27HP CK27 or go for the larger framed 34HP DK35se?

[tigers2007]

This is killing me. I've selected Kioti to be in my future but I'm loosing sleep over whether or not I get the bigger or smaller one. I have about 12 acres to manage. Most of the work will be cutting grass but I am going to start growing trees on about 3 acres. I don't have any wicked slopes do deal with. The tractor will see rare functions as like moving dirt, gravel, plowing a small field with a 3pt 2 bottom, etc.

I'm worried about the DK35se being too heavy for the mowing. The price difference is about $2000 ($13,995 for the CK27 vs $16,500 for the DK35se).

 

[Gittyup]

For mowing, I'd want as much HP as possible. If you think the DK frame is too large, then consider the CK35. Just a few HP less than the DK35 in the smaller CK platform. For mowing and maintenance on 12 acres, I think 27 HP is a little light on the HP.

 

[dfkrug]

This is killing me. I've selected Kioti to be in my future but I'm loosing sleep over whether or not I get the bigger or smaller one. I have about 12 acres to manage. Most of the work will be cutting grass but I am going to start growing trees on about 3 acres. I don't have any wicked slopes do deal with. The tractor will see rare functions as like moving dirt, gravel, plowing a small field with a 3pt 2 bottom, etc.

I'm worried about the DK35se being too heavy for the mowing. The price difference is about $2000 ($13,995 for the CK27 vs $16,500 for the DK35se).

A closer comparison would be the CK35/CT335 to the DK35/CT335.

If price were no consideration, I like the latter more than the former in
that they have gone to the more modern HST and the underpinnings are
less vulnerable to damage. The newer HST tractors have mostly gone
to a design with no foot clutch so you can brake with the left foot.

If you are going for a gear tractor, then the advantages are less.

Note: even though the DK35/CT335 is 10-15% heavier, you also get
bigger tires, so that distributes weight onto a larger footprint.

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Before deciding whether the DK35 is "too heavy for mowing" you really need to decide what you're going to mow, how you're going to do it, what do you anticipate the conditions to be and last, but not least, how fussy are you about the end result. If you want your lawn to look like a golf course then the DK35 is too heavy.

Here's an example, from back 50' - 75' my lawn looks great. On closer inspection, there is a variety of weeds and the ground is not perfectly flat. Using round figures my JD 3320 weighs 3,000, the FEL 1,000, the MMM 450 and the BH 1,150. so with a full tank of gas + myself the whole package is getting close to 6,000 - quite a bit heavier than the DK35. I have turf tires and rarely remove the FEL and / or BH. I'm probably getting some soil compaction, but not so much I can't live with it.

Another consideration - look at the FEL lift limits for weight and height. What is the maximum load you think you might ever want to lift? Around here they have one cubic yard bags of black topsoil. Being able to lift and move one of those was a criteria for me. Would you ever want to lift a bucket of dirt or anything and load it into a dump truck - how high is that?

Tonight for example, we lifted a helm seat into a boat sitting on a trailer. The side of the boat was somewhere between 7' - 8'. In this case the weight was minimal, but height was important.

Would you ever want / need a BH or some other implement? You'll never find one machine that is absolutely perfect for every job, but if you take a look at potential work and set minimum standards for each job, that exercise will quite likely point you towards the tractor size that's the best compromise for you.

 

[jcims]

A closer comparison would be the CK35/CT335 to the DK35/CT335.

If price were no consideration, I like the latter more than the former in
that they have gone to the more modern HST and the underpinnings are
less vulnerable to damage.

Any more details on this? Aside from the different pedal layout, I hadn't heard anything about different HST trannies in the CK/CT2xx vs DK/CT3xx.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Weight has very little to do with it. It all comes down to foot print. Think of it this way. A fat girl in tennis shoes will not sink as easy in the mud as the same girl in high heels. There, that is a little Indiana learn'n 4 ya.

Go bigger, you will not regret it.

Chris

 

[tigers2007]

A fat girl in tennis shoes will not sink as easy in the mud as the same girl in high heels.

LOL that is hilarious. This is going to be a tuff one to decide on as a dealer in white has the CT235 for $15.7 with quick attach and one rear remote.

 

[BTI]

CK27 is actually 28hp.
The most popular machines in my area are the CK30 or the DK40SE.
Mainly because the 30 will run pretty much anything you want that the tractor frame size will handle comfortably.
The 40 for the larger implements and it has the largest loader lift capacity jump.

If you want to run 5ft hogs and box blades the 27 will be fine.
The geardrive runs a 6ft mower well also.

BTI

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

LOL that is hilarious. This is going to be a tuff one to decide on as a dealer in white has the CT235 for $15.7 with quick attach and one rear remote.

Unless you're right on the edge financially, two or three thousand more or less for the tractor, over the time you keep it will be insignificant compared to the aggravation of realizing you bought a tractor too small and have to take an even larger hit to trade up - or worse yet be constantly dissatisfied all the time you have the machine.

Set minimum standards for what you want to do and buy accordingly.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I finish mow with a 1720 NH that weighs in @ 3300# with loaded AG tires. I have to be careful when turning sharp. I think that you would be fine with the DK and wider tires.