KIOTI
CK20 Series:CK3520

Twenty-five horsepower gets a lot of work done. Thirty-five horsepower gets it done without wondering whether the tractor is going to make it.

The KIOTI CK3520 is the compact tractor for property owners who have graduated past the lightweight class — people running a 72-inch brush hog through thick pasture, grading a long gravel driveway, pushing a full loader bucket up a slope, or managing 20 to 50 acres without babying the equipment. It is 34.9 gross horsepower, 30.9 PTO horsepower on the gear model, a hydraulic pump flowing 11.73 GPM, and a KL4030 loader rated to lift 1,835 lbs. at the pivot pins.

What it is not: over-complicated. The CK3520 is the gear-drive model in the CK20 line — a 9-speed manual transmission with synchronized shuttle shift between forward and reverse. Clutch in, choose your gear, choose your direction, and work. For buyers who plan heavy loader cycles, consistent PTO implement work, and long days in the field, a gear tractor converts engine power to ground pull more efficiently than an HST in sustained high-load conditions.

The CK3520 does carry a DPF — above 25 horsepower, EPA Tier 4 requires it. That is a real consideration in Northern Colorado, and one we address directly on this page, because most dealers do not.

Standout Specifications at a Glance:

34.9 gross engine horsepower — 111.4 cu. in. (1,826cc) Daedong CRDI Tier 4 Final diesel

9-speed gear transmission with synchronized shuttle shift (forward/reverse without stopping)

Four-wheel drive, single-lever mechanical engagement

30.9 PTO HP (gear) — 540 RPM rear PTO, live, independent

Optional mid PTO at 2,000 RPM

11.73 GPM hydraulic pump — open center

1,631 lb. Category I three-point hitch lift capacity (24 inches aft of hitch)

KL4030 loader compatible — 1,835 lb. lift at pivot pins, 98.4 in. maximum lift height

13.4 inches ground clearance

Wet disc brakes | folding two-post ROPS

Optional dual rear remote hydraulic valves

Operating weight: 2,679 lbs. (gear) | 2,734 lbs. (HST)

9-gallon fuel tank

DPF equipped — Tier 4 Final compliant via CRDI + DPF (no DEF, no SCR)

Legacy Tractor Sales and Service — Fort Collins, CO
1845 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 482-4803 LegacyTractors.com

Want to learn how the CK20 Series performs in real work?

👉 Tractor Talk Episode 4 – Small but Mighty
Real insights you won’t get from spec sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions
KIOTI CK3520

Does the KIOTI CK3520 have a DPF, and does it require DEF?

Yes to the DPF — no to the DEF. This is the emissions distinction that every buyer above 25 horsepower needs to understand clearly. The CK3520 produces 34.9 gross horsepower, which puts it above the EPA threshold where Tier 4 Final compliance requires a Diesel Particulate Filter. A DPF is installed. However, KIOTI’s Tier 4 design on the CK-series achieves compliance through CRDI technology combined with a DPF — without Diesel Exhaust Fluid, without a Selective Catalytic Reduction system, and without the DEF tank, DEF pump, and DEF injector that come with some larger tractor designs. You add diesel, you work, and when the DPF needs attention, the tractor tells you through the warning light. There is no DEF level to monitor, no DEF freeze risk in Colorado winters, and no DEF refill between diesel fill-ups. The DPF requires understanding and a degree of operating discipline — but it does not add the fluid-management complexity of a full DEF system.

How does the DPF regen work on the KIOTI CK3520, and what do I actually need to do?

This is the question that sends more buyers running from 35HP tractors than any other — and it should not, because the system is straightforward once you understand it. There are three types of regeneration on the CK3520.

Passive regeneration happens continuously whenever you operate the tractor above 1,800 RPM. The exhaust temperature is sufficient to burn off soot particles as they accumulate in the filter. If you always operate the CK3520 above the yellow line on the tachometer, passive regen handles most of the filter maintenance automatically. You will never see the warning light if you operate correctly.

Automatic regeneration is triggered when the DPF pressure sensor reads approximately 80% soot load — meaning passive regen alone has not kept up, typically because the tractor has been operated at lower RPM for extended periods. The red DPF warning light illuminates. The correct response is straightforward: keep working, keep RPM above 1,800, and let the cycle complete. It takes approximately 9 to 11 minutes. If you drop RPM below 1,800 and cancel the auto-regen cycle twice, the tractor enters limp mode — a reduced-power protection state that requires a dealer reset or a successful manual regen to clear. Never cancel an auto-regen cycle.

