[wooserco]

Looking only at the CS series. We are looking at the FEL, BH and MMM and SB50 Snowblower to start.

With the 0 down, 0.00% financing, is there anything else I should look for? SWMBO (finance committee) said that we would sit down on Thursday evening and discuss where this fits into the budget.

In my opinion? Over 84 months, it's less than we spend on smokes or beer! What's to discuss?

So, back to my question: Is there anything else that I should look at?

 

[MARK (LI)]

I would reach out to @Renster of N.H. @3 Legged Dog and @Gary in NJ ...I know these guys own KIOTIs, they are happy with them and they can give you some good information 1 to 1

 

[Renster of N.H.]

Right off the top of my head;

Seeing as you're getting a hoe, I'd go for the CS 2520 for the extra HP (I have the 2220).
Have them load the tires.
The 20 series has quik-attach capability so, go ahead and get the 3rd function piped in up front of the loader as well.
Make sure they install the hydro-filter guard underneath (My dealer does this, and the loading of the tires automatically, but these may be considered "options" for yours).

Ask about Kioti and dealer discounts/incentives. (Kioti has cash back for buying implements as package, heroes award, veterans, etc.)

Renster

 

[3 Legged Dog]

I think I mentioned it in another thread, but don't get the front brush guard if you're going to add the SB50 blower. You can't attach both, and don't want to remove the blower frame mount plate just to use the brush guard off-season.

The CS ground clearance is low. I got the hydro filter guard to help protect it.

Turf tires are great. The also work great in the snow.

Bucket hooks are a must. You can have the dealer install some, or do it yourself later. Either weld or bolt on top of the bucket.

Useful additions include the Piranha Tooth Bar, bucket Edge Tamers, clamp-on pallet forks (if you don't get the real SSQA forks), a rear ballast box with trailer hitch receiver, a 3PH Pine Straw rake, a drag harrow, a 3PH core aerator, a 3PH sub-soil ripper, a rear LED floodlight, and a five-foot rear blade. I have and use all of them.

Also, a good tractor cover it you plan to leave it outside: tractor cover link

Cal

 

[Just Jeff]

Congratulations on your purchase! Make sure to come back here and post pictures after you've got it!

 

[wooserco]

Loaded tiires are a given. If I have the hoe, do I need any more ballast for the FEL? I suspect not. Both will be off when mowing.

Thanks all, I'll post pictures of course. We all know that it didn't happen w/o pics. I'm seriously considering the turfs, since this will also be used for mowing. Even though I have a 4 stall garage, space is limited with us storing the two step kids belongings. Plus, we have four vehicles: the wife's care, my pick up, the step daughter's small truck plus my company service van. The grandson takes driver training this year. I'm going to say that he drives his mother's small truck. It gets really crowded here come snow blowing season.

This winter, the only vehicle parked under cover was the snow machine/lawnmower.

I have to admit that one stall is dedicated to shop work/reloading bench. That half is insulated and heated. It has garage doors both front and rear, so it's pull through. I tend to keep it about 48 degrees so things don't rust.

 

[Renster of N.H.]

Get the turfs.
Park the tractor in one bay or the other, the "shop work/ reloading" bay if necessary, and move it out when you need to use the "shop".
Easy-Peasey.
This SCUT is an expensive yet practical "investment" that will serve you well for decades if you give it the regard that it deserves.

P.S. - Think about how/where to store attachments while protecting them from weather.
On a pallet, or under a tarp shed, or under a cover or tarp. Keep those off the ground if possible ...

Renster

 

[wooserco]

Get the turfs.
Park the tractor in one bay or the other, the "shop work/ reloading" bay if necessary, and move it out when you need to use the "shop".
Easy-Peasey.
This SCUT is an expensive yet practical "investment" that will serve you well for decades if you give it the regard that it deserves.

P.S. - Think about how/where to store attachments while protecting them from weather.
On a pallet, or under a tarp shed, or under a cover or tarp. Keep those off the ground if possible ...

