Looking for insight from ck30 hst owners...

albmn10 · Feb 23, 2005

Hello all, Id like to hear from any ck30 owners on what they think of this tractor. Is the power to weight ratio what you expected? Im curious how the machine handles the hilly terrain? How does the tractor handle with the loader full? How is maintenance on this tractor. What are the pros and cons of this machine? Im very interested in this tractor. Ive talked to a few dealers and understand they sell woods loaders for these as well. Which greatly improve the lift capicity. The only drawback so far is distance. The dealers are about 70 miles away. Which would not be fun to hall back and forth if there were any problems..Any insight would be appreciated... Matt

RedRocker · Feb 23, 2005

I'm looking at this one too Matt, I won't be much help other than to say I've liked what I've seen so far, fit and finish is as good or better than any other brand I've looked at.

BigAl · Feb 23, 2005

Your nearest dealer is 70 miles away ? I would not let that stop me from buying Kioti. It's not like your tractor will be there every month for warranty work . After the first oil change most guy's do their own oil changes . I know it gives me a good chance to really go over my Kioti DK45 to check it for wear and tear . Something that I may not get if someone else always did the service . By the way , My dealer I bought from, is a close 2500 miles from me /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. I knew this going in and it did not stop me from buying a great machine .
Most guy's average about 100 hours a year ,on their tractor so it might be sometime before it could see your old Kioti tractor dealer for repair . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Big Al

bigtractor · Feb 23, 2005

No problems from the ck30's other than owners breaking stuff.
I try pushing the ck line as a nice "estate" tractor not a land clearing unit.
For mowing and landscaping they can't be beat. I have some home contractors using them for site prep.
But everyone is pleased with the 30 and even the 25.
Beware of stumps and large limbs dragging under the tractor as there are hyd. lines and such that can be damaged.
All you should do is get the filters and lube to do the 50 hour and enjoy.
I am waiting on Woods loaders now I am told the mounts are avail. middle of march.
I use the Woods loaders on 35 thru 65 now and they are great.
The Kioti loader is fine but tractors need weight rear. Just remember they are small units and none, no matter what brand, have stump ripping out of the ground power.

cdt80 · Feb 24, 2005

My experience, as an owner of a ck30, would have to be mostly positive. The tractor is solid and efficient. As I mentioned before I am a grain farmer in Iowa and operate a multitude of tractors on a daily basis. I bought my kioti to work around the farm in livestock and grain situations. Also, to take some of the load off of a 4400 John Deere CUT. It is amazing how many hours a person can get on these small tractors. So far I can say the CK30 has done everything I thought it would and more. I don't baby it and it has had no breakdowns to date. IMO it is as solid or more than the 4400 JD. I like the fact it has solid linkage where there are cables on the JD. ie. the hyd levers. I have the KL130 loader and it lifts as much as I would want to lift for a tractor of its' size.
The only negative I have regarding the Kioti line is that sometimes the Company is slow to get parts shipped from overseas. Such as the fact I waited for the bucket to arrive and the rear remote hydraulics were slow to arrive also. Not a dealer related problem getting parts. Just Kioti was slow to get the parts to the dealer. Hopefully some of these problems are cleared up since mine was one of the first ck30s to arrive in the US.

GerardC · Feb 25, 2005

My dealer is 40 miles away and I didn't give that second thought. Most every dealer is willing to accomodate a perspective buyer. My dealer mails whatever it is that I need with a simple phone call. If you like the dealer, go for it. Gerard

DK35vince · Feb 25, 2005

My dealer is around 80 miles away.
So far it hasn't been a problem since my tractor has never needed to go in for warranty work.
I do have a trailer to take it in if it were needed.
My tractor is over 3 years old now and my warranty up .
If I break it now I'll fix it myself..or at least give it my best shot /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

KiotiJohn · Feb 25, 2005

( The only negative I have regarding the Kioti line is that sometimes the Company is slow to get parts shipped from overseas. Such as the fact I waited for the bucket to arrive and the rear remote hydraulics were slow to arrive also. )
I'm not so sure that was Kioti's fault either as the bucket and the hydraulics are made here in the States, not S. Korea. Often I find that Kioti has problems getting things from the suppliers, such as the tire problem from Titan Tires a while back. Kioti makes the tractors, and most of the parts for the tractors. Every thing else is made by a variety of suppliers such as Prince Hydrualics, KMW loaders and buckets, First Choice, etc. Much of the blame lies with those suppliers. John

cdt80 · Feb 27, 2005

John, I fully respect all your posts. However, not to split hairs but the bottom line is I don't care where the parts are made or coming from, I hold the manufacturer responsible when they aren't available. The slow arrival of the two items I mentioned earlier were not a big deal. More of an inconvenience.
This is not in any way meant to detract from the overall satisfaction I have with my ck30. They are a great running, well constructed CUT. I just wasn't fully comfortable with the inconvenience.

KiotiJohn · Feb 27, 2005

( I hold the manufacturer responsible when they aren't available. )
I assume you mean the tractor MFG, and I can see why you would, but I wouldn't blame them when they are at the mercy of their suppliers at times. In the case of the tires, I believe it was a matter of the tire MFG having large orders from another company, and not being able to get out the order for Kioti in a timely manner. I couldn't blame Kioti for that, what were they to do? It takes a long time to gear up for this type of production, and if the supplier doesn't supply, the tractor maker just has to wait and take the guff.
I had to wait for three months to get my backhoe, and I was not happy with Kioti over that, but I'm not sure it was their fault. The bottom line is that it happens to every maker, not just Kioti. We all have to get used to this happening, and I suspect it will only become more prevalent. Hurry up and wait! John