LB1914 performance

[DMB]

I've recently purchased five acres and have a new house starting soon. My subdivision lot push mower days will soon be at an end. I'm thinking compact tractor versus lawn tractor for the versatility of a PTO and a 3 point. The land of which about half is in timber isn't really rough, but it's not totally smooth either. I figure the durability of a compact will be better. I'm going with a long setback from the road so a long driveway will be part of the package. What I need is a unit that will handle a five foot finish mower, a blade for snow removal, something to take in the woods to help with removal of dead or dying timber and part of the land will be fenced, so a PTO driven post hole digger sounds like the ticket. The LB1914 has caught my eye due to it's features and price. I'd like to hear comments on it's suitability, performance, reliability and durability. Also, the LB1914 is a gear driven trans. I have no problem with that, but is a unit with HST worth the extra $$$? I've never even owned a riding mower so user friendliness and maintenance are concerns. I've always done most all of my own home and auto/truck reapair and maintenance myself so I'm not helpless, but none of those things are a tractor! Your comments appreciated!
Thanks, DMB in Ky.

 

[virgil]

the 1914 is a good tractor. it will handel a 5 foot finish mower, if you stay after the grass. That is to say, if you get a few weeks behind in your mowing chores, the 5 foot will most likely be a little too much. I would sugest a rear (3-point) mounted finish mower. My PERSONAL opinion of any mid- mount mower is poor at best. But then again I have very few coustomers who require an "estate" type mower.

1.I have never been satisfied with the steering on the 1914.
2.The 1914 does not have a shuttle.
3.It is more difficult to get on and off of any LK series tractor, this includes the 1914.
4.None of my 1914 coustomers (and there are many) have ever complaned about the ability of the tractor to dig post holes.
5. The price is right for a 1914
The lk 1914 tractor will do everything any other tractor IN ITS CLASS will do. Kioti is a good product.

1.The Ck 20 is avalable with a hydrostat transmission
2.The CK 20 is much easier to get on and off of.
3.The Ck 20 is much more "user friendly".
4. The preventative mantanence is so much more important on ANY hydrostat transmission. (that is the price you pay for the convienence of "not shifting geers")
5. The CK 20 is a new machine, it was introduced to the U.S. market this year.

Sir- can I elaborate a little on the mantenance of the hydro?
We have been in the tractor buisness since the mid 90's. there have been many "hydros" threw my shop. It does not matter what color tractor it is, green, blue, orange, the other orange, yellow, etc,etc.... You need to change the oil AND filters in a regular and timely fashion. So far, all the hydro failures that have gone threw my shop can be DIRECTLY attributed to the ABSENCE of the required mantenance. Fixing ANY hrdro is **** expensive..... oil and filters are cheep.
There are many 10 year old and older hydros out there... I am not trying to scare you away from the CK 20, or anybody elses hydro for that matter. Just trying to make a point.... change the oil and filters.
merry christmass, I hope I have helped you.

 

[depratt_equip]

I believe the LB1914 will do great for you. It will handle a 5 ft mower with ease, even if the grass does get a little tall, don't worry about that. The only type of mower you can put on a LB1914 is a rear mount as it does not have a mid PTO. I prefer the rear over the mid any day of the week. It’s much easier to take on and off as well as maintain.

Just to correct a few things stated in the previous post. The LB1914 is an 8x8 transmission with a Shuttle Shift. Never had any problems or complaints about the power steering. It will have the plenty of power to do everything that you are going to be doing with it. I have many customers who run a post hole digger on it with no complaints, a lot depends on soil condition though. Ours here isn’t too rocky.

The CK20 HST or Gear Trans is also a great tractor. I have had many customers mowing, moving snow and rock with the CK20HST, even though it was only introduced a year ago don't let that scare you. Kioti did a lot of R&D before they brought it over. Many of my customers who go with the CK20 have about 1-3 acres of land and are typically mowing most of it. They mainly go with the HST because of its ease of use, and because many times there wife or kids will also be using it. The CK20 is a less PTO HP than the LB1914. The CK20 HST is typically not much more than the LB1914.

For your application I would go with the LB1914, as it has slightly more PTO HP than the CK20 and it also weighs in just a few pounds more, and i think the gear transmission would fit your application better. If you have any more questions just let me know.

 

[virgil]

depratt is correct the 1914 DOES have a shuttle. Its the 2554 that does not have a shuttle. (first mistake today) And I have not had any complaints about the steering... I did say that I (myself) was never satisfied with the steering.
I also agree with depratt on the selection of the 1914 over the ck20. I like gears. Kioti makes a good product

 

[Tom_W]

As a 1914 owner, I can only say good things about this tractor. Aside from the loader and backhoe, I only have a rear grader blade that I have only used for snow so far. It has dug every hole and pulled every stump or rock I went after. As far as steering goes, in 2wd is better than 4wd. I plan on a rottotiller and a york rake for it next year. If asked whether or not I would buy it again? You bet. I was smiling the day I got it and I'm still smiling.

 

[HERKYEC130]

I bought the 1914 as opposed to the CK this past summer. There was a delay on mine due to shipping and the dealer offered me the CK model he had on site for a bit more. I checked out all the specs on the two and after seeing them side by side when I picked mine up I'm glad I chose the one I did.
I liked the fact that it was heavier, had larger tires , had a greater lift weights of the bucket and rear three point hitch.
The CK lifts higher than th LB but I think that is because the bucket is smaller. The CK bucket is a lower profile bucket. The ones I saw were not as high or as deep. That explained the higher height when in the dump position.
I use a 5' finish mower on my yard and I use it set at a higher setting for my horse pasture. The grass has to be 8 - 10 in. or so high and very thick to bog it down.
I also ran my 55 in' tiller this fall and it suprised me how well it worked.
I like the CK don't get me wrong. It's a great machine and looks terrific.
I wanted the most for my $$$ and after comparing the specs my personal preferance was the LB. The big 3 couldn't compete with the price. I looked for 6 months before making a decision. I have never regreted it once.
Sure there are a few things that would be nicer to have like a shorter shift lever. I'm 6'1 and 230 and me and my size 12 Boots have no trouble getting on and off. A few more inches would be nice yea but like I said it's not that big a deal to me. I thought the transmission driven PTO was going to be an issue but it hasn't yet. Most of my mowing is just put it in gear and go. We use the lil tractor for the trim work.
I have 7acres and a 600+ foot driveway and I have had no problems whatsoever with the performance.
Well I've rattled on long enough here.
I know whichever on you choose you'll really enjoy. They're great quality equipment.

Paul

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I can only respond in regards to your question about HST, at this point in my life I would not own anything but HST. I am not knocking gear drive, it just comes down to personal choice. Have you tried both gear and HSTs?

 

[sweettractors]

Hello--Why dont you drive down to our lot and drive both models--Just follow the map link below to the Munfordville, Ky Location on I-65---Nothing like "hands on" to get the feel of a machines performance--Ken Sweet
Map to Sweet Farm Equipment Co.

 

[powerstroke2000]

we have been selling a lot of hydros lately because some of the guys are tring to fool themselves. Their thinking is if they got a hydro it would be easier to operate than a gear drive so they can get their wives to mow the yard. Most have come back and said that it didn't work.

 

[mathey]

sheesh, it worked for me...between her and the kids, now i NEVER get any seat time... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif