Kioti Vs. Montana

[wv joe]

Again, thanks all for the help with my newbie questions. We've narrowed our choices to 3 and will be deciding this week, so I thought I'd gather your opinions as well.

Choice 1: Kioti DK40SE with FEL (free) $16,500 (new). This compares to other tractors we looked at but $5K less.

Choice 2: Kioti DK45SE HST with FEL (free) $17,700 (demo). I'm not really looking for an HST (although being a first tractor, I've been told I'd like it), but I do like the extra HP over the DK40SE. Did notice some rust on the metal ends of the hydralic hoses, but dealer will clean it and says its just cosmetics.

Choice 3: Montana 5740 with FEL $21,200 (demo). The dealer is detailing this one which he picked up from another dealer. Looked to me to have a bit of use, but comes with full warranty. Main concern here is that this is a considerably bigger tractor than any others we looked at and since it will be my first, want to make sure the extra power/size isn't going to get me in trouble (the boss wanted me to ask this question, she knows me too well!).
Also don't want to spend extra for power I don't need. Will be primarily bush hogging with some grading work.

Thanks again!

 

[greenmule]

I'd buy the new one,its cheaper,plus its new,plus if you are just mainly going to be grading and bushoging,you don't need a bigger one[unless you plan on bush hoging 50 acres or more.]it will use a 6ft hog real easy,7 ft blade.

I don't have hst on my ck30,so can't help none there,only use I could see for it might be if you were using the loader,alot.

HP wise the 40 hp one without hst will be about the same as 45hp one with hst I think.

 

[dking]

I'm new to the HST but I love it on my new DK45. It's great if you're doing alot of back and forth.

 

[warhammer]

Those look like good prices on the Kioti's.
HST is nice. With as much stop and start that working with a loader or 3 pt implement can generate not having a gearshift or clutch is a big help IMO. I have a DK45SE HST and used it to bush hog 23-24 acres last year.
How many hours are on the DK45SE that you are looking at?

Jeff

Again, thanks all for the help with my newbie questions. We've narrowed our choices to 3 and will be deciding this week, so I thought I'd gather your opinions as well.

Choice 1: Kioti DK40SE with FEL (free) $16,500 (new). This compares to other tractors we looked at but $5K less.

Choice 2: Kioti DK45SE HST with FEL (free) $17,700 (demo). I'm not really looking for an HST (although being a first tractor, I've been told I'd like it), but I do like the extra HP over the DK40SE. Did notice some rust on the metal ends of the hydralic hoses, but dealer will clean it and says its just cosmetics.

Choice 3: Montana 5740 with FEL $21,200 (demo). The dealer is detailing this one which he picked up from another dealer. Looked to me to have a bit of use, but comes with full warranty. Main concern here is that this is a considerably bigger tractor than any others we looked at and since it will be my first, want to make sure the extra power/size isn't going to get me in trouble (the boss wanted me to ask this question, she knows me too well!).
Also don't want to spend extra for power I don't need. Will be primarily bush hogging with some grading work.

Thanks again!

 

[dex3361]

I have a Kubota L4400 HST . My Previous tractor was the same HP at the PTO and set about the same width IH424 standard shift trans. I had the IH for 10 years and used it a lot. Since I purchased the HST I will not be going back to a standard type trans. I use a 6 foot rotary cutter and I work a lot on the hills some rather steep. I would strongly consider a HST especially since you are getting a FEL. JMHO

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Choice 2: Kioti DK45SE HST with FEL (free) $17,700 (demo). I'm not really looking for an HST (although being a first tractor, I've been told I'd like it), but I do like the extra HP over the DK40SE. Did notice some rust on the metal ends of the hydralic hoses, but dealer will clean it and says its just cosmetics.

If I were in your shoes...Choice 2 it is...
Its a Demo...so you know its been dealer serviced and the hours on the clock are more "tinkering" with features and function rather then actual work hours.....I assume it has the same warranty as new?

 

[crzbear8]

Did you try a Bobcat CT Tractor? Its a much better deal! And the dealer support is really worth it!

 

[Maka]

As you noted the Montana is considerably larger. Far and away more tractor than the others listed. Please know I am a fan of Kioti products but these are apples and oranges in comparison. If the Montana was new for that price I would jump on it. Even a demo at that price is a good deal but is it really what you need?

Drive them all, use the loaders (if dealer allows), see what is more comfortable and look at the needs. If the smaller machines will fit the need and they are comfortable then that would be the way to go. If the larger Montana will fit the bill then go that way as. In any case either tractor is an excellent tractor.

Maka

 

[wv joe]

Thanks again, I tried the 2 Kiotis and they both felt good - like a car with auto vs. manual the HST did give you one less thing to worry about. The HST demo has 15 hours on it, used for shows, folks like me driving it around the yard - other than the slight rust, looks like new and is being sold as new (so full warranty. Thanks for the comment on the hill work - the dealer also mentioned the HST was good for hill work.
I looked at Bobcat (I heard Kioti actually makes them), but for a 45 HP HST with a FEL, I was quoted over $23K. Nice tractor, but I'm saving almost $6K with the Kioti.
The Montana demo looked much more used than the Kioti. The dealer acquired it from another dealer and the tach was broken. He is fixing it as well as anything else that needs fixing, but can only estimate the hours on it as around 80 (the dealer he got it from gave him a real low number of hours, but he said he knew that wasn't true). It will also be sold as new, full warranty.

 

[IslandTractor]

Did you try a Bobcat CT Tractor? Its a much better deal! And the dealer support is really worth it!

