Buying Advice ck20 or ck27

[grizzlydave]

Hi all im looking for a cut with loader , i will be building a house so there will be digging , back filling , grading , driveway building and everything else thats involved . Several people have said the ck 20 is a beast of a machine for its size , the only down fall is there is no shuttle shift option which for me is a must ! I have a 55 horse tractor at the farm 25 miles away and just wont be practical to drag back and forth . I know there are a ton of very experienced people on here and would like your opinion on which machine to get

 

[IslandTractor]

Both very capable and solid machines. Major obvious difference is size. Obviously the 27 is bigger, not just in engine but overall. Lift capacity with loader is almost identical though (the 27 lifts maybe 50-70lbs more but the 20 lifts over 1000lbs). You mentioned shuttle shift: that is only available on the 27. The 20 comes with either manual tranny with syncho in 1st and R but no shuttle. 20 and 27 also come with HST option, the 20 has 2 range and the 27 has 3 range HST.

Both very fine tractors. I owned a CK20 HST for several years. It was a little beast and did a huge amount of work. I've not operated the 27 but have driven the closely related CK30 which is also very nice. I liked (and miss) the compact but sturdy size of the 20 for it's manuverability.

Again, if shuttle shift is the most important feature you are limited to the CK27 but they are both excellent machines.

 

[earljr59]

I have a ck 25,and really like it. I think the ck27 is the newer model and basically looks the same.This is a handy size and impresses me on what it can do.I agree with Island Tractors comments and think you will be impressed with either size. My ck25 has the shuttle and it works well for me. Good Luck:thumbsup:

 

[grizzlydave]

I drove the ck 20 hst today now i understand what alot of people were talking about when they said it cant go up hills in high range , it stalled out going up a small (8 foot rise in his parking lot , pavement at that ) I couldnt believe it ! Maybe i've spent to much time on big machines but any tractor should have been able to make this slight incline ! The dealer did not have a gear ck20 on the lot , so i would like to hear from any ck20 gear owners on its performance , it would have to better ! Thanks for the replies

 

[VictorW]

If you think the CK20 might be the size you want, I wait until you could drive a gear. The CK20 only has a two speed range but the CK27,30,35 have a three speed range in the hydro. Some guys have said that high in a CK20 hydro is a little weak.

From some of the jobs you mentioned, the CK27 gear might be better. More hp and weight for grading and driveway building and also a shuttle shift which you mentioned was a must.

I'd definately try to drive both before you buy.

 

[rimshot]

I agree with what the guys are saying about the CK20 high gear and steep grades. I drive one and it is no hot rod. It's the smallest and handiest little tractor Kioti makes but I can't do a wheely with the thing as long as it is in high gear going up hill (especially with the backhoe on). That's what low range is for. But I can do everything the original poster is asking.

What's the rush anyway? I just take my time and out manuever the ck 25's & 27's and 30's. They might beat me up the hill but when that new basement gets backfilled I'll be right there at the finish line with the rest of the pack. Back on the Farm I remember When we bought a brand new Massey Ferguson with what they called multi power. Guess what, that new (at the time) tractor wasn't about to get up the hill in high gear either. We just down shifted and away we went.

There is always something bigger and stronger and can climb a more challenging grade. Either tractor will work for the job at hand.

rimshot

 

[bearhawk]

I have a CK20HST and I stay in low gear all the time unless traveling on the road.

I find even when able to use high, it is just uncomfortable going fast on uneven terrain. Maybe it's just me, or my back.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thinking about this some more, I would go for the CK20 HST as a construction or project tractor but would go for the CK27 shuttle as a field mower or bush hog machine. Both tractors can serve in either role but that is how I would distinguish their relative strengths. Maneuverability and equal loader strength favor the CK20 in tight quarters while the extra PTO HP, one foot larger implements, and longer wheel base favor the 27 in the field.

 

[grizzlydave]

Thats exactly why i am looking at both machines because once the house is done there will be 2 acres to finish mow 4 acres to brush hog and the never ending hunt for fire wood plus snow removal

 

[Gittyup]

The problem with the CK20 gear is only two reverse speeds, and both are pretty slow. With the shuttle you get 8 reverse speeds, where is proported to be about 80% of the corresponding forward speed. I've used both, and own a CK25 gear. Going in reverss is a huge difference.

Other advantages of the bigger tractor:

• way more hydraulic flow means faster more agile hydraulics
• bigger backhoe; that extra foot of reach can really make a difference
• much more weight lets you put the power to the implements, especially backhoes
  weight also makes safer and more stable for loader work
• handles bigger implements in general, like chippers, tillers, bush hogs, and mowers, box blades, etc.
• Larger loader bucket

Having used both to do real work, anyone that thinks the CK20 will finish faster, or as fast, as its bigger brother, is wrong in almost all cases. The CK20 is capable, but not quite as much so as the CK27 would be. I've moved over a 1000 tons with mine, and it's been a real beast.

But, if it were me, I'd go for the CK35 HST. This machine is awesome. HST is better, provided the tractor has enough HP (like the CK35). The CK27 will be best in the gear version, though. That's why I went that way.