Kioti CK30 Questions

nvip9r · Aug 23, 2009

Hey everyone, been monitoring the forum for awhile and now have a couple questions. I am looking into purchasing a Kioti CK30 Gear tractor. Has really low hours and is like new, guy took really good care of it. Wondering on a good price point? Has the KL130 loader and a brushog. I have been reading about the tractors and seem to be a reliable and great tractor. But what about the loader, I read about the cracking issue. Now how do I tell if it is the upgraded loader or if it has an issue. I am going to check the inspection area in the loader arms. Now if it has never been fixed, can I get it fixed even if the warranty is over. I beleive the tractor is a 2006. Any info would be great or should I keep looking for a different tractor? Thanks again Nick

MichiganIron · Aug 23, 2009

Determining if the loader is the older style or the re-designed loader is pretty simple. If the toque box terminates at the loader arms, and has the hydraulic lines inside the box with an inspection plate bolted to the back of the torque box, it is the older style loader. If the toque "box" is a hollow round that extends through the loader arms, with a protective cover over the hydraulic lines, it is the newer loader.

You can also get the serial number of the loader and ask a dealer. TB serial numbers are the newer design loaders.

If the inspection plate isn't on the loader, and there is a bracket bolted over the torque box, the update kit has been installed.

nvip9r · Aug 24, 2009

I thank you for your input. Surprised more peopel haven't had opinions. I am wondering if I were to buy the machine and ran into the issue since it is a design flaw would I get the fix? Guess I will try and contact the original dealer and/or Kioti. Thanks for any help.

VictorW · Aug 24, 2009

I have a 2005 CK30hst with the older style loader that has the inspection plate as described by Michigan Iron. I never had the kit installed on it and I still have no cracks with around 400 hours total. Not all loader hours but I have put the loader through its paces and some have been pretty hard. Have the person take off the plate and take a look. I think it's 13mm for the six bolts. The cracks start from the bolt hols and go out which you can see by or in the cracked paint.
Good luck on the tractor. Mine has worked well with only one small warranty issue. It was replacing one of the fel lift cylinders because it had rust pits in the chrome rod from the day of purchase.

nvip9r · Aug 24, 2009

Thanks, that is good to hear. I will inspect that area when I go check it out. They seem like a nice tractor and have read some good things. thanks

Dodgeram · Aug 25, 2009

I also have a 2005 CK-30.
Closing in on 350hrs and no cracks.
It's a great little tractor and has done everything I've ask of it.
I'd buy another, no question.
Tom

IslandTractor · Aug 25, 2009

The loader cracks issue is more of an annoyance and hassle than reason to avoid those loaders. No one has ever really broken one due to the cracking and most of what you read about on TBN has to do with Kioti's inefficiency in coming up with a repair kit and their poor communication on that subject. I wouldn't hesitate to get a used CK30 with the KL130 loader and either just keep an eye on it or go ahead and put on the modification kit. I would be surprised if Kioti did not make one available to you even though the original program ended about a year ago.

Harvey7 · Aug 25, 2009

I have a ck25 with the older loader, no issues with cracking, the dealer did the mod, been a great tractor. Not sure what may be a good price, I'm in Canada and it's a whole different pricing world. Good Luck

di2hunt · Sep 20, 2009

Hi Guys, been a while since I've logged on but I still try to keep up. I was interested in what you were going to say about pricing. I have been completely satisified with my CK30 TLB. The next one is going to be Kioti also. Mine is a 2007 with a Woods BH unit. Its a BH6500 with the woods subframe. Its got a Long 4 in 1 bucket on the FEL. Its got 330 hours and will be for sale at 400 hours, in EC. I want the DK55 Gear TLB. QA bucket. Not sure about he cab thing yet. Anyway, I plan to keep checking up so let me know what you are thinking.

nvip9r · Sep 20, 2009

We ended up getting it, 109 hr 2006 CK30 gear, 2375backhoe, kl130 loader, 5' brushog for 14K. Now looking for a trailer. Seems like a great tractor even though haven't really done anything with it yet. But soon. Also Kioti told me they are sending hte repair fab kit for the loader and now need to get it to the dealer for installation.

thanks