CK30 or LK30

[Ski21]

Well think I'm going to go with kioti, now I may look to get the DK35 HST. I wonder how much they go for with a loader.

 

[miramadar]

I think you'll find Kioti a great machine for loader work/ground engagement. They're heavy machines. From my research, they seem to be heavier than almost any other comparable model. And that weight is important in moving dirt. My advice to you would be to get as much HP as you can afford. I have a CK27 (28 hp) and it does very well, but additional ponies are always good to have.

 

[Ski21]

Well I decided on a DK35. Now just need to wait for my insurance money from an accident to come in, so I can put it down on one. I wonder if a DK35 would pull a 6ft brush hog.

 

[DK35vince]

Well I decided on a DK35. Now just need to wait for my insurance money from an accident to come in, so I can put it down on one. I wonder if a DK35 would pull a 6ft brush hog.

Yes.
I have a DK 35 and it runs my 6' King Kutter brush mower fine. It also has no problem running a 7' rear finish mower, 7' backblade, 6' boxblade, 6' rototiller, 8 1/2' backhoe and a 2 bottom plow.

 

[JoelD]

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.

My favorite part of my LK3054xs TLB is the way the hoe comes on an off. A true 4 point set up. Very very easy on and off. One lever and I'm off. The hoe mounts very differently than any other in Kioti's lineup and it is what sold me on the machine. It is very easy to put on the three point arms once the hoe is off.

I have more rocks than dirt and my bucket, the heavy duty one, is dinged up pretty good from rocks, I also noted the much thicker walls on my bucket and I'm glad I've got them.

My hoe frame is very high and tight to the machine.

Here is a picture of the hoe off.

Joel

 

[Gittyup]

I guess I was wrong about ease of on/off of the LK backhoe. What I was really trying to do is point the user to where these tractors are fundementally different. Asking the dealer should bring these to light, unless that dealer has a hidden agenda to sell one over the other, which sometimes happens.

 

[mikefromnh]

SKI

Have you priced the Bobcat versions yet?

 

[TheRegMan]

Just be aware with the Bobcat versions that they do not use the Kioti loaders and the ones they do use do not have the same capability as the Kioti loaders.

 

[JoelD]

I guess I was wrong about ease of on/off of the LK backhoe. What I was really trying to do is point the user to where these tractors are fundementally different. Asking the dealer should bring these to light, unless that dealer has a hidden agenda to sell one over the other, which sometimes happens.

One thing Gitty is the three point arms do not stay with the tractor when hoe is on, I think some of the other models do, that could be inconvenient for some.

Joel

 

[miramadar]

Yes.
I have a DK 35 and it runs my 6' King Kutter brush mower fine. It also has no problem running a 7' rear finish mower, 7' backblade, 6' boxblade, 6' rototiller, 8 1/2' backhoe and a 2 bottom plow.

Good advice there, all in one tight package!

A side note...I bought a used 12" 2-bottom plow last week. I wanted a 1-bottom, but the 2-bottom came along at a good price ($200) so I snatched it up. I was concerned that my 28HP Kioti would have trouble pulling it. My first use was to turn over some ground for my neighbor. It was a nice flat area that was excavated a couple of years ago. Hard as a rock, clay dirt. I figured if the plow was going to be a problem, this should tell me. Well, the Kioti went through it like butter! Turned the ground very nicely. I was impressed.

Congrats on the DK35! If I would have had the money, I would have gotten that model. Lots of power! And that has the KL140 loader, right?