Help please! CK2510 or CK30?

[onelostdogg]

Hi all,

Shopping for my first tractor. I have zero experience and am still trying to learn all the basics so that I am happy with my decision. I will be using it mostly for moving mulch, topsoil, sand and firewood in addition to plowing and maintaining our 900' steeply sloped gravel driveway. Eventually I would like to buy a grapple for moving large rocks and for brush and downed tree removal on our 8 acres of woods on the north side of a ridge. No mowing as that is done with a lawn tractor.
Today I went to our local Kioti dealer, who has a very good reputation in the area. He is about 15 miles away. We also have a Yanmar dealer about 5 miles away.

The Kioti guy gave me two quotes: CK2510 Hydro with loader and 50"bucket, rear remotes ran to the front and SSQA 17,100 out the door. The other quote is CK30 Hydro set up exactly the same way except 60" bucket for 20,400 out the door.

I am looking at the specs for both and the CK25 will meet my needs very well. Loader specs on the 30 seem to be only maybe 10% higher in most numbers I think.

So my question is Is the larger heavier frame and a little bit more capacity worth the extra $3,000 when the CK25 would most likely be enough tractor for my needs?

Please give me all the opinions you care to. What things am I not considering that I should be?

The extra 3K would not be a strain but don't really want to spend more than I need to.

Thanks in advance everyone for your help.

Edit: Completely forgot quote on Yanmar EX3200. Same setup for 23,200. But on paper the numbers don't look as good (?)

John

 

[Teachu2]

I have yet to meet someone who complained that they bought too much tractor....

 

[Billrog]

It's well worth the extra $3,000 if that's what you need but not necessary if you don't require a larger tractor.

 

[Teachu2]

in addition to plowing and maintaining our 900' steeply sloped gravel driveway

Here's where the extra 900lbs of tractor comes into play - it will plow much better, has a wider bucket, and handle a bigger, heavier box scraper.

 

[Gittyup]

Hydraulic flow, 3 range tranny, and weight set the CK30 apart. All important qualities for diggers.

 

[paulfun9]

CK2510 standard
Foldable ROPS Hydrostatic Power Steering Rear PTO Headlights Safety Lights Cup Holder Electric Panel Wet Multi-Disc Brakes Joystick Valve Adjustable Seat Parking Brake - See more at: CK2510 HST Compact Tractor | Kioti Tractors

CK30 standard options
Foldable ROPS Hydrostatic Power Steering Rear Differential Lock Front & Rear PTO Single Lever Joystick Control Headlights Safety Lights Wet Disc Brakes 3-Point Hitch Speed Adjuster Safety Start Switch Seat Belt Suspension Seat with Reclining Backrest Bevel Gear Front Axle Tilt Steering Telescopic 3-Point Hitch Ends Telescopic Stabilizer Removable Draw Bar Crank Adjustable Lift Rod Cup Holder Flip-up PTO Guard Dry Single Clutch Crank Adjustable Lift Link Foot Throttles (mechanical) Cruise Control - See more at: CK30 HST Compact Tractor | Kioti Tractors

Then consider that the extra PTO HP, HYD flow, 561 LBS lift on the 3 point, 882 LBS more weight, 3 SPD hydro compared to 2, will do for you with all the jobs you have in mind. For me just glancing at the specs tells me that with your intended use you will be much better off with the CK30 in the long run.

 

[Amvcane]

I'm with Gittyup, 3 speed tranny and increased hydro flow sold me. I went to buy a ck 20 and left with a CK35.

 

[tman1020]

Both tractors are very nice but for what you are describing I highly recommend the CK 30. The extra weight power and features is well worth the price difference. Look at it this way if you had both tractors sitting in your shed you would most definitely use the CK 30 for all of the tasks you mentioned. They both will work but the CK 30 will do it better.

 

[VictorW]

I have a CK30hst and owned it for 10 years now. The 2510 your looking at is similar to the older CK20hst. Yes it is a little hard working tractor for it's size but not equal to the CK30hst. As mentioned, the 30 has more weight to hold the tires down for traction, 5.5hp more, 3 speed ranges, bigger tires, more hydro flow, and a bunch of others that were mentioned. Members had said the older CK20hst with only 2 speed ranges was ok but the low was to low and the high was just for highway travelling and wished there was a middle range. I do very similar work to what you mentioned and wouldn't want less of a tractor.

 

[davrow]

And you mention a grapple. On the CK2510 you lose lift capacity equal to the weight of the grapple. The CK30 has more lift, so even with the grapple your lift is higher than the CK2510 without a grapple! Go with the CK30. That 3-range tranny makes a big difference for me.