Manual regeneration is only ever needed if two auto-regen cycles have been cancelled. Park the tractor with the parking brake set, hold the regen switch for two to three seconds, and let the tractor run for approximately 43 minutes. Keep the tractor away from dry grass or combustible material during a manual regen. This is the scenario you are managing to avoid — which is why keeping RPM above 1,800 during normal operation is the single most important operating practice on this tractor.

How does the DPF behave at Fort Collins elevation and in the Colorado mountains?

This is the conversation most dealers never have — because most dealers do not operate at elevation. Legacy Tractor Sales and Service does, and our customer base spans from Fort Collins at 5,003 feet up through the foothills, into the mountains, and north to Laramie, Wyoming at 7,220 feet.

Here is what actually happens: at elevation, air density is reduced. Even with the CK3520’s CRDI system compensating electronically, combustion is marginally less complete than at sea level, which means the exhaust carries slightly more particulate per combustion cycle. Over time, that translates to the DPF soot load reaching the auto-regen threshold somewhat faster than the manufacturer’s schedule assumes — which was developed at or near sea level. Owners operating at significant elevation above Fort Collins, particularly those working on mountain properties above 7,000 feet, should expect DPF warning lights to appear earlier in the operating cycle than their flat-land counterparts.

The management approach is the same, just applied more attentively: always operate above 1,800 RPM, never cancel an auto-regen, plan regular sustained-load work sessions to keep exhaust temperatures high enough for robust passive regen, and monitor the warning light rather than ignoring early-stage illumination. If the DPF requires service — filter cleaning or replacement — Legacy Tractor Sales and Service handles that work in-house as both a warranty and post-warranty service. Call (970) 482-4803 before assuming a DPF issue requires a regional trip.

Gear model or HST — which CK3520 should I buy?

The gear model versus hydrostatic decision on the CK3520 is genuinely use-case dependent, and anyone who tells you one is always better than the other is not giving you the full picture.

The CK3520 gear model — this page — delivers a 9-speed manual transmission with synchronized shuttle shift. For heavy sustained loader work, long grass-cutting sessions, consistent PTO implement operation, and any application where the tractor holds a steady pace under load for extended periods, a gear tractor converts engine power to ground pull more efficiently than a hydrostatic drive under the same conditions. Gear PTO horsepower on the CK3520 is 30.9 HP — notably higher than the hydrostatic CK3520H’s 28.9 PTO HP, a two-horsepower difference that shows up at the implement under load. If you are regularly pushing large amounts of material, running a demanding brush hog, or spending full days on the same task, the gear model is worth serious consideration.

The CK3520H hydrostatic is the right choice for operators who change direction and speed frequently — mowing around obstacles, loader work in tight areas, and operators new to tractors who want simplified controls. The HST costs a few hundred dollars more and trades a small measure of peak efficiency for significant operational convenience. At Legacy Tractor Sales and Service we will ask about your actual workload before recommending one over the other — because the right answer is different for different properties.

Can the KIOTI CK3520 run a 72-inch brush hog?

Yes — and this is one of the meaningful reasons to choose the CK3520 over the 25HP CK2620. The CK3520’s gear PTO delivers 30.9 horsepower at the shaft. The standard implement-sizing guideline is one foot of brush hog deck per five PTO horsepower. That puts the CK3520’s comfortable maximum at just over six feet — 72 inches — on flat terrain in moderate brush. Owner communities running CK35-class tractors confirm a 72-inch rotary cutter is within range on level ground. For steeper terrain, thicker brush, or wet conditions where the cutter labors harder, a 60-inch deck is the more conservative and reliable choice. The practical distinction between the CK3520 and CK2620 for brush work is exactly this: the CK2620’s 18.7 hydro PTO HP caps reliable brush hogging at around 60 inches, while the CK3520’s 30.9 PTO HP opens the 72-inch bracket. For property owners managing larger acreage with established pasture, fence lines, and field edges, this is where the additional horsepower pays daily dividends.

What is the difference between the CK3520 and the CK3520SE?

The CK3520 is the base gear model — the machine on this page. The CK3520SE adds the SE package and moves to a 12×12 synchronized shuttle shift transmission rather than the 9F/3R gear. The SE package includes dual rear hydraulic remote valves as standard equipment, a telescoping three-point hitch for easier implement hookup, auto/manual PTO selection that protects implements at headland turns, a tilt steering column, and a premium suspension seat. On the CK3520 base model, dual rear remotes are an add-on option with a separate cost. On the CK3520SE, they come plumbed and ready. The CK3520SE also features the expanded 12×12 transmission with more fine-grained speed control. The base CK3520 is the right choice for buyers who want maximum value in a capable gear tractor and plan to add remotes and features selectively. The CK3520SE is the choice for buyers who want the full operator convenience package from day one. Legacy Tractor Sales and Service carries both variants — call (970) 482-4803 to discuss which fits your specific operation.

