Comparison Kubota vs Bobcat/Kioti

[TripleR]

Yeah, well I bet my dad can whip your dad; gee whiz...

 

[art]

I'd like to see what the cycle time would be while performing two loader functions at once. I operated a few older Kubota's and one Deere and never could get either to lift and curl a load at the same time without almost coming to a dead stop. I do it regularly now without any difference in speed or power and even while driving into the pile with an HST. That's when the extra pump comes in handy but there's no spec for that.
Pumps too big, weight in the wrong place, smaller is better...
You have an excuse for everything Kubota falls behind in. :laughing:

You are not alone with your request and I hear it all the time. I couldn't do this with my old tractor, I couldn't do that with my old tractor. Many of the older valves were not designed to work two systems at once. For those companies that are still using them they are a lower price then the multi-function valves which there again have only become common in the last ten years.

Many people never really look at everything then they look as they have blinders on! A ten year old model should not keep up with a new one, Kubota's have had one of the best tractors for being able to steer with a hydro and still work with a load, I often use will demonstrating to sell after people complain of what you just stated.

As far as what Kubota is falling behind on, I only see little things where one manufacturer might start coming out with a new feature to them, like a cab, or TLB ten years after Kubota introduced it to the industry. After all you said that a loader and hydraulic system of kubota has to be better engineered to work with less hydraulic force and still move more load and faster!!!!!!!!!!! Care for a towel? Don't worry not all the brands that we deal with or have delt with have been equal and I don't think they ever will be and there is some good with all brands for someone.

Just think how many brands wouldn't be here at all if Kubota didn't come the US in the sixties to get this all started!

 

[missingstexas]

Wow! I was going to re-assure Carl that that B26 he has on order is one heck of a machine, but I'm afraid I'd get attacked for saying anything... some of you guys need to step away from the computer monitor for a few minutes before you hit the send button!

 

[DiezNutz]

Welcome to TBN.

Wow! I was going to re-assure Carl that that B26 he has on order is one heck of a machine

And yet, you just did! :thumbsup:

but I'm afraid I'd get attacked for saying anything... some of you guys need to step away from the computer monitor for a few minutes before you hit the send button!

Nah, you should be safe here in the Kubota forum ... as long as you don't say anything that could be construed as even remotely critical of Kiotis, intentionally or otherwise. Evidently it's threatening.

 

[Gittyup]

I don't think anyone else has anything quite like the B26/B39 type machines. And, I don't think anyone has anything quite like the CK's and CTs...at least not for similar cost. Both are excellent in their own right when evaluated in light of their intended uses. I just wish the Kubota dealers could acknowledge that the Kiotis/BCs are quality machines rather than spew implications that somehow they are not. And I would like to see the Kioti/BC owners behave a little less defensively (inspite of those that mislead). Belittling a brand with no real basis for it does not help one's credibility. And that cuts both ways.

 

[crazyal]

Hyundai has an ad on TV with a hidden cam. One couple says how foolish they are to have spent the money they did on a Mercedes. I guess if they can't tell the difference between the two then they clearly wasted their money on the Benz. However as nice as a Hyudai is it's not a Mercedes. No point, just thought it was funny. Go back to comparing apples to oranges.

 

[JasG]

I just ordered a new Kubota B26. Still shopping around as I wait patiently for my new tractor to be delivered, I looked a little closer at the Bobcat. To my surprise the Bobcat CT335, which is comparable in price to the B26, weighs in at 3600 lbs without the loader or backhoe. Add about 2000 lbs for the backhoe and loader and you've got a 5600 lb machine. Correct me if I am wrong, but doesn't more weight mean a more solid built tractor. I don't get it, I always thought of Kubota as one of the better built machines, thats what justifies the premium price tag. Now I am starting to think I may have made a mistake. Any advice?

Thanks
Carl B

No. More weight does not mean a better built machine. Deere has used high Hp to weight since the 1960's, there 4000 was very close to a IH 966 yet was about 2000 lbs less. In some cases yes it can mean more rugged, but it also might mean weaker materials used in construction. It could also be in the case of a B26 the loader and backhoe are built just for that machine. With others it could be a loader and backhoe built for several machines. I don't know how the B26 vs CT235 as far as frame size either, you may have several sized units all the same or very similar Hp.

