Wanting to buy a CK 25 or 35 HST- Northeast Ohio

[PAB_OH]

Well I am a total newbie to tractors but I have been trying to educate myself here recently as I am about to close on a house w/ 3 acres and a heck of a steep and bumpy driveway. I definitley see the need for a tractor.

I usually try to buy the best I can and do considerable research before I lay down the kind of money it looks like I'm going to be spending. I am a design engineer by training and I was a maintenance mechanic working on large machinery before that. I like to think I have a pretty keen eye for mechanical & hydraulic systems.

All that being said, I think I have decided on Kioti to be my first tractor. The land I am buying is pretty much a hillside w/ a level spot near the top where the house sits. There is quite a bit of overgrown pasture around the front yard that will need to be tamed at a minimum, domesticated if possible. My wife already has grand plans of massive landscaping. In the immediate future I see a large amount of time being spent mowing and pushing snow around. In addition I will need to maintain the drive and have visions of a 1200 square foot shop being built out back in the future. I think a horse will be on the property before too long also. The total amount of land will be increased by 2 acres at minimum, my neighbor wants to sell me some already since it is almost cut off from his land by mine anyway.

This is what I've come up with so far. I think I want the CK 30 w/ loader and mower. I'm not sure if I should get the belly mower or the rear finish mower. I will also want a box blade for the drive, I've heard they are good for that type work. I don't know yet but I think I will eventually want a blade of some sort and tiller. I think the loader will suffice for snow removal so I don't plan to get a dedicated implement for that. I think a backhoe will be a near future purchase

So, I ask all of you, what is your opinion regarding what tractor and implements I should get? My local Kioti delaer (Owens Implements - Dover, OH) has a 25 and 30 HST on yard right now. I don't think I'm finacially ready to do it right away though. I may have to get by this winter by using a friends old tractor for snow removal. I also would like to buy used if possible though with this class of tractor that seems hard to do because usually once bought they are kept by the owner until they are falling apart. I know that's what I plan to do so I want to get a quality machine and not have to worry about reliability issues. I think Kioti fits the bill for me.

Is it best to buy the loader and backhoe all at the same time (price wise that it). Like I said before, I'm pretty handy mechanically and with hydraulics so installing it won't be a problem but if the price change is significant enough I would be willing to get it with the tractor if I buy new.

I have looked at the other brands, including the Green Giant. i just don't think I can afford one, even used. I have pretty much ruled them out unless a good deal comes by. I plan to focus on Kioti from here on out. I have finally cleared the waters and don't want to muddy them up again by looking at other models.

As reference on price, the CK 30 my local dealer has is currently equiped with backhoe and loader (I forget the exact model numbers but they are Kioti) and he told me I would be looking at $19,362 (I think, right around there). I have ABSOLUTELY no idea if that's a good price for my area or not. I am willing to drive a little way but I would like to keep it as local as possible for service reasons. I also prefer to support the local economy, but not if it's going to cost me thousands more.

I've seen references on this board for a guy named Wallace over in PA but I think that might be a bit too far for me. If you (Wallace) read this post though and you have something available let me know though. I've read a lot of good things about you, it might be worth the drive.

So please, give me your thoughts on mine. Am I heading in the right direction as far as make, model, and implements? Anything else I should take into consideration?

TIA for all opinions.

Phil

 

[AndyM]

I'm the first to admit that I know squat about Kiotis, but there are several people here who have bought from Roman's just south of Youngstown (Poland area). There's a couple that have come from 1 1/2 to 2 hours away. They might testify on their experiences there.

By the way, welcome to TBN.

Where are you at in Carroll County? I've got some land down there, near Amsterdam.

 

[Mavrik02]

Welcome to the forum!

With 3 acres are you sure you want a tractor frame as large as the CK25/30? The CK20 is less money and still a very capable tractor for the type of work you are going to do. But...once you sit on and drive the two it's hard not to want the larger machine (believe me I know).

Regarding the CK25 vs the 30...most of the tractor attachments come in different sizes. Usually the larger they are the more PTO HP is recommended. This is especially true of the powered implements like brush hogs and mowers. Figure out the attachments you will need and the size you want and that will help you select 20, 25 or 30 HP.

MMM vs. RFM...the Mid Mount Mowers are more expensive (up to $1200 more). Also most MMMs are not compatible with the frame mounted BH mounts. To use both you need to change the mounts. Most of us use the RFM.

A rear blade will work to remove the snow.

Check with your dealer on cost of the BH if you purchase now vs. later. Some dealers will give you attachements at or near cost if you purchase them with the tractor but if you buy them before/after the sale you may pay full price. Not all do this but it is worth asking how your dealer handles it.

Wallace is a great guy and isn't afraid to reach out a few states to sell and support his tractors. That doesn't mean you can't find a good local dealer though.

Good Luck!

 

[PAB_OH]

Thanks for the welcome and the tip on Roman's. I will check them out as well.

I'm going to be just outside of Carrollton, actually to the northwest, in between Waynesburg and Carrollton.

Amsterdam huh? We used to call that L.A. (Lower Amsterdam) where it's so hilly they have to pipe the sunshine in. Do you use the land for hunting? I have a couple of friends who own land down there and that is what they do with it.

