Liking the CK30

sodamo · Aug 21, 2004

Yesterday, I visited another Kioti dealer - one that has a CK30HST on the yard. Today, my wife was talking about how nice it would be doing the yard, once she got HER tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I'll take that as meaning her approval. She had never driven a tractor until yesterday.

I think this tractor will meet my needs (see profile) exceedingly well. Even better, we really liked the dealer, who took all the time we needed, out in the sweltering heat. Not only did he go over the tractor in dealer, but we visited every impliment on my list plus others I might add. It was around 90 and the sun was relentless.

I had previously received a quote from the dealer on following:
Kioti CK30 Tractor / Hyrdostatic Drive / R-4 Industrial Tires / Foldable
ROPS
Kioti KB2375 Backhoe with 12" Bucket
Kioti KL130 Front End
Loader with 60" Bucket,
Tooth Bar, Pallet Forks & Double Chain Hooks
Rhino SE-5 Bush Hog with Slip-Clutch, Front & Rear Deflectors
Kioti 60" Heavy Duty Box Blade
International Post Auger with 9" Bit
Kioti 59" Rotary Tiller
Delivery to my house.
The quote was within my budget and the best of 3 ( 1 local, 2 internet) I have received.

If you read my post on main buying forum, you know I have a different twist - this machine is for Hawaii - I will ship in a container next summer.
There is no Kioti dealer on island of Hawaii, there is one on Maui, but that is a boatride, not trailer tow away. From posts I've read here, I'm not concerned this will be an issue, providing I can get good phone/parts support.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my excitement. Looks like the CK30 is one fine machine. Any comments or questions?

David

KiotiJohn · Aug 21, 2004

David, as you probably know if you've been reading this forum, I am very fond of Kioti products, and many others.
I recently tried the CK30 with the KL130 loader and found it to be a great tractor in it's class.
The one thing you mentioned in your other post was that you wanted a quick attach for the loader. I don't know if that's available on the CK30. Is it? I can find out if I get a chance to talk to my dealer, but I've had some pretty rough cases lately at work, and I haven't done much but get up, work, check TBN and sleep for days.
Other than that little mention, I think you would absoulutely love that tractor. It's a bigger, stronger version of my CK20HST, and I certainly can't fault mine as it has done nearly ANY job I've needed. The CK30 is exponentially better to me.
I see that you are currently somewhere in GA. Before you buy, call or e-mail my dealer and try to make a deal, using my name, as he is very willing to bargain on these things. He is also GREAT at figuring out creative ways to get the tractor to you. He is also used to dealing with shipping out of the country. I know he recently was doing a lot of business with parts for Kioti in the Virgin Islands as there is no dealer there for a customer that found his website.
Contact David Williams at www.bigtractorsupply.com

bigtractor · Aug 21, 2004

My question is how did they quote a Back Hoe. I called Kioti last week, a customer wanted a BH on a ck30 and was told the sub frame is still in the works.
Thus no price or indication of avail.

Dave

readytogo · Aug 21, 2004

Good choice! We FINALLY decided on the ck30 today. Was a big help reading all the discussions here! We also were looking at the new farmall dx series ~ pricey, and I don't think it is as well made as the kioti.
Good tractor at a good price!

sodamo · Aug 21, 2004

John
I enjoy reading your posts. I usually find them quite informative and well thought out.

I don't think the quick attach for KL130 loader is available yet. I hope it is in near future. That caused me to wonder - are buckets sold specifically for each loader? The KL130 60" bucket is different from KL1450 60" bucket? Perhaps ATI will have it soon.

I'm probably going to take a break from getting more quotes until I'm closer to actual purchase (money in hand). Your dealer (Bigtractor) is on my list to contact based on your reports. Once I have the tractor in my yard, shipping to Hawaii will consist of loading on the 40 ft container with the rest of our household goods. I do need to research ramps for loading /unloading.

DAVE - WOW, what a question!!! This dealer consolidated my list, presenting me with a single discounted price, no individual detail. The mounted backhoe I did see was on a different tractor. I also checked my 2 other CK30 quotes and the subframe issue was not raised by either. Guess when I zero in with checkbook in hand, I'd better ask all the right questions.

David

wallace · Aug 22, 2004

Bigtractor the subframes are done!
I know this for a fact because I just received them yesterday.

KiotiJohn · Aug 22, 2004

( JohnI enjoy reading your posts. I usually find them quite informative and well thought out.)
Well thank you. I hope they are helpful.
Loaders are pretty much made to fit certain models and usually can't be put on a different model. The CK25 and 30 would use the same, while the CK20 would use KL120 and other models, other loaders. In a way that's a shame, but things have to be built with the particular tractor parameters in mind. I'd love to add a CK30 and just put my Backhoe on it, but I don't think I could get a subframe to fit the smaller LB2365 backhoe I have on my CK20. Would be great to be able to use it on both.
I'm glad to hear the subframes are now being distributed for the new CKs. I guess the dealers were quoting on anticipation of getting them. Good luck in your search. John

Kiohio · Aug 25, 2004

I have one also.
Sold unit /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bye, Bye CK30HST TLB

Hope to see you at the Meeting Rick /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

KO

sodamo · Aug 25, 2004

Here are two excerpts from an email I received from dealer today:

"Quick attach adapter for FEL bucket & attachments – Because of the arm size, a universal skid loader quick attach is not (and probably won’t be) available for that particular FEL. However, we can get a pin style quick attach where you just have to pull 2 pins to disconnect from the bucket." 

