New guy question: ck35 vs lk30???

[anthonyr]

OK-I hope this isn't too silly of a question for you all. This is my first post, thou I have been lurking for quite a while now. I am looking at a tractor to plow snow in my drive, clean horse stalls, use the backhoe for trenching, and a brush hog to mow with. I also want to do small jobs on the side with my tractor. My buddy suggested that I look at the CK35. Well, today when I went to the local dealer the guy there suggested the LK30 for that type of work. My question to you is: Would the LK30 be a better tractor than the CK35 if I wanted to use this tractor for a small business? I am a newbie to the tractors and really appreciate any input. Also, the prices he quoted me were: CK35 w/backhoe was 26,000. LK30 w/backhoe was 22,500. Do these numbers sound right for Northern Arizona? Thanks for such a great site!
Anthony

 

[wallace]

I think there may be a mistake on the ck price...that looks more like A DK price.
Also I would be in the CK over the LK no questions asked!

 

[anthonyr]

I think there may be a mistake on the ck price...that looks more like A DK price.
Also I would be in the CK over the LK no questions asked!

Wallace,
Thank you so much for the input. That was my mistake with the price. I did ask for the price of the CK, but I do remember standing next to the DK when he quoted me that price as he had no CK's on the lot. I really appreciate any information and look forward to sharing my stories as I experience them with you guys. Thanks!!!

 

[Oldtrout]

I purchased a CK 25 in May of this year,complete with FEL,BH,BB, Rough cut mower,chipper and will be getting landscape rake in the next couple of weeks.
We use the tractor almost daily in our landscape business...It is my understanding that the CK 25 has been replaced with the CK 27. However I am impressed on the amount of work this brute will do,and it more than suits our needs. We have over 150 hours on the unit now and not one complaint. I had my dealer install a thumb on the hoe and a skid plate to protect the HYD filter and valves. It may be nice to have an extra 5 or 10 HP but up to now I really can't see any need of it....Just my 2 cents....

 

[BJN644]

I had my dealer install a thumb on the hoe and a skid plate to protect the HYD filter and valves.

Would you be willing to post a picture of this skid plate? Is it something available as a bolt on item, or is it custom made?
That's the only thing I don't like about my tractor, that hyd. filter looks very vulnerable, especially when working in the woods.

 

[Oldtrout]

I will get pic today and try to post,this evening. It was custom built by my dealer;you are correct the filter is very vulnerable,I could see parts flying even when installing the BH . Like you, its the only thing that I didn't like about my tractor.Now that is cured can't find fault anywhere

 

[Oldtrout]

send me a private message and i will send the picture to you

 

[curly]

Why not post it so we all can see?

 

[Oldtrout]

Hopefully here is my pics.

 

[Oldtrout]

hopefully this is more

 

[Oldtrout]

Sorry of being an idiot, but there are three computer dummies here, but I think we have all the pic for you. If you need more just ask. I think we can handle it now. LOL

 

[BJN644]

Wow! that is great, I want one for my tractor. Can you give me some information as to how I can get your dealer to sell me one of those skid plates?

Thanks for posting the pics

 

[dfkrug]

I had my dealer install a thumb on the hoe and a skid plate to protect the HYD filter and valves.

That's a very substantial skidplate, TROUT! You will be glad you have it.

The DKs are much better underneath....at least the big hyd filter is horizontal.
DKs are much heavier than CKs. The ancient LK3054s have no HST option.
Now that the DK-SEs have HST, they are very attractive.

 

[Oldtrout]

Tks guys,I will get dealers E Mail add. tomorrow,and post it on this forum,I knew that I should of taken a picture of it when I removed it to change the Hyd. filter .

I just found the dealers add.

kingsequipment@eastlink.ca
phone # 902 678 0866

Let me know how you make out,have a great day..

 

[IslandTractor]

That's a very substantial skidplate, TROUT! You will be glad you have it.

The DKs are much better underneath....at least the big hyd filter is horizontal..

I agree but there are still vulnerable electrical connectors under the operator station that are pretty easily hit by brush when you drive over it. I don't think a true skidplate is needed unless you are planning to be in full time forestry work but a protective plate to keep 1 inch brush stalks from ripping up the electric wires would be nice on the new DK too.

A nice beefy skid plate would be a great way to add some ballast down low too however.

 

[dfkrug]

I agree but there are still vulnerable electrical connectors under the operator station that are pretty easily hit by brush when you drive over it.

No question about that, ISLAND.

I am VERY careful about driving over ANY brush as my under-chassis
protection only covers the most vulnerable hydraulics on my CK. On an
earlier Toyota 4x4 I once had a 3/8" branch get around my
skidplate and snap off a vacuum fitting on my front axle.

With skid plates, grille guards, and hood protection, most of us wait until
we have damage before we install them.

 

[gravel13]

With skid plates, grille guards, and hood protection, most of us wait until
we have damage before we install them.

Why is that. I know I for one keep telling myself I'm going to buy a grill/brush guard before something happens to grill. I just never seem to get around to doing it. Probably a combination of procrastination and too many other projects to try to get done compounded with the lack of time and money.

 

[dfkrug]

Why is that. I know I for one keep telling myself I'm going to buy a grill/brush guard before something happens to grill. I just never seem to get around to doing it. Probably a combination of procrastination and too many other projects to try to get done compounded with the lack of time and money.

Yeah, that's it.

Along with: "that won't happen to me, I'll be careful" syndrome.....

 

[IslandTractor]

Why is that. I know I for one keep telling myself I'm going to buy a grill/brush guard before something happens to grill. I just never seem to get around to doing it. Probably a combination of procrastination and too many other projects to try to get done compounded with the lack of time and money.

As Farmswithjunk would say, some people have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.

I know about the vulnerability of the electrical wires becasue I've already had a problem once. You'd think I'd have gotten around to dealing with a lightweight brush guard by now but nooooo, I'm in the field with no jockstrap at all.

 

[iwanta]

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