CK20S HST

[crabjoe]

1st, let me say I'm new here.. I was pointed to this site from a fishing forum I frequent and I currently don't own a thing other then a Craftsman yard tractor. Which I'm killing, ever so slowly....

My needs are fairly small being that I only have 1 acre, but I'm tired of borrowing a friends Skidsteer or shoveling dirt. I started out thinking about a Simplicity Legacy XL, but after reading, I'm thinking something bigger. So now the hunt begins.

As of today, I haven't physically seen any of the Sub compacts or compact tractors, but what I need is something with a FEL. I move a lot of dirt with rocks... And the reason I'm thinking about going with something bigger then the Simplicity is because I'm afraid that the Legacy's FEL won't reach high enough to load my pickup bed and I like all the extra attachments available with the bigger units...

Shoot.. With intros over, let me just say that Kioti updated their website last night. They now show the CK20S and no longer the CK20. From the specs, there seems to be no difference (no HP increase) except the name change and the dash.

That's about it for now.... Now back to work and thinking about which dealers I need to visit this weekend to start looking for a new toy.

 

[asylum575]

Thanks for website update info. The CK20 is a real nice machine. I've been stuck between Kubota's BX24, B7610 and the Kioti CK20. I think the Kioti specs out the best, but the truth of the matter for my size property, just about 1 1/2 acres anything bigger than the BX might be overkill.
I tested the CK a while back and definitely preferred the backhoe. Two drawbacks for me were the price on the mid mount mower and no front blade available. The price on the CK was good compared to the Bseries.

 

[IslandTractor]

I bought a CK20 after nearly killing a Craftsman mower too. It is a great machine and outlifts and out-features the Kubota B series equivalents. It is significantly bigger but not more expensive than the BX series subcompact.

For one and a half acres it depends on what you really need to do. If it is really mostly mowing then go with the BX and MMM. If you are moving a lot of dirt or clearing land then the CK20 starts to shine. I would ignore the MMM as it is unreasonably priced. A decent quality 5ft rear finish mower and 4ft bush hog can be had for close to the price of the Kioti MMM. If I were doing a CK20 again I'd frankly put a 59" Caroni flail on it. That would be a very nice set up for finish mowing and bush hogging and only costs about $1600 shipped. The new KB2465 looks like a very nice BH. I had the KB2365 and it did the job with no complaints.

 

[crabjoe]

It is significantly bigger but not more expensive than the BX series subcompact.

When you say significantly bigger, is it really that much bigger or might it be an illusion? I ask this because when I looked at the dimensions , the BX23 is taller with ROPS and an inch wider, but shorter in length. It kind of surprised me that the CK20S wasn't taller because it's ground clearance is much higher.

Well, I guess I'll know when I start looking this weekend. And to be honest, I'd really like something small because I don't have much room, but the numbers for performance just keep saying CK20S HST. Plus, I need as much bang for the buck as possible because I'm tapped out. In the last couple years, I've bought way to much stuff.

The worst purchase was the Craftsman mower. I should have listened to my CFO when she said get something bigger. She wanted me to get a Deere or MF because she had grown up on a ranch. I told her, "my dad had a Craftsman and it's lasted him over 15 years with not a problem.", all the time thinking "All I'm going to do is cut grass and the only reason he got rid of the Craftsman was because he moved." Little did I know, at the time, I was going to be shoveling so much dirt and how right she was. Now my DYT4000 wobbles (Front axle or something is slightly bent), the cuts way uneven, even after replacing the spindle and blades, and I've got slow leaks in 2 of my tires.... But for now, it'll have to do.

 

[IslandTractor]

When you say significantly bigger, is it really that much bigger or might it be an illusion?

No illusion. The BX looks like a riding mower compared to the CK20. Look at the weight and length of the machines with FEL and BH. As I recall the BX FEL can lift about half of what the CK does and the BH is much smaller too.

The BX is a very nice machine and may be more appropriate for your situation. Kioti doesn't have a machine in that subCUT catagory.

 

[tonybada]

I bought a CK20 after nearly killing a Craftsman mower too. It is a great machine and outlifts and out-features the Kubota B series equivalents. It is significantly bigger but not more expensive than the BX series subcompact.

For one and a half acres it depends on what you really need to do. If it is really mostly mowing then go with the BX and MMM. If you are moving a lot of dirt or clearing land then the CK20 starts to shine. I would ignore the MMM as it is unreasonably priced. A decent quality 5ft rear finish mower and 4ft bush hog can be had for close to the price of the Kioti MMM. If I were doing a CK20 again I'd frankly put a 59" Caroni flail on it. That would be a very nice set up for finish mowing and bush hogging and only costs about $1600 shipped. The new KB2465 looks like a very nice BH. I had the KB2365 and it did the job with no complaints.

what does a ck20 hst with a fel go for?

 

[asylum575]

The ck20hst as a TLB was around $18000, as a T/L probably around 13000. Kioti had a promotion on the CK20gear with loader for $11950. I'm not sure it's still available. I didn't see it on the new website.

 

[coasterez]

If there is a dealer nearby check out the TYM T233 or T273. Capabilities close to the CK and sized more like a BX.

 

[crabjoe]

If there is a dealer nearby check out the TYM T233 or T273. Capabilities close to the CK and sized more like a BX.

Thanks for the info.. It's funny, but I was looking at the TYM site last night and was hoping to stop by a dealer in New Holland, PA on my way to Wallace. I'm also planning on going to look at the Bota's later today.

BTW, do you have one of the TYM sub-Cuts?

Thanks.

 

[coasterez]

I have a CK25. I originally went looking at the CK20. Then realized that for just a little bit more money I could get a lot more tractor. It's way bigger than a man needs for my 2.5 acres. But, I was looking for mostly a digging machine and it sure is nice to have the power, size and weight of the CK25. I don't mow with it. I will say that the old design loader (KL130) is a piece of crap though.

I first looked at the TYM. I really really liked it, but it actually cost more than my CK25. And the CK25 is more tractor. Given the loader problems and lack of anything from anyone to resolve it, I might be sorry that I didn't get the TYM instead. My only concern with TYM is: will they be around in 10 - 15 years? If you think so, and you can swing the extra cost. Get the TYM.