Buying Advice Researching

[Eric1973]

I currently have a Ford 1720 that I believe is the 1990-91 model year. It's been used and abused over the years and needs a ton of maintenance and repair. So I'm looking at buying a new or slightly used tractor. The Ford tractor is 28 HP which has been plenty in most cases but I would like to step up to either a 35 or 40 HP.

Locally I have a couple John Deer, a New Holland/Kubota, and a Kioti/TYM dealer(s) in that order of distance from my house. The Kioti/TYM dealer is only about 40 miles away.

Mostly with the tractor I will be doing some logging on my property, I currently have a Farmi Logging Winch for my tractor, and using the FEL to stack logs. So I'll be driving through branches, sticks, etc out in the woods. I'll also be doing quite a bit of snow plowing, dirt work, pushing over small trees, using the sub-soiler, etc.

I haven't driven any of the tractors, and only glanced at them at the fair, but currently I'm leaning towards the Kioti DK35SE HST that I was quoted $20,911 or the TYM T353 HST for $19,811. One thing that concerns me about the Kioti is that the exhaust is run down by the body, worried that it might be ripped off by brush or whatever I'm driving through. The TYM might be a problem too but looks to be in a better place.

I'd like to add a grapple root rake to move brush and logs around too.


Ok, so for my questions:

Does a 35 HP tractor sound like it would be large enough to handle these tasks? The current tractor has handled all the tasks, but it has been abused in the process.

Has anyone had issues with the Kioti's exhaust being torn off by driving through a wooded environment?

Haven't really researched too much on the grapple root rakes, is adding a third function for the FEL much of an issue on the Kioti or TYM?

Thanks.

 

[Mousefield]

Congratulations on being a new member, see this is your first post.
You will find lots of good info on TractoyByNet.

I have the Kioti CK35 HST with a Woods 7 ft backhoe and thumb. One of the reasons I got this setup is most of my land is treed and I would be in and out of the bush. Got the backhoe to lift logs to a nice height for cutting and also placing the rounds onto my wood splitter. Have had it for over 3 years (332 hours) and it has out performed my expectations. :thumbsup:
You may look at the DK40 or DK45, those are larger and heavier than mine but maybe more suitable for your use.

 

[arrow]

All the logs in this picture were pulled in by this kid and his John Deere. If you are having a problem believeing that I understand. The logs may have been pulled in by the larger JD which is a 20 hp 1985 750 that has been doing this kind of work since I got it. It will knock over a 4" tree. If yours are bigger, you'll need a larger tractor. For the jobs you desrcibe, one needs traction which does not necessarily equate to HP. Mostly you need weight. Also, some manufacturers have muffler kits that allow variations of muffler placement. Front grapples are not light so you would want a tractor with at least 1500 lbs lift capacity to place chunks of trees around which equates more with the DK 35. Have the dealer install the remote so you'll have a tractor ready to go with no issues.

 

[Eric1973]

Thanks for the input. I think I'm probably about right on the size of the tractor. I probably don't "need" to go with anything that's bigger than what I currently have but I do like some of the features, (weight, lift capacity) that comes with the DK model rather than the CK. I'll need to go over and do a hands on comparison of the two models and then decide if I'd like to get the 35 or 30 HP.

Currently for lifting logs I have a couple 2" pieces of square tubing that are in brackets inside of my bucket. The grapple would be nice but again probably not "needed". Current bucket says it's rated at abut 800lbs of lift so a CK or DK 35 would be an improvement.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Thanks for the input. I think I'm probably about right on the size of the tractor. I probably don't "need" to go with anything that's bigger than what I currently have but I do like some of the features, (weight, lift capacity) that comes with the DK model rather than the CK. I'll need to go over and do a hands on comparison of the two models and then decide if I'd like to get the 35 or 30 HP.

Currently for lifting logs I have a couple 2" pieces of square tubing that are in brackets inside of my bucket. The grapple would be nice but again probably not "needed". Current bucket says it's rated at abut 800lbs of lift so a CK or DK 35 would be an improvement.

Eric,

I just bought a DK50SE HST with a grapple. I love it. The FEL is the same all of the larger chassis, and it has 2700+ lbs capacity. I was convinced to go to 50 hp to get the PTO hp up higher.

This is mine...

Enjoy the shopping!
Happy Tractoring!
David

 

[Eric1973]

Mind me asking how much you paid for the DK50 and the grapple?

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Mind me asking how much you paid for the DK50 and the grapple?

I got the grapple used for $1700.

I think I paid ~26,500 for the Tractor & FEL (I added a bunch of other stuff and some of them were "rolled" into the tractor price).

I took the $4000 rebate as my down payment.

David

 

[o2batsea]

There's no comparison between a TYM and a Kioti. TYM is a Yugo next to the Kioti.
No matter what buy a tractor that is equipped with a cab. That will put you into a DK40 and above, but you will never regret the decision.

 

[BTI]

DK35's are available with cabs as long as you want an HST.
Same with 40 thru 50.
Only the 45 is available in gear and cab (in SE) as well as the 55 thru 90.
40 thru 50 use the same loader

BTI

 

[arrow]

There's no comparison between a TYM and a Kioti. TYM is a Yugo next to the Kioti.
No matter what buy a tractor that is equipped with a cab. That will put you into a DK40 and above, but you will never regret the decision.

He is planning to do logging with his machine. One is jumping off and on the tractor to hook up or unhook quite frequently so as I'm looking at it, a cab would rather be a nuisance to have to contend with. The only thing I drove in the woods with a cab was a skidder but you basically always stayed in there as you had guys setting chokers and then other guys
at the landing unhooking them.

