Kioti vs. Kubota comps

[IslandTractor]

lets not do this thread disjustice and not neglect to point out that there are some massive transmission differences between a GL40 Kubota and a DK. Auto Throttle, Auto HDS, Stall Guard, 2x3 ranges,3rd function remotes, etc are not offered on a DK. If your looking at more basic tractors (non-cab) an L4400 is the ticket.



I did not check these models, but do watch. Typically Kioti is taking their measurements at the ball ends/pivot points to show higher numbers, where Kubota uses bucket center / 24" measurements to reflect the real world capacities of the tractor.

1) The new GL40 Kubota transmission is very nice but hardly necessary. How did even Kubota manage with the GL30 series that has the same generation tranny as the Kioti DK? Definite perk but not a substantial ($5000) benefit which is the price differential.

2) Kubota and Kioti both list pivot point lift capacities as I recall so direct comparisons are possible. It is true that the Kubota loader naming standard seems to be kilograms at mid bucket (LA724=724kg at mid bucket) as I recall and that is a very useful and fair standard. However, so long as pivot pins are stated as the reference the comparisons are just as valid and do away with vagaries in bucket depth/length etc.

I've never seen a "lift off" between Kubota and Kioti loaders. Some Kubota dealers feel Kubota engineers purposely underrate their loaders. Another theory (my own) is that to keep the Kubotas light, they use less stout front axles which might not be a good match for more powerful loaders. Certainly that is the reason that the DK35se Kioti has a much less powerful loader than the 3hp different DK40se. I've operated a number of Kubota B and GL on dealer premises and I am pretty sure that my old CK20/KL120 would easily outlift any B series Kubota under 30hp and that my DK40se/KL401 outlifts any of the GL series. Loader strength/capacity is certainly not the only consideration in purchasing a tractor but for some of us with land clearing rather than finish mowing as the primary tractor task, higher loader capacity is of more benefit than lighter weight. If I was finish mowing an estate I'd vote exactly the other way.

Kubota = best dealer network, best resale, state of the art engineering, lighter weight for finish mowing, significantly higher initial price, fewer standard features (generally).

Kioti = best bang for the buck, higher rated loaders for HP size, heavier tractors better suited for field work, tried and true engineering, more standard features (generally), no MMM option, spotty dealer network, lower resale.

Kubota and Kioti: both excellent machines that serve their happy owners well. Virtually no one sells either one to get an equivalent from the other Orange company.

 

[RJJR]

1) The new GL40 Kubota transmission is very nice but hardly necessary. How did even Kubota manage with the GL30 series that has the same generation tranny as the Kioti DK? Definite perk but not a substantial ($5000) benefit which is the price differential.


Kubota = best dealer network, best resale, state of the art engineering, lighter weight for finish mowing, significantly higher initial price, fewer standard features (generally).

Kioti = best bang for the buck, higher rated loaders for HP size, heavier tractors better suited for field work, tried and true engineering, more standard features (generally), no MMM option, spotty dealer network, lower resale.


I couldn't agree more with the comments above from my personal observations. I evaluated both tractors and come to pretty much the same conclusions and bought the Kioti. I loved the Kubota but I'm a hobby farmer with 14 acres coming off of a 1975 Ferguson...gear shift at that. Either tractor in the HST is going to be worlds from where I was. So the premium HST in the Kubota was not a must have option and either would work in my case (short of the squealing HST problems being reported by some owners!). I hope I'll be one of the lucky ones. The dealer said he'd sold 17 of these tractors since March and no one had reported any problems. I hope i'm 18.

When I originally started talking to the dealers there was only $1500 difference in the Kioti and the 3940. Seems like the Kubota guy went "best offer" out of the gate but the Kioti guy countered and when we finished there was $5500 difference. Resale isn't an issue as I don't plan to sell unless it's a lemon. The risk that bothers me most is the depth of the dealer network. However, I'm only 25 miles from the headquarters in NC which makes me feel some better. Bottom line is both are great tractors. I was Ok with either brand but decided the lower initial investment and better specs in some key categories outweighed the Kubotas obvious strengths. I hope I'll be right. Only time and personl experience with this tractor will tell. Back to looking for a grapple.
Thanks for everyones help.
RJ

 

[coobie]

Where did Messick farm run off to?coobie

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Where did Messick farm run off to?coobie

I'm here... whats up?

 

[milkman636]

1) ......................... Certainly that is the reason that the DK35se Kioti has a much less powerful loader than the 3hp different DK40se.

As an owner of a DK35se's step brother, the CT335, my theory on reduced loader capacity is that the shorter wheel base of the CT335/DK35 makes the tractor unstable with the heavier front end load. The ballast in the rear has a shorter lever to work with. It is front heavy when I get a real full load on my loader. I just traded my 635# box blade for an 850# box blade, and the extra ballast makes a huge difference. My JD tractor with about 14" more wheelbase is fine lifting its full 2500# capacity with only the 635# blade hanging on the back. Both have loaded tires.

 

[IslandTractor]

As an owner of a DK35se's step brother, the CT335, my theory on reduced loader capacity is that the shorter wheel base of the CT335/DK35 makes the tractor unstable with the heavier front end load. The ballast in the rear has a shorter lever to work with. It is front heavy when I get a real full load on my loader. I just traded my 635# box blade for an 850# box blade, and the extra ballast makes a huge difference. My JD tractor with about 14" more wheelbase is fine lifting its full 2500# capacity with only the 635# blade hanging on the back. Both have loaded tires.

I didn't think there was a big difference in wheel base between DK35se and the 40/45/50. It looks less tall due to smaller tires and axles but I thought it shared the rest of the body parts.

 

[milkman636]

The dk35/ct335 wheelbase is shorter length because of the 3 cylinder engine block instead of a 4. It's one of the reasons I opted for the 335 over a 440. I was looking specifically for more manueverability than my larger tractor offers.

 

[MotorSeven]

I originally wanted a 'bota Grand L after doing all my shopping/comparisons. However, their "special financing" turned out to be a game & the dealer did not wish to play. It had come down to Kioti or Kubota, so I went with the Kioti. My only regret was not buying the bigger machine so I traded the Ck30 in for a Dk40SE. I have almost 500 hrs on the Dk....life is good!

 

[IslandTractor]

The dk35/ct335 wheelbase is shorter length because of the 3 cylinder engine block instead of a 4. It's one of the reasons I opted for the 335 over a 440. I was looking specifically for more manueverability than my larger tractor offers.

Six inches of wheel base will not affect stability much.

 

[IslandTractor]

Kubota L3950 ***** Kioti Dk40SE

3pt.lift @24in.2,760 ***** 3pt.lift @24in.2,493
LDR lift 2,760 ***** LDR lift 2,761

So I dont see were the kioti loader lifts way more than the kubota as someone said earlier all I can see between the two is that the kubota can handle more on 3pt.Not any of the other tractor owners are going to state the parts the other brand beats them in!!!

Did Kubota just introduce a new Grand L model and loader? What is an L3950 and which loader are you referring to for the Kubota?

 

[TractorTidy]

Foeman, respectfully, I think you're off on your Kub. ldr. spec. There is a considerable difference (less) oon the 3940 ldr. vs. the DK40. I don't have my specs. w/ me but did a comparison the other day and the 40 was quite a bit higher.

 

[Dmace]

Kubota L3950 ***** Kioti Dk40SE

3pt.lift @24in.2,760 ***** 3pt.lift @24in.2,493
LDR lift 2,760 ***** LDR lift 2,761

So I dont see were the kioti loader lifts way more than the kubota as someone said earlier all I can see between the two is that the kubota can handle more on 3pt.Not any of the other tractor owners are going to state the parts the other brand beats them in!!!

Did Kubota just introduce a new Grand L model and loader? What is an L3950 and which loader are you referring to for the Kubota?

L3940 should have been able to figure that out!!and kubota 3pt should have been 2756 lbs

The Kubota Grand L3940 has the LA724 loader which is rated at 1,865 lbs at the pivot pins which is a far cry from the Kioti's 2,761 lbs at the pivot pins. Then again, you "should have been able to figure that out!!"
Even the bigger L5240 is only rated at 2,489 lbs.
Before snapping at those trying to make sense out of the BS your putting up here, try getting your facts straight. Here is the page straight from the Kubota website where I got my information, now where did you get yours?
http://kubota.com/assets/product/comps/L40/Grand-L40-Series-implements-comps.pdf (Page 3)

 

[IslandTractor]

I looked it up,on there site,cause I wonted to see if this statement was correct

Which Kubota loader are you referring to? Some have two available but last time I checked the Kubota specs neither of the loaders for the 3940 came close to the KL401 in max lift.

 

[TractorTidy]

I think you mistook the 3pt. lift # as the ldr. lift. The ldr. lift I believe is @18-1900 lbs. Even the bigger ldr. on the 4240 is less than the DK40.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Foeman, respectfully, I think you're off on your Kub. ldr. spec. There is a considerable difference (less) oon the 3940 ldr. vs. the DK40. I don't have my specs. w/ me but did a comparison the other day and the 40 was quite a bit higher.

