Will the CK27 be "enough" tractor

[Gittyup]

Wow $3900 difference from a 27 gear to a 35 hst. The 27 gear is definitely the best bang for the buck.

 

[kiotiken]

The CK27 was $16,000, CK30 $16,700 and the CK35 was $18,700. All were HST and included a FEL with hooks welded on. For gear drive models subtract $1,200.

Interesting. I can definitely appreciate that a $2700 jump from the CK27HST to the CK35HST is a significant amount to consider, but a $700 jump isn't so bad. I'm going to agree with everybody here that the CK27 is "enough" tractor, there's no doubt about it, but I'd put forward that $700 over 10 or 15 or 20 years is fairly insignificant and will likely be returned fully when you sell the tractor anyway.

I'm going to be buying a snow blower sometime this year (just waiting for the right deal). My dealer says he thinks I'll get away with a 72" blower because I've got a fairly level area. If I do go for the 72" blower, I'll be right on the edge of what my tractor will handle (if not a little over) and I wouldn't have been able to consider it with the CK27. You never know what you might need a little extra hp for in the future and even with 30hp vs 27hp, I still find times I feel a few more would be nice (I didn't say needed, just nice. I'm not trying to re-ignite this thread!).

Thanks for the info, you've put me at ease a little. I never looked at the CK35 only the CK25 and CK30. For $2000 more (than the CK30), I wouldn't have done it either, my CK30 is awesome and does what I need it to, but I'm glad I spent the extra $700 (from the CK27).

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

[IslandTractor]

The CK27 was $16,000, CK30 $16,700 and the CK35 was $18,700. All were HST and included a FEL with hooks welded on. For gear drive models subtract $1,200.

I would tend to agree with KiotiKen that either the CK27 or CK30 would do the trick. A couple of extra HP is not likely to be noticed but then again $700 as an upcharge isn't bad. The CK35 price however is further evidence that Kioti marketers know they can gouge the "want the most possible HP" guys. No way is that upcharge justified as a manufacturing cost.

$1200 for HST seems reasonable too though I certainly share Gittyup's perspective that the CK27 gear is the overall best bang for the buck. If you are doing a lot of loader work that $1200 may be well spent though. Kinda the equivalent of getting an automatic transmission on your car/truck if you will be spending a lot of time in city traffic.

 

[kiotiken]

Wow $3900 difference from a 27 gear to a 35 hst. The 27 gear is definitely the best bang for the buck.

Look, it's been pointed out that the OP wants an HST tractor. You're argument is like saying a Silverado is a better value than a Suburban , they're not the same!

You read things the way you want to read them. Try reading it this way, a CK 30 gear is $700 more than a CK27 gear. Not so bad now. Yes a CK35 gear is $2700 more than a CK27 gear, and I don't think I'd do that either, that's a nice snowblower instead. If the OP was up in the air about gear vs HST, you'd have a valid point, but that's been decided and you're not helping him with your argument!

 

[IslandTractor]

Look, it's been pointed out that the OP wants an HST tractor. You're argument is like saying a Silverado is a better value than a Suburban , they're not the same!

You read things the way you want to read them. Try reading it this way, a CK 30 gear is $700 more than a CK27 gear. Not so bad now. Yes a CK35 gear is $2700 more than a CK27 gear, and I don't think I'd do that either, that's a nice snowblower instead. If the OP was up in the air about gear vs HST, you'd have a valid point, but that's been decided and you're not helping him with your argument!

I wouldn't say Gittyup was being argumentative, he was just pointing out the "bang for the buck" factor. As noted earlier, I agree with him though in any given situation it may be worthwhile paying for the convenience/capability of the HST. It's not a Silverado vs Suburban argument, more like Suburban with or without DVD. Without the DVD is the best bang for the buck but if you consider the benefit of entertaining the rug rats it may be worth it to some to pay the upcharge for the DVD.

 

[kiotiken]

I wouldn't say Gittyup was being argumentative, he was just pointing out the "bang for the buck" factor. As noted earlier, I agree with him though in any given situation it may be worthwhile paying for the convenience/capability of the HST. It's not a Silverado vs Suburban argument, more like Suburban with or without DVD. Without the DVD is the best bang for the buck but if you consider the benefit of entertaining the rug rats it may be worth it to some to pay the upcharge for the DVD.

Reading my comment back, it came across a little harsh and I apologize for that. There's nothing wrong with a gear tractor, plenty of people prefer them, but the OP wants an HST. It's the same thing for cars, you pay less for a manual Civic than an automatic Civic and it'll be faster and better on gas, but I'd take a guess that the automatic version outsells the manual version several multiples to one.

For working around my property moving dirt, picking stuff up with the FEL, clearing snow etc, I'd never buy anything but an HST, even if it's a little more $ and robs me of a little power, it's well worth it IMHO.

 

[Gittyup]

Sorry to ruffle ur feathers there Kenny. I was under the impression the op was a tad on the fence on the gear HST question. Pardon me for participating, and maybe missing that point (if I did indeed.) Btw I own both gear and HST. Used to think HST was so much better, and is for some tasks. But after using the shuttle now for nearly 6 years doing mostly loader work, I'm now of the opinion there isn't that big of a difference, especially if it means robbing power when power is marginal. Now I'll go away and let u tell him all he needs to know.

 

[kiotiken]

Sorry to ruffle ur feathers there Kenny. I was under the impression the op was a tad on the fence on the gear HST question. Pardon me for participating, and maybe missing that point (if I did indeed.) ... Now I'll go away and let u tell him all he needs to know.

In my house, that's what we call a suck attack, of course my kids are 4,3 and 20 months. I apologized if my previous email had tone it wasn't supposed to. You didn't ruffle any feathers here, I'm just pointing out that after the OP started the thread by saying he was looking for an HST and after he returned to say he'd been to the dealer and got prices on HST tractors, it's getting obvious that he may be looking for an HST and not gear.

You made good points, and I've appreciated your opinions in this and other posts. Sorry if you're a little sensitive and I hurt your feelings.

 

[Fastpitch]

I really like the Kioti tractors but I have found a new 2010 Bobcat CT230 with loader for $14,000. It is 4 hours away and I am going to look at it on Friday. I know that the main differences between Kioti and Bobcat are the FEL and warranty and I like the orange better than the white, but for $2,700 less than a CK30 I have got to go take a look. I called the closest Bobcat dealer to me (45 min) and he said it was a very good deal and if I bought the tractor he would honor any warranty work. If it doesn't look weathered, and the dealer says it doesn't, I am probably going to buy it.

 

[IslandTractor]

If it doesn't look weathered, and the dealer says it doesn't, I am probably going to buy it.

So would I. Same tractor. Nothing special about the KL130 loader. In fact I'd guess the Bobcat version might out lift it.