LK3054XS Best for Me?

dourobob · Feb 24, 2004

Going to a Kioti dealer in Ontario tomorrow but interested in knowing if the DK35 comes with an HST option?

Thanks
bob

Golfgar4 · Feb 24, 2004

Bob,

I believe that the DK35 only comes with the syncro shuttle transmission. No HST is available for it. Not sure if you could get it in straight gear, but that's not your question anyway.

I've test driven one, and I REALLY liked it. The syncro shuttle was one of the smoothest I've tested.

shoppintractors · Feb 24, 2004

interested in knowing if the DK35 comes with an HST option?

The largest hydrostat Kioti is the CK30 (30hp). Looking for the first production models of the CK30 to be released sometime this summer. You can view the complete line-up at www.kioti.com

Don

virgil · Feb 24, 2004

Sir;
The LK3054XS is a fine machine. As I have stated before, it is more difficult to climb on and off the machine than say the DK series or the Branson tractors. I'll say this again also... Once I get "feathered down" in the 3054, it fits me like a glove. I am 47 years young, 5 foot 7 inches tall, 200 lbs and in good health. The Bransons and the Kioti DK's are easier to get on and off of. I have to "schootch" my butt around a little to depress the clutch enough to start the Branson... I consider that a saftey plus. Lets say that you were mowing along and got into a hornet's nest. (happens all the time here in Texas), The DK's and the Bransons are mush eaiser to "abandon ship". Just turn the key off and step off. The LK is not that away.
I sell both machines, all of them are good. If you are intrested, I have a Branson with a back hoe here on the lot. Its been here too long. I'm ready to get it a new home soon.

DK35vince · Feb 24, 2004

( Going to a Kioti dealer in Ontario tomorrow but interested in knowing if the DK35 comes with an HST option?
)

Sycro shuttle only.
Creeper gear is optional.
I like the shuttle transmission, I find it fast, smooth, and easy.

RedDog · Feb 24, 2004

( Here comes the "BUT". I made the mistake of testing the DK35. "WOW" /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif That was some great tractor. Can I justfiy going with this unit. It seemed a lot bigger and I question if it is necessary other than to satisfy my bigger is better mentality. )

Well Richard I've got 9 acres and a 65 HP tractor!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif And I like having overkill . Believe it or not, but I mow my yard with it also. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

To me there is no comparison between the 3054 and 35. For the price difference, I would choose the 35 everytime.

RedDog

lablovers · Feb 24, 2004

Thanks for keeping the pot sturred. I really don't plan on mowing at this time. If I do it would only be a couple of time a year. In our area water is to precious to waste on pasture. Because it is a mountain/foothills area, it is left pretty much natural. I will probably use the box scraper to maintain a fire break. I have a Big DR trimmer to do my heavy weedwacking. Easier to dodge trees with it. Hopefully the driveway will be paved and snow is not a big problem. The loader could easily handle this. I plan on taking the wife and my son to see them both. Need a impartial third party to help. I know the 3054 is a basic unit but I prefer a good solid unit and although all the extras will be nice it would be fine. My stepfather had a very small Satoh many years ago and it was amazing how much landscaping work I did with it and there were not bells and whistles.
Richard aka lablovers

Golfgar4 · Feb 24, 2004

Richard,

I have to tell you that I have been enjoying your questions and comments very much. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif They seem to echo most of my questions and concerns about my future purchase. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I might add one bit of "advice" if I may. I will be retiring in about 16 months (but who's counting, right? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif), and then I will seriously decide on a tractor. When I first started researching my future purchase, I was leaning toward a "basic" tractor like the LK3054 or the JD790 or 990 basically for the cost factor. These machines are certainly less expensive than a comparable sized "deluxe" version. And I figured that gear tractors had been used for a whole lot more years than these new fangled HST machines. I was just looking for the right size machine to get the job done and that fit my budget.

But then, thanks to hanging around TBN, I started thinking a little differently. First, it became clear that getting as much as you can when you buy the tractor gets you the most bang for your buck. I'm speaking of those things that you might do without now, but would choose to add later. Things like Top n Tilt, or the extendable lower links, or the third remotes, etc.

Then I started to think about how I'd feel in 3 or 5 years as I get a little older. Would I still not mind climbing over the gear shift levers or muscling a 3pt implement into place? Won't I still want to enjoy the tractoring experience without the hassles? I know from my viewpoint, the older I get, the fewer hassles I want to deal with. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

So I've kind of come around on my thinking. Now I believe that I will be getting a machine with deluxe everything that I can get, and at a minimum, a syncro shift transmission. I may not need the HST, but if I find a tractor with it that meets my needs and my budget, you'd better believe that I'm going to get that one.

So after all this rambling (sorry! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif), I just wanted to remind you to think about what you might need to deal with in the future, and if at all possible, take care of it today. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good luck on your search! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

KiotiJohn · Feb 24, 2004

( I may not need the HST, but if I find a tractor with it that meets my needs and my budget, you'd better believe that I'm going to get that one.) I had really thought I was going to get shuttle shift as I had always had plain gear before. When I tried the HST and used it for about 30 minutes, I was transformed. The synchro shuttle is very nice, but I sure enjoy the HST and my old clutch foot is happy too. John

Dewave · Feb 24, 2004

I made the mistake of testing the DK35. "WOW 

As I have told others I went surfing the net looking for a good weed wacker when I came across tractorbynet aka TBN, never knew I needed a tractor until then. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Now I have a CK20 TLB.

Never did get that weed wacker.

Now I am on a airplane forum and starting to think........ /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif