Strongest Korean brand

[Maka]

Ok all,

I have always been a fan and was a dealer of Korean brands of compacts and utilities. I am just wanting to start a discussion on who you feel are the strongest and most likely to have longevity in the USA market and why.

Maka

 

[grm61]

I don't have any researched niumbers...Kioti and LS are strong in the US,, both make a good tractors Kioti made tractors for bobcat for some time, and LS for Newholland.
I bought a Kioti DK45SE HST Cab in May 2013 and am very happy with it.

Other than that I have nothing to add...other than my purchasing dealer not selling Kioti any more...I don't believe it was any problem with the tractors.

 

[paulfun9]

Having purchased a new machine this year I must say that I was impressed with all of them.

 

[TomSeller]

I think LS and Kioti are both good brands. Being primarily a Deere, Kubota, Case and Massey owner, my initial preference would be to LS if I were to add another brand outside if the present collection. The reports I see here on TBN seem to be satisfied with few issues on the LS tractors.

 

[Maka]

Thanks grm61. I believe they are excellent machines. Kioti is a well built machine and I have always felt LS could make a big dent. I know Branson and TYM build good machines but all of them have their draw backs. I have my ideas on who will make it in the USA and who will fold and will post them later. Just wondering what others think about it? BTW, where in Eastern Wa are you?

 

[Maka]

Tomseller, both are great machines for sure.

 

[snowbelt geauga]

Having owned 2 LS tractors one a Farmtrac both excellent machines.On quality I think they will stay around but the dealer network does not seem to be strong in N.E. Ohio and Western PA. Where as Kioti dealers are more common and do a lot more advertising.

 

[tooln]

I looked at a Branson and was really impressed with it. Then I started to did deeper. The dealer network and support turned me away. Was set on getting a
JD 3038e then I saw the Kioti. Looked over the specs and oncve I saw the tractor I bought it, it's a DKSE45-HST. It's being delivered Tuesday.

 

[Maka]

Snowbelt, this is the kind of things I am thinking about. Dealer network, financial strength, parts support, quality and commitment to the market. I am a fan of LS and have been since the old Montana days.

 

[Maka]

Hi Tooln. The discussion on Korean tractors is interesting. The quality of them is excellent. In fact, there is not a Korean tractor that is bad in terms of qality. There are just so many other things to consider when buying one. You got a nice machine for sure.

 

[arnoldziffel]

I'm a big fan of Kioti and feel they are an excellent value. In my area they have solid dealer support.

I like the looks of Branson but in upstate New York there are only two dealers between Buffalo and Albany (a 6 hour drive time spread). One of the dealers is not far from me but his specialty is push lawn mowers and string trimmers. He became a Branson dealer at the first of the year. By my count, of the 4 new machines he started the year with in inventory, he has sold only one. I don't see how he can continue to justify any inventory floor plan costs and when I asked about parts and service I was told that most parts are not stocked but can be ordered in as needed. From what I've read, Branson corporate is not very quick about getting parts to dealers.

My bottom line: Don't buy a tractor without solid, healthy, plentiful, convenient dealer representation. There are plenty of viable brands and good dealers to serve the market.

 

[K man]

If I had more money I would try them all out (Korean tractors that is) lol. For years I saved to replace my older 1956 IH tractor and was hoping to get a Kubota but the dealer in my area did not give me a good impression on their salesmanship and customer relationship. As I was set on a Kubota this bothered me. I was driving along the country side and happen to see all these Black and Orange tractors and said to my YES another Kubota dealer and was eager to go in and look around and feel the place but it turned to be a Kioti dealer. Wow I was surprised by the color. Anyway went in told the salesman what I was looking for and bingo was so impressed with his knowledge and suggestions that I bought on the spot a CK30 HST with FEL, 66 front mount snow blower and back scraper blade. The delivery was fast 4 days as they had to wait for the mid mount PTO. It has been a year now and love my Kioti. Sorry about the long post lol

 

[travlitt]

I currently own 2 Branson tractors and am very pleased with them. Very well built tractors. Good dealer support.

 

[Grandad4]

It seems the first lesson about getting into the US tractor market is you have to have a solid, reliable product. Like most everyone else, the Korean manufacturers figured that out and seem to do that quite well. The other critical element is having a good means of reaching and supporting the market. Building a strong dealer network is hard and it takes time; even the big names make bad decisions about dealers occasionally. Every region is unique so you can't just do the same thing everywhere. That seems to be the thing that makes or breaks a tractor manufacturer, and the story is still playing out for some of the Korean brands.

If you're shopping for a tractor, most definitely look at the Korean brands along with everything else. If you're thinking of becoming a dealer, do your research. There will be winners and losers eventually, and it won't be because of product quality or the lack thereof.

 

[arnoldziffel]

I'm particularly interested in the Branson 2400H as a possible addition to our "fleet".

It appears to be a VERY GOOD machine.

I just can't get past the concern that if I buy it, the dealer may soon be gone. (The next closest dealer is 4.5 hours away).

 

[K man]

Yes, it is difficult to find a dealer that you can rely on for years of service and support. Buying a good reputable brand of tractor will not need as much service so it really doesn't matter how far your dealer is but it is nice to have one close if possible.

 

[rgr33]

I started out wanting Kubota, but couldn't get a decent price from local dealer. after a lot to research and test rides, it came down to Kioti and LS. got a great deal on a used g 3033h with low hours on it So far this LS has been fantastic, compared to my old JD 950. Still think the Kioti would have been an excellent choice too, but it was $3000 more No plastic body parts on either unit, Both dealers seemed customer oriented. both tractors very user friendly.

 

[biodegraded]

I would like to check out Kioti and LS, but the nearest dealers are 100 or more miles away. It would not take many trips to them to eat up any cost difference, not to mention my time, having to go that far. My choices are basically green, orange or red.

 

[murphy1244]

I would like to check out Kioti and LS, but the nearest dealers are 100 or more miles away. It would not take many trips to them to eat up any cost difference, not to mention my time, having to go that far. My choices are basically green, orange or red.

Well in the 3 years I've had my Kioti its been back to the dealer once- to add the second remote.

 

[K man]

I have had mine just under a year and it has gone back once to get a soft cab installed. I am getting close to my 50 hr service of which the Dealer will come out to the house and do it at no cost other than the fluids. I think that is great customer service.
Kubota dealer would of charged for the same service while Kioti included first 50hr maintenance for free. Now you know why I chose Kioti.