Which one ck20hst or ck25hst or ck30hst?

[TBDonnelly]

Good post Bob.

As a side note. Whenever you make a post it appears to be causing my page alignment to mess up. I have to scroll from left to right to see the entire page. I'm thinking it may be the in line images in the signature. Don't know if anyone else is having to scroll back and forth to see the entire width of the page.... May just be my computer.

Don

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Whenever you make a post it appears to be causing my page alignment to mess up.

The image is about 700 pixels wide. If you have a screen resolution over 800 pixels wide then you should have no problems. Most modern screen resolutions are about 1200 to 1600 pixels wide, so I suspect you are using a smaller or older monitor, or you have your monitor setting lowered down to something like 600x800? On the screen of my laptop computer the image takes up about 50% of the width (screen is 1440 pixels wide) and on my desktop monitor it takes less space. You might want to check you screen resolution to alter the settings?

 

[TBDonnelly]

... or you have your monitor setting lowered down to something like 600x800? .....You might want to check you screen resolution to alter the settings?

The monitor was set on 600x800. I moved it up to the next setting. I don't have to scroll back and forth now....however...all the print is about half the size that it was at 600x800.

Don

 

[IslandTractor]

A Kubota B7800 is a 30hp tractor that weighs a little more than the CK20 and powers the same size implements as the CK30. It is a basic machine without some of the nice features the CK offers, it has lower lift capacity than the CK30 too, but the tractor weighs about 1741# (add ~450# for fluid fill and you are under 2200# for the tractor) you will be pushing your trailer capacity but still stay under 7000# with a B7800 configured as the CK20 is configured.

I agree that the B7800 might be a good match if more PTO power is needed. The B7800 does cost a fair bit more than the CK20 however (?+$2500) Nothing negative you can say about that tractor so long as you accept it's very basic nature and lightweight (which in this instance is a big plus). The one missing feature that may be important to a landscaper is the lack of position control. A lightly used B2910 or B3030 would solve that problem.

I question however the figures you gave for weight. Do you really think there are 450# of fluids on the B7800? I didn't know Kubota outfitted those tractors with a full bar including a couple kegs of beer. I may switch brands after all.

 

[Xtremesvc]

Thanks for all the information!

Bob you nailed it on the head and Island Tractor I am astonished with what you have done with your CK20!

My original intent was to get the CK20HST, but was talked up to the 25. I think I am going to go with the CK20HST and add the backhoe with the original attachments. This will fit my trailer with a little room to spare!

ck20hst.........1993#
kl120............. 673#
kb2365.......... 785#
rc15-52......... 488#
kt03-55......... 366#
liguid fill......... 550# (do I need this with the backhoe?)
trailer............1600#
misc.............. 400# (fuel & tools)

total.............6855# (6070# w/out backhoe)

Here is a pic of my spread in the hills!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I question however the figures you gave for weight. Do you really think there are 450# of fluids on the B7800?

Well I could have overestimated the weight of the "fluid fill" for the rear tires. But I suspect I am pretty close. However, if my estimate is high, then it would give a greater trailering safety margin . . . and that would be a good thing! Regarding the pricing, that is known to be very regional, and certainly a CK20 would cost less, but it also has 8 or 9 less PTO horsepower available for the implements.

So if the trailer is limited to 7000# GVW, its likely the original poster's 19' trailer weighs between 1800# and 2000# then it seems like it would be wise to work backwards within the existing weight constraints. There are lots of tractors out there to consider. The 21hp CK20 would work, but limits implements. I believe the Case DX26 or NH TC26 would weigh about 300# less than the CK20, are the same compact size as the CK20, yet provide 26hp so they will run implements the same size as the larger CK25. The CK30 and the B7800 will offer more PTO horsepower and can power larger implements than the DX26, TC26 or CK25.

Of course, not knowing what brands of tractors are available in the original poster's area, discussing these other alternatives may be pointless.