Also weight is easy to add but hard to subtract from a machine. In somes cases a lighter foot print is better.

 

[JoelD]

AS others have posted, pre and post attacks the machines are different.

The Kioti is a tractor and the Kubota is a small industrial TLB.

As a prior Kubota owner and current Kioti owner I'd not hesitate on either.

If I were to be digging or running the machine in almost any capacity full time as a commercial unit I'd put my money down on a Kubota, Mine was bullet proof, with about every little detail well thought out and built to take tons of abuse.

I purchased my Kioti because I use as a homeowner machine and I was able to pay less for the same or greater capacities.

I really like the Kubota B26, L39 and L45, same goes for the Deere 110. But they are huge money for a homeowner like me to justify.

A tiny little example of why I say what I say is, I replaced my first cyl seal on my Kubota when the cyl was about 30 years old. Getting time to replace a seal on my kioti and it is 7 years old.

Joel

 

[DiezNutz]

Gittyup and JoelD, good thoughtful posts. :thumbsup: Everything has its place and purpose. I can't help but think how if we went back in time 20 years, maybe less, this same discussion would've been about Deere vs. Kubota, respectively.
There is still the occasional oldschool Deere diehard that hasn't warmed up to "them Jap tractors", can't imagine what they think of all these newcomers.

Competition - the proper kind - is good for all involved.

 

[Carl Bert]

WOW! Sorry guys for creating such a heated arguement. I just needed some reassurance on my purchase. Anyway I went back to the dealer played around with the B26 and also looked at the B3200, which I also liked. If it wasn't for the 1000lb difference in backhoe bucket pressure, I would have gone that route, but I am dealing with hard rocky soil and need the extra strength. Hey if I decide down the road that I want a more versatile machine, I'll just trade it in for a B3200 or B3030. "Life is to enjoy" Thanks for all the input, this is a great site.

Carl B

 

[TripleR]

WOW! Sorry guys for creating such a heated arguement. I just needed some reassurance on my purchase. Anyway I went back to the dealer played around with the B26 and also looked at the B3200, which I also liked. If it wasn't for the 1000lb difference in backhoe bucket pressure, I would have gone that route, but I am dealing with hard rocky soil and need the extra strength. Hey if I decide down the road that I want a more versatile machine, I'll just trade it in for a B3200 or B3030. "Life is to enjoy" Thanks for all the input, this is a great site.

Carl B

Good luck with your purchase, I am sure you will be happy with it. I don't think you can buy a bad tractor if you stick with one of the top manufacturers. I just bought a new Kubota, but could have been happy with any number of comparably equipped tractors, no matter the color.

 

[DiezNutz]

WOW! Sorry guys for creating such a heated arguement.

Well Carl, your punishment is, you have to post lots of pics of your B26 when you get it, as well as share your first experiences of owning it.

I think that's only fair. :thumbsup:

 

[waxahachie]

Bobcat is purchased from Kioti, and assembled in the US and painted white.
I love the Bobcat standard features, but my concerns are that Bobcat has a long track record of starting to sell a product, find out there is not enough profit
and dump it. The company that furnishes the parts have a long track record, and Kioti (Daedong) outwardly seem like a killer deal, but I've had Kubs for 30 yrs.and service more than required but have never had to repair a tractor in my usual 7 yrs. between purchases, and have sold them for over half of original price. I thought about Bobcat, but their support situation sucks in this area. Only specific dealers can service them, NOT ALL BOBCAT DEALERS.
Happy hunting.

 

[montelatici]

Yes I seriously considered a Kioti in the spring and had it not been that I was in the middle of a refinancing I probably would have sprung for a DK 40/45 HST. The features these had for the price was phenomenal.

But, when the L3700SU became available the Kubota pricing became more manageable and though it is a very utilitarian tractor (and smaller/lighter) it will do what I need it for and it will have Kubota resale value and quality I have become accustomed to.

