Best of the Koreans

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Branson is made by Kukje, who also make industrial Cummins Diesels. their 3510 is a very sturdy workhorse and I used one to build my house. (had the Humpolec C50HL loader, not the standard Branson one)
When it was stolen, I didn't have a dealer close enough to me with any stock on hand, so I went shopping and ended up with a TYM-built Mahindra 3510. (same model #, completely different machine) The other nice thing about the Mahindra 3510 is the fact that it's no longer made, so the ones left over are going for VERY good prices. (so is the 4110, if you want a little more HP)
When i was first shopping, before buying my first machine, I also tried Montana on for size, but the seat on the model I tried wasn't comfortable.
I have also looked at the Kioti DK35 and DK40, but as nice as they were, I didn't like the feel of the seat, so I didn't buy one.
Massey 15 series tractors made by Iseki are also nice, but the local dealer couldn't give me a delivery date or projected price. (Challenger compacts are the same machine, only yellow)

 

[bluechip]

KIOTI is not a contract tractor. Daedong, the parent company owns 100 percent of KIOTI. It is true that in the beginning, KIOIT was a contract name on the Daedong tractor but Daedong took over NA distribution. LS, maker of Montana and former Farmtrac Compacts, oh yea, and McCormick, (especially since this is a McCormick thread), has made announcement about their direct entry to the US. They indicate they will continue to support Montana and McCormick distributions channels. This may be a Korean business model, as Daedong has entered into an agreement to sell Bobcat tractors.

Heck, John Deere is (or was until very recently) a contract tractor on most compats. CNH buys their compact lines from Japan, as does MF. Its the new world economy, many companies are outsourcing some or all of their manufacturing of just about everything.
In the end, parts availability will depend on demand, regardless of the name on the hood. You can still get parts for a Farmtrac... and even for the majority of the chinese tractors that have been imported by small businesses over the last 10 years.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

according to my owner's manual, my TYM built Mahindra has a Daedong powerplant as well.

 

[MDM]

I'm aware Kioti makes all there own stuff and that is why I recommended them. Didn't mean to lump them in with the others. Yes Jd had some all Yanmar made compacts in the eighties and they are now having trouble with parts, just go ask some Yanmar dealers who are having customers referred to them by Deere dealers.

I really like Kioti. I like the others I've seen and I'm sure the machines are solid, it's just the brand longevity I question and that will make me steer clear everytime. One trip to the Chinese forum should be enough to steer someone clear of them - all the posts are problems and parts questions.

Enjoy your machine. The OP asked for opinions on the best Korean made machine and my opinion is Kioti, hands down.

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

I really like Kioti. I like the others I've seen and I'm sure the machines are solid, it's just the brand longevity I question and that will make me steer clear everytime. One trip to the Chinese forum should be enough to steer someone clear of them - all the posts are problems and parts questions.

I agree with you after I have looked at Montana, Branson and Kioti this past winter that I am leaning toward Kioti. They all looked very good. I haven't looked at the other Korean tractors to compare. I do plan to upgrade to a new utiliy this year and I am grateful there is such a large selection and many quality tractors out there. I also looked at Deere's economy India built 5000 series and Deere's Mexican economy built 6D series. Also the economy New Holland TD5000 series. They are nice tractors but the fit and finish of a Kioti seems a little nicer. Also Kioti doesn't have an economy version and still is competitive with the main lines economy tractors.

So little time and money and so many tractors!

 

[shakin]

just to add a little more info to the thread, i believe somewhere i have read that ls corp the company that makes most of the montanas, and some longs i believe LS is planning on marketing their own brand here in the states. but to set the record straight i do not belive my tractor is the the best tractor on the market but it does the job. i ran my friends bota 3240 and that is one sweet machine but i didn't think i felt like paying the price, so i got what i payed for which works for me.

 

[JVPSKI]

I started this thread about Korean tractors, however, it looks like I am going to get German designed tractor made by Deutz. I think I would have been fine with one of the Koreans as well.

 

[shakin]

i forgot about that brand, looked up their website, nice choice. which model did you get? i'm betting theres lots of other brands available that is not sold in my area. are you going to post some pic's? congratulations on the new addition to the garage.

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

Deutz is a good brand as well - but while you're looking at Euro machines, check out Zetor. They don't do compacts any more (they used to market Century, which was Kukje - so near identical to Branson) but their utility machines have a pretty good reputation.

 

[mwb]

i...i just can get over the engines in the kioti's dae dong i actually looked at a montana with one of these engines in it and refused to buy it for that reason alone i told the dealer to try again. the one i got has the mitsubishi a motor i have seen in hundreds of gensets on boats. but i have to say at least dae dong dosen't have a class action lawsuit against them i guess.

I looked at the Montana 2840 and went with a bigger machine mainly because I was more comfortable with the Mitsubishi name. Later I discovered that John Deere uses the "Ding Dong" engine in many of their models. So even if you buy a 'brand name' it likely comes with a lot of the same components as the 'cheap imports'.

