Buying Advice Cab or no cab?

[tacticalturnip]

Since the OP intends to use his tractor in the woods, did you have to fabricate your grill protection? How well protected are the hydraulic lines and filters on the CK tractors?

I do not have the skills to make my own grille guard, so I had to throw money at the problem. The grille guard came from Broken Anvil Metalworks; I've been pretty happy with it, and judging by the indent I don't remember making, I suppose it's already saved my headlights.

I can take photos of the filters, and hydraulic lines if you'd like.

 

[2manyrocks]

I believe that could be very helpful to the OP. He doesn't need to have a stick poke a hole in something unexpectedly.

I don't know what the situation is with Kioti's, but I've been surprised myself at how some tractor filters are placed on the bottom of tractors and are totally exposed to being damaged.

 

[Rich_Z]

I do not have the skills to make my own grille guard, so I had to throw money at the problem. The grille guard came from Broken Anvil Metalworks; I've been pretty happy with it, and judging by the indent I don't remember making, I suppose it's already saved my headlights.

I can take photos of the filters, and hydraulic lines if you'd like.

Ah, been wanting to try to find one of those. Thanks for the link.

As for latest developments, been talking this over with my wife and she is all gungho about me getting a tractor. Matter of fact she thinks I should get the backhoe add-on too. On one hand I think that might be a good idea, but on the other hand, well, I want to get a cab for the tractor, but when using the backhoe, then that cab will be "over there" while I am "over here". Not sure if that is going to make any logical sense or not.

Then my wife starts talking about building something to keep the tractor in along with all the attachments I will likely accumulate. That starts to complicate things. But she says that with Kioti offering 0$ down and 0% interest, I could take the money I was going to use to pay cash for the tractor and put that into the building instead, while we just make the monthly payments. Which would be easily covered by our social security monthly payments.

Things seem to happen to me this way all of the time. I get a simple idea, and then the overthinking gene kicks in and next thing I know I have an overcomplicated mess to try to wade through. Sometimes I can't even remember how the heck I got there.

 

[TN8Man]

Ah, been wanting to try to find one of those. Thanks for the link.

As for latest developments, been talking this over with my wife and she is all gungho about me getting a tractor. Matter of fact she thinks I should get the backhoe add-on too. On one hand I think that might be a good idea, but on the other hand, well, I want to get a cab for the tractor, but when using the backhoe, then that cab will be "over there" while I am "over here". Not sure if that is going to make any logical sense or not.

Then my wife starts talking about building something to keep the tractor in along with all the attachments I will likely accumulate. That starts to complicate things. But she says that with Kioti offering 0$ down and 0% interest, I could take the money I was going to use to pay cash for the tractor and put that into the building instead, while we just make the monthly payments. Which would be easily covered by our social security monthly payments.

Things seem to happen to me this way all of the time. I get a simple idea, and then the overthinking gene kicks in and next thing I know I have an overcomplicated mess to try to wade through. Sometimes I can't even remember how the heck I got there.

The pole barn in my picture is where I keep my tractor but when I had the 35hp I kept it in my basement. It does not cost that much to have a pole barn built compared to a stick building.

 

[Lastkidpicked]

Your age qualifies you for a cab, you deserve one, buy it.

You are also dis-qualified for pole saw operation, don't buy one. Let a younger man and your checkbook do that work. It's cheaper than a heart attack.

This is excellent advice. If investing in equipment turns a chore into an enjoyable afternoon, then what else could you want?

But the fly in the ointment now is that she was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer just over a year ago. Honestly just researching tractors has helped a lot to keep me from falling off into that bottomless pit I feel tugging at me.

First of all, Rich, thank you for trusting us enough to open up a bit. And for the members on this forum, thank you for being trustworthy friends.

It's amazing how tractors, mowers, and other equipment can transform us into a nice state of mind. And getting out there, getting some physical activity, and then looking at what you've accomplished. It's an amazing feeling.

Well worth the cost of the equipment.