I bought my first Kubota, a B5200 4WD in 1984 and I have bought 3 more from the same dealer over the years. I sold the B5200 3 years ago for about the same price I paid for it new!!!!! Of course those 1984 dollars were worth more.

On the other hand, if I had no past experience with Kubota, I would probably go with a Kioti. A lot of machine for the money, and I haven't heard any form/fit horror stories that I have heard about Chinese and Indian tractors.

Kubota thought the L3700 through price point-wise and it might keep many of us from jumping ship. It did for me.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I love the Bobcat standard features, but my concerns are that Bobcat has a long track record of starting to sell a product, find out there is not enough profit.

Very insightful, and somthing that many of us in the business are watching.

 

[twbpc]

To me it's about quality and getting the right tool for the job. It's one thing to get more bang for your buck (bigger tractor) but I prefer to buy something that gives me the right bang and I get my buck back when I trade it in on a new Kubota.

 

[digger2]

Carl,
I myself have had two Kubotas.The first was a B7610 with a Kubota FEL and Woods BH,good machine but not built for constant BH and FEL work.
Now i have a B26 TLB and for its purpose its great.Alot more solid than my
B7610.I can actually lift a load with just one side of my FEL (i dont recomend this) and i dont hear any snapping,cracking or groaning sounds as i did with my B7610.The 7610 was a good machine but not built for the punishment
the B26 will take.I've had it three years and am not sorry i bought it.
As far as the Kioti/Bobcat thing of weighing more,yes they do.Does
it mean they are built better?.....no it does'nt.I myself have never had a Bobcat or a Kioti,so i can't call them good or bad.I personally dont know
how good those machines are.They maybe OK,i can't say,i've never owned one.
I too was really suprised with how much more a comparable Kioti/
Bobcat weighed over a Kubota.But remember as has been said.......
"you can always add weight",as i did.And more weight does not always mean
better.If i remember right the B26 has only a 1 year warranty.I asked my dealer about this and his response was alot of these B26 fall into the hands of rental outfits.This means any Joe Blow with the dough can walk in,rent it for the weekend,pound the crap out of it and take it back on monday
washing his hands of it regardless if its damaged or not.Sometimes the damage isnt obvious on the return of the machine,such as stress cracks.
Kubota knows how these things get treated,especially if its a rental.
Anyway,I will tell you i am completely satisfied with my B26.I've put it through some real tough situations and it keeps right on going.I'll probably have it for the rest of my life,who knows?Regardless, i can say that Kubota
does make a very good product,and i think you will be more than satisfied
with a B26.......good luck with your new machine!!! Digger2

 

[art]

WOW! Sorry guys for creating such a heated arguement. I just needed some reassurance on my purchase. Anyway I went back to the dealer played around with the B26 and also looked at the B3200, which I also liked. If it wasn't for the 1000lb difference in backhoe bucket pressure, I would have gone that route, but I am dealing with hard rocky soil and need the extra strength. Hey if I decide down the road that I want a more versatile machine, I'll just trade it in for a B3200 or B3030. "Life is to enjoy" Thanks for all the input, this is a great site.

Carl B

I'm sorry Carl, but I fueled it up as their spec's said it all.

You'll love your B-26 and they are a strong tractor with a history of good quality and service with great resale value!!

 

[digger2]

Carl,
Something else about weight on this Kubota verses Kioti/Bobcat
thing............Do you plan on trailering it anywhere?
Example.......The 16' tandem i have is rated at 7000# gross weight.
It weighs,according to my title,2001# leaving me 5000# load limit.
The B26 weighs 4001# bone stock.My tires are filled with windsheild washer fluid front and rear,even though Kubota does not reccomend filling the fronts,i did it anyway.I figure now it weighs about 4600# total....maybe more!!!!
With my Warn winch mounted on the front of the trailer,and a good deep cycle battery on the trailer,along with my extra long ramps that i made-
because the original 5 footers were way too short,plus some diesel fuel and tools,chains and binders............well,i'm pushing my legal limit.
Yeah,i could buy a heavier trailer.....and then a diesel F350 instead of my gas F250,and on and on and on.Think about it.More weight is not always better.........right now my Ex-wife comes to mind.