To20Chris
Platinum Member
OPPS! Yes, I did mean to refer to the CK25HST - thanks for catching it!
What to buy & how big?
- Thread starter ELBRIDGE
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KiotiJohn,
Thanks for the info. It is really good to here that the CK20 will do what I want it to do. I think that we often, I know that I do, think that we need a bigger Tractor than we really do. I was going strictly by physcial size. If money we no object, I guess it would not be an issue.
I can not however stop thinking about what a friend of mine once said and that is "you will never overwork a bigger Tractor". I think that is really good advice to a point. I am sure if I were looking at a 17 or 18 HP you may have said that it may not be enough.
I know you are a Kioti man, but I also like the Mahindra, any thoughts on that machine. Chances are I will end up with the Kioti, mainly due to the reasons stated in an earlier post.
Thanks again,
David
Thanks for the info. It is really good to here that the CK20 will do what I want it to do. I think that we often, I know that I do, think that we need a bigger Tractor than we really do. I was going strictly by physcial size. If money we no object, I guess it would not be an issue.
I can not however stop thinking about what a friend of mine once said and that is "you will never overwork a bigger Tractor". I think that is really good advice to a point. I am sure if I were looking at a 17 or 18 HP you may have said that it may not be enough.
I know you are a Kioti man, but I also like the Mahindra, any thoughts on that machine. Chances are I will end up with the Kioti, mainly due to the reasons stated in an earlier post.
Thanks again,
David
The Mahindras seem like good tractors. I didn't get too far into checking them out as I couldn't stomach the dealer, but they are well built and have good specs.
I think the Kioti ergonomics are somewhat better for me, more comfortable.
However, the Mahindras should definitely be checked out. You don't want to just go try one brand. Go try all of them you can, get as close to real prices as you can, comparing feature for feature, in COMPARABLE tractors.
Keep in mind some of the things that make a difference in the price. As in Kioti including a joystick lever and main valve body. Most others charge extra for that when you buy a loader. It comes on most Kioties whether or not you're buying a loader with the tractor. Later, that saves some serious money. These are the types of things you need to be sure you know are included or cost extra.
Another thing many don't think of until they want to add some electronics to their tractor: What size is the alternator?
Kioti offers a full 50 amp alternator. Many others offer from as little as 15 amps. If you want more lights, you need more amps! I hope this is of some assistance. I don't care what brand you buy, you should be happy with the brand you buy. That's the only important thing. John
I think the Kioti ergonomics are somewhat better for me, more comfortable.
However, the Mahindras should definitely be checked out. You don't want to just go try one brand. Go try all of them you can, get as close to real prices as you can, comparing feature for feature, in COMPARABLE tractors.
Keep in mind some of the things that make a difference in the price. As in Kioti including a joystick lever and main valve body. Most others charge extra for that when you buy a loader. It comes on most Kioties whether or not you're buying a loader with the tractor. Later, that saves some serious money. These are the types of things you need to be sure you know are included or cost extra.
Another thing many don't think of until they want to add some electronics to their tractor: What size is the alternator?
Kioti offers a full 50 amp alternator. Many others offer from as little as 15 amps. If you want more lights, you need more amps! I hope this is of some assistance. I don't care what brand you buy, you should be happy with the brand you buy. That's the only important thing. John
KiotiJohn,
The Mahindra also has a 50amp alternator. Very good point to mention, I had not though of that. I have two additional questions at this time. Do you know if I can run a Log splitter with the CK20? Don't know if the tractor has aux hyd. hook up or comes with them?
Any thoughts on R4 tires as opposed to turf? My thinking is that the R4's may be to harsh on the lawn and the Turf may not be enough for the snow even with 4wd. Just thought someone with some experience may be able to help.
Thanks,
David
The Mahindra also has a 50amp alternator. Very good point to mention, I had not though of that. I have two additional questions at this time. Do you know if I can run a Log splitter with the CK20? Don't know if the tractor has aux hyd. hook up or comes with them?
Any thoughts on R4 tires as opposed to turf? My thinking is that the R4's may be to harsh on the lawn and the Turf may not be enough for the snow even with 4wd. Just thought someone with some experience may be able to help.
Thanks,
David
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2003
- Messages
- 7,615
I personally think that most people buy tractors that are too big for their needs and you are definately aiming toward falling into that category. I think it might be tempting to buy a bigger framed machine so that you can use those "free" implements but it seems to me the free implements actually come at quite a heafty price.
You have some short term landscape work to do, then you need to mow a couple acres. Your neighbor needs you to buy a FEL so he can get one for free.
Gatorboy has given you some very good advice.