Glad to meet a fellow Buckeye in my first post. Thanks again.

 

[PAB_OH]

Mavrik,
Thanks for the advice and comments.

To be frank, no I'm not sure I need something as large as the 25 or 30 but I did sit on it them and the 20 and I really like the bigger frame size. My land is all open field so I don't see any problems with the larger size. That is something I did think about but forgot to put in my OP. Plus, I am trying to think long term. The neighbor who wants to sell me the other two acres may end up giving up more land and I want to have a tractor that will be useful up to 10 acres.

I will check with the dealer regarding purchasing everything all at once. I thought maybe I could get a general consensus here on what might be the best way to approach the deal. If I buy all at once then I will have to save a bit longer I think. I am hoping to put 50% down, wishful thinking but I'm shooting for that.

I think I did read about the incompatability of the MMM and the BH attachments. Thanks for pointing that out.

One other question I had but forgot to ask, how inconvenient is it really to go with gear drive when using a FEL? With the SS and synchronized gearing is it a huge pain (25 & 30 geared versions)? I could save a chunk of money that way I think.

 

[KAB]

I don't know about price but does not sound very bad. When buying a tractor if you think there will be a need for a loader, and it sounds like you will use it, get it when you buy the tractor. For the BH you do not indicate how much work that you have for it. If you forsee enough use and will be financing, get it when you buy the tractor. If paying cash then you can wait. If you only expect minimal BH use where you can plan it out in advance then consider renting a larger unit. Your work will get done faster. (I have a BH, but my work is not something that can be grouped together and has to be used on 2 properties.)

The mower will depend on what you have to go around. A lot of trees Belly, open areas a rear mount works good. Also make sure you can use a belly mount with the BH setup. (I know you can't on a CK20, no idea on a CK25/30). MAybe look at a Rotary Cutter for areas away from the house and a riding mower for the area closer to the house.

I bought my CK20HST to prep 3 acres for a future house. Installation of 350' driveway, keep open field mowed, clear brush, plow snow in winter, remove stumps, etc.. I find it large enough, sometimes I wish faster, to do what I am trying to accomplish. If you have hills you may want the additional range selection. If I was looking at the CK25 I would spend the extra money for the extra 5hp. Probably the only thing that I can think to keep in mind is if you have a septic system you will not want to use these tractors over it due to the weight.

Good luck and welcome to TBN.

Kurt

 

[PAB_OH]

KAB,
Thank you also. I never even thought about the septic and the weight of the tractor. That does throw a monkey wrench in things, I think.

What exactly am I trying to avoid? The leech field? Is there a danger of crushing the lines?

I have learned over the years to buy a bit bigger than you think you need, that's why I was looking at the 25 and 30. The 30 especially. I am tired of buying "whatever to get me by" and wishing later I had gone bigger or better. I'll hold off if I have to. I will definitley be financing some of this so maybe getting it all in one shot is the way to go.

As I mentioned ina previous post, the land is all clear, no trees except for the frontage and rear of the property. A RMM might be the best option. If things get cluttered down the road then I can look at a small mower for around the obstacles.

Edit:
I forgot to add, I don't see a lot of work for the BH, at least not on my property. My extended family and friends though, that's another story. Lots of things to take care of there.

Thanks again.

 

[Mavrik02]

"Hydro or gear"...you may as well ask "Ford or Chevy" or "vanilla or Chocolate" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyway...most of my property is woods. I use the hydro pedal constantly in everthing I do. For me the hydro is a life saver. For others not so important. It depends on your property and use.

There is a current debate going on here ( HST/Gear ) if you want more info.

 

[RedRocker]

I don't think a MMM is available for the CK25/30.

 

[KAB]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What exactly am I trying to avoid? The leech field? Is there a danger of crushing the lines? )</font>

Compacting. The last thing you want to do to any leach field is compact the soil where it cannot drain properly. This is one of the issues that I have to keep in mind after we build. I will either get a ZTR to mow the whole yard or use a riding mower over the leach field.

As for Gear vs Hydro you can get all kinds of answers. I looked at gear and hydro went with hydro because of PTO. for mowing and other PTO attachments you will want a "live" or independant PTO. With Hydro you can stop and keep the pto running. With some gears when you push in the clutch the pto stops where others it depends on how far the clutch is pushed in. A common point for going with HST is using a tiller. You have better speed control with HST since there are no set speeds. With gear to run the PTO at speed even in low gear you may go faster than you want. Remember with HST the more you push the pedal the less power goes to the wheels which can take a bit to get used to. Gear is normally better for ground engaging implements. No fluid to take away from efficency (sp), Less loss of power to the PTO. Get the idea?

You can do a search for gear and hst and see all kinds of heated debates. Get what you like best.

A CK20 will work on your land but if looking at more land in the future the larger tractor won't hurt and cheaper now the going to small and then upgrading. Going from the CK25 to CK30 is engine size. You will still need the same size attachment to cover you tracks. Spend the extra money for the HP.

Just remember that with the BH if you dig a hole and hit a utility who are they going to blame? For the price of the BH you can rent or pay somebody else quit a few hours of time and still have money left over.

Kurt