I haven't yet seen this of course, but as I remember, the original KL130 method was to remove 2 pins each side. Not sure I'd be getting that much an improvement and it would still be not universal. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

"The only other item I might recommend would be the FREEDON HITCH 3-Point hitch Quick Attach system. This system allows you to hook up to equipment and disconnect from it without have to get off of the tractor with the exception of the PTO shaft. This will make taking implements off & on much easier with the exception of the post auger which is a pain in the but regardless. Check it out @ www.freedomhitch.com. You have one piece that is put on the tractor (male end) and an end that is put on each implement (female end – you have one for each implement that you have). " 

Now that appears to be really useful and as I get older, very welcome.
Anybody have any experience with these or something similar? I think I'd get much more use from this system than the quick attach for FEL bucket. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

David

shoppintractors · Aug 26, 2004

For some reason your link isn't working.

www.freedomhitch.com

Don

KiotiJohn · Aug 26, 2004

Was probably temporary Don, it worked for me last night. ( Now that appears to be really useful and as I get older, very welcome.
Anybody have any experience with these or something similar? I think I'd get much more use from this system than the quick attach for FEL bucket. )
I put Pat's EZ change on my tractor after reading many posts that complained about the other types of hitches that wouldn't always fit every implement. With the Pat's, you still have to hook up the top link, and PTO if using one, but it's much easier hooking up the lift arms. John

JayC · Aug 26, 2004

The problem with the link is that a period was inserted after the .com part. The person who wrote the e-mail must have put the period there and the forum hyperlinked the URL and period.

KiotiJohn · Aug 26, 2004

( The problem with the link is that a period was inserted after the .com part. The person who wrote the e-mail must have put the period there and the forum hyperlinked the URL and period. )
You're right JayC, and I confused this link with one about a quick attach loader plate. John

sodamo · Aug 26, 2004

Yep, the pesky period behaved differently in the original email. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I have to say, the little video presentation at the Freedom site made it look easy. Unfortunately, such luxury is outside my budget. I wish there was a similar video showing how Pat's system works.
I tried looking at the JD imatch system for comparison, but couldn't find a link that showed anything./forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Are there any other 3ph "easy" systems out there worthy of a look?
David

sodamo · Aug 30, 2004

I emailed ATI and asked about their Tach-All for the KL130. Here is except from their reply:

...
In short, I have no information on this new KL130 loader...yet. But,
the loader's specifications appear as though the Tach-All quick attach
should be compatible with the loader's performance capabilities.

ATI Corporation would be happy to pursue the creation of a Tach-All quick
attach for that loader. Have your dealer give us a call and we can quote
pricing and delivery times.

Yours truly,

Jack Herr
ATI Corporation
New Holland, PA
1-800-342-0905
sales@preseeder.com


I did forward the email to my dealer, but being in GA, I don't expect that to be very helpful.

If anyone wants to see what was written before the ..., I can emai it to you.

David

VT_Kioti · Aug 30, 2004

John I had a set of Pat's EZ change on my old tractor. I tried to use them on the CK30. The CK30's lower 3pt arms are just enough longer that I am going to have to get new PTO shafts. I am going to try to swap out the shafts starting with the shortest. Remove that one and see if I can use the next longer one in it's place. With a little luck I won''t have to buy to many shafts. BUT I WILL use Pat's EZ change. They make hooking up a breeze. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Al

KiotiJohn · Aug 31, 2004

( BUT I WILL use Pat's EZ change. They make hooking up a breeze. )
At first I thought, "Well, I wouldn't buy Pat's again." Hoever, now I wouldn't want to do without it. It has been SO easy to hook up even when something's a little narrower, I just have to loosen the sway chains a little or tighten a little and it's there. Did I say earlier that I had to get another shaft for my CK20 also? I think it's because the original shaft was cut almost too short to begin with though. John

sodamo · Aug 31, 2004

I received a followup email from ATI today - excepts:

Following up on your request for a quick attach for the KL130 Kioti loader, I had another dealer (from PA) request its availability. The dealer gave me some basic measurements for the bucket and a Tach-All quick attach should fit without too much difficulty.
...
The lead time on the first unit will likely be about 4 weeks. A bucket must be tracked down for us to make drawings, jigs, and patterns...


Sounds promising,
David

KiotiJohn · Sep 1, 2004

( I received a followup email from ATI today - excepts:
)
A lot of people will need to thank you for getting this on the ball Sodamo. I think it's great you've gone to this trouble and it sure DOES sound promising. Do you have any idea what they're going to be charging for the quick attach? John