CK30HS vs Kubota L2800

[Bob_Skurka]

My take on the subject is that that L2800 GEAR is a lousy tractor that is antiquated. The L2800HST is a decent basic tractor but not one that I would often recommend. The L3400, in both versions, is a better machine than the L2800 in many ways. The L3130 is a full featured deluxe machine that, when paired with the 723 loader is the top of the class with greater capacity than any other brand I've compared and at a fair, although not necessarily rock bottom, price. Any other loader on an L3130 is a waste of time, the 513 loader is often placed on this machine and is a decent loader, but it is not nearly the match for the 723.

The CK30 a nice machine which is also fully featured. It does not have the capacities of the L3130/723. The only potential problem I see with the CK30 is the 130 loader which is prone to cracking at the cross brace. In fairness, it appears that the loader is being redesigned and that a fix is coming down the line for any of the cracked loaders, so if you buy the 130 loader you'll want to watch it for cracks during the warrenty period. The 130 compares well to the 513 Kubota but not the 723 Kubota loader.


As to some of the specifics you asked about, a telescoping 3pt arm is NOT a hydraulic arm. Telescoping arms are the lower link arms on a 3pt hitch. They connect to the bottom 2 pins on an implment. The telescoping function allows roughly 3" to 5" of play, so if you get "close enough" you can engage the implement without having to muscle the implement too much.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

My take on the subject is that that L2800 GEAR is a lousy tractor that is antiquated. The L2800HST is a decent basic tractor but not one that I would often recommend. The L3400, in both versions, is a better machine than the L2800 in many ways. The L3130 is a full featured deluxe machine that, when paired with the 723 loader is the top of the class with greater capacity than any other brand I've compared and at a fair, although not necessarily rock bottom, price. Any other loader on an L3130 is a waste of time, the 513 loader is often placed on this machine and is a decent loader, but it is not nearly the match for the 723.

The CK30 a nice machine which is also fully featured. It does not have the capacities of the L3130/723. The only potential problem I see with the CK30 is the 130 loader which is prone to cracking at the cross brace. In fairness, it appears that the loader is being redesigned and that a fix is coming down the line for any of the cracked loaders, so if you buy the 130 loader you'll want to watch it for cracks during the warrenty period. The 130 compares well to the 513 Kubota but not the 723 Kubota loader.


As to some of the specifics you asked about, a telescoping 3pt arm is NOT a hydraulic arm. Telescoping arms are the lower link arms on a 3pt hitch. They connect to the bottom 2 pins on an implment. The telescoping function allows roughly 3" to 5" of play, so if you get "close enough" you can engage the implement without having to muscle the implement too much.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The only potential problem I see with the CK30 is the 130 loader which is prone to cracking at the cross brace. In fairness, it appears that the loader is being redesigned and that a fix is coming down the line for any of the cracked loaders, so if you buy the 130 loader you'll want to watch it for cracks during the warrenty period. )</font>
Actually, until they get either a new design or a fix in place for the problem, I would recommend skipping the Kioti loader and go with a Woods, or Rhino loader on the CK30. Rhino used to build the Kioti loaders, and they're very good, but I'm not sure if they have one for the CK30, but probably do.
John

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The only potential problem I see with the CK30 is the 130 loader which is prone to cracking at the cross brace. In fairness, it appears that the loader is being redesigned and that a fix is coming down the line for any of the cracked loaders, so if you buy the 130 loader you'll want to watch it for cracks during the warrenty period. )</font>
Actually, until they get either a new design or a fix in place for the problem, I would recommend skipping the Kioti loader and go with a Woods, or Rhino loader on the CK30. Rhino used to build the Kioti loaders, and they're very good, but I'm not sure if they have one for the CK30, but probably do.
John

 

[Highbeam]

I agree. The CK30 falls between the L3400/2800 and the GL3130. I nearly bought a 3130. The 3ph lift capacity is very high, the 723 loader with HD bucket has fantastic capacity and shouldn't crack.

Kubota is a great company with a longstanding tradition of great products. The price for the 3130 was at least 4000$ higher than the cost for my CK30. If the price gap has shrunk, as I believe it has, the GL3130 might be a better deal.

The L3400 has gotten a bit better with HST and even a cupholder, but it is still very basic compared to the CK or GL. Basic is fine for many people, I like the extras.

 

[Highbeam]

I agree. The CK30 falls between the L3400/2800 and the GL3130. I nearly bought a 3130. The 3ph lift capacity is very high, the 723 loader with HD bucket has fantastic capacity and shouldn't crack.

