I have a DK-40 and stock loader and bucket, BUT I added the Kioti made bucket bottom edge to give even more strength and to keep the bucket's edges/corners from wearing excessively over extended use, on recommendation of my selling dealer's tech guy. I recently removed it to cut two more holes 4" from center of each corner's closest bolt hole. I had bent the reversible edge bar at both corners due to, ( IMHO, Kioti's not putting holes out close enough to the edge/corner of the bucket), making it vulnerable to being bent when/if it snags on a rock or such.
As noted below in my signature I have an Igland brand winch and Log grapple. Both units are fantastic, (made in Finlandia/ Norway) and the log grapple is amazing, and because it is only 36" wide and weighs around 400+ lbs. it does NOT take up much lift capacity. I've picked up and rolled back and carried 30' complete trees over some distance! Right now both items got a full 8 hours use today; along with my local pro tree surgeon we downed over 4 cords of ash, hickory, maple etc. alongside my road and cut it up and carted it between my and my pro's tractor we did an amazing amount of wood clearing for view and harvesting of the wood for his outdoor furnace. he burns on avg. 100 cords/winter!!
I also have the KB-2485 Kioti backhoe with MIE's hydraulic thumb and NEW (version 2) Ripper Tooth, which I just installed last week. I've dubbed it "the Claw". It's awesome too. I had MIE modify the original design and add teeth to both the front and back side. I used it in 30 degree weather last Saturday to rip through several inches of frost and to rip/tear out a 4-5" root at the base of a stump in my woods, as a test of its effectiveness. I'm favorably impressed.
I too have loaded tires, and the backhoe, when on, provides enough
ballast for the grapple or bucket. I too suggest working with the OEM bucket BEFORE you go spend a lot of $ to buy another bucket.
I just picked up at TSC the on sale until supplies are gone, Ratchet Rake, for $199 vs. $349. It is heavy duty and will fit right on your OEM bucket. Yours would take the 72" rake.
It's worth it, IMHO, for those $, just the metal and hardware alone would be worth it, regardless of its functions; grading, picking up brush directly out of the ground, etc. Check it out on their
www.Rachetrake.com web site. It is available through TSC, (but is not on their web site), but can be found by having your store do a search for it. The price on Ratchetrakes web site shows $349, but it is $199 at TSC- just ask them. ( No affiliation with either company).
MIE can also sell you a hydraulic kit for running remotes for grapple, etc to front of your loader. I would definitely talk to them about what is available in a kit from Kioti.
Congrats on getting a DK-50! Real nice tractor. Post back questions, pics of your rig, etc.
Sorry for long post.....
