CK30 or LK30

[Ski21]

Hi all new to the forum and to tractors. Matter of fact this will be my first tractor other then a riding lawn mower. I was wondering which tractor of the 2 in the title would be best to get. I just stopped by and looked at both of these tractors. the LK30 has a Bucket that's 2x as thick as the CK30, and the hoe was beefier too. The salesmen told me that the LK30 was and Industrial heavier duty bucket, and Hoe compared to the CK30, other then being cosmetically different they were the same tractor. I was wondering which one is better though. Is there anyone who has owned one or the other that can comment on it. I got a lot of rocks to be moving or pushing, snow removal, and some work digging water lines, and doing some brush hogging.
The CK obviously comes in HST, do you all recommend this over gears. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Patches]

I have a 3054xs, which is the earlier model of the LK, al-be-it a lower HP model with less hydraulic flow. I looked at the CK, but prefer mine for hoe attachment, and the price was lower in '05 when I purchased mine. I've never operated a CK, so can't really speak to it's capability, but would only assume it's of equal capability and has the option of HST, which was not a major selling point to me at $1600.00 more in price. Being a "first time user", the HST might be of some importance to you. Try them both before you buy

 

[Mousefield]

First of all welcome.
I have a 2008 CK35 HST, great tractor and has worked better than expected. :thumbsup: Got it with a Woods backhoe and 7 position thumb. Now have 209 hours on it and going strong. Think you just need to look at the work you need the tractor for and then get the one that meets your budget.

 

[Ski21]

I did drive them both and the HST was very convenient, but I'm not sure if u can get the heavy duty bucket and backhoe hook up like the LK. I'm afraid that if I'm scooping or pushing some big rocks that the bucket of the CK just won't hold up.
Also are tractors like buying cars. Is there any coming of prices or are the something that's locked in stone. Here is the prices I got
LK30 TLB= 23500
CK30 Loader and Hoe HST=23400
CK30 Loader and Hoe Gear=22500

I can get a L3400 Kubota HST Loader and Hoe for 22900

The kioti's seem like a lot beefier tractor, but was wondering if the prices are negotiable.

 

[Mousefield]

I did drive them both and the HST was very convenient, but I'm not sure if u can get the heavy duty bucket and backhoe hook up like the LK. I'm afraid that if I'm scooping or pushing some big rocks that the bucket of the CK just won't hold up.
Also are tractors like buying cars. Is there any coming of prices or are the something that's locked in stone. Here is the prices I got
LK30 TLB= 23500
CK30 Loader and Hoe HST=23400
CK30 Loader and Hoe Gear=22500

I can get a L3400 Kubota HST Loader and Hoe for 22900

The kioti's seem like a lot beefier tractor, but was wondering if the prices are negotiable.

I like the HST, very easy to use.
Some dealers may move a bit on pricing of tractor or attachments. Remember they do need to make a profit or out of business they go. Does not hurt to ask for a deal. I would suggest you get a set of filters, that way you are not wondering what type you need. I had my dealer add a light to the ROPS and then I added 3 more. Getting hooks welded to your bucket for chaining would also be good, I didn't have it done and wish I had.

 

[mx5guy]

Most will dicker pending on cash sale or financing plan you take, as any of the 0% have a cost to both dealer and consumer ultimatly, I could have save $1,500.00 if I paid cash, instead of 4 year 0%. But very Happy with my CK27HST, $25K in Canada would have been $800 more to go to CK30HST. Hope this helps. Also got him to pay financing, and got full set of filters for first 50 hours, and workshop manual. FEL and Backhoe included in price.

 

[miramadar]

I'm afraid that if I'm scooping or pushing some big rocks that the bucket of the CK just won't hold up.

You're not going to hurt that bucket. I don't think that there is anything that the tractor will push or lift that will damage the bucket. I have a CK27, which is the exact same machine as the CK30, minus a couple of ponies. I have dragged up some huge rocks with mine and only scratched it a little. But you have to be smart about it. Don't try to make the machine do something that it's not designed to do. But again, don't worry about damaging the bucket. It's a good fit for the machine.

As far as getting a "deal", I think that the game is a bit like buying a car. You have a top price that you're willing to pay, and the dealer has a bottom price that they're willing to take. Where those converge is the "deal". As was said before, it doesn't hurt to try. No one's feelings will be hurt...unless you ask for the ridiculous .

Looking at the prices you listed, I would think you could get the CK30 gear for a little cheaper...maybe $1k. But then again, I don't know where you're located or what the market is there.

I've never driven an HST, so I can't really compare. But I love the shuttle shift gear. And I like the feeling of knowing what gear I'm in...especially when going down a steep grade with a load!!

 

[Gittyup]

Look into how easy it is to put on/take off the backhoe and use a 3PH and rear PTO on the LK. Not sure it is best setup for that. It's more of at true TLB, with a tighter fitting backhoe, I think.

The CK backhoe setup will be different, and probably sets farther back off the rear of the tractor. The good part is that on the CKs you don't have to take off the 3PH to put on the backhoe. Most tractors require that you remove the arms before installing the backhoe. Don't know about the LK. If setup right, the CK backhoe will also give you rear remotes that can be used for other things, like log splitter, hydraulic top cylinder, forks. Again, not familiar enough with the LK to know how it's plumbed.

Prices are OK. Maybe a grand high.

HST is much better for loader work. Any rock that the CK can handle, it's bucket will handle too. I've put mine through a lot of work, boulders included and nary a dent. I do have the older style bucket, but I don't think the new one is any lighter duty. Also, the CK comes with a QA bucket, which is nice. Don't think the LK does.

Ask the dealer about these things and get him to show the differences.

 

[Ski21]

Thanks for all the info guys, I really appreciate it. I guess I'll mainly be doing loader work. After doing some more research it looks like the CK is actually a bigger tractor then the LK. The only benefit the LK has was the heavier duty bucket and backhoe. The dealer said that the LK backhoe removal was easy, just pull a handle which realeases it, then put the backhoe bucket on the ground which lifts it off of some hooks, then unhook the hoses and pull off.
The HST seems to be the way I'm leaning, since if I'm going to be working the bucket, I don't want the hassle of having to also work a gearshift too. I won't be doing too much plowing or anything like that. Although after getting the tractor it may inspire me to make a garden in the back acreage hehe. How would a HST do with tiling an some minor plowing.
Hmm I think I'm turning into a country boy, I grew up in the city, and never dreamed of ever owning a tractor

 

[KiotiDave]

Hi Ski...
You will also find the hydraulic system on the CK to be more convenient to work with when adding remotes or removing the hoe or loader.
Good Luck,
Dave G.
KiotiDave
www.uppervalleytractor.com