Kubota is a great company with a longstanding tradition of great products. The price for the 3130 was at least 4000$ higher than the cost for my CK30. If the price gap has shrunk, as I believe it has, the GL3130 might be a better deal.

The L3400 has gotten a bit better with HST and even a cupholder, but it is still very basic compared to the CK or GL. Basic is fine for many people, I like the extras.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

someone should point out that there are a few advantages to the Kubota. The loader will lift a shade more, if your looking at aftermarket loaders since the KL130 appears to not be a great choice right now - you will find that many of them lack the ability to do multiple loader functions at the same time and have no speed dump circuit, at least thats how the lines that I deal with are. All of Kubota's loader have these functions, they also tend to cycle much faster than other products. I suspect the Kubota has a longer wheel base and it does have a size larger front tire so it should ride better.

The bottom line is that you need to get in the seat of each one, drive it around, and buy what you like from who you like. Your going to be happy with either one. I also sell the New Holland TC29 which is a very simular tractor to the CK30. I honestly don't know which one I would rather have.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

someone should point out that there are a few advantages to the Kubota. The loader will lift a shade more, if your looking at aftermarket loaders since the KL130 appears to not be a great choice right now - you will find that many of them lack the ability to do multiple loader functions at the same time and have no speed dump circuit, at least thats how the lines that I deal with are. All of Kubota's loader have these functions, they also tend to cycle much faster than other products. I suspect the Kubota has a longer wheel base and it does have a size larger front tire so it should ride better.

The bottom line is that you need to get in the seat of each one, drive it around, and buy what you like from who you like. Your going to be happy with either one. I also sell the New Holland TC29 which is a very simular tractor to the CK30. I honestly don't know which one I would rather have.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue">
someone should point out that there are a few advantages to the Kubota </font>

Neil, if you are referring to the L3130 versus the CK30, then yes, in addition to the superior capacity, the loader controls on the Kubota are excellent. I've only used a couple aftermarket loaders, but I don't think any of them have had the the ability to do mutliple functions, in fact most of them reminded me of the old 2 lever loaders where only one thing could be done at a time, but they did that with a single lever joystick. So just looking at some loaders is not enough, actually using them can show some functional differences that make the work go much faster.


<font color="blue"> I also sell the New Holland TC29 which is a very simular tractor to the CK30. I honestly don't know which one I would rather have. </font>

I'd be happy with the one that has the loader that does not crack /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif In all seriousness, a CK30 and a TC29/TC31 are pretty similar all the way around (swivel seat on the TC is awesome). But if you put an aftermarket loader on the CK30, then you lose most of the forward visibility that the 130 loader provides. And one of the biggest selling points of the 130 loader (or the New Holland 14LA loader) is that great visibility that the low profile curved booms provide over the sloping hoods. A Woods loader is a nice quality loader, but slap it on either a CK30 or a TC29/31 and you really lose out on a big asset. I'm sold on the curved boom loaders. I've proven (to myself and a few others who have used my equipment) that the curved loaders are faster, easier and safer to use than a dog-leg loader.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue">
someone should point out that there are a few advantages to the Kubota </font>

Neil, if you are referring to the L3130 versus the CK30, then yes, in addition to the superior capacity, the loader controls on the Kubota are excellent. I've only used a couple aftermarket loaders, but I don't think any of them have had the the ability to do mutliple functions, in fact most of them reminded me of the old 2 lever loaders where only one thing could be done at a time, but they did that with a single lever joystick. So just looking at some loaders is not enough, actually using them can show some functional differences that make the work go much faster.


<font color="blue"> I also sell the New Holland TC29 which is a very simular tractor to the CK30. I honestly don't know which one I would rather have. </font>

I'd be happy with the one that has the loader that does not crack /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif In all seriousness, a CK30 and a TC29/TC31 are pretty similar all the way around (swivel seat on the TC is awesome). But if you put an aftermarket loader on the CK30, then you lose most of the forward visibility that the 130 loader provides. And one of the biggest selling points of the 130 loader (or the New Holland 14LA loader) is that great visibility that the low profile curved booms provide over the sloping hoods. A Woods loader is a nice quality loader, but slap it on either a CK30 or a TC29/31 and you really lose out on a big asset. I'm sold on the curved boom loaders. I've proven (to myself and a few others who have used my equipment) that the curved loaders are faster, easier and safer to use than a dog-leg loader.