Your Alright:thumbsup:

 

[Yota_85]

To O.P., RJJR:

If you live on a hill, no not underestimate the advanced tranny of the Grand L. Will be invaluable. My DK35SE will go anywhere, except for Hi range, where it goes NO WHERE. Even transporting it on the road, it'll barely climb hills in town in Hi gear. Have to STOP, shift into Med (and struggle a bit) and continue. (at a snails pace). Worth $6k over what I paid for my DK35se, hardly. It sure would be nice to have the no-stop 2-speed tranny of the Grand L often.........ok, like EVERYDAY. But seriously, Kioti engineers needed to equip this tractor with a 4-speed hydro. (a gear in-between med & hi) I LOVE my DK except for this (rather major) fault.

Not sure if DK40/DK45 owners fair any better at this. More HP, but their tractors weigh a little more too. Too bad my dealer's lot was fairly flat.

My advice.....if you live and/or will transport the tractor on hills.....test it out on a hill. Make sure it'll pull it's own weight........in Hi. And if not, investigate what options you'll have when it won't.

 

[MotorSeven]

Yota the DK40 must have a different set up. My 3 sped Hydro will climb a moderate hill. It will slow down on some of the steeper one's and if I feather the throttle it can make it. For steep hills I have to go down to Med range.

 

[IslandTractor]

My DK40se HST has no trouble climbing moderate hills in high range either. I do it routinely with either a mower or tiller attached.

 

[Kyle241]

Interesting posts albeit a little lively/sensitive. Bottom line is the Kioti can lift more based on the published specs which is good if you are going to use it.

To the OP, I am in the market for a new tractor and have only considered Kioti and Kubota as I have dealers close by and I feel they are the best two tractors for my needs. I am currently a Kubota owner and have been very pleased with my B20 TLB for 13yrs as it's a little tank and can do almost everything I need. Now I am looking for more HP specifically to help with plowing, discing, etc. so I am looking in the 40-50hp range. Here is what I have found between the two:

DK40SE

Pro:
- Comes with a lot of options
- Fairly nice fit & finish
- The cab was nicely put together but it's not a requirement for me (I'll break a window in the woods)
- Good lift capacity however I would not need the specs quoted as a bucket full of soil or gravel is a bucket full and that's sufficient
- Dealer is a nice fellow

Con:
- Did not like the ride. Not sure what I did but I know how to drive a tractor and it was slow going uphill at the dealer.
- Not sure but felt like it sat very high up and thought that in the woods, it may tip easier??? Not sure but it felt this way.
- Do not like the backhoe setup at all. It appears to be a chore and I will be removing it off and on.
- Dealer will not negotiate. He and another dealer within 30 miles both will not budge and I have heard they 'work together' so I'm stuck with their prices and don't feel I am getting a deal.
- Resale is not so good (not sure why as they seem like nice tractors)


L4400/MX4700/MX5100

Pro:
- Nice basic tractors and am favouring the MX5100 for the $$$
- Kubota is familiar to me and has an excellent reputation
- Very nice fit and finish on the MX series
- Very nice backhoe with more breakout force and connections are better
- Beefy 3pt hitch for plowing, discing, etc.

Con:
- Not a fan of my local dealer and would not buy from him. Another dealer about 20 miles away will give me a better deal and deliver and service.
- Don't get the options Kioti has, e.g. adjustable 3pt arms, for similar price

If I recall the numbers correctly, I can get the DK40SE, loader, R4's with backhoe for $36,000 and the MX5100, loader, R4's, block heater with backhoe for $36,300 (I could be off a few hundred). Overall, I like the MX5100 because of: Kubota reputation, backhoe capacity and fit, overall fit and finish of the tractor (I guess you could say 'look of tractor) appears nicer to me. Now to be very fair, I would have to compare the Grand L series and the price would be a lot higher for Kubota but I do not need those extras.

So to the OP, both tractors are very nice. The two models you are comparing I believe are closer comparisons, e.g. options. The Kioti has greater lifting capacity with with loader, you need to determine whether this is your most important requirement.

 

[MotorSeven]

$36K for a DK40SE TLB? You guys are at par(and have been there for quite a while), that is highway robbery. I have not priced the Kioti TLB here, but I am guessing around $30K. You will not go wrong with a 'bota..great tractor all around.