Mowing CK20HST mower deck

[asylum575]

Does anyone own a CK20 with the side discharge mower deck. I've been planning to buy a compact TLB and was all set on the other orange tractor BX24, because of it's do it all package. I have a little over an acre to clear and landscape. I've looked at the CK20 and like the size and hydraulics. I know the backhoe and subframe have to come off to mount the mower deck. I'm just wondering how good is the cut. The other option is to get a separate zero turn rider. I would use the unit as a TLB initially and use my old craftsman to mow. But, I figure after most of the landscaping is done the tractor will become my main mower in the summer and the snow remover in the winter. I would keep the loader and backhoe for occassional use.

 

[Woodbeef]

Why not go with a 3pth mounted finish mower then since you already have an old rider? The CK20 would pull a 60".

 

[malk315]

I have the DMM-60 mid-mount side discharge 60" deck.

My CK-20 replaced my Toro wheel horse 315 classic tractor w/ 42" side discharge deck.

My buddy has a craftsman 42" lawn tractor w/ 2 bladed deck.
I always thought the Toro did a more even and nicer cut than the craftsman mainly since it's a 3 bladed deck w/ high blade velocity.

I also think the CK-20 w/ DMM-60 does a nicer job than my old toro and a much better job than a craftsman.

I like the MMM because when I mow w/ the loader on, the whole machine isn't ridiculously long and I can get into and around things and only have to worry about the loader clearing things. I will be taking the loader off soon to help reduce weight.

Some guys worry about weight -- I have loaded tires, so a 3000lb mowing setup could compress the soil. I haven't noticed any problems and I'm pretty fussy about my lawn (looks like a golf course).

I do plan to get an aerator -- that will help address any soil compression problems.

I'm very happy w/ my setup. I would not want to go back to my toro machine.

Deck removal is quite easy too, no tools required -- just lower it all the way down, quick disconnect the drive shaft, pull 6 pins and yank the deck out from under. It's heavy, but not too bad. It helps to have the loader on to pick up the front of the machine for easier deck removal clearance from the front tires.

My profile has a picture of my setup.

I may get some weight for the front if I end up doing wheelies w/ loaded tires and no loader on the front to balance. Haven't tried mowing w/ no loader yet.

If you have more of a yard setup like me (1.1 acre) as opposed to a field, I think the MMM is the way to go. I can get nice and close to the house, around trees, etc w/ the deck sticking out beyond the tractor width. No need to back into areas to cut close -- I think that would be awkward w/o an MMM.

Best of luck in your search.

 

[asylum575]

Thanks for the reply,
I'm still on the fence between the BX24 and the CK20HST. Seems that both do a fine job mowing and my only decision is size of the TLB. I'll have to take another look at them and go for the one that feels the best.

 

[malk315]

One thing that's nice about the CK-20 is you can buy it w/o the backhoe and then get the backhoe later if you don't want to spend all the $$$ now.

If I remember correctly, they will not separate the backhoe from a BX-24, you have to buy the whole TLB in one shot. If you buy the non-tlb version (BX-2400 or whatever they're calling it these days), you cannot get a backhoe later -- only a 3 point mount backhoe which isn't as sturdy as the subframe version that goes on the BX-24.

 

[IslandTractor]

You cannot put on the subframe mounted backhoe on the CK20 if you have the mid mount mower. Incompatable. You'd have to remove the bolted on subframe attachment points which would be a royal PITA.

If you go with the CK20 TLB get a 60" rear finish mower instead of the MMM.

Another point: it is very hard to compare the BX24 TLB to the CK20. The Kioti is a lot more tractor, is much heavier, has a significantly stronger loader and a bigger BH. The comparison for the CK20 is the Kubota 7510 TLB (which is still substantially lighter than the Kioti).

 

[malk315]

Yes -- Island makes a great point and I should have realized knowing you're interested in a TLB. The MMM adds sleaves that go over the rear 3 point arms and various hardware underneath w/ rock shafts to accomodate the 6 points the deck is hung from. You would not want to have to take all of this hardware off each time you put the backhoe on and put it all back on when going back to a mower setup.

Let us know what you end up getting. I think you'll be happy w/ the ground clearance of a compact tractor instead of a sub-compact.

After having a toro wheel horse 315 w/ kwik-way loader and not being able to get into certain areas of my property due to badly uneven ground, I can easily get where I need to w/ the CK-20.

 

[asylum575]

Spoke to the dealer yesterday. He mentioned that Kioti is working on a newly designed deck. I think it's being made in New Zealand. Suppose to cut better than the old one. I haven't heard many complaints about the old deck except with the Backhoe mounts. I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a CK20HST TLB and may want the mowing option when most of the heavy work is done.

 

[IslandTractor]

I haven't heard many complaints about the old deck except with the Backhoe mounts.

Biggest complaint I have other than incompatability with BH is the price. About $2700 as I recall for a Kioti 5ft belly mower. Compare that to about $1700-1900 for a premium brand RFM where you get the choice of side or rear discharge.

 

[malk315]

Asylum-

If you find out any more info on the new deck, let me know. I'd be very curious how it's mounted etc. as I'm always interested in improvements. I'd like to see pictures of what it looks like / features, etc.

One thing I think would be a big improvement is to make it so the rear guide wheels are caster style instead of fixed. Dragging the very heavy deck out from under the tractor can be a pain and caster is how a lot of decks are designed to deal w/ it.