Buying Advice CK20S HST, 216HST, or something else?

[Not Retired Yet]

Hi everyone. I've been reading the forums for a while but am just now joining. I'm looking for guidance, input, suggestions, etc. As with a lot of others, I'm looking for a first tractor. I probably won't buy until the end of summer or so but I'm starting the research now. I have zero tractor experience or knowledge so I definitely want to go new. (Also, new gives the warranty and usually better financing rates.) I've tried to list all the information I could below. Sorry for the length of the post but I sure will appreciate any information you guys can provide!

Thanks


Background:
5-8 acres (about 1/2 uneven wooded, 1/2 mostly even pasture) total 13 acres but the rest is way too steep for a tractor

Things that I need to do:
Selectively clear the wooded area
Install drain tile(s)
Dig out stumps
Dig out some large rocks in the pasture
Put in fences and gates
Fill in some washed out areas (smooth things out)
Maintain a few ditches
Lots of other stuff I'm sure I'll think of later!

What I think I'll need (or want) initially:
Hydro transmission
Smaller frame to better fit under tree limbs and between trees (planning to leave most of the larger trees in place but remove the smaller stuff)
Front end loader
Backhoe
Pallet forks to move brush (cheaper than grapple)
Auger (and 3 point hitch)
20-25 HP
Filled R4 tires (will need to work in the yard at times and figured filled R1's would tear it up)
Need to keep under $20k total to keep the payments manageable

I'm just starting the research but based on specs only, it looks like the Kioti CK20S HST and Mahindra 2216HST are the front runners. I'm basing this strictly off weight (for stability) and lifting / digging specs of the loader and backhoes as well as hydraulic flow for implement capabilities. Are there other comparable spec'd models I should look at? I'm trying to narrow the options based on costs and known needs but at the same time I don't want to overlook anything. Whatever I end up buying I expect to keep a long time. It would be fine with me if whatever I purchase lasts as long as I do. :laughing:

 

[James Loehr]

Welcome to the forum. You may want to look at a bit larger tractor for your needs. Those you have listed will do but somthing with some more loader capacity and weight may do it easier and better. There are lots of brands and they all will do the job for you. It just depends on the dealer that has what you need and you can work with. I would stay with the big three (Deere,Kubota,Massey) for the long term you want. Parts and service are just easier to find. Good luck with your search.

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Thanks. I initially thought about larger tractors but then backed off due to cost plus with leaving the larger trees I'll need to maneuver around them as well as be able to go under hanging tree limbs. I'm not too concerned about how quickly I can do the cleanup - I enjoy the time clearing underbrush and cleaning it up when I'm there and I have years before I can retire anyway.

It looks like the closest dealers to the farm are a couple John Deere and a couple Kioti that have been around a number of years. Mahindra is there but just for a short while so far. With that in mind, what does anyone think of a CK20S or JD 2320 capabilities?

 

[Gittyup]

Both are nice tractors. But, the CK20 is a better digger due to weight and hydraulics. The Deere would be better for mowing. A fold down roll bar might be optional on the Deere, not sure though. Hydraulic remote options are more limited on the Deere too, as I recall. Then again, it's hard to beat JD engineering for ease of use and attachment options.

I don't think either is really that much more manueverable than the next size up machines (CK27/30/35 or JD 2520). The bigger ones are just a tad wider and longer. Properly thinned trees are going to be at least 20 feet apart anyway. If things are going to be really tight for you, then every inch counts, though. Sitll, the bigger machines will give you a lot more digging power, especially the CKs.

 

[rimshot]

I agree with the OP in that the CK-20 fits the bill as he specified. I have a
CK-20 with a backhoe and FEL and I am closing in on 600 hours. One o my first jobs was to clear stumps for a road through my woods. This meant I had to follow a straight line through a mixture of mature Connifer an mixed hardwoods. Along the way I ran smack into several large stumps. (see pics) This CK-20 never met a stump it could not eject from the ground.

My neighbor has a small Kubota and it has a three point backhoe. His Kubota is a nice little tractor but I'm afraid the extra weight the CK-20 sports is one reason the CK-20 is so much more effective when it comes to removing stumps.

I'm reasonably assured of course the next larger tractor over the CK-20 would be proportionately more effective, of course.

CK-20 offers lots of bang for the buck so far as I can see.

rimshot

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input. The more I research the more I'm thinking ck20s for bang-for-the-buck. JD does have a lot of options I could use later though... (That's one big stump and log rimshot!)

 

[LAWALLSTRACTOR]

Being a Mahindra dealer, I have taken a CK20 tractor loader backhoe in on trade, and have set the CK20 and the Mahindra 2216 side by side and compared them. You couldn't find 2 different tractors that are more closely matched. Both are nice tractors.

 

[Artesia Aggie]

The JD 2320 should compare favorably with the Mahindra and Kioti. I looked really hard at the Mahindra 2816 vs the JD 2520 recently. The clincher was getting on both of them and trying them out. I just liked the Deere better.

Also, after rebates etc. the Deere 2520 with a 200CX loader was only $600more than the Mahindra 2816 with a loader. So pricewise the Deere was competitive.

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Thanks everyone. Does anyone know how the loader/backhoe abilities compare between the ck20s, Mahindra 2216hst, and JD 2320? Also for hilly, uneven ground would filled R1 or R4 tires be better?

 

[wallace]

Look at the Bobcat CT122
It's basically the same as the Kioti CK20.
It does have a nicer seat and you can get a quick tach bucket on it.