BX24 w/hydro or a ck20 w/ gear
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jimb1724
Silver Member
RS
i had the same choice 3 years ago. my use was for driveway and landscaping in the clay soil of NH. i went with the CK20HST with FEL and BH and have no regrets (3 years and over 250 hours without a problem). My wife uses it more than i do in the summer (now if i can just get her out there to clear the winter snow....), as the hydro is easy and a pleasure to operate. for the use you describe, the weight, size, lift capacity (FEL , 3pt and BH) and ground clearance of the CK will work better for you. don't let the horsepower fool you. this little ck has never failed to impress me for a 20 hp (now 22hp) machine. as far as resale, the kioti name is really moving up fast (now branded by CAT as well), so i think it will be less of an issue in the years to come..... the ck would be more appealing to contractors and landscapers as well.... good luck either way
i had the same choice 3 years ago. my use was for driveway and landscaping in the clay soil of NH. i went with the CK20HST with FEL and BH and have no regrets (3 years and over 250 hours without a problem). My wife uses it more than i do in the summer (now if i can just get her out there to clear the winter snow....), as the hydro is easy and a pleasure to operate. for the use you describe, the weight, size, lift capacity (FEL , 3pt and BH) and ground clearance of the CK will work better for you. don't let the horsepower fool you. this little ck has never failed to impress me for a 20 hp (now 22hp) machine. as far as resale, the kioti name is really moving up fast (now branded by CAT as well), so i think it will be less of an issue in the years to come..... the ck would be more appealing to contractors and landscapers as well.... good luck either way
rmahlert
Bronze Member
Not to tick off any BX-24 owners.. it's a lawn mower. For me.. it came down to the same two choices you have now. But when I got to the dealers and checked the out the BX seemed too small to me. When I was at the Kioti dealer I checke dout the CK20 HST and a CK25 HST.. for a few grand more I got the CK-25. I know someone who has the BX-24 and wishes He got a bigger machine, actually likes my CK-25 and once joked about buying it off me.
,You narrowed it down to 2 options which is a good start. But you should really go and check both out for yourself and decide then. Don't just buy without trying.
Rob
,You narrowed it down to 2 options which is a good start. But you should really go and check both out for yourself and decide then. Don't just buy without trying.
Rob
Sandlot
Gold Member
Rimshot,
It is not a true shuttle shift but 1st gear and reverse are synchronized. Clutch, push forward into first gear, clutch, pull back into reverse. Works great while using the loader. I am 6' 2" and weigh.....a lot, and I fit fine on my machine. Although my wife says I look like a gorilla riding a lawnmower.
It is not a true shuttle shift but 1st gear and reverse are synchronized. Clutch, push forward into first gear, clutch, pull back into reverse. Works great while using the loader. I am 6' 2" and weigh.....a lot, and I fit fine on my machine. Although my wife says I look like a gorilla riding a lawnmower.
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
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rimshot said:
Well, I am a dedicated CK20 TLB fan but for the uses you describe the BX24 would be more than adequate. The BX would likely be easier to sell and those things really hold their value nicely (partly due to the Kubota name and partly because they are such handy first tractors for homeowners who have a year or so of landscaping tasks to get done).
It's too bad you cannot get a chance to operate the two as you'd be able to judge the difference first hand. As everyone notes, the CK is MUCH more tractor in every way except digging depth where they are equal. I wouldn't disparage the BX as a lawn mower though that is the one area where it clearly outperforms the CK. I'd characterize the BX24 as very handy tool for around the house and yard while the CK is a small but more typical field tractor. The BX would be easier to store, easier to trailer etc. The CK will get work done faster but again, it doesn't seem you have all that much work to do.
OP
rimshot
Platinum Member
I am amazed at the excellent information you all are providing me with even and especially when the viewpoints are opposed. That keeps my thinking objective. This is a big decision and I can try the BX24 out on a test drive but can only go by my gut and listening to you users regarding the CK24. Those Kioti dealers are too few and far apart in my part of the country.
In my heart, I believe if either machine was priced the same, the decision would be a slam dunk and I would have a new CK. It's just an all around better featured tractor. The extra weight of the CK alone tells me it is going to handle that backhoe better. And with ground clearance @12" for the CK compared with 6" for the BX it just seems so much better for making my road in the woods. I spose for $100.00 I could have the dealer throw on a skid plate on the bottom of the BX.......couldn't I?
