All you CK owners, why did you .....

[Arky217]

Yes, I still haven't bought a tractor yet, (Shame on me) but I think I'm getting closer. Anyway, I'm looking hard at Kioti again, specifically at the CK series.

Looking at the specs on the Kioti site, it looks like there is no difference whatsoever between the CK27, CK30, and CK35 except the Hp. And at 28, 30, and 34 hp respectively, there is not a lot of difference there either.

So, my question to all you CK owners is why did you pick the particular model that you did ? Was it Hp or price that motivated you ?

By the way, what did you find from your dealer to be the average difference in price between the three models ?

Another question: the Kioti site shows that on the gear model, both the shuttle and the 'main gear' are synchronized. (the 2 ranges needing a complete stop, of course). By this, do they mean that all 4 gears are synchronized or just 3 and 4 ?

Also on the Kioti site, they seem to indicate that all three models will accept either the KL120 or KL130 loader and either the KB2465 or KB2475 backhoe.
Is there that much difference in price that would motivate someone to chose the smaller loader or smaller backhoe ?

Finally, all you CK27 owners (especially if you have the gear model), have you regretted in any way not getting the CK30 or CK35 ? If so, was it only because of more needed PTO Hp ?

Thanks much,
Arky

 

[DK35vince]

All 4 gears are sycronized in both forward and reverse.

 

[Gittyup]

I have the CK25 gear. I chose it because I really didn't need any more hp. I was mainly looking for a digger where weight and hydraulics were the most important. PTO hp was less of an issue.

I've used a 12" PHD and a 5" chipper/shredder on the rear PTO. Tractor handled both quite well, only bogging down slightly when pushing 5" branches through the chipper too fast.

I have a Rhino 75 (7.5') backhoe that works great off the rear remotes. The KL130 is an adequate loader. Though I think the tractor could handle one with a little more capacity (like the woods).

The shuttle shift manual works good, and maximizes your hp vs. the slight loss with HST. Though, if I had had the money I would have gone to the CK30 in HST. HST is a nice convenience and adds a great deal of safety. When I bought, the CK30 in HST was like $2300 more than my CK25 gear.

What is really important is what you plan to use your machine for. If you need PTO power and want HST, pay for the extra horses. I'd go for the CK35. If you just need a ground engager, get the gear in the CK27.

 

[jimmyj]

For me the motive was price. It was the "most" tractor I could afford.

 

[SunnyJim]

I have a CK25HST and find the power adequate except when running the bush hog through tall thick grass. Then I could use more then 18hp of PTO power. I just have to go a bit slower compared to a CK35 would while cutting.

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree with Gittyup. The CK27 has adequate power for almost anything that any CK tractor could do with the possible exception of heavy duty bush hogging where the CK35 would be champ. I suppose you could argue also that the CK35 would be able to pull a six foot tiller instead of a 5 footer but the point remains that except for PTO power the CK27 should be essentially the same. They all have the identical hydraulics, 3PT and loader so PTO power is the only consideration.

I don't know what the difference in price is between these three CK's now. I personally wouldn't pay much extra to get a CK30 as 2hp is next to nothing and would only get the CK35 if bush hogging in difficult settings were my goal. I had a CK20 and upgraded to the DK line for the simple reason that there was not all that much difference in loader capacity moving up the CK ladder which is what I was really looking to upgrade. Point is simply that you need to figure out what you intend to do with the tractor before deciding whether you need more HP or loader strength and then let that analysis dictate your choice. Too much emphasis on HP alone here on TBN.

 

[Loren49]

I'm also very satisfied with CK27 gear and agree that there is too much emphasis on HP. During my first 100 hrs of use the only time hp would have shortened my work time was when tilling about an acre - Maybe would have saved an hour over the three times I tilled it. In a past life when I was a dairy farmer hp made lots of difference with the hours of field work.
My other 2 cents is that I see no safety advantage to HST-most of safety is related to the operator. As stated in earlier posts, your planned tasks and how often you do them should have the most weight in your choice along with how much you want to spend.

Loren

 

[Sandlot]

Dealer was just down the street, price, and the size was right for my 2 acres.

 

[Mark_G]

I wanted 30 HP in a platform that could skid logs and move in the woods, I found my CK30 gear lightly used (I think it had 340 hr) and well cared for at a great price ($14K with FB, backhoe, rear blade and 13KW pto generator). I have found there is little need to skid logs as it just picks most of them up. I moved several large logs this past weekend. I often lift one end of downed trees with the bucket, cut the logs to length, pick up the cut piece and take it to my chainsaw mill for processing.

Mark

 

[Tim M]

If you decide on HST keep in mind that the HST pressure relief valves for the CK25-CK35 are identical. I have a CK30 and can easily hit relief in 1st gear when digging. Keep in mind this is with good traction conditions and I do have weighted tires and a backhoe. Point being is there would be no difference if I had a CK35 HST. It will hit relief at the same pressure and not be able to deliver any more "drive force" than a CK30 and I suspect given the same conditions the CK25 would also hit relief before bogging the engine. My application is mostly digging and pushing dirt/stone around. I do not do any PTO work.

