RK Tractor reviews???

[prof fate]

I can drive a stuck, my best friend can, my ex can, my girlfriend can, my son (17) learned how on a tractor and a friends car - I doubt he's smooth but he's done it.

I've owned many manuals and have nothing against them..but also had to drive them in rush hour and it SUCKS big time.

Having had stick tractors and hydro - gimme hydro!

My kioti can be run from the ground - handy for hooking up implements, yesterday moved it thru a gate so I didn't have to get on/off again to close the gate. Can't do that with a stick!

Well I'm glad now I learned so that in your book I'm okay.

Few cars have manual trans any more. Few younger folks <45 years old ever learned. I'm glad to have that skill, along with all the rest of the possibly useless skills I've acquired in my lifetime (like cursive handwriting). Maybe someday it'll be important again, maybe not.

All of those "girls and kids" are just as capable of learning to drive a stick as you or I were when we were younger. (IQs haven't changed much in the last few decades.) But why force them to do it when we have advanced technology HST that makes driving a tractor easier and safer for them? Just to save .2 HP? Just to prove they can do it?

SR, you've made it clear you *hate* HST with a purple passion. Fine. Just give everyone else a break okay? Let them pick what works for them without impugning their character.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

A new RK opened here and all the tractors caught my eye - the price and features compared to kubota (what i'm familiar with) were amazing.

A bit of research and they're made by TYM spec'd for RK. What I read seems to indicate TYM is pretty good, no major issues.

BUT - the local RK is NOT a tractor dealer - no experienced knowledgable staff, no parts counter..and in the past 10 years RK sold a chinese tractor and a rebranded massey. They quit doing both. SO - if you had a 5 year old RK/MF and needed warranty service what would you do? THey don't sell them anymore...you're screwed I'd think.

And that is why I kept looking - got a Kioti CK3510HST for the SAME PRICE as the RK37...from a real dealer. I got a couple of extra things (cruise, loaded rear tires, link pedal). Spec wise the RK I think can lift 200lb more with the loader - but unless you put ballast on the back it won't matter (my loader can outlift my loaded tires...so i'm sure the RK will as well).

Do you NEED the support of a 'real' dealer? Do you care if your tractor brand becomes 'abandoned'? Only you can answer that question.

Cab and A/C is nice, radio, work lights, you stay cleaner, quiter - but $4500ish...AND if/when the A/C breaks you will COOK in the summer.

RK didn’t sell a rebranded MF. They sold the same MF every MF Dealer sold. MF is an AGCO brand and after a year of that arrangement, a new team at AGCO decided that they go back to offering exclusively through MF dealers. That decision had nothing to do with RK, more of an AGCO strategy.

As for loader lift capacity, All RK 37 and higher HP tractors sold with a loader (98%) come with RimGuard liquid tire ballast standard. We want the tractor and loader to be safe and work to full lift capacity from the day the customer first uses it.

With respect to service, we began selling RK Tractors at seven location in April 2017, are now at 40 and heading into all RK location in the next year or two. Our warranty is the longest in the industry, we have centralized service centers and well trained and equipped mobile techs to supplement our store shops and techs. We have nearly 2m sq feet of distribution centers that house all repair parts and run our own truck fleet to our stores as many as five times weekly including on Sundays. We can get a part to a customer when no dealer is even open.

The CK3510 is an economy tractor, while the RK37 is a premium spec tractor. The CKSE series compares a little closer the the RK37, but still lower spec. If you paid the same for a CK3510HST, not surprising given that it is an economy model. RK chose to only offer premium spec tractors.

Our 37 cab tractors sell for $24,498 with loader for the shuttle and $25,498 for the hydro. Fully loaded, very reliable and selling like crazy at those prices.

Just wanted to ensure that folks on this forum can get some key facts.

 

[prof fate]

sales pitch..facts perhaps, but not an independent review. Still good to know.

Good to know about the MF deal - but still not a great solid reference for your current tractors - TYM could do the same thing.

Not sure I'd say the RK is a premium equipped tractor - if so, then you're falling down on explaining that somewhere along the line. When I compare what I got/paid to what the store lists for the RK37hst no cab...I stand by what I said.

RK has good prices on teh cabs and great prices on the backhoes. lioti quoted me 7500 for adding a hoe..ouch.

Only been to one RK (monaca pa) so can't comment on how others are laid out or run. I see a bigger 'tractor department' at any lowes or home depot, more tractor parts at TSC, than at RK.

I don't work for any of them, so am not shilling for any one brand.

As for longer warranty...rarely have I ever needed a warranty and I've been let down by car companies in the past...dealer, zone, regional, as have other folks I know. I've also worked at several car dealerships and motorcycle/power sports dealerships in several capacities and it's fairly rare that anything fails under warranty. And sometimes when it does the manufacturer does a song and dance...often to avoid the costs of many repairs of similar issues (engineering faults, material inadequacy, etc). Been there done that as a consumer and hope it never happens again, to me or anyone. It sucks.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

sales pitch..facts perhaps, but not an independent review. Still good to know.

Good to know about the MF deal - but still not a great solid reference for your current tractors - TYM could do the same thing.

Not sure I'd say the RK is a premium equipped tractor - if so, then you're falling down on explaining that somewhere along the line. When I compare what I got/paid to what the store lists for the RK37hst no cab...I stand by what I said.

RK has good prices on teh cabs and great prices on the backhoes. lioti quoted me 7500 for adding a hoe..ouch.

Only been to one RK (monaca pa) so can't comment on how others are laid out or run. I see a bigger 'tractor department' at any lowes or home depot, more tractor parts at TSC, than at RK.

I don't work for any of them, so am not shilling for any one brand.

As for longer warranty...rarely have I ever needed a warranty and I've been let down by car companies in the past...dealer, zone, regional, as have other folks I know. I've also worked at several car dealerships and motorcycle/power sports dealerships in several capacities and it's fairly rare that anything fails under warranty. And sometimes when it does the manufacturer does a song and dance...often to avoid the costs of many repairs of similar issues (engineering faults, material inadequacy, etc). Been there done that as a consumer and hope it never happens again, to me or anyone. It sucks.

This is a place where enthusiasts share information about tractors. We just like to respond so people with a genuine interest in learning about our tractors can see a more complete picture. Otherwise someone else is telling our story. It’s more about protecting our brand.

We do business with TYM Korea, they are the parent of TYM USA. TYM Korea sees things differently than AGCO, our relationship grows stronger by the day, they aren’t going anywhere. AGCO is the 3rd largest Ag Equipment company in the world. Their customers are the dealers that RK competed with, that’s why it was not an optimal setup to begin with. TYM Korea just wants to build tractors for their OEM customers such as RK. Very different perspective.

We compare our tractors to Kubota (Grand L not standard L models) and Deere (R, not E models); interested folks can go to our website (link below) to see the side-by-side comparisons if they view our full line brochure. We don’t see Kioti as a major competitor, their market share is 2-3%. Kubota and Deere combined are 65% plus. We have already passed Kioti in our first full year. An objective side-by-side comparison of the specs and features that matter has RK Tractors in the premium category. Kioti tractors are made by Daedong, a fine company that I have personally visited in Korea. They make good tractors. The SE is their premium spec series that comp with RK.

Sorry that your experience with warranty repair is negative. We back ours up, it is our name on the product. Dealers and OEMs are separate businesses in every other dealership business. Not RK Tractors. We are the OEM and the dealer in one. Same business, so there is none of the finger pointing that happens when the OEM and dealer are not connected on warranty work. We just want to satisfy the customer by honoring our warranty obligation. It’s the right thing to do and good business. Further, most would consider a longer warranty better than one of a shorter duration. Ours is the longest, no deductible, Parts and labor included. We don’t charge for inbound freight or assembly. No surprises.

Lastly, we stock filters, fluids, fast moving parts, etc at our stores, and all other repair parts centrally, delivering any neeed part next day. We don’t think it is smart to place large inventories of tractor parts at our stores when we manage our own warehouses and transportation.

We are running our under 60 hp tractor business differently than has been the status quo for decades. The market likes it so far. We just need to make sure we do our best to present our way of doing things so people can make informed decisions.

RK Tractors

 

[RustyT]

My daughter bought an RK 24 for our 5 acre hillside.
I've been busy bushhogging as rain permits for the past month.

Conclusions so far.
1. I wish she had went up a size or two. Even with four wheel drive some of the uneven areas cause the wheels to hang and spin.

