Buying Advice In search of a sub-compact tractor

[paulfun9]

Not at all Paul. Why would you think that? I thought my posts on this thread were crystal clear for why I listed 3 manufacturers and not 1 or 8. I don't consider kioti at the Kubota/Massey-Iseki/Yanmar level given the OP's situation as described for geographic location and issues and sub compact theme.

So Paul . . you must already know how many Kioti dealers are within a 200 mile radius of his remote Canada location that makes you think it should be considered. So how many 5 paw kioti dealers are there in that radius to elevate consideration to top tier status Paul ?

I deliberately focused on three manufacturers and not 1 because the OP deserves our best efforts rather than personal brand loyalty . . . in our local U.S. areas. Heck, I'm in Wisconsin and did not consider Kioti because the closest dealer is way too many miles away and any others even 50% farther are still the same operation with branches in tiny towns.

I can purchase from farther distances . . and I did . . but unless you have no choice . . I want backup choices too.

So Paul . . how many Kioti dealers in the OP's radius to justify your recommendation ?

First off I don't have any brand loyalty! Second I don't think he will need a close by dealer with any tractor except for a John Deere as my experience with them is has not been the best at all and most of my friends and family have given up and switched brands even with having their new Kubota, LS, kioti and Massey dealers at a much farther distance to them than JD Third I read your post in the middle of the night and questioned you not him on your insight based on what seemed like the fact that you left out a very well respected engine builder who also makes their own tractor
So since I wasn't giving him advice but rather actually asking you a question there was really no need to be so pissy with your reply! But then again I forgot the general attitude of the poster I was asking a question to and now realize I should have never taken you off the Ignore list. However that will be remedied in short order after I complete this post.
In general for the record with any tractor except for JD, I would not care if the dealer was within a thousand miles as I doubt he will need them for the exception of some mail order filters and such!

 

[Trials]

Trails, I don't think that factory is going to do our friend much good. (See below)
...

maybe he can get a good job there.

 

[paulfun9]

Hi Paul...as a long time "looker" as hopefully by spring an owner...I have been attracted to the Kioti product partly from reading many posts from satisfied owners here on TBN. My problem is that the closest Kioti dealership is 200+ miles from where home base is. Also, they have not done much in my state to add new dealerships.

Are you aware how active Kioti is in adding new dealerships??

I have considered asking the Bobcat/Kubota dealership (30 miles) what he is doing to continue to service the Bobcat/Kioti SCUTS and CUTS he sold under the Bobcat brand. I actually don't think he sold very many but likely just handles service as he needs to. Wish Bobcat had stayed in the Kioti private label game.

The other factor is that I will likely rely whatever dealer I choose to do most of my maintenance...at least the first round. Also, a couple of Kubota and John Deere dealers have a service route where they will schedule planned maintenance with a fairly moderate "on sight" charge. I will likely do that so I can watch and learn as best as I can.

I have slightly considered LS as they have established a dealer about 100 miles away...but it is kind of a secondary product to the new dealer and pretty sure the service could not match Kubota/Deere.

Well TBN posters have sold me on Kioti as a very viable product...not sure Kioti has done what it needs to do to create a quality convenient service network? In my case I will not be a "self sufficient" owner Thanks...Tom R

Sorry I am not aware of any improvements in dealer network that they may have. Seems like they could do a lot better in adding quality dealers.

Not considering yourself a self sufficient owner and planning to have most maint done by the dealer is definitely a good reason to have a close dealer. One option that lots of folks have around here is the little repair shops that are around They in most cases are much closer than any tractor dealership and will come right to you to do regular maint and minor repair if needed.

 

[AxleHub]

A more credible and reasonable answer to the point would have been, "Paul I missed that, good to know".



It is a disservice to the OP to start a brand war in every thread.

Jenkinsph,

I've deliberately been posting about a group of manufacturers . . Not about a specific brand.

I've also tried to use the OP's commentary as a basis.

Why should I respond that l "missed something" that I didn't miss relating to Kioti?

Its hard enough for a new prospect to go from lawnmowers in a foreign country to interest in sub compacts without focusing on a brand in an area where posters don't know which brands are both available and well supported. Which is why my grouping rather than a brand. So I figured Paul knew something about that area that I didn't. So I asked.

My concept is we shouldn't be making it harder for new prospects . . But making it easier.

