Opinions On CK30 &35's HST

davidak · Nov 5, 2008

I have read up on hte Kioti brand and looked at a lot of spec's
and think I'm ready to buy a CK30 or 35HST with a FEL and Woods
backhole from Jennings Equipment in Puyallup, WA.

I have 20 acres I will be mowing, digging for water lines and power,
and misc. work. I would like some opinions and feedback on both the
tactor and the dealer.

Will this size tractor work for what I'm wanting to do.
Pros and cons on standard or HST.

Thanks,
Dave

intel · Nov 5, 2008

I wouldn't go any lower then the 35

aosbill · Nov 5, 2008

Just for your own information, I would check the quality of the wiring harnesses on this tractor. Make sure the wiring harnesses are taped up from end to end and that all connectors have dielectric grease installed inside the connectors to inhibit corrosion from water entering the harnesses. I've had a problem with my CK20HST that cost me a bundle to get repaired after five years. As it turns out it was a wiring harness assembly. The split loom on the harness was facing upwards allowing water to enter into the harness and eventually corroded the end connectors and ruined the harness altogether. So check their electrical work and be sure and tell the dealer you want ALL connectors taken apart and dielectric grease put in there. That way I think you will be happy with it because other than electrical these little tractors seem to be well built. I bought my CK20HST five years ago and it was one of the first serial numbers so maybe I just got a tractor that didn't get the upgraded wiring harness.

Highbeam · Nov 5, 2008

davidak said:
I have read up on hte Kioti brand and looked at a lot of spec's
and think I'm ready to buy a CK30 or 35HST with a FEL and Woods
backhole from Jennings Equipment in Puyallup, WA.

I have 20 acres I will be mowing, digging for water lines and power,
and misc. work. I would like some opinions and feedback on both the
tactor and the dealer.

Will this size tractor work for what I'm wanting to do.
Pros and cons on standard or HST.

Thanks,
Dave

Hello Dave, I live and work near Jennings and have adopted them as my Kioti dealer since the place I bought my Kioti is, well, crappy and Jennings didn't sell Kioti at the time. Jennings has been around for a long time selling Kubotas and more recently selling Kiotis. I've had warranty work done there, rented attachments there, and have bought parts there all with great success. I think that your experience will be very good with Jennings as your dealer.

As far as which Kioti, well, I own a CK30 with 750 hours on it and the tractor has been very dependable. The new KL130B loader is very good. Be sure to get the new style loader as I believe that Jennings is still holding some of the old failure prone KL130 loaders for the CK30/25.

I use my CK30 on 15 acres of remote property so towing a lighter tractor is important. If you live on the 20 acres and it is all usable then I would be going for a larger and heavier machine. Honestly a DK45 is available in HST and would be superior for the 20 acre parcel. The CK30 is a good 5-10 acre machine.

The woods backhoes are top notch.

I would always always recommend a HST tractor. I love being able to inch forward and to change directions quickly. Mowing, plowing, discing, loader work, and grading have all been excellent with HST.

Let me know if I can help with more local type questions. I live here in the hills above Puyallup.

IslandTractor · Nov 5, 2008

I agree with Highbeam's recommendations on tractor/acreage combos. I used a CK20 on 5 acres which was about the limit for that machine though it did a great job. I upgraded to a DK40se when the acreage increased to about 20 and I find it is the correct size. I don't know the difference in cost these days between a CK30/35 HST and a DK40se HST but a year ago it was pretty easy to justify given how much more tractor you get and also the more modern design and features of the new DK series.

JoelD · Nov 5, 2008

AS an opposing view to HST, I've never had a geared tranny fail, not on my 1953 case dozer, not on my 1970's Kubota tractor, not on any machine I've owned. For me, as a personal preference I like the clutch and gear drive. I'd much rather replace a clutch than rebuild a hydro. I can not argue, that when doing loader work and the like, a hydro is superior in functionality, but for longevity, I like my chances with a gearbox. Good to get different points of view. The other nice thing about gear, once I'm going, no pedals to push. But I'm guessing most hydros today have cruise.

Good luck either way.

Joel

Gittyup · Nov 5, 2008

HST is best, but he shuttle is quite good too. If you can swing the extra cost, get the most hp.

Mousefield · Nov 5, 2008

I have a CK35 HST with loader and a Woods backhoe that I got new this June. The Woods backhoe has the mechanical thumb as most of my property is treed and it is great for picking up large firewood rounds and small logs for milling. I really am glad I got the thumb; it just makes the backhoe so useful. Of course it depends on your use but I feel it should really be considered. The older I get the better it is to have labor saving "toys". I spent about six months really looking hard at what was out there and feel the Kioti is the best on the market. Had one small problem with the backhoe but Tony from Superior Tractor and Woods had me back up and running within a week. Great service since I live in Canada and Superior Tractor is in Oregon. The CK35 is even better than I thought it would be. The HST is sure the way to go, so easy to operate.

unhappykioti · Nov 6, 2008

I bought my Woods hoe from Jennings even though they are two and a half hours from me, everyone there was great to work with they will take good care of you.