2. Power wise it does excellent. I've been mowing weeds and briars taller then the tractor.

3. The front loader is great for helping you to see and acting as an bumper in the above situation.

4. Bought in Waverly Ohio end of April or beginning of May. Recieved tractor and tiller May 16. Blade and kutter were out of stock and not in for a couple of more weeks.

5. Staff was very knowledgeable. Once daughter decided to buy she went to the service desk and they paged the outdoor equipment salesmen.

6. Loan application was quick and easy.

7. Overall other then her buying a bit small and delays in getting implements that others might complain about. A good experience.

 

[Soundguy]

RK didn’t sell a rebranded MF. They sold the same MF every MF Dealer sold. MF is an AGCO brand and after a year of that arrangement, a new team at AGCO decided that they go back to offering exclusively through MF dealers. That decision had nothing to do with RK, more of an AGCO strategy.

As for loader lift capacity, All RK 37 and higher HP tractors sold with a loader (98%) come with RimGuard liquid tire ballast standard. We want the tractor and loader to be safe and work to full lift capacity from the day the customer first uses it.

With respect to service, we began selling RK Tractors at seven location in April 2017, are now at 40 and heading into all RK location in the next year or two. Our warranty is the longest in the industry, we have centralized service centers and well trained and equipped mobile techs to supplement our store shops and techs. We have nearly 2m sq feet of distribution centers that house all repair parts and run our own truck fleet to our stores as many as five times weekly including on Sundays. We can get a part to a customer when no dealer is even open.

The CK3510 is an economy tractor, while the RK37 is a premium spec tractor. The CKSE series compares a little closer the the RK37, but still lower spec. If you paid the same for a CK3510HST, not surprising given that it is an economy model. RK chose to only offer premium spec tractors.

Our 37 cab tractors sell for $24,498 with loader for the shuttle and $25,498 for the hydro. Fully loaded, very reliable and selling like crazy at those prices.

Just wanted to ensure that folks on this forum can get some key facts.

I test drove the RK37 hydro a couple weeks ago. The one I drove had a cab and AC. Wife said if I got a new tractor is HAD to be cab, ac, and hydro.. so that she could drive it if I ever kicked the bucket early.

few questions for ya...

The rimguard comment? I say that no where in the spec sheets, is this something new? Are these tires tubed or tubeless?

Also.. the AC on the '37 Is it electric? or is it conventional compressor run off the engine? I saw plenty of room up in that topper that a small electric might have fit.. and the attendent that gave me the keys for the test drive couldn't answer any questions.

thanks in advance.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I test drove the RK37 hydro a couple weeks ago. The one I drove had a cab and AC. Wife said if I got a new tractor is HAD to be cab, ac, and hydro.. so that she could drive it if I ever kicked the bucket early.

few questions for ya...

The rimguard comment? I say that no where in the spec sheets, is this something new? Are these tires tubed or tubeless?

Also.. the AC on the '37 Is it electric? or is it conventional compressor run off the engine? I saw plenty of room up in that topper that a small electric might have fit.. and the attendent that gave me the keys for the test drive couldn't answer any questions.

thanks in advance.

All RK37, RK55 and RK74 tractors sold with a loader come standard with RimGuard in the rears since we began in April 2017. This is not listed in the tractor specs but is listed on the price signs next to the tractor and also on RK Tractors.com. All tires tubeless and AC has a compressor. What location were you visiting?

 

[TractorNH]

Those RK's are built by TYM. TYM also built the Cabella's ones and currently builds several different ones for Mahindra. There are other brands as well that sell (or have sold) TYM rebranded tractors. If having a strong dealer relationship is important then you might also look at Mahindra since they have a large network. I looked at TYM but the only dealer nearby wasn't a "real" tractor dealership with a shop and they only had the line for a few months. I have four top-notch Mahindra dealers with the furthest being just over an hour away so the brand decision was pretty easy. My second choice was a Kioti but the closest dealer was over an hour away and I wanted someone a little closer.

 

[Soundguy]

All RK37, RK55 and RK74 tractors sold with a loader come standard with RimGuard in the rears since we began in April 2017. This is not listed in the tractor specs but is listed on the price signs next to the tractor and also on RK Tractors.com. All tires tubeless and AC has a compressor. What location were you visiting?

Leesburg florida. The lady with the ring of keys was nice... just wasn't tractor knowledgeable.

