Gittyup
Elite Member
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2007
- Messages
- 3,145
- Location
- Mid Atlantic
- Tractor
- Kioti CK25 Shuttle Shift, loaded tires, JD X739
Back in 2006 I was looking for a similar machine. I decided on a Kioti CK25 with loaded R4's, a 7.5 ft Rhino backhoe with 18" bucket, and a 60" loader with toothbar. HP wasn't has important to me, because PTO uses were tertiary at best. I looked for weight, hydraulic flow, and BH reach. My CK has been outstanding at these tasks, digging in heavy clay and shale rock. It has enough weight (~6000 lbs) to stay planted when digging and the nearly 13 gpm pump lets the BH operate with speed when executing multiple movements at once. I would seriously give Kioti or one of it's cousins a look. There are very few with comparable weight and flow capabilities, but others with similar specs I am sure would work just as well. I think you can get into a CK30 TLB with loaded tires for under $25K. They also have a little smaller (and lower cost) tractor in the CK2510 that might also fit your needs.
The dedicated TLBs are excellent diggers too, but will cost you more and aren't quite as versatile as a regular tractor, which generally gives you a removable loader and BH, a 3 point hitch, and both a mid and rear PTO. The dedicated TLBs usually limit you in one way or another (like nonremoveable loader).
If you are concerned about the soil, just get a little narrower bucket, like 16" or so.
It this isn't enough tractor, or you want more reach (always a good thing), look at the CK40 or CK45. These really are a huge step up in performance and added features, like a 9' hoe, rear 3PH control, electric over hydraulic PTO, and over 2000 lbs of loader lift.
The dedicated TLBs are excellent diggers too, but will cost you more and aren't quite as versatile as a regular tractor, which generally gives you a removable loader and BH, a 3 point hitch, and both a mid and rear PTO. The dedicated TLBs usually limit you in one way or another (like nonremoveable loader).
If you are concerned about the soil, just get a little narrower bucket, like 16" or so.
It this isn't enough tractor, or you want more reach (always a good thing), look at the CK40 or CK45. These really are a huge step up in performance and added features, like a 9' hoe, rear 3PH control, electric over hydraulic PTO, and over 2000 lbs of loader lift.
