Price Check Kioti vs kubota

[David Scigliano]

Hey all, I just sold my faithful old Kubota today and I'm looking at upgrading to a little larger tractor. What is your opinion of the Kioti engine versus the Kubota engine? I have had 15 years of almost trouble free use out of my Kubota. I've heard some stories about the Kioti engine not being any good with all the emissions that have been put on it. The Kioti is considerably cheaper than the Kubota in the same size range. Both dealerships are close to me. Do I need to worry about the engine on either tractor with the emissions?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I believe only time will answer your question. In the meantime, you just have to do what you believe, or are led to believe.

 

[jeff9366]

Leeds where? England?

Kubota is considered the Gold Standard for compact tractors in the USA. Are Kubotas a great value? Opinions differ.

Kioti tractors are value priced. Are the controls as refined as Kubota controls? Are Kioti tractors as reliable as Kubota tractors for owners intending to keep the tractor for fifteen years or more? Opinions differ.

If you are an average USA compact tractor residential user, adding sixty hours to the clock per year, I would judge the two brands equal.

Diesel Particulate Filters are considered to have a life span of 3,000 engine hours = 50 years of residential use.

 

[koshari]

i tend to agree with the 2 previous posters that tier 3 engines really haven't been around long enough to comprehensively know what the ongoing maintenance issues will be. aside from emissions i would say that mechanically kioti engines would be on par with kubota, yanmar and other small diesels. like all products you get the odd gremlins and its more of a case on how the manufacturers address it. the fuel pump gears on the older kioti engines havein some batches where the timing gears would shear would be one such example. also its only when such models have been in the wild for a while such issues come to light.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think it all depends on where management wants to take a company. Are they truly interested in building the best tractor at a pricepoint, Or are they just trying to get increasing market share at any cost by offering a cheaper alternative to established brands?

 

[DK35vince]

Diesel Particulate Filters are considered to have a life span of 3,000 engine hours = 50 years of residential use.

That may be, but that's only a fraction of the issues with the emissions.
Much of it is when they won't regen properly and get dash warnings, or go into limp model because they won't regen.
We have 4 emissions diesels at work that have been back at the dealer at 1 time or another with regen issues. ( a Dodge Cummins, Mack MP8, Leeboy paver with a Kubota engine, and a Case skid loader)

 

[TripleR]

As a brand, it seems to me they are of equal quality. I prefer some models of each over the others. At this time, it seems the HST+ edges the Kioti, but they are closing the gap. In my area the poor quality of and availability to dealerships keep people away. My brother had to go out of state to buy one and had to haul it home, but it's what he wanted and so far the quality is on a par with any other brand we own.

 

[Industrial Toys]

But remember, they do come out of the same plant, hence the same paint used on both. One line overseen by one Brother and the other line the other brother. I jest of course, but Kubota Sales people still hear such beliefs from prospective customers.

 

[David Scigliano]

I am in Mansfield Missouri now but can't update my profile for some reason. Site keeps crashing every time I try so I left it. I use my tractor more than 60 hrs a year. probably closer to 150 hrs but not sure as The hour meter didn't work on my last tractor. I'm looking at brush hogging for others this Coming summer so may get even more hours than usual. I mostly do loader work and brush hogging but do some tilling and backhoe work. I'm mostly concerned that I won't like the new tractor as much as my old one. I also am wanting to make sure that the engine and transmission will be reliable. I'm getting the gear transmission as I don't like the hydros that I've used so far, esp when it comes to pulling.

 

[JoelD]

I’ve owned both. A couple of kubota b6000’s, old timers and a 2004 kioti TLB. I like both. But in all honesty I’ve never seen anyone build a better more reliable machine than the Japanese. Typically bullet proof and quality of materials and longevity, mechanically, second to none. From my Kawasaki and Yamaha motocross bikes to my kubotas and old Datsun’s nothing I’ve owned has approached the rock solid mechanics of a Japanese machine. Rust is another matter all together, but motors and hardware, rock solid.

 

[cholland]

I think they are very comparable tractors. I went with Kioti because it seemed a better value and the dealer was much more accommodating and quite a bit closer.
I would check both out and get an opinion on the dealers. Compare the operator stations on both and see which one you prefer. I found the Kioti set up much more comfortable for me.

 

[Roadworthy]

Some models of either tractor may have more positive things for your needs. I opted for Kubota over Kioti due to distance to dealer (local vs a hundred plus miles one way). I'm happy with my Kubota. I've got a fantastic dealer, too. In addition to researching the tractors you would do well to get to know the dealers of the tractors you are considering. You will need some degree of support after the sale. Are the mechanics competent? Do they stock common parts? Do they have trouble getting less common parts? Kubota does have a more established dealership chain. Get a feel for your local dealership for either brand.

 

[WoodDuck]

I went with Kioti, due to my proximity to a long-standing, well-respected servicing dealership. No major Kubota servicing dealers in my immediate area. That said, I'd be equally happy driving a Kubota if the dealership situation were reversed. The people that own Kubotas seem to love them for the most part. I actually started my tractor-buying adventure looking to buy a Kubota, but the NX series Kioti tractor I eventually purchased seemed to have more "bang for the buck" than a comparably-equipped Kubota. I would have needed to step up into the Kubota "Grand" series to get the similar options that my NX has, at a pretty big jump in price. Dealerships being equal in your case, I'd drive both, compare features and prices, then decide what's best for you based on that. Both solid choices.

 

[jeff9366]

What is your opinion of the Kioti engine versus the Kubota engine?
I have had 15 years of almost trouble free use out of my Kubota.
I've heard some stories about the Kioti engine not being any good with all the emissions that have been put on it.

New tractors over 26-horsepower meet stringent Tier IV emission rules, which necessitated two stages of emission upgrades over older models.

Primary Tire IV emission reduction occurs within redesigned engines during combustion. Bonus is an increase of two to four horsepower in redesigned engines.

DPF is the second stage (Diesel Particulate Filter), incinerating diesel soot accumulated during 40 to 60 engine hours of operation to a few grams of carbon/ash during regeneration, ash then exits the DPF in the form of carbon. .

Diesel Particulate Filter supersedes tractor muffler.
At some point in time DPF needs to be replaced.
At some point in time tractors with mufflers need the muffler replaced.

The cost of DPF and the computer chip which monitors soot accumulation increases Tier IV compliant tractor cost. Computer chip also adjusts electronic fuel injection.

Kioti, Kubota and most other tractor engines use DPF to meet Tier IV emission standards. Neither Kioti nor Kubota can be deemed better than the other on the issue of emissions technology.





If you can restrain yourself after firing up your own tractor (few do) you could find a < 25.4794 horsepower / 100 cubic inch, 2,700 pound bare weight tractor with 4-WD and a three (3) range HST transmission sufficient. Tractors < 25.4794 horsepower are exempt (for now) from strict Tier IV emission standards and the associated paraphernalia. Exhaust is dirty.

 

[jeff9366]

But remember, they do come out of the same plant, hence the same paint used on both. One line overseen by one Brother and the other line the other brother. I jest of course, but Kubota Sales people still hear such beliefs from prospective customers.

Press Release Regarding Settlement in Kubota v. Daedong 'Kioti' Case
August 27, 2004
TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2004--Kubota Corporation and Kubota Tractor Corporation, on the one hand, and Daedong Industrial Co., Ltd. and Daedong-USA, Inc., on the other hand, have settled the lawsuit filed by Kubota in August 2002 in Federal District Court in Fresno, California.

The lawsuit alleged, among other things, that certain aspects of the appearance of Daedong's Kioti tractors infringed trade dress and other rights that Kubota asserted exist in Kubota's tractors. Daedong is taking certain steps that Kubota believes will address its concerns.

Kubota wishes to once again inform consumers that there is no relationship between Kubota and Daedong or their respective products. Kubota and Daedong are completely separate and unrelated companies. Kubota did not design and does not manufacture the engine or any other component of any Kioti tractors, and Kubota dealers have no obligation to honor warranties on Kioti tractors. Kubota does not authorize its parts to be used on Kioti tractors.

 

[sixdogs]

Hey all, I just sold my faithful old Kubota today and I'm looking at upgrading to a little larger tractor. What is your opinion of the Kioti engine versus the Kubota engine? I have had 15 years of almost trouble free use out of my Kubota. I've heard some stories about the Kioti engine not being any good with all the emissions that have been put on it. The Kioti is considerably cheaper than the Kubota in the same size range. Both dealerships are close to me. Do I need to worry about the engine on either tractor with the emissions?

If I had 15 years of trouble free use with one brand I surely would not switch to another that I hope is as good as the one I had before. Which one has the higher resale value and that will tell you what the market thinks.

 

[murphy1244]

If I had 15 years of trouble free use with one brand I surely would not switch to another that I hope is as good as the one I had before. Which one has the higher resale value and that will tell you what the market thinks.

Of coarse it is you paid more. Ive had mine for 10 years so. I might switch if I can't get the features I want.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Jeff Interesting information. Thanks. Does this mean the two brothers are quarrelling?

It's true. At a hundred yards especially with a loader blocking the hood, you often don't know which brand you are looking at.

 

[David Scigliano]

I think I'm just going to pull the trigger on the Kubota. The resale value is higher in my area for it. If I have to I can sell the new one later on if I don't like it and get a used pre emissions tractor and not be much if any money out it looks. I use my tractor almost as much as our car. If it wasn't for the longer trips I would probably use it more than all my vehicles together. I talked with my dealership and he said he can have the tractor built for me by next week. They didn't have all the options I wanted on the lot.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That would be my choice. Resale always matters to me, but means nothing to others. BUT, selling a used, low hours tractor can be difficult. I would make pretty certain, I bought the right one, the first time around. If it was low hours, well maintained, pre-emmissions, it could be a very different story.