Buying Advice CK30 vs CK28

[Mousefield]

Sounds like good advice. I have a whole "inventory" of life opportunities where I tried to be frugal and later on wished I had not. Is it a big jump from the CK35 to the DK line? Do you ever wish you had stepped up to the DK?

Sometimes I do but in reality, given our 14 acres and what I have used it for the CK35 has worked out very well for me. So I may want a DK40 or 45 but don't/didn't need it. In fact is some cases it probably would have been a detriment to have a larger tractor. Not one size fits all needs.

 

[Gittyup]

I have the CK25 gear. Knowing that PTO HP wasn't a big issue for me because I mainly needed a digger, I opted to save a few dollars. Has been more than enough tractor for my purposes: ground engagement. However, if running pto implements that require a lot of power, I'd go for the CK35. Or step up to the DK40.

Gear will give you more useable PTO HP. But, HST is the better choice as long as you have enough HP to run it. I'm not sure the CK27 in HST would be adequate, depending on added weight and use.

 

[Spanky100]

As near as I can tell, these are the exact same tractor except for the engine. I've been looking at the CK30 but my dealer is suggesting the CK28 to save money. He says the difference in performance is negligible. Will 2 HP make a difference in performance? He also told me that Kioti is planning to discontinue the CK30 for this reason. Comments?

Thanks!

OOPS... I meant to say CK27 which is actually 28HP.

Dustin

I had the same decision to make one year ago CK27 HST versus CK30 HST.

They list the PTO HP between the two HST models at 20.5 for CK27 HST and 22.0 for the CK30 HST. Thus 1.5 HP difference at the PTO. The difference in pricing was about 1000 US Dollars between the two. Dealer which I trust, suggested that not a lot of difference between the two and the CK27 HST would meet my needs well. My highest PTO power need will come from a rear rotary cutter. Dealer let me mow some high grass with a CK30 HST/5 foot rotary cutter. The very thick grass/weeds varied between 4 to 6 feet tall. The CK30 HST did great. My thought is possibly with the CK27 HST I would have to slow some versus the CK30 HST but with with 1.5 (or about 7 percent less) PTO HP not much. I also considered that it would be rare for me to mow 6 foot high dense grass/weeds. The other factor is that for me whien Rotary Cutting the ground is not lawn smooth and I slow down to not beat me or the tractor up. Thus I kept the 1000 more dollars in my pocket and purchased the CK27 HST. I think if you need additional PTO HP then the CK35 HST would be the logical selection, BUT CK35 HST was about 2000 dollars more over the 27. At that difference I would be looking between CK and a DK. Good luck with your selection. Either way CK 27/30/35 you will have a very capable tractor.

 

[IslandTractor]

With 5 foot implements I cannot imagine a noticeable difference between the 27 and 30. The difference in price will allow you to have one extra implement with the 27 which, if properly chosen, will make a whole lot more difference than 1.5 HP at the PTO.

The jump from the CK line to the DK40 is huge however. The DK is a more modern and fully featured design, much heavier and has two and a half times the loader capacity.

I've always thought the best bangs for the buck in the Kioti lineup are the CK20, CK27 and the DK40. Just depends whether you want to run 4,5or 6 ft implements and what loader strength is needed. For mostly mowing I'd also consider the Ck35 and DK35 to save a few bucks over the DK40 while still running either six ft bush hog or seven ft finish mower.

Don't get caught up in the more is better hype. Chose the types and size implement you need and consider FEL tasks first.

 

[dustinfox]

Tough decision... I do not want to spend more than I need to, but at the same time, I don't want to end up wishing I had spent a little more for a tractor that works better for me.

The majority of my work will be digging, clearing, grading a 400' gravel drive... at least initially. After the land is cleared, there will be some scooping and transporting as well. There will be no mowing at all (I have a yard tractor for that) In fact I do not intend to do anything in the lawn/yard area other than transport material for landscaping. Also, possibly some maintaining of a small 40' X 60' garden (but I suspect I will just continue to use my rototiller mostly for that). I may want to run a backhoe at some point.

I wish I could try out the different tractors doing the things I anticipate. I think that would help me decide.

 

[IslandTractor]

Tough decision... I do not want to spend more than I need to, but at the same time, I don't want to end up wishing I had spent a little more for a tractor that works better for me.

The majority of my work will be digging, clearing, grading a 400' gravel drive... at least initially. After the land is cleared, there will be some scooping and transporting as well. There will be no mowing at all (I have a yard tractor for that) In fact I do not intend to do anything in the lawn/yard area other than transport material for landscaping. Also, possibly some maintaining of a small 40' X 60' garden (but I suspect I will just continue to use my rototiller mostly for that). I may want to run a backhoe at some point.

I wish I could try out the different tractors doing the things I anticipate. I think that would help me decide.

Then you need a CK20S. I owned a CK20 before my DK40se and I would go back to in in a minute if my tasks were what you describe. It will dig/lift as well as the CK27/30/35 though perhaps a bit slower with the smaller bucket. Grading a gravel driveway just means a back blade or box blade and the CK20 should be fine with 5ft versions of either. Don't underestimate the power of a CK20 to get work done. You might spend five minutes extra on a task compared to a bigger tractor but you will save storage space, have better manuverabliity and trailerability, and you will save a couple of grand in the purchase. Use the savings to get a grapple or add a grapple arm to your bucket and that will make WAY more difference than horsepower in your clearing and general utility operations. The only downside of the CK20 in my mind is the two speed rather than three speed HST. I found that an issue when mowing on hills but it shouldn't be an issue for the types of tasks you describe. You'll be in low for digging anyway and most likely in low for grading. Middle speed is very useful for mowing but otherwise low for grunt and high for travel suffice.