 

[redman135]

To the OP. Have you considered contractors to prune the wooded area to make it safer for your cab glass?
Also use contractors for LARGE work and just have your tractor for maintenance work.
You had a heart atttack last year, this forbides you from heavy labour. Let a tractor do the work.

A/C in your climate is mandatory.
I recommend getting 3rd service ex factory as retro fit is pricey.
Loader: usually best to get a 3ph 3(point hitch) counterweight for stability and safty.
Also travel with the loader low down as with the weight up high a sudden change in direction make it easy to roll over.
Gearbox: hydro as it is more forgiveing rookie mistakes. ALSO go for 3 range hydro if budget permitts.

Track (width) has a large effect on stabity "feel". Look for adjustable width rims (usually ag rims) or use wheel spacers (CHECK WARRENTY) is still valid.
Lastly, as your skill/confidence increases you will get mission creep.

Some food for thought. Good luck

 

[Mark N]

+1 on the Broken Anvil Metalworks grill guard -- my wife (a veterinarian) wanted the Coyote face-version

 

[Rich_Z]

Well, been watching a couple of videos by a guy who broke the frame on his Kioti backhoe. So backing off of that a bit. But the silver lining in that cloud is that if I were going to spend that extra 10K or so, perhaps I could look into a little bit more horsepower instead. I noticed that just about everything is identical in the CK20SEH CAB series, except for the horsepower rating. So maybe if the price difference isn't stupid, I will consider that as an option. Trouble is finding prices can be a challenge. I asked Kioti directly for MSRP on their tractor lines, and they refused to provide it, saying it was up to the dealers. ???? Not sure what they mean by that. Doesn't MSRP mean Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price? Emphasis on MANUFACTURER's?

Heck, here we go again. Overthinking this to death......

Now I need to look at CK3520SEH CAB and CK4020SEH CAB too.

 

[tacticalturnip]

+1 on the Broken Anvil Metalworks grill guard -- my wife (a veterinarian) wanted the Coyote face-version

Oh that's cool! Could you snap a photo?

 

[arrow]

Well, been watching a couple of videos by a guy who broke the frame on his Kioti backhoe. So backing off of that a bit. But the silver lining in that cloud is that if I were going to spend that extra 10K or so, perhaps I could look into a little bit more horsepower instead. I noticed that just about everything is identical in the CK20SEH CAB series, except for the horsepower rating. So maybe if the price difference isn't stupid, I will consider that as an option. Trouble is finding prices can be a challenge. I asked Kioti directly for MSRP on their tractor lines, and they refused to provide it, saying it was up to the dealers. ???? Not sure what they mean by that. Doesn't MSRP mean Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price? Emphasis on MANUFACTURER's?

Heck, here we go again. Overthinking this to death......

Now I need to look at CK3520SEH CAB and CK4020SEH CAB too.

1. yes
2. No, you don't. Not for how you explained you're using a tractor..

A backhoe simply is complicating things.

Here's the problem with tractor forums: 1. you will get advice based on "personal" experience which may or may not pertain to you whatsoever.
2. It is very easy to spend someone else's money.
3. People have different attitudes toward tractoring with the predominant one being: "always get a bigger tractor than you think you need" which may pertain 80% of the time and thus, appears to give the idea credence.
4. The entire point of this forum with its plethora of opinions, is to sift through all the contributions, be honest w yourself, get educated and arrive at a decision based on YOUR needs.

I work for a company that sells tractors. We are very careful not to under sell or over sell customers.
We "listen" to the customer first and foremost on what they wish to do w their machine.
Based on this compilation of information, we then give the customer choices within their range of explanation of usage and price point.
We very seldom, if ever get customers with "buyers remorse" if they explained their usage accurately.
Even in the totally rare instance ( like 2 in the seven years I've been there) of that happening, we simply trade them out of their current machine and give them what they paid for it toward the trade.
That acts like a "safety net" to assure the customer that they have their hand held if need be.

We are not the only company that does this sort of thing where virtually "no purchase or tractor chosen mistake can be made without it being covered".

This is the brand we sell. I believe there is a Mahindra dealership near you in Thomasville Florida.
This or another brand in this size range, is all the tractor you need for your explained usage.