CK25 in the hills

[sonomagreg]

Hello all! I'm new to the forum and have a couple of questions regarding the Kioti CK25. I live in the mountains of Sonoma Valley California at 1500' eleveation with 6 acres, 1.5 flat 1.5 rolling and 3 between 20-30 degrees slope. the soil is light decomposed forest material with shale rock in areas, no mud. I have decided to purchace a CK25 TLB HST with R4 tires and am looking for comments on my choice. I plan to use the CK25 to: maintain drainage ditches along a 2.5 mile paved road; trenching for construction projects; pulling 50-100 tree stumps; general landscaping, grading and FEL work. I test drove the CK25 and it seams like it will handle the work. Kioti has the most bang for the buck and I have a dealer close by. Is this the right tractor....HP, size, HST, R4??? Thanks for your comments! Greg

 

[AutoUnionTypeC]

Well I'm probably the least experienced member of this pack. But I will say if it was me and I was going to go with the Ck25 I'd have the shuttle shift. If I really had to have a HST unit, I'd make it the Ck30. Otherwise... I wish I were you. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Regards, J

 

[KiotiJohn]

Welcome to TBN first of all.
Secondly, I think the CK25 shuttle shift would be a better choice also, simply because of the work you'll be doing. I think the HST will be hitting the pressure relief too often with the ground engaging (ditch digging) and stump pulling you want to do. Now the backhoe will dig out the stumps, but for pulling smaller trees that are fairly tough, the HST will quit before the shuttle shift. It's one of the few things I don't like about the HST as I've pulled quite a few small trees that would have come right out if I'd only had the shuttle.
Yes, the pressure relief on the CK25/30 is higher than my CK20, but you're still going to hit the relief under much strain.
Since the CK30 has the same pressure relief, I don't think you'd find a lot of difference by going with the HST in the 30 either.
The HST is very nice, and I love using it, but when I add another Kioti to my CK20, it's going to be a shuttle shift for those tougher jobs where a gear transmission won't quit until I say I give up! Try to have the dealer bring the tractor to your property for a short try out doing some of the work you want to do. That's the only way to know before you buy if it's going to be right for your needs.

John

 

[rcrcomputing]

Hmmm, I'm catching on. I had previously read where people had pushed over 5 and 6 inche tree's etc. So when I got my ck30 with hst, I was a bit dissapointed. This thread kinda explains it I guess. While I'm probably still glad I got the hst, I now wish I'd had gone and driven a shuttle just to see...

Maybe my blackjacks are tougher trees... But pushing a "pile" of dirt/clay doesn't work out very well. I lack on push power.

 

[cag]

I have been waiting to try out the CK gear model with shuttle shift...The dealer call last week and said he should be receiving the CK25.. I was kind of hoping it would have been the CK30 with the extra 5 pony's, but like he said the 25 will give me an idea of operation between HST and shuttle.. I'm going to follow advise that I receive here on TBN and look closely to the cut's before purchasing a sub cut...cag

 

[JerryG]

One suggestion.
Get ag tires (R1) for two reasons.
#1. more traction
#2. because most wheels that have ag tires mounted will have adjustable rims. As steep as you say your land is, you need the wheels set as wide as possible.

 

[HODAK]

I guess someone needs to stick up for the CK30HST. Yesterday I was pushing over some scotch pine trees and then scooping out the stump with the FEL. They were around 5" to 6" diameter and I did not have a problem. I was using low range and never experienced any pressure relief. As a matter of fact, I could have stalled the engine once or twice while working on the stump. I was running about 2000 RPM's since I'm still in the break in period with 12 hours so far. The bottom line is that there are and will always be a preference of transmission for the operator. I went from a standard to hydro and had my doubts at first, but now I think it's great. Mowed with a 5" flail mower, hauled firewood, pushed brush piles together and love that HST especially for FEL work.

 

[cag]

Hodak I had a talk with the dealer this morning I wanted to find out when he was expecting is order... I then ask him about the pressure relief valves of the CK30 HST, he stated that one would not experience any pressure relief in low range with the CK30HST, instead tires would spin.. I ask him because I haven't ruled out the HST model yet, I do agree that gear will have an advantage over HST when it comes to pulling out stumps, just like HST could have advantages for FEL work... I'm not trying start something I just wanted to point that out...cag

 

[HODAK]

cag, no problem. I just wanted to address KIOTIJOHN's statement that the hydro would give up before the shuttle. When both tractors start to spin, what's the difference? I don't use high range for working and I know what it feels like to exceed the relief valve setting. Like a gear, you wouldn't try starting out on a hill in fourth gear. Hey, I enjoy these conversations though. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just wanted to address KIOTIJOHN's statement that the hydro would give up before the shuttle. )</font>
You've had good luck with yours, and your soil may be different than others' soil, but there's no doubt a gear transmission will pull longer than an HST will. It's not usual for the tractor to stall before relief is hit. The little extra pull before the tires start to spin may be all someone needs to finish the job, but if the relief is hit, that's it.
I'm glad you're not having problems with your jobs, but read rcrcomputing's post. He's not having the same result as you are.
I have HST as well, and I like it for what it does, but there are times a gear would serve me better. I think that's the case for many.
John