New land... need a tractor!!

[murphy1244]

Here is the online Kioti parts book I use. Error This link does work

 

[flusher]

I was thinking about the shuttle versus HST thing more. And while I don't care at all, if my wife were wanting to use the tractor, the HST would be the way to go.

I wouldn't worry about the wife handling a shuttle shift gear tranny. She'll get the hang of it in 10 minutes and eventually will probably be better at it than you:dance1:

If you plan to work the hilly slopes on your property, be aware that all wheeled tractors are more or less unstable on slopes. You need to find a tractor with the lowest center of gravity and widest wheel track. Look at some of the threads in the Safety forum here on TBN to see how quickly you can get into trouble working on steep slopes with conventional tractors.

Here's an example of a low CG tractor. My 1964 Massey Ferguson 135 diesel has been modified to squat very low for work in the orchards around here.



With those wide rear tires (18.4-16, 16" dia rims), the track is 84" wide and the rear axle centerline is about 16" above the ground. The front spindles have been shortened to keep the tractor level. The rear tires are loaded 2/3 fill of water ballast (no freezing problem here in the North Sacramento Valley). My tractor dealer (Dave's Tractor in Red Bluff, CA) has modified new Mahindra tractors in the 40-50 hp range to resemble the setup on my 135.

Wide rear tires and/or duallies should be on your to do list when you go tractor shopping. Ask questions.

Good luck and be careful out there.

 

[jenkinsph]

Here is the online Kioti parts book I use. Error This link does work

Murphy,
The link to Michigan Iron and Equipment works for me. While not conclusive it is a good start and is does show that this company is making a good effort to provide service to their customers.

Does Kioti provide a similar online service to all of their customers?

 

[IslandTractor]

I of course disagree with much of the above. But I suspect we can agree there are good dealers of all brands. You just have to find one at a distance you are comfortable with. So shop the dealer as much as the brand?

Yes, I agree that the dealer himself is the most critical determinant. As I argued though, you are more likely to be on a first name basis with a smaller dealer and less likely to need to deal with barriers like automated phone systems or lower level employees to get answers. When I was looking for both my first and second tractors I shopped Kubota first as there were a couple of local dealers. I'd get different people telling me different things and the shopping experience was literally like walking into a big car dealership. As I looked around I noticed a small Kioti shop down the street from the Kubota dealer and stopped in. Owner spoke to me, discussed pros and cons of different models, handed me a couple sets of keys and pointed to some sand piles behind the tractors.

I have no doubt that if I was a large commercial customer that the organization of a big JD dealership would work to my benefit compared with a small independent. I guess my point is simply that individual CUT owners are more likely to get personal service from smaller dealers. Both the Kioti dealers I bought from knew my geographic issues with the tractor on an island (and about $500-700 in ferry and flatbed hire from any dealership). Both supported me remotely and I had zero problems with tech support. I am not confident that a big JD or Kubota dealership would respond the same way unless I was a "big account". So yes, finding not only a good dealership but one that has the time to do good after sales support for a small customer is an important goal especially for a first time CUT buyer.

 

[IslandTractor]

Island Tractor, Does Kioti and or Mahindra have a similar online parts with diagrams available for all models of their machinery as J Deere does? If so can you provide a link as I would like to see it. Forty years ago I had a phone in my truck to take calls from customers in my excavating business. If I had a breakdown and needed help or parts it was available from the dealers. This included being able to access good mechanics and the parts counter so I don't see where your going with this. Fast forward today I can look up parts diagrams on my phone for all of my Deere equipment and still call to check with a mechanic if I want to. Caterpillar and Deere have the best parts network I know of and living in the sticks makes me appreciate that.

I think Murph gave an example from Michigan Iron. To be fair, Michigan Iron is one of the best Kioti dealers so not every dealer will be that advanced with on line parts lookup or ordering. And, I don't doubt that bigger organizations like JD and Kubota are likely to make these centralized on line resources available faster. From my perspective it doesn't matter much as I have a service manual and can get the Kioti dealer parts guy on the phone pretty quickly.

 

[airbiscuit]

When do you plan to buy???

Inquiring minds want to know. You have to let us know what you finally decide on (and include pics)!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Ya, let's see pics of that new MX when she arrives!

 

[GManBart]

It's kind of funny to sit back and watch trends on a forum, and this thread is a perfect example. One trend I've noted is that there are folks who pretty consistently make recommendations that they try to tailor to the poster's questions, stated needs, etc. The other trend is that there are folks who consistently recommend the exact make and model tractor they own almost regardless of what the OP asks. One has to wonder why that's the case. :confused3:

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

It's the know-it-all all bullies I dislike!
You're right though the sociology is quite interesting. Also, reading comprehension and a real inability to understand something as tounge-in-cheek or sarcastic sometime shocks me.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

It's kind of funny to sit back and watch trends on a forum, and this thread is a perfect example. One trend I've noted is that there are folks who pretty consistently make recommendations that they try to tailor to the poster's questions, stated needs, etc. The other trend is that there are folks who consistently recommend the exact make and model tractor they own almost regardless of what the OP asks. One has to wonder why that's the case. :confused3:

Buy something you are proud of, then you will know.