Buying Advice LS MT225HE vs Kioto CK2610 vs Bobcat CT2025 & PTO questions

[Trippy1313]

SE model? I haven't seen info on that. I'll have to look.

I emailed our local LS/Kioti dealer (they sell both brands) a few days back to inquire on availability and pricing out the models I'm interested in. No word back yet. So far only the Bobcat dealer was interested.

Hopefully I'll find out soon. Honestly depending how competitive pricing is I may consider a 35hp the more I read. We'll see.... right now those three models I believe will handle what I need to do around my place.

 

[Trippy1313]

So.... Bobcat dealer called me yesterday. Different guy that I talked to about the PTO.

Told him I'm looking between his, the Kioti and LS, but leaning towards Kioti/Bobcat.

He started telling me that they're pretty much the same, but that Bobcat redesigned the transmission and has a different hydraulic pump than the Kioti.

He also tried telling me he wouldn't be surprised if Bobcat buys out Kioti in the next couple years and takes them over.

I about laughed my head off, knowing that Bobcat was the one with a few year hiatus. Lol. I also never remember or can find any info about the tranny or pump being any different between the two. Sounds like a bunch of Bologna.

 

[Texasmark]

The CK SE's have an independent PTO, it's a nice set up as it gives you an Auto option to use, when I set it to auto, when I lift the three point to a certain height the PTO shuts off, it's nice when you are mowing and have to lift - when you lower the three point it activates the PTO, when I'm running it I will raise it a full RPM without any concern, the mower simply shuts down - when I put it down I cut the RPMs way down, I don't let it activate at 2200 - it will do it if you want it to, but to me it would create some unnecessary wear and tear on the machine. No way I can be convinced that slamming it in at 2200 would be good for it!

The 6530 has an auto 3 pt lift where you don't have to move the lever once set for 3 pt positioning. Once you set your upper and lower limit, the switch will lift and drop, up down, just toggling. If the PTO is in the Live position, it too will shut off and back on as you raise and lower......but like you, I don't use it that way for the same reason.

On shutting off when you lift it, on my 3000, another reason I like the double clutch, Live for post holes is that when you stop digging, you push in the clutch till the PTO stops, lift the auger out of the hole....full of "finds" (dirt or rocks or sand or whatever) and once the tip clears the top of the hole, let the clutch out to mid (PTO on position) and back down which will spin the auger and toss the finds away from the hole....result is you have a clean hole and don't have to come back manually with a hand operated post hole digger.

 

[Trippy1313]

Oh interesting, smart. Yeah when we did our paddocks it was either clean it out by hand or run the auger in and out a bunch to clear it out.

 

[Trippy1313]

Well, pretty sure I'm set on the Bobcat, for a couple reasons.

One being, the Kioti at my nearest dealers is at least a couple months out. Didny have any I could even sit on. They said they have 5 coming in the next month that are already sold. And from talking to them, although hes only 3 miles down the road vs Bobcat who is 15 miles away, Kioti just was about 5-10k more depending what I wanted to add.

The LS, which honestly I had high hopes because of pricing, just didn't fit me at all. Not sure about you others that have one, but I'm 6'4" 200lbs, so not big but tall. I could barely get my knees around the steering wheel. So I put the seat all the way back, but the wheel is so low I'm leaning over to try and drive it... just not good at all.

The Bobcat had 4 in stock, immediately was 10x more comfortable than the LS. And he's going to drop one off at my house to "test drive" for a weekend to get a feel for it to make sure I am happy with it first. So we'll see but that's what I'm leaning towards now.

Now I gotta figure out what to do with my 580ck.

 

[slingha]

I just ordered a CT2025. It was thousands less than the Kioti for essentially the same tractor. Most of that was obviously the free loader. Out the door, I was $1,400 less than a CX 2510 and end up with more tractor. $3400 less than a CK2610(same tractor)

 

[Trippy1313]

I just ordered a CT2025. It was thousands less than the Kioti for essentially the same tractor. Most of that was obviously the free loader. Out the door, I was $1,400 less than a CX 2510 and end up with more tractor. $3400 less than a CK2610(same tractor)

Very nice!!! Congrats!!! Do you mind me asking what addons you got, if any and what your pretax price was?