Crsbear8, you keep making this entirely unsubstantiated comment about Bobcat CT tractors. You don't own one and you've never posted a shred of evidence. Most people are finding that you do indeed pay for the Bobcat name and therefore Kioti dealers are not having any real trouble selling the identical tractors. Dealerships do indeed vary but that is an issue for each individual to decide upon after local research.

Please substantiate your posts and don't just be a Bobcat fanboy.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've never seen the Montana so cannot comment on that tractor but I do own a DK40se HST with about 100hrs on it.

From my perspective the extra $1200 is a bit much for what amounts to a 4 horsepower advantage for the 45. The tractors share the identical loader and are rated for the same size implements. They share all parts except for the 200cc extra engine displacement. They are the identical weight and therefore have the same traction. There will be very very few times in a tractors life when 4 hp makes any real difference.

I faced the same choice and am happy I got the 40se as I could then afford one extra implement. $1200 is a grapple or bush hog etc and for my money the 41hp with an extra implement was a better deal than 45hp.

 

[wv joe]

Thanks, my feelings are for the cheaper Kioti as well. The dealer just agreed to another $300 off the demo (DK45SE HST) because of the rust on the hose ends, so the difference is $900 now, but still a significant amount.
I agree even $900 is not worth the 4 HP, but the boss thinks I will be better off with the HST due to my inexperience with tractors (just no faith!).

 

[mjncad]

If you plan on doing mostly loader work like I do, then the HST is the way to go. It's easier to control in close quarters.

I have no experience with Kioti or Montana, so I can't offer any opinions on the brands themselves.

 

[IslandTractor]

Thanks, my feelings are for the cheaper Kioti as well. The dealer just agreed to another $300 off the demo (DK45SE HST) because of the rust on the hose ends, so the difference is $900 now, but still a significant amount.
I agree even $900 is not worth the 4 HP, but the boss thinks I will be better off with the HST due to my inexperience with tractors (just no faith!).

I actually missed that the 40 did not have HST. I am a HST fan so for $900 (which is actually about exactly the cost of the HST over standard) I would probably go for the 45. Not for the HP but for the HST. Your boss sounds like she is worth listening to.

 

[jimmyj]

HST is absolutely worth $900. You will never regret it.

 

[canzipper]

HST is the greatest invention since the TV REMOTE!

Especially when blowing snow!

 

[Dmace]

I am not only an advocate for HST, I am also a very happy user.

HST is the way to go, I love it! It sounds like the DK45 HST is the tractor for you. Come join the pack, you will be happy you did.

 

[Baranx4]

If you plan on doing little or no plowing, discing, or haying then the HST is the way to go, much easier to operate with less operator imput. With HST you turn it on set your rpm and range and then it drives easily. Pulling a brush hog won't be an issue with HST and the HST can do a job faster, when loading piles as you go forwards to backwards much easier.


With gear drive you have more options when pushing or loading piles since you can set the range and gear, but it will take you longer. I find that when I plow snow with a HST it takes alot less time for me when going back and forth since your not limited by the capabilites of the gear you selected and don't need to switch gears. But for deep packed hard to load fill. Where its difficult getting large loader bucket piles I lcan oad more in each bucket with a gear. Since you can push into the piles with more force if your in low range and in first or second gear, than just low range in a HST.


I can actually pull a triple bottom plow with my Kioti dk 40 SE gear while my buddy can't pull the same plow with his JD 4700 that is HST with more HP. I can't say that I'm comparing apples to apples as there are quite a few variables including weight.

IF I had a landscaping business than hands down, I would buy the HST, easier to operate, less hassle with multiple operators, less skill needed with less issues as you can spend more time focusing on the job at hand.

Montana tractors I believe were owned by the owner of JB Hunt. Not sure if they are still as he died. I believe last year. I recall reading about talkes with farmtrac about a buyout as they both started out as almost the same tractor. with the montana having cabs before Farmtrac added cabs before they went under. THe original model was the Ford 2120.

Our local farmtrac dealer was going to take on the Montana line when Ft went under. I haven't seen any new tractors there yet. I don't recall reading about any issues with any of your choices, so you have to look at what you need. A cab is nice when it's cold or really hot out.

Also if you are considering doing haying in the future the Montana might be a better choice as it gives you more options with balers by having more pto HP

Good luck with your choice.

 

[greenmule]

HST,HST,man!never used one,so they might be the greatest thing since ice cream,but...

The reason many chose it is cause they can't even drive a standard trans. car or truck.

I think geared tractors are more simpler,you get more useable hp out of motor,they are cheaper and unless you were using your tractor mainly as an endloader,can't see any other possible advantage.

I'd choose a new 40 hp kioti which costs less over a 45 hp that is used but has hst every day of the week,myself.

You would be using the same implements,getting the same amount of work done,but with a brand new tractor. [plus its cheaper].

 

[woodyacres]

I only have 50 hours on my first tractor, but I went through some of the same tough decisions you did not too long ago. I am so happy that I chose the HST. I really have nothing to compare it to, other than the short amount of seat time at the dealer. Although, I sure can say that I don't miss the gear drive! I use the loader alot and plow snow, HST makes it nice and smooth and easier than changing gears all the time.

The one thing everyone told me on here is that you should get bigger than you think you will need. The more time in the seat, the more you will find to do with it. I was going to get the CK35, but the dealer and other people talked me into the DK35. Boy, I have worked this thing and am very happy with getting the larger tractor. Sometimes I think I should have gotten the DK40 so I had the stronger loader. But, I am happy. I mostly use it for wood and if I have an issue, I just cut the wood smaller! I have more of an issue of my tires not being loaded than of hydraulic limitations.
Good Luck!