I bought a new CK20S with manual transmission about three months ago, and in those three months I have racked up 68 hours. I have used it almost everyday Mowing, dragging trees, brush cutting, digging dirt and plowing my garden. All of this is done around the house and 5 acre plot. I have helped my friends a few times also. Like one of the prior post, a few times I wished I went with the next size up, but the Kioti CK20S is one tough little tractor. I can do everything I want, but not as fast as I want. Digging dirt comes to mind. In the end, it is the right size tractor for me being small enough to mow the yard, yet strong enough to brush cut with the big boys four foot at a time. The CK20s has only 22hp, but has the gears needed to make for one strong tractor; however, it could use a mid range. Sometime low is to slow, and high is to fast. The HST model would have solved this, but I like the gears. The manual just seems to be tougher.
Mowing: I use a four foot finishing mower even though it can pull a five foot. My yard has very steep grades and the four foot seems safer. It is not about the power, but more the mower weight. I live on the side of a mountain. The CK20S weighs in with the loader around 2700lbs which is about all you want on your yard.
Loader: I can't praise the loader enough. I have dug and lifted, and dug and lifted. I grease it regular and it has held up well.
Plowing: I used a 16 inch turning plow even though it is to big. The tractor can pull it, but cannot lift it high enough to travel down the road. A 12 inch turning plow would be better.
Dealer: My dealer seems to be great. The tractor has not given me any problems. I completed my 50 hour service using factory filters. The filters are a little expensive but well made.
I researched almost all the major brands of tractors in this size food print, and by far this is the best bang for the buck. Well built tractor, good warranty, and good price. I grew up "green", but have turned "orange".
