Buying Advice HST or Manual transmission

[jpm1]

Not retired yet, are yu sure it was your fault picking on large trees? Thats hard to believe, in most cases its the "tractors fault!" Mine does it all the time. . .John
HST all the way Baby!

 

[Toucan1007]

John, the size of those logs sure shows the power of the DK35!

 

[Not Retired Yet]

Jpm1 - I'm still a newbie at this. I'm sure it'll wind up the tractor's fault. That'll be another reason to go to a larger tractor later! :-D

 

[Toucan1007]

Not retired yet:
You brought up a great thought! I am looking at a DK45 but I also need to replace my worn out 21 hp Kabota that I use to mow the yard and fence rows.
Maybe if I bought the CK20 first and then tell my wife that it just isn't powerful enough to do the field work and I don't want to tear it up, maybe that will allow me to buy the DK45 as well.

 

[Coyote machine]

Not retired yet:
You brought up a great thought! I am looking at a DK45 but I also need to replace my worn out 21 hp Kabota that I use to mow the yard and fence rows.
Maybe if I bought the CK20 first and then tell my wife that it just isn't powerful enough to do the field work and I don't want to tear it up, maybe that will allow me to buy the DK45 as well.

Go for the DK-40se/hst.... it should allow you to do all you want and cost less then the 45 or 50- just bored out versions of the 40, otherwise same exact tractor.
I've picked up boulders the size of a Mini-Cooper with my log grapple- it's 'freaking' AMAZING.....

 

[IslandTractor]

Go for the DK-40se/hst.... it should allow you to do all you want and cost less then the 45 or 50- just bored out versions of the 40, otherwise same exact tractor.
I've picked up boulders the size of a Mini-Cooper with my log grapple- it's 'freaking' AMAZING.....

Agree. My DK40se HST has more than enough power to run a six foot tiller through new sod. I don't even run it at full PTO power rpm though I do use low range to control speed.

I might opt for the 45 if I had a cab and ran A/C but otherwise I have never wanted for power. The premium Kioti charges for the 45 and 50 is a rip off as the tractors and engine are identical except for bigger stroke and bore.

 

[doelake]

I upgraded from a Kubota L39 TLB with GST (glide shift transmission, not the tax:laughing to the M59 TLB with HST (hydro-static transmission, again not the tax) and found the ease of operation without having to clutch all the time. Works especially well if you are using pallet forks or a bale spear:thumbsup:

 

[flusher]

I am going to buy a new tractor and am looking at the Kioti. I will be using it on our vegetable farm here in Florida. Either a DK45 or DK50
My question is: I need very slow ground speed when planting vegetable plants, basically a crawl. Would I be better with a HST or manual shift transmission? I would prefer the HST but need some advise.
I also need the power when making the beds and tilling this is why I am considering the 2 models. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

HST for sure. My 2005 Kubota B7510HST had HST--worked great for rototilling where you need crawl gears (<<1mph ground speed).



Good luck.

 

[k0ua]

You can go so slow in a HST that a good fast black ant can outrun you, and you can vary that if the load on the tractor get harder just barely give it a little more pedal, and back off if it gets easier.

James K0UA

 

[Toucan1007]

I called a Kioti dealer in my area today and asked if they had a DK40 HST in stock that I could come and look at. He said that he didn't have any DK's in stock (but he could get one) that most of his customers wanting that size of tractor were purchasing the LS tractors which he also sells. He said he has about 35 tractors in stock. He admitted he preferred the Kioti overall.
Does anyone here have or had a LS tractor and what is your opinion of them?