 

[Reg]

I looked at the Montana 2840 and went with a bigger machine mainly because I was more comfortable with the Mitsubishi name. Later I discovered that John Deere uses the "Ding Dong" engine in many of their models. So even if you buy a 'brand name' it likely comes with a lot of the same components as the 'cheap imports'.

That is either a way of saying that JD is a cheap import, or that the "cheap imports" are no worse then JDs.

Ain't Emblem Engineering Great ?

Isn't DaeDong the Momma/Daddy of Kia ?

 

[shakin]

which deeres have deadong engines i thought yanmar and deere were in bed together except on their big stuff which then uses their own.

 

[mwb]

That is either a way of saying that JD is a cheap import, or that the "cheap imports" are no worse then JDs.

Ain't Emblem Engineering Great ?

Isn't DaeDong the Momma/Daddy of Kia ?

I would NEVER say that JD is a cheap import! I was stating that the other brands are just as good (quality wise, nothing to do with distribution, parts, longevity, etc).

I believe that Daedong make JD products for the Korean market and possilby Australia (5820) Daedong John Deere 5820 - 2004 - Page 1 [#239025 / 239025]

 

[wincher]

Other then the green the reason i stayed away from deere was the yanmar in it and that it my be completely made by yanmar. That being said I buddy stayed away from a montana that had a ding dong in it and i feel he made a great choice to ge the one with the Mitsubisi.

 

[shakin]

winch you have a way with words the only way a tractor would have a ding dong in it was if you ate one for a snack and then you operated it. by the way the montana leaves the yard for the first time tomorrow morning to beat up on some earth.

 

[JoelD]

winch you have a way with words the only way a tractor would have a ding dong in it was if you ate one for a snack and then you operated it. by the way the montana leaves the yard for the first time tomorrow morning to beat up on some earth.

Got to admit that was funny.

 

[Nelson Dairy]

the one main thing that i think that you need to consider when buying esspecially a compact tractor is how long are you going to have it? if you are going to own it till it dies then it does not really matter what brand it is as long as you can get it serviced. it you will not own for just a couple of years, then you have to think of resale value. the off brand tractors do not have enough resale value, basicly do not expect to get even half of what you paid for in trade in value. if you only run the tractor a hundred hours a year i do not think that it matters what engine it has in it because it will never get to the point that it is worn out.

 

[Reg]

the one main thing that i think that you need to consider when buying esspecially a compact tractor is how long are you going to have it? if you are going to own it till it dies then it does not really matter what brand it is as long as you can get it serviced. it you will not own for just a couple of years, then you have to think of resale value. the off brand tractors do not have enough resale value, basicly do not expect to get even half of what you paid for in trade in value. if you only run the tractor a hundred hours a year i do not think that it matters what engine it has in it because it will never get to the point that it is worn out.

and even if it does break or wear something critical the chances are good that there will be parts for it.
Mitsubishi, Yanmar, Cummins, etc., you might have to do some research to find out what else the same engine went into.
Heck, chances are good that parts from a JD parts counter would fit right on.
The parent company of Kia is probably a better bet than Chryco, GM or Ford right now - so the Ding Dong joke isn't.

I guess the only stand alone company that doesn't buy in engines and other major assemblies is Kubota, good luck finding a second source for THOSE parts if they go belly up.

 

[glgdiggs]

I own 3 Landtrac/ Farmtrac LG/LS tractors, the one with the most hours (1500) shifts the smoothest and runs the best. The one with 290 hours is still tight. The other one has 400 hours and has need the only part of the 3, a glow plug timer. They always start, are very fuel eficient, and are workhorses for their sizes. Parts have not been a problem, because other than the timer I have'nt needed any in the last 5 years. Need I say more.

 

[keyser soze]

First, I would like to throw out the following disclaimer: The following comments are meant in no way to offend or cause ill feelings.

That being said, I have to say that this type of response fries my ***.
If you want to say "I own a Kioti and it has been very dependable and a good tractor" that is fine and dandy. Even if you would like to relate that you know someone who owns a Kioti and they are very happy with it, that would be fine as well, but to make a blanket statement such as the one quoted above is a little irresponsible IMHO. Exactly what sources and data are you citing when you say that "Kioti is about the best Korean brand".
"The most staying power"? Time is the only indicator of this statistic, and in order to make that statement true all the other brands would have to be gone.
I hope the OP researchs all of his options carefully before making his decision.
I am sure that Kioti is a fine tractor. I do not mean to say that they are not, nor am I trying to say that the tractor brand that I own is better in any way.
There are many factors relevent in the purchase of a tractor. Brand has to be one of the top considerations, but other factors can sway that decision.
Sorry for the rant, but I couldn't stop myself.

Mark

Kioti has been in the states selling Korean tractors since the 80's. 1986 to be exact. On that fact alone, I think most would agree that they "have the most staying power". You might not like that statement, but I believe it's correct. Also, if you were to compare fit and finish, it's hard to beat the Kioti. I don't own a Kioti for the record. Just delivering an opinion based on a lot of knowledge of farm equipment and tractor manufacturers.