Should I upgrade to a CK30?

[bondo478]

I've been moving snow with the bucket on the CK20 for three years and really don't mind it. I've gotten used to it and seldom leave much more than an inch on the driveway. I think I would have a very hard time going from an HST to a gear. As fast as I am clearing the driveway with the 20, I would think the 30 would be quicker.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I've been moving snow with the bucket on the CK20 for three years and really don't mind it. I've gotten used to it and seldom leave much more than an inch on the driveway. I think I would have a very hard time going from an HST to a gear. As fast as I am clearing the driveway with the 20, I would think the 30 would be quicker.

Well, if your running the std buckets you should have a minimum of a 20% faster clearing time, but then I suppose that you could just get a bigger bucket for your smaller tractor.

I think that you would be muck happier with the bigger tractor. :thumbsup:

 

[Loren49]

The quicker you can clear your driveway - the less seat time you get - and the more time you have to earn the money to pay for the bigger tractor.
Bigger is not always better.... I have missed the extra 7hp of a CK35 less than 1% of the time (about 200 hrs) that I have had the CK27. That meant I had to go a bit slower a couple times. For my use the weight of the CK27 over a CK20 has been useful at times (hauling and lifting logs). Many times I think a CK20 would be a little handier around my 12 acres.

Loren

 

[jimmyj]

The DS does have a shuttle, I checked.

KIOTI - run ahead of the pack!

 

[IslandTractor]

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

I agree with all of Josh's points. I went from CK20 to DK40se for these very reasons. The CK30/35 would pull a bigger mower than the 20 but to gain significant improvements in other areas you need to go to the DK range.

Don't discount the benefits of the smaller tractor. The CK and it's implements are easier to store and maneuver. The 20 can pull a 5 foot finish mower so you really gain only 15% or so by going to a 6 foot mower.

I'd consider getting the quick attach for the CK20 and trying that for a season with the front blade. My CK20 had a QA adapter and was remarkably capable and efficient. I miss it.

 

[Gittyup]

It doesn't appear that loader lift capacity is even an issue for the OP. Nonetheless, regardless of the specs. I've used both and the bigger CK is way more capable with a loader, mainly due to being 1000 lbs heavier: better push into a pile; better stability with a full load. And there is a big difference in Hydraulic flow, which also makes the loader function faster. Yeah, you can put a bigger bucket on the CK20, but will you have the traction to take advantage of it in the snow? Not like you could with the bigger heavier tractor.

What the OP wants is something that can pull a bigger mower and pull it through high grass faster. Here, no subsitute for HP. Go for the CK35. The DK is overkill.

 

[jimmyj]

What the OP wants is something that can pull a bigger mower and pull it through high grass faster. Here, no subsitute for HP. Go for the CK35. The DK is overkill.

There you go, making sense and speaking to the facts :laughing:

 

[tommaple]

The original post mentioned he also skids logs out of the woods. The DK is going to be tougher to fit through tight areas in the woods. I think the CK 35 would be the beter choice, enough power (almost 70% more than the CK20) for a larger mower and still maneuverable in the woods. The extra weight of the CK35 over the CK20 helps skidding logs.

 

[bondo478]

Well everyone, thanks for all of the comments and opinions! I signed on the dotted line yesterday for a new CK30 with the finish mower, backblade, boxblade, and a quick attach plate to weld to my snowblade, all for what I thought was going to be the difference between just the tractors alone. I should take delivery today or tomorrow.

 

[gauthier]

Well money solves all problems,,in a couple of years you'll be ready to move up to 40-50 hp.

 

[Gittyup]

Congrats. Enjoy and be safe.

 

[Mousefield]

Congratulations on your new CK30 with attachments. Don't forget to post a few pics for us. :tractor: :cool2:

 

[Loren49]

You'll enjoy it. HST or gear?

Good luck,
Loren

 

[jimmyj]

Congratulations! :thumbsup: Post pics when the time comes please.

 

[bondo478]

My new CK30 HST was delivered tonight after work. :thumbsup: I was only able to run it for about an hour, so I don't have too much experience with it yet. My initial impression is that I love the three range transmission and the feel of the hydraulics. I don't know if it has to do with the extra pump flow or if I'm imagining it, but they just seem to feel different than my CK20S did. My dealer continues to amaze me with his professionalism and honesty. This is the second new Kioti I have purchased from him, but I purchased two used tractors from him previously and he has always been by far the best dealer of any kind I have ever dealt with.

So I guess the moral of the story is, I couldn't be happier at this point. Pictures to follow. It was too dark tonight by the time I got done testing it out.......

 

[Dmace]

Sounds good! :thumbsup:
I would love a 3 range HST.

 

[IslandTractor]

Sounds good! :thumbsup:
I would love a 3 range HST.

You have to wonder why Kioti has been so slow in adding the 3 range HST to the CK20. Kubota has had it on their whole B series for a couple of years now. It would fix one of the only weaknesses of that tractor.

 

[bondo478]

Here are a couple of pics of it right off the truck. I have put 5 hours on it in the last couple days and I am very happy I upgraded. While I absolutely cannot say anything bad about my CK20S (it was a little tank!), the CK30 fits me and my needs better. I did some finish mowing with it this weekend, and the 3 range HST is wonderful! With my CK20S, I had to mow in low range which was slower than I wanted to go most of the time, but the mid range on the CK30 lets me go at the pace I want and still have the power to move. The 2 range transmission was definitely my biggest gripe with the CK20S. The hydraulics on the CK30 seem to be faster and more powerful. While I never had trouble lifting anything with my CK20S, this one feels more stable and stronger. I know the lifting capacities are not much different, but I like how it acts when lifting a heavy load. Digging with the bucket is no comparison, as it should be with the weight difference. All in all, I LOVED my CK20S, but I love the CK30 even more:thumbsup:

 

[Dmace]

Very Nice! :thumbsup:

 

[bondo478]

I'm biased, but I think it is a beautiful machine!!