the backhoe mounts on.

According to Rick Wallace, you may use the Woods backhoe with the MMM however, and you'd also get better clearance with the Woods hoe subframe which stays with the tractor.

If you decide to go with a rear finish mower (RFM) instead, either backhoe will work.

Pricing would probably be around 18K for all of it, and you would have a compact tractor rather than a shorter subcompact.

John

 

[coasterez]

For outright mowing there are better options than the Kioti's. They are relatively big and heavy. Though, you will give up some digging abilities. As with everything, there are always compromises that must be made. A lot may depend on the type of ground comprising your 3 acres. If its mostly field, with few things to mow around then a rear mount mower will serve you well, and the Kioti would be an excellent choice here.

However, if you have a lot of gardens, fences, buildings, and general tight spaces you should consider lighter, shorter, more nimble machines. I would suggest looking at Tym 233 or 273, or one of the John Deeres. The Tyms are really sweet machines that let you leave the FEL, bh, and mower on all at the same time. They are almost a foot shorter than the CK20 and pack more hp too. The JD 700 series with a 62" deck would be an animal of a mowing machine. But, if backhoe and loader are absolute, you'll have to step up to a 2520 or 41xx model to get a Deere. Also consider New Holland, MF, and Agco. Of course, Kubota has many models to choose from too.

If you have a mix of cutting situations, you might consider an inexpensive, smaller, tight turning lawn tractor for "busy" areas, and a Kioti for the fields. In a CK20, you may still pull this off for under $20K, with FEL, backhoe, and RFM, and still have enough for the lawn tractor. Finding a suitable solution is easy. Deciding which one to get is the hard part.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Kubota B7510 TLB with MMM can be had for under 20k. That will be a better mowing tractor and the backhoe, mower & loader are all compatible.

 

[rogdan]

Thanks for the replies, I am getting convinced that I can live with a RFM after all there is nothing to mow around yet. So what would I expect to pay for a CK 25 and CK 30 TLB combo respecively? I would wave HST condiseration but want my wife to have some of that mowing joy /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Dodgeram]

Rogdan,
I got pretty much everything listed below for a shade under $25K. Now that was in November of last year, and like everything else (gas, elec, etc.), the prices may be a higher.
Tom

 

[coasterez]

I bought this spring for right at $20K:

CK25 shuttle
CL130 FEL
Rhino 75 bh
bushhog 2101 phd
woods 7' grader
toothbar
loaded tires
rear remotes
grill guard

 

[WSJ]

All that for $20K?! New?! Where?!

I'm getting western PA prices for CK25 shuttle & FEL of ~$15100. If those are firm prices there's no way to even add a backhoe for <$20. Seriously wondering if it might not be worth the haul to look farther afield. -WSJ

 

[VictorW]

Maybe I missed it, but what kind of mowing are you doing? If it's lawn around the house, the CK25 and 30 are a heavy machine and may make marks in the grass even with turf tires. A lot depends on your ground too. Mine is more clay. I have a CK30hst with R-4s that is about 3100# and add about 600# for the fel. If the ground is soft at all you make marks. The CK20 might be better depending on your tasks.

Definately don't give up the hst if your wife plans on using it. Mine would never run my old Ford 8n shift. I can't keep her off of the CK30hst.