Renster

I have enough room that the FEL and Hoe will be in the same area the tractor is kept in, kept on dollies

Like with my JD L130 set up for snow duty, I'll start up and pull it outside to let the blower acclimate while I change into my "Snow blowing clothes." That lets the chute and housing cool down so that I don't get the dreaded snow clogs. Not to mention, it doesn't stink up the place. I anticipate a back blade in additon to the SB50 for snow removal since we live at the very end of a cul de sac. It will also give me additional traction ballast. I also intend to have the reare tire filled. with Rim Giuard. There's a ton of clean up needed regarding the county snow removal crews. There's always the five feet to remove from in front of the mailbox (distance, not depth) of not only our mail box, but the neighbors three houses away each direction. He's great about clearing for the "island" that we all use to park in while clearing our driveways (everyone's garage seems to be occupied by everything but cars)

I'm out there, so why not clear them out as well. Some are in their 70's and one in her 90's, So far, I only do my driveway in the winter, but that may change this next winter. The home next door just went up for sale.

Just for perspective: I turned 66 last New Year's day. Many of my neighbors are retired. They still clear their own drive ways. Place to the east of me is for sale/pending. If it's whom I think it is, I'll clear her drive as well. A single Mom with a daughter. Let the Mom and kid do the walk from the front door to the drive, But I'll take care of the drive to the street, plus the mail box. (plus what the county doesn't do.) I'm looking forward to some seat time in the new Kioti.

The BH will be new to me.

We live in north/central Michigan. We get snowed upon. We're on the fringe of lake effect snow, depending upon the wind strength. Last Winter, the county snow plow went by our place three times. We had to get the wife an all wheel drive with four wheel lock this winter so that she could go to work everyday. Her office is only 3 miles away. Once she gets out of the sub division and onto the main road she's fine. It's only a block and a halve.

 

[Just Jeff]

If you're going to be doing all of those other drives, remember, when you do a neighbor a favor a few times, it them becomes "your job". They'll expect it. It doesn't take much for people to feel entitled. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it, just do it with your eyes wide open, and knowing what the expectations will be. I'd put a sign at the end of my drive that says "will work for beer" or cookies, or pies, or whatever you prefer!

 

[Renster of N.H.]

You're a good neighbor wooserco

We too live at the end of a cul-de-sac. Most of our neighbors have what they need to keep their drives clear; it's kind of a given 'round here. However, I'm the only fella on our street that has a tractor. For nasty-wasty nor'easters like we had this week, after I bust out the plow berm at the end of our driveway, I'll go ahead and hit several of the neighbors ends as well. They really appreciate it, and we're all helpful to each other up here on the hill in lots of ways. If someone sees a need and can help - they do 🤝
Yesterday after work I hopped back on Wile to dig out the cistern on our street, as I didn't have time to the other day.

Can't wait until you folks get your new Kioti home

Renster

 

[wooserco]

If you're going to be doing all of those other drives, remember, when you do a neighbor a favor a few times, it them becomes "your job". They'll expect it. It doesn't take much for people to feel entitled. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it, just do it with your eyes wide open, and knowing what the expectations will be. I'd put a sign at the end of my drive that says "will work for beer" or cookies, or pies, or whatever you prefer!

Well, the neighbor to the west of us is the patriarch of the neighborhood. He's retired and likes to get outside. Just to the side of him is a 94 year old lady. THAT is the driveway that I'm most concerned with. Her son comes over 5 time a day and checks on her. In the warmer months, he gets her outside with her walker. It might take her 45 minutes to an hour to walk around the "island", but he told me that he is doing everything in his power to keep her in her own home. Next door to her is a retired accountant that my wife worked with (her brother is my next door neighbor-the "patriarch" and he keeps her drive cleaned.

I only widen what the county plow doesn't do, plus the dump that he leaves at the end of their drives. I like our mail delivery man, so I try to clean out in front of the mail boxes.

