New guy here... really need help choosing one of these tractors (or other suggestions

mrwizard64 · Nov 17, 2015

Hey guys,

I appreciate all of your help in advance.

I've been looking to grab something slightly larger than a compact tractor with loader and backhoe for my 22 acre property. I'm going to be building greenhouses, and harvesting fallen wood amongst other things.

I've been looking Kubota for months, waiting for something to pop up on craigslist, but recently started considering a Kioti as well.

I just found a solid option for a used Kioti which you can see here:

KIOTI CK-25 TRACTOR/LOADER/BACKHOE/4×4

200 hours, with loader, backhoe, and 25 hp in the engine and 20ish at the PTO for roughly 17k.

That said, I can grab this NEW Kioti with 30+ hp at both ends, loader and backhoe for roughly 24k:

http://www.leisuresportsnturf.com/2...tory.htm?ID=22702550&Brand=263&Type=2997&fm=1

The question becomes, is the size and 'newness' worth the extra 7k?

I live in PA, so there can be some pretty big rocks out here, and I'd like to be able to handle fallen wood easily. I will need to level and clear some fields for building greenhouses.

I am up for suggestions of any kind. I like the idea of owning a Kubota, but I also don't want to just pay for the brand name.

At this point, the search and decision making process is becoming exhausting. I need to make moves!

Thank you guys so much for your time and your help.

k0ua · Nov 17, 2015

Apples and oranges. One is gear, the other is hydro... Can't compare...

mrwizard64 · Nov 17, 2015

Ok... can you possibly elaborate on the convenience of hydro vs gear, and what that will mean for use on 2-3 days per week?

prichard · Nov 17, 2015

Do you need the extra HP? Do you have an issue with gears?

As long as the used one is at a reasonable price if you later decide it is too small you can probably sell it for what you paid, or darn near in a year or two.

k0ua · Nov 17, 2015

mrwizard64 said:
Ok... can you possibly elaborate on the convenience of hydro vs gear, and what that will mean for use on 2-3 days per week?

It is up to you, but those of us that have owned both and do mostly loader work, choose HST every time. it is just so much more efficient and less fatiguing to operate all day. If you go basically in one direction all day (plowing or straight mowing) it doesn't make any difference. HST also allows you to operate at a snail's pace one second an go fast the next. This can be very important with landscaping work, especially working around people and buildings. There are reasons that in these size tractors and for these intended uses that HST transmission equipped tractors are in the majority. Not that you cannot get more skilled in operation with a gear tractor, because you can But the learning curve is steeper, it takes longer to "get good" and requires more practice. As you get older, and your knees wear out the HST tractor keeps you in the seat for many more years. Of course you might be 20 for all I know.

It is a matter of preference, and you will find a few that say they hate HST, but they are in the very distinct minority. Of course for field use a plow tractor would not want HST because of the 15% power loss. That adds up in more fuel usage when used day in and day out to plow hundreds of acres of ground. Not to mention the cost to build large HST systems. Although many bulldozers and scrapers are HST for the same reasons loader tractors are HST, convenience and cycle times. With a HST tractor you can operate faster and longer without fatigue. With the shuttle of the the ck25, it is a step up from the straight gear on the floor to change directions and does put you in the same gear for forward and reverse but you still have to stomp the clutch and feather it into the pile. This is better than having say a 8x2 gear tranny with only 2 reverse gears. The next step up is a hydraulic shuttle, where you don't have to stomp the clutch. The next step up is HST

I have had 2 gear, and 3 HST equipped tractors... No more gear for me. But it is a personal decision you will have to make.

mrwizard64 · Nov 17, 2015

Hey Prichard, to be honest, I've never owned a farm vehicle, so I have no idea if I need the extra HP. I will be digging into PA fields, which have a good amount of large blue stones, and I will be doing a lot of tree work... clearing downed trees for my wood burner.

@James, got it... so if I was going to use this thing to dig a reservior in my back yard, HST is going to make it a lot easier... and this is due to the amount of pedal use (which I gather from your knee-pain comment)?

In general, how do you feel about Kioti vs other brands of tractors? Do you think that I'm on the right track with the size and brand here? I won't be doing a TON of plowing, but I will probably till 5-10 acres once every few years. I'm more concerned with my ability to pick up logs, rocks, and leveling ground (with the occasional snow plow).

tractorshopper · Nov 17, 2015

Mr Wizard, Kioti makes a fine tractor, so I wouldn't worry about that. I would say that you're looking at a small compact tractor size where your first post says you want something larger than that.

Either way, the best advice I can offer is to get an idea how much those heavy blue stones weigh, and then find a tractor with capabilities that will handle those weights.

For tilling, either would be fine for 5-10 acres given time. Both are up to the task. Tilling and plowing are two different things though. Tillers are usually matched to your tractor so you can get a suitable size. What you should be more concerned with is the weight of what you want to dig and move around.

Harvey9 · Nov 17, 2015

Wizard, I bought a used CK25 w/o backhoe in 2009, it only had 60 hours. It was gear, I had no mechanical issues with this tractor. I live on two acres and did all the prep work on this land (house, garage, landscaping) with the CK. I had no issues hauling trees and stumps. Eventually I realized this CK was too big for my property and I sold it two years ago with 450 hours and bought a used Kubota BX. I'm able to use the BX for mowing and all the other things but it's smaller and takes a little longer. The BX is HST and I wouldn't go back to gear as Koua stated. Both Kubota and Kioti make excellent products, I doubt you'll be disappointed with either. Good luck with your search.

mrwizard64 · Nov 17, 2015

Thank you both for the replies.

Tractor shopper, I think that I would be frustrated with a tractor that couldn't move the size objects that I want to move. For this reason, I think I'm looking slightly larger than compact... plus, operating a larger mowing deck would be nice.

Harvey, out of curiosity, since I'm also looking at a CK25... (This one

KIOTI CK-25 TRACTOR/LOADER/BACKHOE/4×4

What is it specifically about 'gear' machines that you don't like. I understand that it's apparently easier to work with... but in what sense? Less operation of pedals? Does the machine linked above look like a 'good' one to you, or is the HST really worth the extra amount of money.

I'd say that at least 10 acres of my land has to be either tilled or plowed... it is all incredibly lumpy, riveted, and uneven... I'm not sure why, or what causes that, but I figured that tearing up all of the dirt would level it out.

Clearly I have a lot to learn here...

prichard · Nov 17, 2015

I had no idea what size either, Wizard. I read post after post on here and decided small was OK. We looked at BX and decided to go one step larger. This was my first tractor as well and I'll let you know in a couple years if it was too big or too small. Good luck in your search.