Price Check CK20 and 25 HST Price

xdakotakid · Apr 26, 2006

The specs list a 1hp difference between the shuttle and the hydrostat versions. In my case I planned on and am doing lots of FEL work and the hydrostat is the way to go...

My brother in law is "manual" only type of guy and uses his for all sorts of things, however on his John Deere the manual vs hydro is a different of like 5 or more HP, and he has about every attachment known to mankind and the #'s difference was very important because of his tiller, brush hog, etc use...

I would guess that on resale a hydro would have a higher value, similiar to most people's aversion to vehicle manual trannys raises the value of automatics.

However you need to find what works best for you and how you are going to use it.

CinderSchnauzer · Apr 26, 2006

Thanks for the input. Does he have a CK25 HST? Probably not - at least not out front. He had a 20 HST 30 HST and three larger units that I didn't bother with sitting out front. Unless he was outright lying - he tells me he does not stock the 25 HST and only brings them in based on customer order.

I need to cut some grass on newly acquired 2.5 acres - fairly flat with not too many trees. Come winter there will be snow to clear and I was assuminng a FEL and maybe a BH would come in handy (and that the whole setup would be a good grownup boys toy) I have looked at JD 2305 / 200CX FEL / 62" MMM / Woods BH6000. Also the Kubota BX24 TLB with MMM and MF 2310 TLB with MMM. the specs on all three of these are actually quite close and price seem to rank MF - JD - Kubota from low to high.

And then I heard of the Kioti. I suspect the CK20 HST would probably do all I need, however I'm not getting a lot of great input on the MMM as a good cutting machine. It has been suggested that a tractor and a Zero Turn mower might be a lot better in the long run.

My son has a JD 790 / 300X FEL and has experienced a few times where there was not enough lift capacity. Not totally sure I need a 2000 or 3000 lb tractor, but all things being equal I'd rather spend a few more $$ upfront than to find I underbought. There does not appear to be a huge difference between the KL120 / KL130 FEL, but there does seem to be noticable difference between the KB2365 and LB2375 BH.

Subject to some fine tuning on price the CK20HST combo would probably be equal to or slighty higher then the JD combo and the CK25 in either config would highest of all.

KiotiJohn · Apr 26, 2006

( I suspect the CK20 HST would probably do all I need, however I'm not getting a lot of great input on the MMM as a good cutting machine. It has been suggested that a tractor and a Zero Turn mower might be a lot better in the long run.)
If you want a mid mount mower with the CKs, you will need to buy a Woods Backhoe as the Kioti backhoes do not work with MMM.
The backhoe brackets that support the subframe will not allow simultaneous use of the backhoe, but the Woods loader will according to dealer Rick Wallace.

For your uses, it sounds to me as though the CK20HST would certainly do what you need to do, and with more lift than the JD.
Unless you have a ton of things to mow around, I would sure use a rear finish mower instead of a MMM. They're easier to hook up, and cheaper to buy in general. It only takes a little while to get used to the extra length when turning, and they do a good job.

The Kioti MMM does a good cutting job, the only real problem is the use with a backhoe.
John

CinderSchnauzer · Apr 26, 2006

The backhoe brackets that support the subframe will not allow simultaneous use of the backhoe, but the Woods loader will according to dealer Rick Wallace.


Maybe that's why he is sort of pushing the Zero Turn Mower.

Thanks for the heads up on the subframe item - looks like some further research needed on that point.

KiotiJohn · Apr 27, 2006

( Maybe that's why he is sort of pushing the Zero Turn Mower. )
I opted to buy a ZTR myself. I had an old riding mower when I bought the tractor and decided to replace it with the ZTR rather than buying either a MMM or RFM. It is just a lot easier to use than taking out the tractor, hooking up the mower(s) and then reverse. Also, I don't have to be very careful with the ZTR not to hit things when I'm turning! But if I didn't have the ZTR, I would go with a RFM. I can cut around just about anything with my rotary brush mower, and could do the same with a RFM.
John

xdakotakid · Apr 27, 2006

The prices went up awhile back so its probably alot cheaper/more profit for him to sell from stock than to "bring in" the 25HST at the higher price to him.

