New guy question: ck35 vs lk30???

[anthonyr]

So what was the final concessus, the ck35 or LK30, what benefits does the ck have over the lk besides extra hp and the hst, any other reason for the CK being the better choice, I'm interested because I'm also weighing up the 2 options, the ck35hst would cost me $5500 more than the kl [prices here in Australia are robbery compared to the prices I see listed for the USA] the lk isn't as flashy looking but I can live without that if it saves $5500 so does the KL have any down sides I should know about

iwanta-Thank You! That is what I am going thru right now too!

 

[anthonyr]

What my local dealer is telling me is that the LK is better for digging and is more of an industrial tractor. The CK is more for comfort, but the LK is more for working. When I research on here it sounds as if there are a lot of good reviews on the CK35, but not too much info. on the LK30. I also understand the LK to be an older tractor? Does anybody wanna chime in on this???

 

[Patches]

I have an '04 and have found it to be a stoutly built unit. It has a quick off hoe;very easy to remove, but has a rather anemic hydraulic system with a 10GPM pump shared by all. It's cold starting capability is lacking, especially here in the NorthEast, where it gets quite cold, and I believe it uses more fuel than the newer design engines;the 1400 B-1 is pretty long-in-the-tooth. No HST available,which was not a problem for me. The manual shuttle shifts easily and the 8X8 transmission gives you a wide gear selection.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've seen but not used an LK and my impression is that they are very solid performers but are simply a previous generation of tractor compared to the CK or newer DK lines. As noted, they tend to have less capable loaders and no HST but if you can live with that and save some $$$$ there is no reason to avoid them at all.

 

[iwanta]

I have an '04 and have found it to be a stoutly built unit. It has a quick off hoe;very easy to remove, but has a rather anemic hydraulic system with a 10GPM pump shared by all. It's cold starting capability is lacking, especially here in the NorthEast, where it gets quite cold, and I believe it uses more fuel than the newer design engines;the 1400 B-1 is pretty long-in-the-tooth. No HST available,which was not a problem for me. The manual shuttle shifts easily and the 8X8 transmission gives you a wide gear selection.

I think the KL30 must have had an upgrade since 04, unless Australia gets a different variation [or the brochure I have is a complete typo cockup] the brochure I have states the engine is the 3A150LXB, the CK30 has the 3A150LXD and the CK30HST has the 3A150LXE, I have no idea what the difference is between B,D and E but otherwise they sound much the same. If they have been upgraded that might explain why I have seen KL30 specks rating it as 28hp while other KL30 specks say 30hp, The current model brochure I have says 30 hp / 23 at the PTO.
Also the current brochure states 12.7gpm pump which is only slightly less than the CK35 12.9gpm pump. Also of interest is maximum lift capacity all rated from 24 aft. of hitch the CK25, 30,and 35 Quote 800 kg/1764lbs. the KL30 quotes 1015kg/2238lbs. so either they have upgraded the KL30 or the Australian brochure has been completely stuffed up, I hope it's the upgrade theory and not the stuff up theory as here in Australia the KL30 is way out front in value for money against anything else I have looked at which is everything from 25hp to 70hp in new and 2nd hand , there certainly are flashier, better equipped and higher hp tractors about but they are at least another $5500 more and only go up in $ from there so unless I hear some horror stories about the KL30 [ which if there are I want to know about] it will most likely be the tractor I'll be getting, of course I still gotta work out how I'm going to come up with the $25,500 AUD but that's closer than $31000

 

[Patches]

Iwanta; Kioti must have upgraded both engine and hydraulic pump from my KL3054xs bought in April of '05. The xs broucher listed the gross hp at 30 but the engine data tag showed the KW(20.9) equivilant of 28HP.I couldn't get a satisfactory answer to that enigma from either my dealer or Kioti customer serviceThe hydraulic pump on mine is a 10gpm for sure. I've seen the newer KL30 at my dealer, but never really looked it over/ looks just like my 3054.

 

[GreenWannabe]

I suspect the KL30 available down under is not the same tractor as the older LK3054 at all.

 

[iwanta]

I suspect the KL30 available down under is not the same tractor as the older LK3054 at all.

I noticed that the US kioti site now lists a LK30, not a LK3054 but when you click the link there is no details like someone forgot to fill in the blanks, I was checking to see if they were the same tractor, over here Kioti is marketed as Daedong here is the link for the Australia KL30 PFG Australia - Daedong - LK Series - LK30 - 4WD - Tractors - One name covers it all

 

[Patches]

That is the LK3054xs with an updated engine and hydraulic system;same dash, same transmission(8x8),same shuttle,same external appearance.The newer engine may well cure the cold start problem exhibited in the 1400-B1 engine. Wish I had waited a couple years to purchase

 

[JoelD]

For what it's worth I own a LK3054xs TLB (could the name be any longer??). Anyway, I've found the machine to be excellent for what I need. The backhoe comes on and off very easily, couldn't imagine a much easier set up. The back hoe is tight against the machine and is very easy to load and unload from my trailer. The hoe mounts in such a way that I don't have the frame tubes running under the tractor, as a result, I have real good ground clearance. The machine is very well balanced. As far as cold start, with the glow plugs I've never had a problem starting ever, and I live in NH, regularly started last winter in 5 degree F. temperatures. I'm installing an inline coolant heater for this year to keep the block a little warmer, super cold starts on a diesel are never a pretty thing. I've found the loader very strong (1231), I believe the capacity to be in the 1500lb range. I really like the simplicity of the gear transmission. I run a box blade, and the tractor is plenty heavy to pull it, rippers and all through the nastiest, rockiest soil on the planet.

I am very happy with my purchase. The loader, due to the 10 GPM pump, may not be super fast, but plenty strong. Also, I've found the front bucket to be very heavily built.

I reallly like my machine, I own a deere dozer and I've owned Kubotas, the Kioti gives up nothing to those machines.

Thanks,
Joel