CK20, CK25 or CK30???

[readytogo]

Well, as far as the quick attach loader, will be able to settle that. The dealer called and said he'll be bringing out the new Ck 30 tommorow!
Needed some good news after changing the blades on the mower ~ seems to me the PACKAGING is made better than the blades themselves! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Truthfully speaking, anyone that has a nice tractor thinks it's the best, and rightfully so! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
But I would like to hear from someone who actually has a CK 25 and what they think of it!

 

[JayC]

When they deliver the new machine tomorrow, don't forget the pics! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Aragon]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Does it strike anyone as odd that the original poster chose the tractor BRAND even before considering the tractor itself?" "I'd suggest doing it this way: First, lay out the tasks and rank them by importance, then find all the machines that will complete those tasks. Then eliminate machines based on their weaknessess in the most important areas first. Then eliminate machines that remain based on cost, warrenty, parts availability, dealer support, etc (and some of those are subjective depending your individual needs). Then pick from the tractors that remain. )</font>

I appreciate the comments and will certainly try to build a list of pros and cons to discard the chaff. That's tougher than it sounds in my case since my needs are varied and my experience is nil. But I'll give it a shot. So far it's been a great learning experience.

As to picking the brand first, I was just asking about how each of the Kiotis would do for my needs since I don't know anything about them. I posted on the Kioti board so I had to ask about Kiotis. I have looked and looked at the other brands between 20 - 35 hp and was hoping to find big $$$ savings by leaving the Japanese brands. Not going to happen based on the dealers I spoke to today. You save some money and you get more features, but I would lose some things too like peace of mind that first year and some resale value. I have to give this some more thought and put some more emphasis on the dealer support. I am going Kioti riding tomorrow so that should help give me an idea what these machines can and can't do. Unfortunately the dealers near me don't carry the CK25. I wonder if they have concerns about being able to sell them since the CK20 and CK30 seem to hit the sweet spots?

 

[sodamo]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When looking at a previous thread by sodamo ...

It sounds like he is talking about a quick attach for loader mounted attachments.

.... )</font>

My apologies for the confusion. The KL130 is indeed a quick attach, which the dealer aptly demo'd - pull the pins, unhook the hydros and back away - all from the seat. Very nice.

My question should have specifically asked about availability of quick attach for the bucket, forks, etc - (skid steer type attachments)

My guess is, if I were to add the quick attach adapter later, my original attachments won't mate with the new skid steer type pins and I'd have to replace them. If that is true, I'd stay with the original pin method and attachments. Is my understanding correct? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Your patience and understanding appreciated - I'm new and trying to learn. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[readytogo]

Enjoy your tractor driving! As for not having assurance during that first year, Kioti has a 2 yr full warranty and 1 yr drivetrain. ~ they may have thought you were talking about grey market tractors.
If you question the ability of the CK 20, check out kiotijohn's photo album. ~

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( If you question the ability of the CK 20, check out kiotijohn's photo album. )</font>
I only wish I had been able to get pics of this last Saturday when I volunteered to help clean up tornado damage done a little over a week ago in and around my neighborhood.
The CK20 was really put to the test as I was using the loader AND the backhoe to haul out tree trunks, limbs, parts of the house etc. At times I would have the loader bucket absoulutely full of heavy oak cuttings, and the backhoe would have a tree trunk gripped in its bucket as well. It performed so well that all the people involved were amazed that a tractor of this size could do so much.
This is one of the reasons I feel the CK25 could well be a great tractor also. With the extra HP, and a stronger loader, the extras like telescoping hitch arms, liftable PTO cover, tilt wheel etc., it's an extremely pleasurable tractor to operate, and I think it IS a good bit more able than the CK20. However, as I have said before, one won't know unless one gets the chance to go really work one.
As for the quick attach, Sodamo, I thought all along you were talking about quick attach for the loader bucket and implements. I have been told the CK30 DOES have that feature, and they are now avaiable for distribution. Another nice feature.
For anyone looking at tractors, don't forget to compare the alternator power as well. My CK20 has a 50 amp alternator, and many others have only 40. Also, the CKs come with a joystick controller installed, and is often extra on other brands. Always be sure to find out exactly what is included as standard, and what is extra. These little Kioti extras can really run up the price on another brand that doesn't include them. John

 

[shoppintractors]

<font color="blue">Kioti has a 2 yr full warranty and 1 yr drivetrain.</font>

Clarification on the warranty.

