Why you purchased a Kioti tractor

fatcat · Apr 21, 2004

My 23 yr old Wheel horse 520 finally "blanked" the bed and was shipped off to my sister-in-laws for her boys to have a "resurection Project" this summer.

I am now without a tractor and not looking forward to spending 4+ hours cutting my lawn with a push mower, not to mention working on the rock wall.

With all this 0.0% financing going on, I will take the plung this spring for something that will last hopfully as long as my old Wheelhorse.

Currently the Kubota BX23 seems to fit the bill quite nicely, with a 54" mid mount mower and later this year I will get a snow blower. But, as you all know that is some serious "green stuff" to shell out for a machine. I know Kubota is the most popular small tractor around and so do the dealers.

My biggest concern is easy removability of a backhoe, FEL, and mower unit. The machine need to be able to be stored in my sheed which is only 12 feet deep with a doorway of 6' wide and 6' 6" tall. I most likly will have to remove the 3 pt. hitches to store it with the FEL on -or- I will have to remove the FEL everytime I put it away (which would be a daily occurance). The Kubota seems to have a very user frendly implement removal process ... but I do like the size of the CK20 (or even a CK25) better. My concern with the Kioti is that the removal of the FEL or MMM would be a nightmare. And the backhoe unit with its subframe seems to be a major project in itsself.

How easy/difficult is it for you folks to remove/attach the implements (especially the backhoe) to your small Kioti's?

I know that the backhoe can not be used with the MMM (which the BX23 can do), but if removing/installing the backhoe would take less than an hour to do easily then I would be very interested in the Kioti.

I live just east of Concord NH and see that there are a few dealers around me (Allenstown being the closest) and KiotiDave about an hour & 1/2 away. What dealers would you recommend (if you live in the NH area) to visit?

Also, what was the $$$ you folks paid for a CK20 with a backhoe (if you have one) and MMM?

Thanks.

Brian_Stephens · Apr 21, 2004

There has been a full runnign discussion about the MMM and BH on the CK20 and it's not just a matter of removing the BH to install the MMM but the mounts too... to reverse the process you would have to remove the MMM mounts and put the BH mounts on and remount the BH... Since I don't own one of these (yet) I don't know how long the process would take... But my fear is everytime you have to remove a bolt you run the risk of stripping it and having to take off mounts just sounds like so much work...

I would have not problem if it was an hour job but it appears that it is not minor surgery....

KJ since you've had the joy of playng with the BH install lately you wanna chime in....

Golfgar4 · Apr 21, 2004

Welcome to TBN fatcat! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Although you've only mentioned the Kubota and the Kioti brands in your post, you might investigate the Massey Ferguson GC2300. It's a similar sized machine to the BX2300 and CK20. I do not know how easily the BH or the FEL are to mount or dismount. Just wanted to provide you with other options to help you get the most bang for your buck. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

lablovers · Apr 21, 2004

Fatcat,
Welcome to TBN. I don't have the CK but a LK3054XS and I assume the BH removable process is similar. I did it recently for the first time and although we did it very slowly this time, it can't get much easier. With a little practice, 5-10 minutes should be fine. I have not removed the loader yet and really don't plan to. But it does not seem all that difficult.

Good luck with your purchase and keep us in the loop. Regardless what you buy, the CUT's are amazing machines. Enjoy.

GerardC · Apr 21, 2004

Because of "Dollars and Sense" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

virgil · Apr 21, 2004

The first time you remove the back-hoe or the FEL from your tractor will take a little time....
About the 3rd or 4th time it is removed or put back on, it will take less than 5 minutes. You will soon learn what NOT TO DO.
It's really quite easy.
FIRM, LEVEL ground helps a lot.

KiotiJohn · Apr 21, 2004

( How easy/difficult is it for you folks to remove/attach the implements (especially the backhoe) to your small Kioti's? )I know no one is going to believe I said this, but if you really want an MMM AND a backhoe, don't buy the CK20. Unless you plan to do all your backhoeing at one time, remove the mounts, and install the MMM mounts, it would be too much trouble to take off and put on the different hardware on a regular basis. Now, on the other hand, if you want the TLB, with a pull finish mower, no problem. The backhoe comes off by removing two pins, moving the tractor out enough to disengage from the mounts, unhook the hoses, and drive off (with the stabilizers and bucket holding the BH up). Dewave posted a pictorial on that process Attaching the backhoe It's really pretty simple. If you don't have too many obstacles in your yard, you can mow with a finish mower which is much easier to attach than a MMM. Do your up close trimming with a small mower. I cut my yard with a HST lawn tractor. The storage space is a problem you'll have to deal with though. With the loader and any attachment on, you'll need all that length. I don't know which other brands can handle having the MMM and BH other than the BX23 etc. Maybe someone else knows of others. John

fatcat · Apr 21, 2004

KiotiJohn,
I have never used a rear mounted mower, but I have heard that a rear mower is difficult to use and you are more appt to bang into things.

I guess I will have to check one out ... probably take a trip to Upper Valley Tractor & Equip in NH this weekend. another concern would be trailering all this around, since the mower will not be attached it would have to sit up front with the tractor and hoe behind ... probably need a 18'er.

I would like to save some $$$ since the best price I could get for a BX23 w/MMM and a 14' duel axle trailer is 19,500.

KiotiJohn · Apr 21, 2004

( I have never used a rear mounted mower, but I have heard that a rear mower is difficult to use and you are more appt to bang into things.) If you don't have too many obstacles, it's not usually a problem. I sometime use my brush mower for the lawn actually, but I have quite a few obstacles and then finish with the riding mower. Many people use the finish mowers in their yards, and they cost less usually than MMM. When I have trailered my CK, I usually have the loader and mower on, loader over the front on the trailer hitch, and other implements in the back of the truck so my tongue weight is not a problem. I have carried the landscape rake, the boxblade, and the pallet forks in the truck. All on a 12' trailer. I will be getting a 16' though. Let me know if you have any questions. You may private message me through "my home" on here if you want. John

fatcat · Apr 22, 2004

Well KiotiJohn I chance to see a CD20HST yesterday (Allenstown NH). Had my tape measure out and from bucket to the 3 pt. hitch and the machine is just too long for my shed. Very impressive machine ... especially with the Backhoe on it. But I see the large sub-frame underneath to support the backhoe - no way to ever have a MMM attached at the same time.

I have decided to go with the BX23 since it really is the only super-sub-compact to fit in my shed ... yeah the buck won't lift as much as the Kioti and the Backhoe isn't as strong, but size and limited space was the biggest point.

I'm sure there will be a CK15HST or something like that coming down the road that will allow everything to be attached, but for now the 'bota was the onlything to fit the bill.

At least there is 0.0% financing to take the sting out of the price.