Having A Hard Time Deciding Between LS Or Kioti

Hdoilcan · Jul 3, 2015

I'm having a real hard time deciding between going either LS or Kioti. I have a tractor model picked out in both brands...... and I'm leaning more towards the LS because it offers a factory cab but after searching around I'm kinda about LS vs Kioti as to if I ever need parts etc. Seams like Kioti has more going on as with more dealers and I see mire activity with the Kioti facebook page...... just things like that. Just worried how long LS is gonna be around etc. I know nothing is guaranteed with any company but I'm just feeling a little better with Kioti but would prefer the LS tractor. Whats your thoughts?

kenmac · Jul 3, 2015

I wouldn't worry much about parts with either brand... Which ever gave me the most options, and the highest & most loader lift capacity for my $$ would be my only concern

TSO · Jul 4, 2015

LS will be around.... Likely Kioti will too.

Which models?

Hdoilcan · Jul 4, 2015

TSO said:
LS will be around.... Likely Kioti will too.

Which models?

Kioti CK35HST and the LS XR3037HC. Both have the same backhoe (different colors). LS will cost about $7,000 more but specs are a little better especially on the loader and it will have a cab. Would have to get used to the blue as orange is my favorite lol

Hdoilcan · Jul 4, 2015

I have one LS dealer and 3 Kioti dealers within a hour.

chim · Jul 4, 2015

When I shopped for my current tractor, I decided that Kioti, Kubota, Mahindra or Bobcat (white Kioti at the time) would suit me equally well. Fair or not, LS didn't make the cut because of the experiences we had at work with a Montana (green LS). It is a crude little tractor. We had electrical trouble that took a few trips back to the dealer to resolve. One of our workers damaged the dash and it took several months for the dealer to get a replacement.

I've read several posts from happy LS owners, so maybe they got their act together when they started using blue paint and putting their own name on the tractors.

Hdoilcan · Jul 4, 2015

chim said:
it took several months for the dealer to get a replacement.

I've read a couple of these types of stories and that's what has me oncerned now.

TomSeller · Jul 4, 2015

I would go with LS of those two brands. Very few complaints from LS owners, very good product. Kioti is no slouch, but my feelings are that LS is a very good brand.

coobie · Jul 4, 2015

I would pick the one with the best dealer sales/service and parts.How close are they?Is the dealer big or some type of mom and pa shop that might be out of business next week?With that said I am fortunate to have a great Kioti dealer near me Michigan Iron & equipment.Good luck on your choice.

Hdoilcan · Jul 4, 2015

coobie said:
I would pick the one with the best dealer sales/service and parts.How close are they?Is the dealer big or some type of mom and pa shop that might be out of business next week?With that said I am fortunate to have a great Kioti dealer near me Michigan Iron & equipment.Good luck on your choice.

The one LS and two of the Kioti's are small mom and pop...... I guess that's what kind out makes me nervous also. .... let's say in a year from now the LS dealer closes up....... I'm not sure how far the next one is.

jpm1 · Jul 4, 2015

My feelings are kioti, in January of this year i had a 20" hardwood log roll down the loader arms taking out the dash and the whole steering column, i mean everything. I cut my self free because i was pined down with this 20" diameter, 24' cherry log sitting on my lap. When i trucked down to my dealer he went to work, and i had it back in about 7 working days. Can't say this for all Kioti Dealers but my dealer is tops ! Thanks Kleis crew, John

Wonkie · Jul 4, 2015

7k, that sure seems like a pretty big gap in price just my thoughts. I always thought ls was touted as being cheap in price comparisons and a great bang for your buck like mahindra once was? So a little better spec and a cab adds 7k?

Poopdeck Pappy · Jul 4, 2015

Wonkie said:
7k, that sure seems like a pretty big gap in price just my thoughts. I always thought ls was touted as being cheap in price comparisons and a great bang for your buck like mahindra once was? So a little better spec and a cab adds 7k?

Well, a cab adds about $5,000 - $6,000 typically. Then factor in some of the goodies that are on the LS that aren't on the CK series Kioti, and there's your difference

Wonkie · Jul 4, 2015

So take away that expensive cab then all the sudden the ls can become the better deal $$ wise again, gotcha

TJP89 · Jul 4, 2015

Decide if the cab is worth 7K, if not go Kioti, if so, go LS. I think the LS is a little better, but here it comes down to the cab. I would buy either brand with no reservations.

paulfun9 · Jul 4, 2015

Which one are you most comfortable on? In todays world of order parts on line and shipping them to your door I wouldn't worry much about parts being around the corner because they wont be in stock at the dealership anyway.

rgr33 · Jul 4, 2015

I think you are choosing from two outstanding brands, both with excellent reputations and both rapidly gaining popularity. I have a 2012 LS that I use several times a week, and never have
had to buy anything but filters so far. I am confidant a Kioti would be the same.
It seems like you just need to decide how much you want the cab. Either way, you, can't lose, and you will end up with an excellent tractor.

GManBart · Jul 4, 2015

I don't think you have to worry about parts/service for the LS in the future, but you can't really go wrong with either brand. A couple of things to consider are that LS is actually a larger company, and last I knew, was selling more tractors per year than Kioti. That makes sense since both New Holland and Case buy some of their CUTs from LS. Along those same lines, you can actually get warranty work done on an LS at a Case or NH dealer as long as you clear it with LS first. When it comes to revenue, and the size of the company, LS actually has more gross revenue than some established companies like Kubota, so it would seem unlikely they're going away any time soon. Based upon the annual dealer surveys they won a Dealer's Choice Award (Kioti also did well with a Gold level award)....it seems both companies are on solid footings with the dealers, and both seem to be growing their dealer network.

I had an LS R4047H that was a great machine...only sold it to go bigger, and get something with a cab. I was going to buy a Kioti NX5510, but decided to go much bigger and bought a backhoe to handle the serious dirt moving I need to do for the next year or so.

I think LS has more dealers than people realize, but their dealer locator function on their website is sort of quirky and doesn't really give you as much info as it should.

DK35vince · Jul 4, 2015

All I can add is that I have owned a Kioti DK 35 for 14 years and 1950+ hours with no problems.
Although a cab with a/c and heat would sure be nice.

GManBart · Jul 4, 2015

I just remembered that there have been a few parts supply issues with Kioti as well. I think it was Eric the Oracle who had a long delay (couple of weeks) to get a few parts for his NX...I think a tree limb took out a cab part that was the slowest replacement, but I'm just going off memory.

I wouldn't let that sway me either way, but point it out that any company can/will have delays getting some parts.