<font color="blue">Kioti has a 2 yr full warranty and</font> <font color="black"> an additonal</font><font color="blue"> 1 yr drivetrain. </font>

2 years full warranty/3 years drivetrain.

Don

 

[yoyo]

I used my new First CHoice 52" Tiller yesterday with my CK25HST in clay soil . I was able to till with full depth in the first pass. I had to go as slow as possible in Low range, but it did the job. I had to go slow mainly because the tiller wanted to jump and vibrate if I went too fast. I didn't have a problem at all. Is 5 hp worth $1500?? Not to me.

Yoyo

 

[Bob_Skurka]

5hp for $1500 is a rip off. My guess is the dealership either overpriced the CK30 or dramatically discounted the CK25 to get it off his lot.

As for the tiller size, I would expect a 52" tiller to work well with that hp. I use a 50" with a 24hp machine in heavy clay. And the 50" tiller covers my rear tire tracks with a couple inches to spare, but your 52" tiller, is narrower than the rear track of your tractor (by 2.6") so your tiller is not tilling everything your tires are compressing. That said, the CK30 could go up to a 60" tiller in the same heavy clay soil you have. And could run a 60" bush hog and a 72" finish mower. In every case of a PTO powered implement, the CK30 will get the job done faster because it will pull a larger implement without bogging the engine, and since the 2 machines turn in the same radius, it will be more efficient in the field doing work. Now, a small frame 24hp machine will operate the same implements as the CK25, and will turn circles around it, so the smaller frame unit would actually do things like mow faster than the CK25. I've said before that the 25hp engine in the CK20 frame would be an awesome machine.

But again, I think it is odd that my compliments about the CK20 and CK30 have all been so overlooked and so much has been made about my comments of the CK25.

Someone else posted that there is a dealer that doesn't carry the CK25 but stocks the CK20 and CK30. Hmmmm. Maybe the CK20 & CK30 really do hit the sweet spots in the market. I think I will continue to disagree with some people about the CK25 because it just doesn't seem like a good compramise or a good value based on the implements it can utilize properly. So I think the price bump to the CK30 is justified, even if $1500 spread seems to be a rip off.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> As to picking the brand first, I was just asking about how each of the Kiotis would do for my needs since I don't know anything about them. I posted on the Kioti board so I had to ask about Kiotis. I have looked and looked at the other brands between 20 - 35 hp and was hoping to find big $$$ savings by leaving the Japanese brands. Not going to happen based on the dealers I spoke to today. You save some money and you get more features, but I would lose some things too like peace of mind that first year and some resale value. </font>

All tractor brands have good and bad dealers. I would stay away from a bad dealer no matter what brand. As for saving money with Kioti, that seems to be regional, in some areas they are a relative bargain, in other areas they seem to be priced very close to some of the other name brands. I have no idea about your area and how the pricing runs there. I really would not worry about resale value with a Kioti, I think you will find that it would be pretty strong. The brand is pretty well known and is growing in recognition as a quality product so resale value will very likely not be any issue. I think Kioti is in the market today where Kubota was about 10 or 15 years ago. And Kioti is helped by the modern CK class tractors, while I believe Kubota is hindered by their old style appearance, although they are due to announce some changes in their upcoming dealer meeting a few weeks from now, so Kubota may be moderinzing their looks very soon? Also, I don't know why you would lose piece of mind with a Kioti during the first year unless your local Kioti dealers are not quality-full service dealers. If the local guy is not a good dealership, then you have the choice of going farther away (if you consider that a viable option) or going to a different brand. Personally I won't go far from home, I want a local dealer who will have a fully stocked parts department and a well trained service area, but again, that is just me.

Good luck with your decisions.