But I guess I desire a hydrastatic for backhoe and FEL work. That means $2000 more for the CK because it is more tractor. As IslandTractor points out I probably don't need it because the bx is on target for my needs and that's lots of bucks saved. Heck, I don't need to spend $15,000 on a sub or compact anyway but this one is for old Dad. This decision is tearing my guts out but the whole thing hurts so good.
Keep em coming, please.
rim
In my heart, I believe if either machine was priced the same, the decision would be a slam dunk and I would have a new CK. It's just an all around better featured tractor. The extra weight of the CK alone tells me it is going to handle that backhoe better. And with ground clearance @12" for the CK compared with 6" for the BX it just seems so much better for making my road in the woods. I spose for $100.00 I could have the dealer throw on a skid plate on the bottom of the BX.......couldn't I?
But I guess I desire a hydrastatic for backhoe and FEL work. That means $2000 more for the CK because it is more tractor. As IslandTractor points out I probably don't need it because the bx is on target for my needs and that's lots of bucks saved. Heck, I don't need to spend $15,000 on a sub or compact anyway but this one is for old Dad. This decision is tearing my guts out but the whole thing hurts so good.
Keep em coming, please.
rim
williekioti
Gold Member
I can't give you an experienced review of either of the machines you mention other than sitting on both in a dealer's lot. I was shopping slightly bigger.....30hp range.
But I can give you my advice and that is to drive and operate your choices to get an in-seat feel. IMHO there is no substitute for a little wheel time to ensure long term tractor happiness..........................
My take would be for a woods and digging machine, I'd be looking at the ground clearance, weight and hydro power as decision points. As far as the gear CKs, I see no real disadvantage to it for what I've done. The Fwd/reverse shifting is really efficient and painless. HST is nice but IMO not necessary for a woods machine, personally I like the gear for those uses better. Shifting either direction or gears is really slick, almost car-like, not like tractors of old. No double clutching or searching for gears required. If I was buying a dedicated mowing machine I'd probably think differently, but I've got a small hst lawntractor for that.
Good luck with your purchase.
But I can give you my advice and that is to drive and operate your choices to get an in-seat feel. IMHO there is no substitute for a little wheel time to ensure long term tractor happiness..........................
My take would be for a woods and digging machine, I'd be looking at the ground clearance, weight and hydro power as decision points. As far as the gear CKs, I see no real disadvantage to it for what I've done. The Fwd/reverse shifting is really efficient and painless. HST is nice but IMO not necessary for a woods machine, personally I like the gear for those uses better. Shifting either direction or gears is really slick, almost car-like, not like tractors of old. No double clutching or searching for gears required. If I was buying a dedicated mowing machine I'd probably think differently, but I've got a small hst lawntractor for that.
Good luck with your purchase.
BTI
Platinum Member
On the lines of what Darkviper said......
I know the Kubota used to used what they called a "limited" catagory 1.
The pins were standard cat 1 but the spacing between the arms was not enough to use standard cat 1 stuff.
If I have to go anywhere in the woods or where ground clearance is an issue...
It would definitely be the CK20. Gear or hst is a personal choice.
The 6" GC on the BX is a deal breaker for me
Around here our turtles are 7inches tall
Drive all 3. Go with your gut.
If you don't, you'll regret it in the long run.
BTI
I know the Kubota used to used what they called a "limited" catagory 1.
The pins were standard cat 1 but the spacing between the arms was not enough to use standard cat 1 stuff.
If I have to go anywhere in the woods or where ground clearance is an issue...
It would definitely be the CK20. Gear or hst is a personal choice.
The 6" GC on the BX is a deal breaker for me
Around here our turtles are 7inches tall
Drive all 3. Go with your gut.
If you don't, you'll regret it in the long run.
BTI
milkman
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I have a BX, and I know that they will use Cat 1 implements, that's all that I use on mine and they all work, including a full length auger Post Hole Digger, don't know where the myth came from about the Cat O hitch. A lot of my use is in the woods, although I do use a plate that I made that goes on the belly any time the MMM is off, I don't have any problem with ground clerance in the woods. If 22hp is enough to do what you are going to use it for, the BX can do what you want to do. Either will do what you want and more, just trying to dispell some gross misinformation that might sway some before they even take a look.