How does the KIOTI CK3520 compare to the Kubota L3902?

The Kubota L3902 carries 37.4 gross horsepower versus the CK3520’s 34.9, so Kubota wins on raw nameplate power in this direct comparison. Where the CK3520 closes the gap — and in some specs surpasses it — is loader performance and hydraulic capability. The KIOTI KL4030 loader lifts 1,835 lbs. at the pivot pins, a figure that owners and independent forum contributors consistently document as nearly 700 lbs. higher than the comparable Kubota L-series loader at full height. If loader capacity matters for your work — and for Northern Colorado property owners moving gravel, rock, logs, and material it almost always does — the KIOTI’s loader advantage is a real-world working difference. The purchase price for the CK3520 is typically $3,000 to $5,000 lower than a comparably equipped L3902. Kubota holds stronger resale value, carries broader name recognition, and has a larger national dealer footprint. For buyers who will own and operate their tractor for a decade or longer on a Northern Colorado property, the CK3520’s loader performance and lower initial cost represent better total value. Legacy Tractor Sales and Service will put the spec sheets side by side without pressure.

What implements does the KIOTI CK3520 support, and what size should I run?

The CK3520 uses a Category I three-point hitch with 1,631 lbs. lift capacity at 24 inches behind the pins. The 30.9 PTO horsepower (gear model) supports the following implement ranges, drawn from owner-confirmed experience on CK35-class tractors: box blades and box scrapers from 60 to 72 inches — with 72 inches the standard configuration among Northern Colorado property owners managing long gravel driveways; rotary cutters from 60 to 72 inches on flat terrain; finish mowers from 60 to 72 inches; rear tillers from 60 to 66 inches; rear blades up to 84 inches for grading and snow management; post hole diggers across the full compact tractor auger range; landscape rakes; and KIOTI-compatible snowblowers via sub-frame attachment with the optional mid PTO. The KIOTI KB2475 backhoe is also compatible, transforming the CK3520 into a digging machine capable of trenching to 94 inches. For Northern Colorado property owners managing Front Range gravel and dirt roads, the CK3520 paired with a 72-inch box blade and a 72-inch brush hog represents the most versatile foundation a 20-to-50-acre property can have.

Is the KIOTI CK3520 reliable for long-term ownership?

The core Daedong CRDI engine and drivetrain platform has a multi-decade production history, and the CK3520 benefits from that foundation. Long-term owner reviews consistently cite strong reliability — with startup performance in cold weather, loader capability, and drivetrain durability as the most frequently praised attributes. The most common owner-reported maintenance consideration on the CK3520 is the DPF system, which requires operating discipline rather than mechanical attention — specifically keeping RPM above 1,800 during operation and never cancelling an auto-regen cycle. Shuttle shift synchronizer wear was documented in older pre-CK3520 model-year CK35 tractors under hard use; the CK3520’s updated transmission design addresses this, but proper clutch technique and avoiding aggressive shuttle shifts under load remains important for long synchronizer life. The 50-hour break-in service is the most critical early-ownership event — completing it correctly, including the front axle differential drain, sets the tractor up for trouble-free long-term operation. Legacy Tractor Sales and Service has performed warranty service and extended-ownership maintenance on CK-series tractors since they entered the Northern Colorado market — call (970) 482-4803 with specific questions about long-term ownership.

What warranty does the KIOTI CK3520 carry?

KIOTI backs the CK3520 with a 6-year / 2,000-hour powertrain and structural warranty — one of the most competitive warranty commitments in the compact tractor segment. This warranty is honored through authorized KIOTI dealers. Legacy Tractor Sales and Service at 1845 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524 is an authorized KIOTI warranty service center. All warranty work — including DPF-related issues that arise during the warranty period — is performed in-house. Buyers who purchase the CK3520 from Legacy Tractor Sales and Service and maintain their service records will find all warranty claims handled locally, without shipping the machine. Keep all fluid and filter receipts if performing self-service maintenance — warranty documentation may require evidence of proper scheduled maintenance. Contact Legacy Tractor Sales and Service at (970) 482-4803 or visit LegacyTractors.com with any warranty questions before or after purchase.