I'm the only one in the neighborhood with a lawn tractor mounted blower, I'm out and it only adds 15 minutes to my seat time. We all love our seat time

Big Rapids is home to Ferris State University. It's like our neighborhood is half filled with Ferris retirees.

 

[3 Legged Dog]

Loaded tiires are a given. If I have the hoe, do I need any more ballast for the FEL? I suspect not. Both will be off when mowing.

The backhoe will be plenty of ballast, when it's attached. But it you're working in the woods, you may find it in the way.

I'm constantly in thick woods, so I like the compact ballast box. Filled with three 80 lb sand tubes, it gives me about 400 lbs of rear ballast. And the trailer hitch receiver is really handy.

I also use the ballast box as a parking brake "anchor" if I have to stop on a slope with a loaded and raised bucket. The tractor parking brake just doesn't do it. Dropping the ballast box works, I just have to remember to raise it before moving again. I sometimes forget. Cal

 

[Shawn T W.]

But ... A BH can not only act as a anchor too, it is also a "unstucker"! Your own little wrecker service, and with a thumb on it, it can reach over and lift things ... If it's sticking out to far, just reach back and swing it to the other side ...

I don't have a ballast box, but do have a BH ... I also don't have tight woods, but do have a chainsaw

 

[wooserco]

Well, things didn't work out today, getting pushed back a week.

My wife's blood pressure ,medication is wreaking havoc. She stands up, walks a few steps, gets light headed and falls. This time she cracked a rib and broke her collar bone. Dr. took her off the blood pressure medication for now. It measured 84/50. Really low.

So, it's next weekend. She did say, maybe we should get a cashier's check for the down payment rather than a personal check.

So, she's still on board. Did I say that I'm truly blessed to be married to this woman??? I'm truly blessed.

I truly appreciate in advance the prayers that are going to be offered. Thank You, my friends.

 

[MARK (LI)]

Dropping the ballast box works, I just have to remember to raise it before moving again. I sometimes forget. Cal

We all do

 

[wooserco]

We all do

Sometimes, the best thoughts come after the fact!

 

[Shawn T W.]

Sorry to hear of your wife's medical problems, I'll be praying for both of you.

My dealer took a personal check for the whole TLB, plus a couple of attachments ... I'd just call them and ask what they prefer?

 

[wooserco]

Sorry to hear of your wife's medical problems, I'll be praying for both of you.

My dealer took a personal check for the whole TLB, plus a couple of attachments ... I'd just call them and ask what they prefer?

FIrst: Thank you for your prayers.

Good point! This will be our first transaction with this dealer (been in the same location since 1911, so not a come and go dealer.

But! My wife is an accountant by trade. Worked in the mortgage world. Now works in Acedemia as Grants
Administrator at Ferris State University. She's very conservative when it comes to financial transactions.

I'm with you. The folks that We're dealing with would no doubt have no issue with a personal check, she's the person that handle the finances. I defer to her. (She Who Must Be Obeyed)...here tofore referred to as SWMBO.

One time I was working three states away, (two time zones). I purchased a tool that I needed (I'm a field service technician, for over 45 years). Before I left the parking lot, I received a text message asking: "What did you need to purchase that couldn't wait until the weekend?"

So, to keep peace with SWMBO I'll get a cashier's check prior to our visit to put a deposit on our new tractor .

 

[PA318Guy]

Well, things didn't work out today, getting pushed back a week.

My wife's blood pressure ,medication is wreaking havoc. She stands up, walks a few steps, gets light headed and falls. This time she cracked a rib and broke her collar bone. Dr. took her off the blood pressure medication for now. It measured 84/50. Really low.

So, it's next weekend. She did say, maybe we should get a cashier's check for the down payment rather than a personal check.

So, she's still on board. Did I say that I'm truly blessed to be married to this woman??? I'm truly blessed.

I truly appreciate in advance the prayers that are going to be offered. Thank You, my friends.

Prayers for her recovery from the fall and that they get the blood pressure under control!

 

[wooserco]

Prayers for her recovery from the fall and that they get the blood pressure under control!

Thank You, and may God bless you my friend!