If it was me, the largest tractor I would look at is a small frame CUT. You can pick the brand there are plenty of good units out there, in the 21 hp range the CK20 is probably the best, but if you want to pull a 5' bush hog, then it will likely be too low in power. I just question if you need to even use that 5' hog.
Why not just rent a unit in the spring for a week, line up your big chores and take a vacation week. Hog that field one time (an hour or so worth of work) then go after building your landscaping the remaing time you have that tractor rented.
After you are done, you won't ever need the disk or bush hog again. You may be able to get by without a FEL as well. That would leave you with the Toro unit you already own, and it would save you about $12,000 to $15,000 too!
Now if you really want to spend your money, then take a look at a large H.D. garden tractor, it will take a 60" mower deck, it will keep that field that you just hogged looking as close to a lawn as it is going to look. And you'd still have money left over. I guess the biggest thing I would consider would be the Cub Cadet 5000 series, but a Cub 3000 series would do what you NEED done, without wasting your hard earned money. A nice John Deere 300 or mabye 400 series garden tractor would also do the job. JD and Cub build garden tractors that will last you 20 years.
A good garden tractor won't give you the testosterone high that a big tractor will, but on the other hand it won't cost you as much, it won't be too large to fit under the trees you are about to plant, and while it won't make your neighbor happy, it won't be a waste of money either. I'd seriously reconsider your choices, and I'd seriously consider renting a machine for a week or two and then using a garden tractor to do what you really need done after that.
It is nice that you are willing to BH your neighbors lots, and do all that other stuff, but what if they move? Or you don't get along at some point in the future? And will they pay for upkeep on your machine? And if the neighbor uses the machine to do some FEL work is he paying for any damage? Or the oil change? You sound like you are going to be paying for this for a long time, I think you seriously need to rethink this purchase. Just my 2 bits.
But it is easy for us to tell you to go buy a tractor, sometimes the hard part is facing the reality that the advice we are giving is not in your long term best interest.
You have some short term landscape work to do, then you need to mow a couple acres. Your neighbor needs you to buy a FEL so he can get one for free.
Gatorboy has given you some very good advice.
If it was me, the largest tractor I would look at is a small frame CUT. You can pick the brand there are plenty of good units out there, in the 21 hp range the CK20 is probably the best, but if you want to pull a 5' bush hog, then it will likely be too low in power. I just question if you need to even use that 5' hog.
Why not just rent a unit in the spring for a week, line up your big chores and take a vacation week. Hog that field one time (an hour or so worth of work) then go after building your landscaping the remaing time you have that tractor rented.
After you are done, you won't ever need the disk or bush hog again. You may be able to get by without a FEL as well. That would leave you with the Toro unit you already own, and it would save you about $12,000 to $15,000 too!
Now if you really want to spend your money, then take a look at a large H.D. garden tractor, it will take a 60" mower deck, it will keep that field that you just hogged looking as close to a lawn as it is going to look. And you'd still have money left over. I guess the biggest thing I would consider would be the Cub Cadet 5000 series, but a Cub 3000 series would do what you NEED done, without wasting your hard earned money. A nice John Deere 300 or mabye 400 series garden tractor would also do the job. JD and Cub build garden tractors that will last you 20 years.
A good garden tractor won't give you the testosterone high that a big tractor will, but on the other hand it won't cost you as much, it won't be too large to fit under the trees you are about to plant, and while it won't make your neighbor happy, it won't be a waste of money either. I'd seriously reconsider your choices, and I'd seriously consider renting a machine for a week or two and then using a garden tractor to do what you really need done after that.
It is nice that you are willing to BH your neighbors lots, and do all that other stuff, but what if they move? Or you don't get along at some point in the future? And will they pay for upkeep on your machine? And if the neighbor uses the machine to do some FEL work is he paying for any damage? Or the oil change? You sound like you are going to be paying for this for a long time, I think you seriously need to rethink this purchase. Just my 2 bits.
But it is easy for us to tell you to go buy a tractor, sometimes the hard part is facing the reality that the advice we are giving is not in your long term best interest.
GatorBoy,
The Toro would work I am sure the only problem is that the transition from lawn to field is very rough. The field itself is to rough for the Toro as well. I just feel that the conditions in the field are really taxing the Toro. After all it is a finish mower. I did try after my neighbor BH the field and it is just to tough going.
The idea of a Tractor was to eventually replace the Toro as I may not want to continue to walk behind the mower, lets say in another 10 years or so. I have a rather steep hill to go up and down. The Toro is a gear drive, not very good at going down hill you have to constantly feather the brakes. I think a hydro would have been the better choice.