 

[arrow]

Eric,

I just bought a DK50SE HST with a grapple. I love it. The FEL is the same all of the larger chassis, and it has 2700+ lbs capacity. I was convinced to go to 50 hp to get the PTO hp up higher.

This is mine...

Enjoy the shopping!
Happy Tractoring!
David

That is a beautiful machine Moss. Should serve you well for your endeavors. Don't get too close to those ponds if you need to mow around them. The grapple you will find,is worth its weight in gold. Good luck with it!

 

[creekbend]

There's no comparison between a TYM and a Kioti. TYM is a Yugo next to the Kioti.
No matter what buy a tractor that is equipped with a cab. That will put you into a DK40 and above, but you will never regret the decision.

I agree in regards to the comparison between TYM and KIOTI. Happy Tractoring.

 

[creekbend]

He is planning to do logging with his machine. One is jumping off and on the tractor to hook up or unhook quite frequently so as I'm looking at it, a cab would rather be a nuisance to have to contend with. The only thing I drove in the woods with a cab was a skidder but you basically always stayed in there as you had guys setting chokers and then other guys
at the landing unhooking them.

There are both positive and negative benefits involved in having a cab. In the winter, you stay warmer, in the summer you will stay cooler if equipped with AC and a cab helps keep the flies away somewhat. But if you have to get off quite a bit to set up tasks, it can be somewhat aggravating. Just food for thought. I reckon you can compare your decision in comparison to getting married. Do you marry a woman who cooks great and is average in looks, or do you marry a beautiful woman that is an bad cook? Just my thoughts. Happy Tractoring.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

That is a beautiful machine Moss. Should serve you well for your endeavors. Don't get too close to those ponds if you need to mow around them. The grapple you will find,is worth its weight in gold. Good luck with it!

Arrow,

It has been pouring rain so I have not had any seat time in days. I do love it though.

I had a nightmare just the other day regarding the ponds and the tractor... The "tractor road" to the shed/barn I plan to park it in runs right next to one of my ponds, and I just moved deadfalls etc so I could go out onto the man-made dam that the prior owner made to enlarge the big pond (he had a backhoe I've been told and he did significant earthwork to dig out and enlarge the beaver pond. So the nightmare was bush-hogging the dam and having it collapse while I was on it...

Now I'm not so sure I can go out onto it... My wife wants me to stump grind many of the things growing on the banks of the pond also. My dealer said it should be no problem, but I'm not so sure...

Thanks for the compliments sir!
David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

There's no comparison between a TYM and a Kioti. TYM is a Yugo next to the Kioti.
No matter what buy a tractor that is equipped with a cab. That will put you into a DK40 and above, but you will never regret the decision.

Not to be argumentative here, but I strongly flelt that unless I was a full-time farmer, or living in extreme weather areas, the $5k extra for a cab was MUCH better spent on attachments. Yes, I have 6-8 weeks of summer with terrible humidity (sweating out all the toxins in my body is good for me I hear), and yes VA can get snow and cold, and even had Snowmageddon just a couple years ago (that is the only time I will get to wear all my foul weather gear). Besides, if the truth is told here, moving snow will be 60% clearing the driveway and 50% building SMOKING Sled runs for me and the girls:thumbsup:, so I will be getting in and out all the time.

Just my :2cents:

Your mileage may vary.

Be well,
David

 

[earljr59]

o2batsea has a good point, cabs are nice. If buying new a great option.I dont like them without air here in the summer,rather have an open cab than burn up in the humid hot air. Looked at some very nice cabs at our state fair last weekend on a variety of brands.Wish mine had a cab with ac/heat /radio.I would hate going back to a open cab backhoe .

 

[earljr59]

Nice tractor mossflowerwoods. If that grapple is half as handy as a clam bucket on a backhoe you will love it. What a backsaver:thumbsup:

 

[arrow]

There are both positive and negative benefits involved in having a cab. In the winter, you stay warmer, in the summer you will stay cooler if equipped with AC and a cab helps keep the flies away somewhat. But if you have to get off quite a bit to set up tasks, it can be somewhat aggravating. Just food for thought. I reckon you can compare your decision in comparison to getting married. Do you marry a woman who cooks great and is average in looks, or do you marry a beautiful woman that is an bad cook? Just my thoughts. Happy Tractoring.

The trick is to find a beautiful woman who can cook.

I can easily see the benefits of having a cab. The trick here is to mount one of those rear log grapples so you just grab and go. There's another $3200 but hey, its just money and you can get hit by a bus tomorow which increasing debt might cause one to wish for.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

The trick is to find a beautiful woman who can cook.

Really? I thought the trick was to find a woman who ENCOURAGES you to buy a bigger tractor with more attachments? :laughing::laughing::laughing:

Actually, I just thank God every day that she still likes me almost 22 years after she first met me! :thumbsup:

Be well,
David

 

[o2batsea]

He is planning to do logging with his machine. One is jumping off and on the tractor to hook up or unhook quite frequently so as I'm looking at it, a cab would rather be a nuisance to have to contend with. The only thing I drove in the woods with a cab was a skidder but you basically always stayed in there as you had guys setting chokers and then other guys
at the landing unhooking them.

The discouraging cab comments seem to be coming from people without cab tractors. Believe me, the Kioti cab is no hassle getting in and out of...no worse than if there were no cab. Granted, you have to pull the door closed, but you don't hear people who drive cars complaining that closing the door is too much hassle do you? It's about the same amount of effort as a car door.

While I'm not what you'd call a heavy user, I've had my share of jumping out and climbing back in. The comfort, security and climate control of the cab trumps any possible negatives. The only thing you cannot do with a cab tractor is lean sideways over the rear wheel to see how close you are to mushing something.