Should I upgrade to a CK30?

[jimmyj]

Hi Bondo.

I'd love to be able to afford both a CK20 and a DK45. Now I am in the middle with a CK30. I love it and you would too. As long as it's not too big for what you do now, which it does not seem to be.

 

[Josh61513]

I guess I'll be the odd duck here and not recommend upgrading to a CK30. The skid steer quick-attach that comes on the KL130 (CK25/30/35) is a direct fit for the KL120 on your CK20S. I bought it for mine, it's reasonably priced. The KL130 loader on the CK30 is hardly stronger than the KL120, can only lift about 100 lbs. more. The CK20S should have no trouble with the auger either.

The only significant benefits from the CK30 would be the additional horsepower which could add a foot to your mower width and pull a 1 foot wider box blade. I'd say if you want to upgrade go for at least the DK35 to gain a few hundred pounds in loader capacity, or even the DK40 to get the monster loader.

-Josh

 

[charleyfarmall]

I have a CK27 in addition to multiple larger tractors and one smaller one. It gets the most use of any tractor on the farm because it is perfect for lots of daily chores. It has never been wanting for power. BUT, if you want to mow a field you have to go slowly or get bounced out of your seat. AND, the loader only goes to about 800 pounds, and lots of stuff delivered on pallets weighs more. If I did it again, I would not get a CK with more power, I would get a DK35 with a longer wheelbase and more loader capacity.

 

[gauthier]

Yeah,believe if I thought a perfectly running very low hour 20 hp was to small for my needs,would skip 25-35 hp tractors and get one 40-50 hp,and I got a ck30.

 

[jimmyj]

Hey, what about the DS? It's a lot of tractor for a very good value.

 

[bondo478]

Once again, thatnks for the opinions! I realize the lifting capacity is not much more, but wouldn't the heavier tractor theoretically be able to lift more weight stably? Also, I still have to push a fair amount of snow, wouldn't it be faster and able to push more with less spinning and sliding with the bigger machine? I think the DK is out of my price range, but I'm curious about the DS. Anyone know what they should sell for?

 

[jimmyj]

The DS should be able to push pull and lift more. I don't know about NY, but in Canada they are about to have a special with the loader included at $19k. The prices in NY should be notably less if memory serves.

 

[Gittyup]

Before stepping up to the DS, ask yourself if giving up HST is worth it to get more tractor. My thoughts are that you don't need that much tractor for your uses unless you want to go to a 7' or 8' mower (not cheap). And implements will need to be bigger to cover it's tracts, which again will cost more. I think the CK35 HST is the best configuration in the CK lineup and would be more than enough to meet your needs.

 

[Gittyup]

The CK35 is also a possiblity. I have run a snowblower that way, but if I leave more than an inch of snow on this driveway, it seems to turn instantly to ice

You'll have the same problem with a bucket or scraper blade too. And moving snow with a loader is realy slow going. Blade is fastest, blower most versatile. Might want to think about a salt spreader after removing most of the snow.

 

[jimmyj]

My dealer was telling me the DS is coming out with new transmission options. Good points from the guys.