 

[AxleHub]

This is one of my biggest concerns and why I am trying to start now. As the CAD just took a nose dive, it is likely that the next factory order of tractors will cost say 5-10% more. Any old excuse

North,

Check makes a good point about currency valuations. Personally I've not thought sub compacts or small cuts reduce in price at the end of the calendar year . . but rather more promotions in March and April. However recently I've been surprised at some of the quotes I've heard from TBN posters who just bought or bought in Nov. and Dec..

Most of the bigger names ship to Georgia from overseas for any final assembly or more minor production activities.

Do you or others know if there is a port entry location/destination in Canada similar to Georgia for the U.S.. I would think thete would be as they would be able to advantage their situations better without "pass thru" the U.S.. and its higher currency valuations ?

 

[jenkinsph]

Jenkinsph,

I've deliberately been posting about a group of manufacturers . . Not about a specific brand.

I've also tried to use the OP's commentary as a basis.

Why should I respond that l "missed something" that I didn't miss relating to Kioti?

Its hard enough for a new prospect to go from lawnmowers in a foreign country to interest in sub compacts without focusing on a brand in an area where posters don't know which brands are both available and well supported. Which is why my grouping rather than a brand. So I figured Paul knew something about that area that I didn't. So I asked.

My concept is we shouldn't be making it harder for new prospects . . But making it easier.

Why mention brands when a more helpful discussion would be the size and implements needed first?
The OP hasn't really discussed his needs and intended uses fully. That would help with others suggestions on sizing and implements needed. Getting the right size machine(s) is a lot more important than which brand he chooses.

I will readily admit I have had good service from Deere equipment and like them. But that might not be the best way for the OP to go, may work out great, may not. I have seen that a lot of Deere owners have moved towards Deere specific forums and see a decrease in threads here. I prefer to read about all the brands as there are lots of good tractors being discussed. But getting the right sized machine is still much more important than what brand you buy.

 

[plowhog]

I recently went through this very same search and evaluation process. One decision I came to is that the SCUT market is fairly mature, and there are many good choices to make. In fact, the market is mature enough that the manufacturers are having to scramble to find features to differentiate their product vs. the competition. So, I came to believe that many SCUT tractors will do an excellent job for my needs. I do recognize some have features that are unique or missing in other products, but all in all, for my needs, probably any SCUT would provide good service.

Another limiting factor is the lack of realistic trials on my property, as no SCUT dealer was willing to trailer one for me to try. Another limit was inability to compare side-by-side. I drove a Kubota BX. And a Deere. And a Kioti. And a Massey. All on different days, on different lots, without the benefit of doing same day same location test drives on multiple models.

I chose a Massey Ferguson GC1710. Some folks would likely throw tomatoes at me for making such a foolish choice, others providing applause. For me, I just liked the Massey better. And with my belief that any choice would serve me well, that is what it came down to. I did not ignore the dealer support and proximity issues, but I also didn't assign a lot of weight to that either. If I need tractor service, I will get it-- whatever it takes.

Good luck with your shopping and decision. Shopping was fun-- owning is even more fun!

 

[sd455dan]

(full of stuff, eg. trees, stumps, logs, dirt, cleared brush, etc. eg. when the lawntractor is replaced)
4. Removing trees/clearing brush
5. Landscaping (reshaping land, moving rocks, logs)
6. Replacing a couple culverts
Less likely, but possible:

-Digging an outhouse

-Digging a septic tank
-Building a garage
-Building a cottage


I read some of the things you need to accomplish and it looks to me as if you may possibly be better served with 2 machines- maybe a new 4x4 small cut or scut and possibly a good used full size backhoe or even a small excavator... maybe one of the second 2 choices could be rented for the larger jobs??

 

[Trials]

… port entry location/destination in Canada similar to Georgia for the U.S….

That would be Vancouver B.C. which is more than four and a half thousand kilometres to the west of us, unless you take a shortcut through the U.S. :|

 

[northtractorsearch]

Some people have asked me a couple questions about my thoughts. Overall I am definitely leaning towards the 2 machines or 1 + contract/rent approach, with the small (SCUT or CUT) being the choice for now.

I examined the used market as much as I can and I shall continue to watch it. For the most part (in my opinion anyway) it does not seem like a used small tractor would be the way to go. They seem to hold their value well enough that I think I may as well go for a new one and avoid any issues with an unknown machine. Time permitting I am going to try to get to my nearest Kubota dealer tomorrow in person. I will at LEAST give them a call, as well as Kubota North, the 2 most likely dealers I would deal with for Kubota.