seacove
Member
Started tractor shopping in September, but still undecided. Was originally considering NH and MF, but have added Kioti to the list after pricing the others and hearing good things about Kioti at TBN. It seems it was much easier selecting a new car than a tractor!
Here is my property description. Little over 5 acre pocket farm. Half is lawn and paddock, half is mixed brush and woods. Pole barn w/3 stalls and 8 sheep. About 170 ft of asphalt driveway, and another 210 of gravel. All the land is flat Ohio clay - hard as rock during the Summer, soft and sloppy other times. 3 drainage ditches.
Here are needs:
1) Mowing the lawn - generally open, but a number of trees, islands, fences.
2) Bush hogging the brush and wooded areas.
3) Snow removal - both the asphalt and gravel drive going back to the barn. The snow is not generally that deep, but frequent and wet/heavy.
4) General landscaping - moving mulch and stone.
5) Gardening - my wife wants to make about 1/2 acre vegetable garden out of the Ohio clay
6) Small stump removal/small tree clearing
7) Maintaining drainage ditches
I am looking for one machine and assorted implements to do it all. (My JD 240 just died so I won't have a backup lawn tractor for mowing). My neighbors have been helping me with the bush hogging and snow removal, but I don't wish to impose any longer.
I have previously looked at tractors ranging from sub category (MF GC2300.2310) up to NH33 and MF 1433. So you can tell how confused I am. Sometimes I think the subs will be inadequate, other times I think the larger units are overkill.
The only thing I seem to know for certain is that I want hydro transmission, 4WD (stuck in the mud to often with the JD), and Mid Mount Mower (for ease of use by wife and kids).
That said, I know that in the Kioti lineup, I will be considering between the CK 20/25/30 HST models.
Based on all the foregoing, here are my questions:
1) Of the 3 mentioned, which model Kioti do you feel will best meet my needs?
2) Do you recommend the 60" or 72" MMM?
3) What size rotary brush cutter do you recommend?
4) Should I get a FEL or just a front blade? If FEL - what size bucket?
5) What size tiller?
6) Do I need a box blade? Rear blade?
7) Do you think I will get enough use from a backhoe for my needs to justify the expense?
8) The Kioti website indicates that the 20 has front, rear and mid PTOs as standard. The 25/30 has front and rear standard, with mid optional. Under what circumstances will I need the mid PTO on the 25/30 models.
9) Any feedback on Kioti dealers in Central Ohio? The one in Grove City is the closest.
I apologize for the length of this post, but it seems that if you don't provide the information up front, someone will certainly ask you for more. I thank you for your assistance in advance. The death of my JD has accelerated my need to make a decision/purchase before arrival of Spring.
Here is my property description. Little over 5 acre pocket farm. Half is lawn and paddock, half is mixed brush and woods. Pole barn w/3 stalls and 8 sheep. About 170 ft of asphalt driveway, and another 210 of gravel. All the land is flat Ohio clay - hard as rock during the Summer, soft and sloppy other times. 3 drainage ditches.
Here are needs:
1) Mowing the lawn - generally open, but a number of trees, islands, fences.
2) Bush hogging the brush and wooded areas.
3) Snow removal - both the asphalt and gravel drive going back to the barn. The snow is not generally that deep, but frequent and wet/heavy.
4) General landscaping - moving mulch and stone.
5) Gardening - my wife wants to make about 1/2 acre vegetable garden out of the Ohio clay
6) Small stump removal/small tree clearing
7) Maintaining drainage ditches
I am looking for one machine and assorted implements to do it all. (My JD 240 just died so I won't have a backup lawn tractor for mowing). My neighbors have been helping me with the bush hogging and snow removal, but I don't wish to impose any longer.
I have previously looked at tractors ranging from sub category (MF GC2300.2310) up to NH33 and MF 1433. So you can tell how confused I am. Sometimes I think the subs will be inadequate, other times I think the larger units are overkill.
The only thing I seem to know for certain is that I want hydro transmission, 4WD (stuck in the mud to often with the JD), and Mid Mount Mower (for ease of use by wife and kids).
That said, I know that in the Kioti lineup, I will be considering between the CK 20/25/30 HST models.
Based on all the foregoing, here are my questions:
1) Of the 3 mentioned, which model Kioti do you feel will best meet my needs?
2) Do you recommend the 60" or 72" MMM?
3) What size rotary brush cutter do you recommend?
4) Should I get a FEL or just a front blade? If FEL - what size bucket?
5) What size tiller?
6) Do I need a box blade? Rear blade?
7) Do you think I will get enough use from a backhoe for my needs to justify the expense?
8) The Kioti website indicates that the 20 has front, rear and mid PTOs as standard. The 25/30 has front and rear standard, with mid optional. Under what circumstances will I need the mid PTO on the 25/30 models.
9) Any feedback on Kioti dealers in Central Ohio? The one in Grove City is the closest.
I apologize for the length of this post, but it seems that if you don't provide the information up front, someone will certainly ask you for more. I thank you for your assistance in advance. The death of my JD has accelerated my need to make a decision/purchase before arrival of Spring.