I too looked at the 2305 not to mention the 2320/2520 and the 790's from the JD side of the fence. I initially really wanted green but if your looking for a utility tractor and not a gussied up lawn mower the tractor weight, engine torque and hydraulics and 24" lift are the most important measurements of what you need to get work done.

Good luck getting Kubota to give you engine torque, I called the dealer twice and checked the internet and no luck. I've heard they are getting pasted around here because of that. The Kubota B7610 which is a 24 hp motor is 68.5 cubic inches vice the CK25's almost 80 and a little over 80 for the JD 790 and 2520.

the 2305 has about 41 ftlbs to the CK20's 40 so no big difference there, 1450 lbs vs 1993 for the ck20 and 5.2 vs 7.66 gpm of hydraulics, 681 vs 1109 lift at 24", the only place the CK20 has lesser specs is the PTO HP (18 for the 2305 vs 15.5). Look into what attachments/implements you want to use, some use PTO (tiller, etc) some hydraulics (Backhoe, and some the flat out torque/weight of the tractor (Box Blade).

I couldn't get our local JD dealership to give me the answer but the 2305 has a "LIMITED" Cat 1 hitch versus a true Cat 1 for the CK20.

If you compare the JD 2320 to the CK25 the specs lean even further to Kioti, in fact the 2520 or 3000 series are maybe a better match for what the 25 can do.

However the Mid PTO mount on the 25 I bought was "optional" and not included in the base price. I figured if I really need to mow I'd either buy a nice mower and/or get a used Rear mower.

Sorry about the information overload but do your homework and match what you need it to do to what the machines can provide.

DK35vince · Apr 27, 2006

( Based on quick demo the Shuttle Shift seemed interesting. Any feedback on this option? )

I seem to be the only one that has replyed so far that would go with the shuttle shift over the hydro on a CK 25.

CinderSchnauzer · Apr 27, 2006

Thanks for all the great feedback.

For operations that require constant speed of the PTO and movement of the tractor, would it be fair to say an HST would give better control? the throttle is preset and movement of the HST pedal controls the forward / reverse speed withing the limits of the throttle setting. I'm thinking in this case it might be more difficult to control ground speed with the shuttle since once the clutch is released - speed is predetermined by the gear selected and the fixed throttle postion.

For operations that do not require constant PTO speed it seems the shuttle shift might be better since after a gear is selected ground speed is controlled by increasing engine RPM's with the variable gas pedal - as with a car.

Does this sound correct or am I missing something?

KiotiJohn · Apr 28, 2006

You're basically right, however, you don't have to fix the throttle speed on the shuttle. You can use the foot throttle to get/maintain whatever speed you want. I would not say there is better control with the HST as long as you have practiced and gotten good with a shuttle/gear.

Now, you can set the hand throttle on the shuttle type if you want to, but you would have better control if using the foot throttle. The only time I would set the hand throttle on the shuttle is if I'm mowing for long distances and didn't need to vary my speed much.

Where I find HST more "controllable" is in up-close situations where I don't need to do any clutching/shifting to avoid hitting something. HST excels in those situations as I have but to vary one foot on the pedal to control my F/R speed.

Where I think a shuttle has an advantage is in not having to keep the engine RPM at operating speed all the time as with a HST model. Not a big thing, but I think it would add up to less hours of use on a tractor that is not using a digital hour meter. It won't make any difference on the type that uses digital as it will record the whole time the engine is running.
John

gravel13 · Apr 28, 2006

When I was looking at buying, I too considered the CK20 & CK25. I went with the CK25 with shuttle shift. I could justify the extra money to go up to the CK25 but I couldn't justify spending the extra for the hydro. I figured I could use that money to put towards a trailer. Just my 2 cents worth.