Bobcat CT120 vs Deere 2305

[ByTheLake]

After looking all winter and spring for used tractor. I am unable to find something with low hours or in decent condition. So it looks like it will be time for a new CUT.

I have been unable to find any info on the new Bobcat tractors. Anybody have one or checked them out yet?

Bobcat has what appears to be real competition for the 2305. The CT120 has base retail price of about $9K. The FEL only $2.5K.
Always wanted a green tractor, but... saving some money does matter. The question after reliability comparison is how much better resale will green have over white? The dealer has several in stock and wants to get some units sold.
Starting out with FEL, and MMM.

 

[Raptor53]

Go with the Deere.

 

[GreenMtns]

After looking all winter and spring for used tractor. I am unable to find something with low hours or in decent condition. So it looks like it will be time for a new CUT.

I have been unable to find any info on the new Bobcat tractors. Anybody have one or checked them out yet?

Bobcat has what appears to be real competition for the 2305. The CT120 has base retail price of about $9K. The FEL only $2.5K.
Always wanted a green tractor, but... saving some money does matter. The question after reliability comparison is how much better resale will green have over white? The dealer has several in stock and wants to get some units sold.
Starting out with FEL, and MMM.

For the most part the CT120 Bobcat is a Kioti CK20. If you are looking for information you can get a very good feel for this tractor by visiting the Kioti web site. I understand the loader is made by a different company than the one Kioti uses so you will have to do a little research on this. I would think that the resale would be higher on the Deere but that is only important if you plan on trading it relatively soon. After a while they will deprecate to a point where the difference is almost too small to count. Both are very good tractors and would do well.

 

[Gittyup]

For the most part the CT120 Bobcat is a Kioti CK20. If you are looking for information you can get a very good feel for this tractor by visiting the Kioti web site. I understand the loader is made by a different company than the one Kioti uses so you will have to do a little research on this. I would think that the resale would be higher on the Deere but that is only important if you plan on trading it relatively soon. After a while they will deprecate to a point where the difference is almost too small to count. Both are very good tractors and would do well.

I think the Bobcat loader is made by bushhog brand.

 

[Gittyup]

I own Deere and Kioti. So, I have no bias. The Bobcat is way more tractor than the 2305. Quality is about equal. But, compare the specs. Then drive them.

 

[sugarloafguy]

Hi,

No comparison here since I have been on both. Get the Bobcat Ct122 is is more machine than the deere. Bobcat of NH has tons to try out and they totally let you get them dirty. Both are great units but the kioti/Bobcat is a lot heavier and that Rhino-made loader works well. Thet are a little more deluxe than their Kioti siblings. I was VERY impressed comparing them to the 2520 I spend to hours on the day before.

Brian

 

[shot_gun]

I think the 2305 is closer to the ct122. The 2305 is 24 hp and the CT122 is only 22 hp.

 

[dgl24087]

The Bobcat loader is Rhino, not Bush Hog. Rhino used to make all of New Holland's loaders.

 

[Gittyup]

The Bobcat loader is Rhino, not Bush Hog. Rhino used to make all of New Holland's loaders.

I stand corrected. Nonetheless, both brands make very good products.

 

[Gittyup]

I think the 2305 is closer to the ct122. The 2305 is 24 hp and the CT122 is only 22 hp.

You can buy a craftsman with 24 hp too. Look at the other specs and go look at the tractors. Research the pros and cons of both. Don't be blinded by color alone.

 

[Raptor53]

I have no idea what the specs on the Bobcat CT120 are, but just find a comparable Deere tractor, and get the Deere instead. When it comes to tractors, there is probably no comparison between the two brands. Deere is known for making the highest quality tractors out there. Bobcat might be good too, but with Deere you know you are getting the best quality out there.

 

[Dmace]

I have no idea what the specs on the Bobcat CT120 are, but just find a comparable Deere tractor, and get the Deere instead. When it comes to tractors, there is probably no comparison between the two brands. Deere is known for making the highest quality tractors out there. Bobcat might be good too, but with Deere you know you are getting the best quality out there.

That has got to be the most un-biased opinion I have ever heard. Who cares if you pay more for less tractor, lower capacities, tighter ergonomics, less warranty, and more expensive parts and service. As long as it's green!

I looked at John Deere before my purchase and they are out pricing the value of their tractors, at least up here in New England they are. With the money I saved with my Kioti over the JD, I was able to get a heated cab and snowblower extra and still pay less. 350 hrs so far and no problems or regrets, this tractor is amazing for it's size. For Bobcat to place it's reputation on the line and resell a Korean made tractor, you know they made sure they used a very high quality tractor and that's what you get with Kioti.

