I made this evaluation on Bobcat vs Kioti this time last year and ended up with the Bobcat CT5545 cab/hydro unit. I’ll share my thoughts and opinions.
The CT5545 was more tractor than I initially began to look at. And I did look at most of the big brands. I see comments expressed here about concerns over a rebranded tractor. A little research will give you enough information to either believe or not believe in Bobcats commitment to the compact tractor business. Yes, they experimented with compact tractors before, but they are still at it. What I gleaned from my research and buying experience made me comfortable with Bobcat.
- I feel that Bobcat is committed to the compact tractor industry and are investing in building their own product in the near future. In the meantime, they are using mostly the Kioti tractors, with slight modifications. That relationship is expected to continue. I don’t see this as any different than John Deere sourcing some of their tractors from Kukje manufacturing. Or any other brand for that matter.
- I don't think Kioti is going anywhere, and I suspect that Bobcat isn't going anywhere. That leads me to believe that parts will remain available whether it's a Bobcat part or a Kioti part.
- The established Bobcat service network and hydraulic expertise actually made me feel more comfortable buying the Bobcat. My Bobcat dealer has experienced service techs on staff. They are experienced with skid steers, hydraulics and have been trained on the compact tractors. This was more comforting to me than the small Kioti dealership. And I wasn't sure how much experience the Kioti techs had. I walked through the Bobcat Service Bay Area and felt like there was some knowledge and skill present. If my tractor needed service, I felt they could do it.
- Another concern about any of the tractors is parts availability. Here too I felt that Bobcat and their network had more experience in parts management than the closest small Kioti dealer. I may be wrong, but as least I know they can keep their Bobcat skid steer products running. They wouldn't be in business if they couldn't.
There are other factors, and it started with the sales experience. I mentioned this in another post. The local Kubota dealer didn't take the time to even show me their product. They showed me a brochure, gave me a price and didn't bother to show me the few units they had on the lot. I walked out to look at the two tractors they had by myself. I really liked the Kubota product, and wanted to buy one. At the time, the lead time was at least a few months. But hey, they would order one for me.
The Kioti dealership only had one tractor, a CK2610. It was a non cab model. The dealer let me sit on it. He didn’t take it out of the warehouse and didn’t start it or offer to let me drive it. I wanted a model with a cab, but I didn’t get the feeling that they cared much about making a sale. And I also got the impression that sales requirements from Kioti were pressuring dealerships to inventory large quantities of tractors that they may not be able to move...which was causing delays getting inventory.
So neither Kubota or Kioti cared to demonstrate their product, or offer to let me operate one. Now, I didn’t ask to drive them, but geez, if I was trying to sell something I would say hop up in there and drive it in the parking lot.
So by chance, I had read a little about the Bobcat tractors and swung by the Bobcat dealership that was only a few miles from my house. I really didn’t think they would have any of the tractors. Surprisingly they had a few, and two were models I was interested in. They took the time to show me both the CT2535 Cab and the CT5545 cab models, told me to drive both as it would likely impact my decision. They also took me through their service bay. They gave me out the door pricing on both models. Their pricing was better than the comparable Kioti. Because of this initial experience, I went home with no pressure, and did a little more due diligence on the tractors and came to the conclusion I would go with the Bobcat. If I was willing to buy the Kioti, I couldn’t see a reason I shouldn’t buy the Bobcat. I ended up buying the larger tractor, the CT5545 with cab and hydro. They installed the third function hydraulics and delivered it to my house for no charge. My experience was very good. Another unexpected experience is that several months after getting the tractor, I did experience a hydraulic leak in the rear remote. I left the tractor in my driveway, called Bobcat and they sent out a service truck. The tech quickly discovered a pinched rubber o-ring and replaced it with a better copper washer refilled the fluid and it was back in service. He had the part and fluid on his service truck. Quick repair and cost me nothing, except a little inconvenience. I felt that was a positive service experience. Now granted, I am close to the the dealership and I am not sure if Kioti OR Kubota had a service vehicle that would come on site.
This is my local Bobcat dealer and experience. I’m not saying all are like that. And I a not saying the Kioti or Kubota dealerships are not good. I’m just sharing my experience so far with Bobcat and it’s been very good. Time will tell. I hope I am not on here in the future complaining, but so far so good. Good luck with your decision.
