Looking at CT225

[jgriswol538802]

I purchased 9 acres last July. Since then I have been looking for a tractor. I have looked at a number of used tractors and grey market tractors. I passed on a couple of deals that in hindsight were reasonable deals, but not quite close enough to what I wanted. For example, a Ford 2000 ( 2nd version ) in pretty good shape, but it was a gasser and I really would prefer a diesel.

I moved on to looking at new although the price is more that I really wanted to put in the tractor just because I have other things I would like to do with money right now.

I looked at Kioti and really liked the machine, but decided to look at Bobcat since they are so similar. I priced a CT225 yesterday and with the rebate it seems to be a good deal. I have decided that I don't really need a free FEL that winds up costing about $2800. They give you the free FEL, but charge almost $1000 for the mounting hardware and you lose the $1800 rebate available on the bare tractor. So as I figure it the FEL really costs about $2800. Am I looking at this corrrectly?

I liked the HST , but would be okay with a SST, but Bobcat doesn't have it in the CT225, although they have added it to the higher models.

The dealer only had one CT225 on the lot. It had a number of chips in the paint and more rust on various parts of the tractor than I expected. The salesman said it had not been off the lot and the chips must have been from shipping. Is this typical or should I insist on another machine or some compensation for the "damage"?

Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

 

[rus_geek]

There has been a wide range of comments about the quality of paint on these tractors. The only paint issue I had was a dent on a fender where the paint cracked. They gave me $200 for that, which is worth more to me than an un-dented fender :thumbsup:

That being said, also double-check if this tractor is one of the old 25HP versions of the CT225. They switched to 27HP a while back, and a few people have been upset that they thought they were getting 27HP and ended up with 25HP.

As for the FEL, you need to get a handle on what you're using the tractor for. My CT225 would be darn near worthless to me if it didn't have the FEL. Snow plowing (which you don't), hauling firewood, moving dirt, sand, gravel, rocks, etc.

-rus-

 

[galaxie428]

I too would recommend using the search on here to look at some of the complaints about the 225. I have the CT230 I have have no issues with it at all, I love it. I did have the injector pump go out on me at 170hrs but that has been it.

As rus_geek mentioned, there have been a few complaints about the HP issue with the 225 so you might want to check that out.

 

[Canada_CT230]

I also love my CT230.

 

[bbse]

I have almost 90 hours on my 2009 CT225. I have griped a lot about the HST tranny since I got it. They have the pressure relief set to low for my taste, meaning that I have to do most of my heavy cutting, especially my hills in low range. You can read my previous posts on this. If my land were flat, I probably would have never even noticed as it does fine in my field areas in mid range. With that out of the way, the tractor is great. It is nimble, powerful enough, good low center of gravity, especially after I loaded the rear tires. It is easy to drive and the HST tranny makes doing tight work very easy and enjoyable. Changing implements is fairly easy for a 3PH system with the extendable arms.

As to the loader, $2800 is within the normal range of a factory loader installed on a new tractor. I would highly recommend getting a factory loader. The money you put out now will be recovered if/when you ever sell the tractor. Plus, once you have a loader you will find a 1001 uses you never thought of before. For me it is a no brainer. I will never have a tractor without one.

 

[pharmon]

I also have the CT 230. The specs are the same as the 225, just a little larger motor. I've been very happy with it. I've had no problems with the paint, but my tractor spends it's down time in the barn. High range on the HST is limited, but I usually run between 1800-2000 rpm. This is my first tractor with a FEL and I agree with bbse that it mutiplies the things that you can do with the tractor.

Good Luck- Paul

 

[Gittyup]

I have the Kioti CK25 in shuttle shift. I went shuttle because of
complaints about HST model being under powered, and it saved me a $1000 or so. The savings allowed me to get more implements. I like HST. But, with the weight of this tractor, I'd want the 35 hp version if going HST.

The OP seems to be cost sensitive. So if you want the most tractor for the least money, I'd be going back to Kioti and looking for a Shuttle CK25 or CK27. And if it's really a CK25, you should be able to get a very good deal as that model has been discontinued for a couple of years now. That might explain the rust on the CT225.

Another advantage of Kioti is that the warranty is longer.

BTW, I have no complaints about the power or performance of my CK25. It's a beast for ground engagement! I've had mine for 4 years, 410 hours to date.

I agree, get a FEL.

 

[qed-cat225]

buy my used one up here in WI only 127 hours

 

[MESSMAKER]

It's a lot of tractor for 9 acres. I have the 225 and it is still gaining power as I close in on 100 hours. I use the front end loader almost every day. I have never taken it off. I would get a smaller cheaper tractor with a loader if it came to it.

 

[archerm3]

I agree on the loader...you won't believe how you ever lived without one.