 

[RTBee]

This is a place where enthusiasts share information about tractors. We just like to respond so people with a genuine interest in learning about our tractors can see a more complete picture. Otherwise someone else is telling our story. It’s more about protecting our brand.

We are running our under 60 hp tractor business differently than has been the status quo for decades. The market likes it so far. We just need to make sure we do our best to present our way of doing things so people can make informed decisions.

RK Tractors

Amen!

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Those RK's are built by TYM. TYM also built the Cabella's ones and currently builds several different ones for Mahindra. There are other brands as well that sell (or have sold) TYM rebranded tractors. If having a strong dealer relationship is important then you might also look at Mahindra since they have a large network. I looked at TYM but the only dealer nearby wasn't a "real" tractor dealership with a shop and they only had the line for a few months. I have four top-notch Mahindra dealers with the furthest being just over an hour away so the brand decision was pretty easy. My second choice was a Kioti but the closest dealer was over an hour away and I wanted someone a little closer.

I see this word "rebranded" a lot. That usually means someone else designed, engineered, manufactured, and assembled the product and then another company just stuck their name on it. I haven't found any SCUT or CUT that isn't assembled from various components that were made in various countries. Is that what we mean by a rebranded tractor?

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

I see this word "rebranded" a lot. That usually means someone else designed, engineered, manufactured, and assembled the product and then another company just stuck their name on it. I haven't found any SCUT or CUT that isn't assembled from various components that were made in various countries. Is that what we mean by a rebranded tractor?

There are 14 under-60HP tractor brands sold in the U.S., and only 7 companies that supply those 14 brands. That means that some of those 7 companies are making tractors for other brands. That's the little secret about the under-60HP segment that many people are not aware of. As an example, CaseIH and New Holland brand under-60HP tractors are made by LS Mtron, a Korean manufacturer that also makes tractors in their own brand, LS. Making things more interesting, CaseIH and New Holland brands are the same company, CNH Industrial, with the "C" being Case and the "NH" being New Holland. The interesting thing is that people will call an RK Tractor "rebranded" and not a CaseIH or New Holland brand under 60HP tractor rebranded, but they are in fact, both rebranded tractors. TYM (Tong Yang Moolsan) makes the TYM brand, many Mahindra brand models, the RK brand and the Branson brand through their acquisition of Kukje Machinery about three years ago. There is paint color and styling differentiation, plus each brand determines what standard features go into their specific brand, plus powertrain systems such as the engine and transmission. TYM is actually the second largest manufacturer of under-60HP tractors sold in the U.S., behind only Kubota. They have that ranking because they build in multiple brands. Cannot speak for the other brands, but RK Tractors are of the highest spec possible, we do not have options for our tractors because we put everything into the base. Yes, they are rebranded, but they are unique to the RK brand in terms of how they are equipped. Hope that helps.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Hope that helps.

Thank you, yes it does. Is there any tractor company that manufactures the entire tractor (under-60 HP) except for the engine? I understand JD makes their own over-100 hp tractors?

The reason I ask is I just see a lot of people referring to certain brands as "frankensteins," meaning put together from various parts made by different companies, implying that results in an inferior tractor.

When I see people call Mahindra a rebranded TYM, but the TYM-brand tractors have different specs and even a different length/width.

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Thank you, yes it does. Is there any tractor company that manufactures the entire tractor (under-60 HP) except for the engine? I understand JD makes their own over-100 hp tractors?

The reason I ask is I just see a lot of people referring to certain brands as "frankensteins," meaning put together from various parts made by different companies, implying that results in an inferior tractor.

When I see people call Mahindra a rebranded TYM, but the TYM-brand tractors have different specs and even a different length/width.