I could wait to get a Tractor until then. I would have to put of the other work until then as well. The field is now down and I want to keep it that way. Just trying to justify a big boy toy without regreating it. Of course I have never heard of anyone not finding many uses for a Tractor and saying I wish I had never bought it in the first place.
David
The Toro would work I am sure the only problem is that the transition from lawn to field is very rough. The field itself is to rough for the Toro as well. I just feel that the conditions in the field are really taxing the Toro. After all it is a finish mower. I did try after my neighbor BH the field and it is just to tough going.
The idea of a Tractor was to eventually replace the Toro as I may not want to continue to walk behind the mower, lets say in another 10 years or so. I have a rather steep hill to go up and down. The Toro is a gear drive, not very good at going down hill you have to constantly feather the brakes. I think a hydro would have been the better choice.
I could wait to get a Tractor until then. I would have to put of the other work until then as well. The field is now down and I want to keep it that way. Just trying to justify a big boy toy without regreating it. Of course I have never heard of anyone not finding many uses for a Tractor and saying I wish I had never bought it in the first place.
David
BarryinMN
Platinum Member
Think outside the box a little more. Your lawnmower is a good lawnmower but can it lift? Having a machine around the place that lifts gets to be indespensible. Your neighbor already knows this. How about putting a loader on neighbors machine? Spending others money is always fun!
Sounds like you have a tractor size in mind. Add 20% for contingencies (unknown uses). If your looking for a status symbol then it's a different formula.
I have a relative who lives on a 1/4 section who does not want a tractor because he is not mechanical. He's gotten by for decades with friends neighbors & relatives.
I tend to me to be mechanical so it's a good match + his wife is an excellent cook. Helping tends to be bookmarked by mealtimes.
They are in their 70's now.
Anyway he likes the tractor because it fetches dirt from the pit & fixes potholes in his road - beats a shovel & wheelbarrow, she likes the tractor because it's a tractor.
Renting is an option especially if it is convenient. Buying a rent it center is even better as it puts you into the top 1% income category.
Sounds like you have a tractor size in mind. Add 20% for contingencies (unknown uses). If your looking for a status symbol then it's a different formula.
I have a relative who lives on a 1/4 section who does not want a tractor because he is not mechanical. He's gotten by for decades with friends neighbors & relatives.
I tend to me to be mechanical so it's a good match + his wife is an excellent cook. Helping tends to be bookmarked by mealtimes.
They are in their 70's now.
Anyway he likes the tractor because it fetches dirt from the pit & fixes potholes in his road - beats a shovel & wheelbarrow, she likes the tractor because it's a tractor.
Renting is an option especially if it is convenient. Buying a rent it center is even better as it puts you into the top 1% income category.
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Any thoughts on R4 tires as opposed to turf? My thinking is that the R4's may be to harsh on the lawn and the Turf may not be enough for the snow even with 4wd. )</font>I personally would go with the R4's as they are a great compromise between turfs and Ags. I don't do snow, but I've read others' posts that turfs are pretty slippery in snow and on wet hills. IND R4's will give you more traction, and they're not bad on turf either. I have sandy soil and the only rutting I've gotten is after these %)*&%T$() hurricanes absolutely soaked everything. When mowing with either tire, doing it with 4WD off helps decrease any turning damage. John
EDIT: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do you know if I can run a Log splitter with the CK20? )</font>
You CAN run a splitter, but it may run slower because of the total GPM requirement. You can either add remotes, or run hydro hoses off the main valve body (standard on Kioti) to the back of the tractor through the power beyond. This is how I have mine set up so that I can add a splitter and other hydraulic implements. If you decide to do it, I'll explain it for you better in private message. Just let me know. John
EDIT: </font><font color="blue" class="small">( Do you know if I can run a Log splitter with the CK20? )</font>
You CAN run a splitter, but it may run slower because of the total GPM requirement. You can either add remotes, or run hydro hoses off the main valve body (standard on Kioti) to the back of the tractor through the power beyond. This is how I have mine set up so that I can add a splitter and other hydraulic implements. If you decide to do it, I'll explain it for you better in private message. Just let me know. John
KitotJohn,
I kind of felt the R4's were the way to go as well, thanks for the info. My parents have had to deal with the huricane!!@%$%&^%&%$^ as well (Bradenton) so I know what you are saying.
Also once I purchase my tractor I will get ahold of you for some further info. on the aux. hyd. lines to run the splitter.
Thanks,
David
I kind of felt the R4's were the way to go as well, thanks for the info. My parents have had to deal with the huricane!!@%$%&^%&%$^ as well (Bradenton) so I know what you are saying.
Also once I purchase my tractor I will get ahold of you for some further info. on the aux. hyd. lines to run the splitter.
Thanks,
David