Kioti or Kubota

gkh7890 · Jul 4, 2010

RSKY,
I just bought a Kioti DK 40SE HST in the beginning of May. Been shopping for a long time. WANTED a Kubota SOOOOOO bad. Here's where & why I went w/ Kioti.....
1. COST - With current incentives, there was basically a $4,000 to $6,500 difference here in SW Ohio. I got 2 quotes from 2 of my closest dealers and then even one from the central KY area. I spec'd a L3940 HST, 724FEL, R4 Tires.
2. HST functionality - I'm on flat land, FEL work, brush hogging, and finish mowing are primary work needs. The 2 range on the Kubota was really nice!!!! The Auto HST was even cooler! I asked the dealer other than the Auto HST being a really COOL feature, what was its real purpose....."it would help with fuel efficiency but other than that, it's just a really cool feature" was the response I got. Sorry - its not worth $4,000 to me.
3. Ergonomics - for me, the Kioti is so much more comfortable with the seat position, seat slide orientation (up and back vs. back only), and the dual pedals. The Kubota was very cramped and the pivot pedal was not easy to use.
4. Warranty - Kioti has the better warranty. Granted - Kubota has the legendary reliability but Kioti has been growing in this area too and has been in business here in the US for some time now (25yrs?). Hope I won't need to use the warranty but good to know it is there.

In the end, which one fits you the best - ergonomics, functionality, and your wallet? Go with the one that makes you the happiest!!! You won't regret either brand!!!!

tulenutn2o · Jul 4, 2010

I are smart too!:thumbsup::laughing:

crazyal · Jul 4, 2010

I know with Kubota location plays a large price as to price. It seams like New England usually gets hit with retail price or maybe a small percentage off. Other areas getting 15% or more off is not hard. Has anyone seen the same being true for Kioti or are the dealers much closer to each other?

IslandTractor · Jul 4, 2010

crazyal said:
I know with Kubota location plays a large price as to price. It seams like New England usually gets hit with retail price or maybe a small percentage off. Other areas getting 15% or more off is not hard. Has anyone seen the same being true for Kioti or are the dealers much closer to each other?

Kioti dealers vary considerably. Some seem to think they can sell against Kubota without discounting (I don't know why) while others will discount as agressively as they can to maintain a clear price advantage over Kubota.

As a happy Kioti owner who bought after looking at both Kioti and Kubota, I would be surprised if any Kioti dealer could be successful unless they undercut Kubota by a good chunk of change. Same strategy that Hyundai takes selling against Toyota.

dlbtenn · Jul 5, 2010

I also looked at Kubota & Kioti.Could not choose between them so what to do?? Went out and bought a Bobcat CT 440 with free FEL for less money!

dlbtenn · Jul 5, 2010

Also found out Kioti made Kubota parts for years and then came out with on tractors.Some kioti models and
Kubota models are same tractor with different grill & hood. Bobcat is a Kioti painted white. FEL is Rhino .
Like some models of Case & New Holland are same tractor,one painted red & other blue.

kosby · Jul 5, 2010

I haven't looked at a Kioti in 20 years but back when I first saw one, I thought it was a Kubota until closer inspection. Back then, the quality was something to be desired compared to Kubota although things change, sort of like the early days of Honda and Toyota autos so I'm sure they are fine tractors. That said, I haven't been on a tractor in 15 years until buying a Kubota B2320 two weeks ago and when I got the itch to buy, I knew it would be a Kubota because for me, it's sort of like buying cars and I buy Honda because when I get ready to sell, it will sell quickly and for top dollar.

IslandTractor · Jul 5, 2010

dlbtenn said:
Also found out Kioti made Kubota parts for years and then came out with on tractors.Some kioti models and
Kubota models are same tractor with different grill & hood. .

As far as I can tell these are urban legends. I've never seen proof that Kioti made parts for Kubota. As far as I can tell no Kioti is a clone of a Kubota either.

Hawghauler · Jul 5, 2010

I looked at Bobcat here in Idaho but they were much more expensive than Kioti and tried to use sales tactics that would make a Massachusetts used car dealer blush. Turned me off completely. My local Kioti dealer would not budge and was rude to my wife when questioned about the price. Acted insulted that we wanted to negotiate is first price offer. The dealer a few towns away was 3K cheaper, cheerful and polite. No sales pitch act, just honest pricing. Wasn't a hard choice. Many of the younger business people today have been brought up with a poor understanding of polite courtesy. I could handle tough negotiation, rudeness to the wife is an unforgiveable breach. The guy called a few days later and apologized after he realized the deal slipped through his fingers, but grovelling was 3K too little, and once the attitude left his lips, too late.