 

[Slackdaddy]

I think the part where he says:
"I have no idea what the specs on the Bobcat CT120 are"
Should be a clue.
With Deere you do not know WHAT you are getting, Yanmar ? Mitsi? Chineese ? how knows ?
The Bobcat/Kioti are PROVEN tractors, Pay 50% more and go with an unknown such as Deere ? Nah !

Slack

I have no idea what the specs on the Bobcat CT120 are, but just find a comparable Deere tractor, and get the Deere instead. When it comes to tractors, there is probably no comparison between the two brands. Deere is known for making the highest quality tractors out there. Bobcat might be good too, but with Deere you know you are getting the best quality out there.

 

[MDM]

Get the Bobcat/Kioti. It is way more tractor than 2305 and even the 2320. The Bobcat would probably break the 2305 in half if you hooked them up.

 

[mark.r]

I think the part where he says:
"I have no idea what the specs on the Bobcat CT120 are"
Should be a clue.
With Deere you do not know WHAT you are getting, Yanmar ? Mitsi? Chineese ? how knows ?
The Bobcat/Kioti are PROVEN tractors, Pay 50% more and go with an unknown such as Deere ? Nah !

Slack

I guess it's all in a name. I mean honestly, in the last 24hrs. there have been two threads asking for thoughts, info, opinions on Bobcat CUTS from interested potential buyers. When in reality the tractors have been out in the work place for sometime. However, when they were just "Kiotis" not many people would give them a look. Now that they say Bobcat people are willing to stick their wallets out their . . . based on name recognition alone.

 

[IXLR8]

With the exception of the loader, the Kioti and Bobcat tractors are the same. One of the dealers here was at the Kioti factory and has pictures, and posted them in the Kioti forum, of Orange and White machines coming down the same assembly line. In my area the Deere's cost more than the Kioti/BC cousins. Deere offers some features that K/BC don't offer, for me they just were not worth the price. You can't really go wrong with either of the 3 machines. You need to get some seat time on all the machines you are considering. You will be spending hrs there.. you need to be comfortable. That is what turned me off to the 'other orange' machine.. I was just not comfortable on it. I have a friend who can't stand the ergo's of my Kioti.. you need to get what is comfortable for you. Next up for consideration.. is the dealer, are you comfortable with the dealer? Chances are you will be owning this tractor for a long time... you need to be comfortable with the dealer and their support as it will be a long term 'relationship'. For a variety of reasons, Deere machines do hold their value longer than a K/BC machine, but I have no plans on selling any time soon... so that is not a factor for me... but it is something to consider.
Have fun looking... get as much seat time as you can BEFORE you buy. We will all be happy to spend your money for you.

 

[Raptor53]

Well I looked at a lot of tractor brands over the last year, and IMO, I came to the following conclusions:

Highest quality = Deere

Best ergonomics = Deere

Highest resale value (not that I plan on ever selling my tractor) = Deere

Best parts availability = Deere

Best dealer network = Deere

 

[AchingBack]

Well I looked at a lot of tractor brands over the last year, and IMO, I came to the following conclusions:

Highest quality = Deere

Best ergonomics = Deere

Highest resale value (not that I plan on ever selling my tractor) = Deere

Best parts availability = Deere

Best dealer network = Deere

So what model Deere did you buy?

 

[shot_gun]

With Deere you do not know WHAT you are getting, Yanmar ? Mitsi? Chineese ? how knows ?
The Bobcat/Kioti are PROVEN tractors, Pay 50% more and go with an unknown such as Deere ? Nah !

The small deere's (2000's) are all built by yanmar and they have built almost all of them for the last 30 years. So I know they are unproven. It's only been 30 years. I glad there are alot Deere and Kioti lovers in here. Bobcat version of the Kioti has been around almost 12 months. That is a proven tractor. Take this with a grain of salt but my conversation with the Bobcat rep. at a trade show in AC said that they broke numerous things in testing and that Kioti has fixed most them. He also said they are getting better but still not where they want to be yet. I think the Bobcat/ Kioti relationship will only help Kioti with there quality even better than it is now. Plus it will double the size of there dealer network and give them credability in the construction market which has been dominated by Kubota. On the other hand it is tough to trust a company that refuses to take their tractor to an independent test facility to verify specs. NH, MF, CASE/IH, JD all do. I think I would drive both tractors and see which one suits your need the best and go with it. From my dealings with Bobcat they seem to be a stand up company.

 

[coobie]

So what model Deere did you buy?

Good one,LOL.I am sure raptor 53 will get back with us soon and let us know what deere model he has bought.HE HE !!