Deciding: LK3054, CK30

[LedgeMagnet]

I have 8 acres, mostly woods, mostly hilly and rocky, a small lawn (mostly gardens by now), and a small pasture with sheep, goats and a donkey in it.

I need something to gather firewood which would include light skidding of logs, move snow, repair a septic system (not a complete redo), move manure (out of a paddock and into a spreader, a smallish old ground-driven one), and turn more of my woods into pasture. I have no need to mow grass. My woods are pretty hilly, so things are tight, and stability is an issue.

I have looked at the 3054 and the CK30. I looked also at the DK35, but I am put off by the weakness in loader curl (unless they've fixed it).

Overall, the CK30 seems better to me, for the reasons you might expect, but I am wondering about the 3054XS TLB package:

1) How much stronger is the BH mounting on the TLB than on the regular 3054 or the CK30, which doesn't seem to have a TLB package yet?

2) Is the 1231 loader that comes with the 3054XS TLB (at least that is what the pictures show) enough stronger a rig to justify the cost?

3) How much ground clearance (if any?) do you give up with the different subframe setup in the TLB package? I won't often want the BH in the woods, and once it's off, I don't want a lot of steel hanging low.

4) Does all that steel around the 3ph on the TLB interfere with any 3ph implements, and do they give you the pieces to put the 3ph back in working order?

Does anyone have experience with this version of the 3054 or, failing that, care to hazard a guess on this stuff?

 

[KiotiJohn]

I was very impressed with what I saw of the 1231 loader that I saw at my dealer's one day. It seemed to be much more beefy than the KL120 or KL130 loader, had metallized hydaulic tubing and came with the brushguard packaged with the loader. I would have to say it would be a better loader than many. As for the BH hookup, I'm not sure if there is any difference in the way the subframe hooks up over the regular backhoes made for that model. I know Kioti says something about a one touch disconnect or something like that, but I haven't seen that dedicated system yet. I know someone at Kioti, an engineer, told me it wouldn't be as easy to quick connect/disconnect as the regular loader and backhoe because it was designed more as a dedicated TLB, but I don't know for sure. I do know that the 3054XS that I tried out was awsome for a tractor of it's size.
Backhoe hardware on my CK20 doesn't take an awful lot out of the clearance, maybe 5-6" in two spots, front and at the PTO hookup, but it, so far, hasn't been a problem for me. If I were not going to use the BH much, I could easily put it back to the way it was before the BH install and go back to the full clearance, but I haven't found it necessary.
As far as I know, when the backhoe is off, all 3pt implements can be easily used on TLB just as on the regular set up for the 3054XS. Now don't quote me, but I think it will come with all that any 3054 would, including the top link and 3pt. arms, but check with a dealer.
Either of these tractors would be fine for what you want to do. The CK30 has advantages in the telescoping hitch arms and the bevel crank lift arm etc. as well as 12.7gpm total hydro flow, (including steering and main pump) and the 3054XS has only 10gpm. This would mean a little faster hydraulic reactions for the CK30 over the 3054, but it may not be enough to worry about.
My suggestion is that you really try out both to see how they fit YOU. They're both seem to be great CUTs. John

 

[LedgeMagnet]

Thank you, KJ, for your usual extensive and informed answers.

I did see the TLB mounting on the 3054. It is a very heavy frame- mostly 1/2" steel as I remember it - that comes up the back of the hitch area. The 3ph parts, except for the lift arms themselves, are removed to mount the bh, which makes me wonder if there is interference with implements once the bh is removed but the frame remains. I can't resolve this concern by trying out the tractor unless I can do so with a variety of implements, which isn't feasible. The loader also has a "wrap-around" subframe (though quite a bit of it isn't really "sub" anything!), but that doesn't present a problem, unless the frame is heavier underneath in a way that takes away ground clearance. I don't care much about how easy it is to remove things, since the tractors I'm used to - old beater farm units - are inconvenient in every way, and I think I'll be ahead conveniencewise no matter which Kioti I get.

The essence of it is that while I like the idea of the strengths of the TLB option, I wonder what compromises there might be in non-TLB uses - so to speak: creeping around in the woods, using a scraper blade, that sort of thing.

 

[lablovers]

LedgeMagnet,
I may be a little biased and really not up to speed on the CK30, having bought a LK3054XS TLB recently. Now to be honest mine is not the one shown in the Kioti web site with the 4 post cover. It was not out at the time and was what I wanted at the time. I must say I am very happy with the tractor. As for removing the BH and subframe, it is really quite easy and there is no problem attaching 3pt hitch items. My property is quite hilly and I love the shuttle shift. Using the brakes to jocky around the tractor in a tight spot has been a blessing. My son was amazed at some of the tight spots we got it into. KiotiJohn has done a great job of discussing the other issues. Wish I could address your issues about the CK30 but I can't. Good luck with your decision.

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The 3ph parts, except for the lift arms themselves, are removed to mount the bh, which makes me wonder if there is interference with implements once the bh is removed but the frame remains. )</font>
There is no interference. All you take off is the top link, and you can either push in, or take off the draw bar that goes into the bottom mount. The rear BH mount is only lower, not further out than the original one when you don't have a BH.
John