 

[BTI]

Having driven all of them......
The CK27 is adequate, CK30 is good and balanced (HP to weight) CK35 is a hotrod LOL
When you stomp the hst pedal on the 25/27 they lug and slowly take off, 30 a little better, lugs less....35 doesn't even hesitate it just GOES!!!
This is NOT THE WAY TO RUN AN HST I have done this just to prove to myself the differences in the 3 different hp's.
You have to remember the 35 engine is the engine out of the old DK35 which weighed 1000lbs more.
Now that being said If I were buying one for ME the 27 would be plenty.
I like the bigger frame over the 20S (for my place) mainly for stability and the added features.
Tilt wheel, nicer 3pt, 3 range hydro etc.
It will run a 5ft hog through ALMOST anything and for the small amount that would be too much, I would drop a range.
I think we are all in such a hurry we forget how long it USED to take to do things like mow LOL

I do still have a soft spot for the CK20S though

BTI

 

[PAB_OH]

So, my question to all you CK owners is why did you pick the particular model that you did ? Was it Hp or price that motivated you ?

Thanks much,
Arky

Yep, & Yep. At the time I bought mine my dealer (BTI) was able to get me a great deal on a new demo CK30 (I think it was manufactured on 2005 and only had 50 hours on it). I wanted a CK35 but I only needed a CK25 so when the CK30 came up I was happy with the compromise.

I don't even remember the price difference between the three models now but if I remember correctly is was not a whole lot.

The only time I wish I would have got the CK35 is when brush hogging a very small section of the field next to the house. It's downhill from the septic system so it's ALWAYS green & thick. I just kick it down into LOW for those few minutes I am in that section.

 

[Steve_Miller]

Having driven all of them......
The CK27 is adequate, CK30 is good and balanced (HP to weight) CK35 is a hotrod LOL
When you stomp the hst pedal on the 25/27 they lug and slowly take off, 30 a little better, lugs less....35 doesn't even hesitate it just GOES!!!
This is NOT THE WAY TO RUN AN HST I have done this just to prove to myself the differences in the 3 different hp's.
You have to remember the 35 engine is the engine out of the old DK35 which weighed 1000lbs more.
Now that being said If I were buying one for ME the 27 would be plenty.
I like the bigger frame over the 20S (for my place) mainly for stability and the added features.
Tilt wheel, nicer 3pt, 3 range hydro etc.
It will run a 5ft hog through ALMOST anything and for the small amount that would be too much, I would drop a range.
I think we are all in such a hurry we forget how long it USED to take to do things like mow LOL

I do still have a soft spot for the CK20S though

BTI

BTI,
I have one question about the CK35 and it's engine. I knew all along that the engine was the old engine out of the DK35. When they put it in the CK did they have to build another HST tranny or adapt to the CK engine series tranny to do this as I don't think there was an HST that mated with the DK at the time was there? If it is another tranny does it provide more torque than the old CK tranny because of higher hydraulic pressure or a larger displacement of the hydraulic drive motor? Just curious.

Steve

 

[BTI]

OK from what I can tell on a brief look....
The transmission itself is different, but it uses the same Relief and Neutral valves as the other CK's
The other trans is from 25 to 30 the same.
So my guess is more output but same relief pressures.
Sort of like a bigger motor struggling less because of more capacity.
So yes, higher displacement drive motor.
As far as I can tell.......

I did this by comparing the actual part numbers and cross referencing what fit what.

BTI

 

[Steve_Miller]

OK from what I can tell on a brief look....
The transmission itself is different, but it uses the same Relief and Neutral valves as the other CK's
The other trans is from 25 to 30 the same.
So my guess is more output but same relief pressures.
Sort of like a bigger motor struggling less because of more capacity.
So yes, higher displacement drive motor.
As far as I can tell.......

BTI

Thanks
Steve

 

[Tim M]

The HSTs are identical on all CK 25 - 35. At least they were in 2008.

 

[Tim M]

And they all have the same gear box. So the drivelines are identical and as stated before the limiting factor is the HST relief valve (assuming sufficient traction).

However, independent of model, there is some variation in relief pressure from valve to valve. The one my tractor came with was set to 3700 psi. I had it warrantied and the new was was right at 4000 psi. It was a noticeable difference. If I recall correctly the spec is 3950 psi +/- some small amount.It should also be noted the relief setting can not be altered after manufacture without grinding a small weld holding the adjustment barrel in place.

 

[gumshu]

And they all have the same gear box. So the drivelines are identical and as stated before the limiting factor is the HST relief valve (assuming sufficient traction).

However, independent of model, there is some variation in relief pressure from valve to valve. The one my tractor came with was set to 3700 psi. I had it warrantied and the new was was right at 4000 psi. It was a noticeable difference. If I recall correctly the spec is 3950 psi +/- some small amount.It should also be noted the relief setting can not be altered after manufacture without grinding a small weld holding the adjustment barrel in place.

Tim, How compatible is your BH-80X with your CK30. Is the tractor heavy enough so as not to drag when you're digging into dry hard soil? I got a quote on one and will probably buy it soon.

 

[Tim M]

I don't really have anything to compare to, but with the stabilizers down the tractor seems stable to me and I do a fair amount of digging with it. My tires are loaded and with the Woods LC102 I am pushing 6000 lbs total weight.

I am not sure how the CK would handle it but you might want to consider the BH90 because you can get the quick attach bucket option for it. I wish I had at least looked into it more.

 

[IslandTractor]

I am not sure how the CK would handle it but you might want to consider the BH90 because you can get the quick attach bucket option for it. I wish I had at least looked into it more.

I don't think a CK class tractor would be appropriate for a BH90x. My DK gets pulled around when I am aggressive with the BH90x. That BH would overwhelm a CK. The 80x is a better fit.