I am, however concerned about the trailer safety and capacity. Indiana has DOT enforcement on a lot of roads and I am glad to see them given some of the idiots I see who tow without using safety chains, who improperly bind their equipement, etc. DOT regs, if I read them correctly, state that you must chain the tractor down, AND you must chain the loader, AND you must chain the backhoe. Commerical users (like landscapers) are subject to commercial regs which are often more strict (they are never less strick) and vary by state.

Thanks for all the information!

Bob you nailed it on the head and Island Tractor I am astonished with what you have done with your CK20!

My original intent was to get the CK20HST, but was talked up to the 25. I think I am going to go with the CK20HST and add the backhoe with the original attachments. This will fit my trailer with a little room to spare!

ck20hst.........1993#
kl120............. 673#
kb2365.......... 785#
rc15-52......... 488#
kt03-55......... 366#
liguid fill......... 550# (do I need this with the backhoe?)
trailer............1600#
misc.............. 400# (fuel & tools)

total.............6855# (6070# w/out backhoe)

You do not need the fluid fill if you have the backhoe attached. However, if you do not use the backhoe, then you need to have some ballast on the rear of your tractor. In fact, most brands I know suggest fluid fill AND a weight on the 3pt hitch. I'm not sure what Kioti suggests for the CK20's ballast, but I suspect it is in the 500# range. I'm sure it would give that information on the website.

Also, relize with your weights, you did not include the weight of the bucket on the backhoe. That must be added. You will be right at your maximum with fluid fill, you'll have some room to spare without it.

Also, the RC 15-52 is a light duty cutter, that may not hold up well in a commercial application.

Also, the tiller, at 55" is too big if you have heavy soil. I run a 50" tiller on a tractor with more horsepower (in heavy soil) and bog the tractor down. I'd recommend you consider a smaller tiller if you are in heavy soil.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well I could have overestimated the weight of the "fluid fill" for the rear tires.

Oh, that kind of fluid. I forgot about the filled tires and thought you were talking about oil, fuel and beer. My bad. Must have been thirsty when I wrote the reply. (Though I do like the idea of a built in keg cooler which after all could serve both purposes.)

The CK20 ballast with FEL is recommended to be 600lbs. Loaded tires plus anything else on the 3PT will suffice though there have been times when loaded tires plus a 400+# bush hog have been barely adequate to balance a monster stump in the grapple.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Oh, that kind of fluid. I forgot about the filled tires and thought you were talking about oil, fuel and beer. My bad. Must have been thirsty when I wrote the reply. (Though I do like the idea of a built in keg cooler which after all could serve both purposes.)

Ed, of course you only drink the beer AFTER you are done using the tractor!

The CK20 ballast with FEL is recommended to be 600lbs. Loaded tires plus anything else on the 3PT will suffice though there have been times when loaded tires plus a 400+# bush hog have been barely adequate to balance a monster stump in the grapple.

As I've said many many times, light tractor or heavy tractor, you need to have the proper ballast on the rear end to use the capacity of the FEL. I have fluid fill on one tractor and not on the other. The limit of not having fluid fill means I really am not using the full FEL capacity.

 

[IslandTractor]

My original intent was to get the CK20HST, but was talked up to the 25. I think I am going to go with the CK20HST and add the backhoe with the original attachments.

If you leave the BH on you don't need filled tires but then you would not have the benefit of the heavier tractor when you change implements. You would need the equivalent of 600lbs on the 3PT hitch to counterbalance the FEL. I use a 48" bush hog most of the time. I would guess that you'd only really notice the lack of filled tires when you are doing ground engaging work like pulling a box blade though. I don't have any experience with unfilled tires on a CK20 as I had my dealer load mine with beet juice before taking delivery.

By the way, your land looks lovely and hilly. Make sure you have the wheels set on the wide position and be careful on those slopes. I have managed to lift one rear tire on a number of occasions especially with a stump or lots of debris in the grapple. I keep it low but the rear end can still feel light even with filled rear tires.

 

[bearhawk]

I think I am going to go with the CK20HST and add the backhoe with the original attachments. This will fit my trailer with a little room to spare!

I have 120 trouble free hours on my CK20HST, and it is a very capable unit. You will be very happy with one.

Jim