I would not be concerned about any tractor brand using parts or even major subsystems that come from different suppliers. All tractor manufacturing today, regardless of HP, is basically the assembly of parts made either internally or purchased from a supplier, just like cars. There can be literally hundreds of different suppliers providing parts to GM for one model of car or a tractor made by John Deere. Tractor companies decide whether to make something such as an engine themselves or buy it from someone else purely for economic reasons, it has no impact to quality, the supplier's products must conform to the specs provided. John Deere makes their own higher HP engines, but buys the smaller one from Yanmar. Why, because Yanmar makes great small diesel engines and can produce them at less cost than Deere can. We use the same Yanmar engines in RK Tractors. They are great engines. As for Mahindra specs being different, you have to look at the model to know what TYM, Mitsubishi or Mahindra makes. Mahindra uses their own engine in many of the tractors TYM makes for them. They make the engine and ship to TYM in Korea to be assembled into the tractor. Differences in length and width are simply the fenders being wider or the hood being longer or shorter, changed simply for styling differentiation. People who make comments that the tractor is rebranded and somehow inferior, or because parts come from different sources they are "Frankenstein" tractors do not really understand how similar tractors are to the way most powered products are made today. People are sometimes biased. On this forum, it is easy to spot someone that has a stake in a particular brand. They seldom mention that, but it really comes through when someone decides that the only way to defend is to bash the competition. We are pretty up front. RK Tractor Guy is my username and we make no attempt to mislead. We only provide information when asked, or when something untrue is said about our brand. Thank you for your questions, happy to answer anytime.

 

[kkilli]

There are 14 under-60HP tractor brands sold in the U.S., and only 7 companies that supply those 14 brands. That means that some of those 7 companies are making tractors for other brands. That's the little secret about the under-60HP segment that many people are not aware of. As an example, CaseIH and New Holland brand under-60HP tractors are made by LS Mtron, a Korean manufacturer that also makes tractors in their own brand, LS. Making things more interesting, CaseIH and New Holland brands are the same company, CNH Industrial, with the "C" being Case and the "NH" being New Holland. The interesting thing is that people will call an RK Tractor "rebranded" and not a CaseIH or New Holland brand under 60HP tractor rebranded, but they are in fact, both rebranded tractors. TYM (Tong Yang Moolsan) makese TYM brand, many Mahindra brand models, the RK brand and the Branson brand through their acquisition of Kukje Machinery about three years ago. There is paint color and styling differentiation, plus each brand determines what standard features go into their specific brand, plus powertrain systems such as the engine and transmission. TYM is actually the second largest manufacturer of under-60HP tractors sold in the U.S., behind only Kubota. They have that ranking because they build in multiple brands. Cannot speak for the other brands, but RK Tractors are of the highest spec possible, we do not have options for our tractors because we put everything into the base. Yes, they are rebranded, but they are unique to the RK brand in terms of how they are equipped. Hope that helps.

Thank you for your insight and participation here! Its refreshing to hear from someone who is obviously very knowledgeable about the industry and has the data to back it up. It certainly helps offset and dispel allot of the fallacy's some of the "experts" around here like to continually regurgitate.

Then again, I may be a bit biased since I am admittedly a happy RK owner.....

 

[RK Tractor Guy]

Thank you for your insight and participation here! Its refreshing to hear from someone who is obviously very knowledgeable about the industry and has the data to back it up. It certainly helps offset and dispel allot of the fallacy's some of the "experts" around here like to continually regurgitate.

Then again, I may be a bit biased since I am admittedly a happy RK owner.....

Very kind of you to say, and thank you for having the confidence in us to buy our tractor!

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

It doesn't worry me at all. It's a global economy; can't fight it. And frankly, I see little advantage to one company making everything from the seats to the engines on a tractor, as it's pretty hard for one company to be the best at everything. Why not source the seats from a company that specializes in seats and makes the best seats? and the engine from a company that only makes engines and makes the best engines? Also cheaper, as a specialized engine manufacturer, for example, makes zillions of them and can take advantage of economies of scale, plus a highly trained, specialized workforce.

RK Tractor Guy, I wish your company the very best of success. Equipping your smaller tractors with all the bells and whistles is very appealing. Now please develop an electric tractor and I will be your first customer.

 

[GSVette]

Thank you, yes it does. Is there any tractor company that manufactures the entire tractor (under-60 HP) except for the engine? I understand JD makes their own over-100 hp tractors?

The reason I ask is I just see a lot of people referring to certain brands as "frankensteins," meaning put together from various parts made by different companies, implying that results in an inferior tractor.

When I see people call Mahindra a rebranded TYM, but the TYM-brand tractors have different specs and even a different length/width.

Yanmar, for one

 

[s219]

Kubota makes the whole tractor, including the engine.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

That's nice. Of course Yanmar and Kubota are both Japanese companies. But fine, they make great tractors, which is the most important thing. Which is my point, I think.