CK30/l3400 pricing

[a.p.]

Hi - I'm a Canadian looking for a mid sized hydrostatic CUT with a loader in the 30hp range. I've narrowed my search down to the Kubota L3400 and the Kioti CK30.They each have some features that appeal to me. The Kubota has a bit more HP and a tighter turning radius, while the Kioti has better ergonomics, the option of a mid PTO, a much better 3PH arrangement and considerably more weight. From what I've read here they are both good machines, with the Kubota having had some problems with a jerky hitch, and the Kioti having had a few electrical gremlins.

I expected the Kubota to cost more, due to the company having had a presence in North America so much longer. But what surpises me is that, without the free loader package on the Kioti, the two tractors would price out the same. I've talked to 2 different Kioti dealers, and received similar pricing from them.

Has this been the experience of others looking at these 2 tractors?

With the loader deal the Kioti is coming in about $3K cheaper.

Which way would you go?

For what it's worth the tractor is to be used for loader work, snaking trees out of a tight bush, mowing, rotary cutting, and snowblowing.

I'd be interested to hear your opinions.

AP

 

[Gittyup]

No brainer: CK30 for me. Heavier weight makes it a much better loader.

 

[a.p.]

Wow thanks for the speedy response.

You don't have concerns about the fact that Kioti is a much more recent entry into the North American market e.g. warranty, parts availability, dealer network, etc.?

 

[George in Spokane]

I was in your shoes last summer. I wanted a discount to go Korean. The free loader for my CK 35 came in at 16K.

I was willing to pay up to 2K more for the Kubota and it's better known dealer but they wanted 3K.

 

[a.p.]

I was in your shoes last summer. I wanted a discount to go Korean. The free loader for my CK 35 came in at 16K.

I was willing to pay up to 2K more for the Kubota and it's better known dealer but they wanted 3K.

So have you been happy with your Kioti?

 

[gerard]

I'm a happy Kubota owner but I just visited the kioti site and looked at some things they have like the dual 3ph control located on the back of the machine so you can move the implement while on the ground at the back of the tractor. Great idea and would make hooking up a lot easier. Kudo's to kioti on that one.

 

[canoetrpr]

Welcome fellow Canuck!

I think that the L3400 and the CK30 are very evenly matched. I don't think that the few extra hp on the L3400 will let it do any more PTO wise. The loader and 3pt capacities are evenly matched too.

i wouldn't let the the difference in weight sway me one way or the other. There is more to metallurgy than just the weight of the steel involved. Either will need proper ballasting in order to use the loader to its limit. I have my tires ballasted. I wish I had my tires loaded from day one. Got it done about a year after I had my machine. Both will safely lift about the same load once ballasted appropriately.

On the 3pt hitch jerkyness - mine has the upgraded valve which they started putting in around 2005. I could not tell any appreciable difference between the jerkyness of my valve and the CK30 that I have tried out. It seems that a jerky 3pt valve has emerged yet again but since you are armed with this information (check out Harvest Moon's thread with part numbers), you can make upgrading to the non-jerky variety a condition of sale.

Once you throw a Pat's or other quick hitch on - which you should - regardless of which machine you get - I don't believe that the telescoping bottom links make any difference at all. Can't get much easier than that.

One real nice thing that the CK30 has got going for it is that the factory remote setup is nice and clean with hard lines. The L3400 does not have a really good factory remote setup. The so called factory setup is not much different from aftermarket Prince SV valve spools - this is what I have.

I would get a QA bracket and QA compatible bucket - regardless of which machine you got.

$3k is a fair amount of price difference for tractors of the same capability. There is no doubt that if you do re-sell then the Kioti will get you less in return and may take longer to sell - depending on how well it is known where you are. That said, you will also be paying $3k less upfront. So this might be moot.

Where abouts are you located? Some weight should also be added to who the dealers are around you and how many of them for each brand. On a brand new machine, you should not need much more than parts or filters but if you have an exceptional dealer of one brand vs the other - that should be taken into account too.

Around my area, I'd say that the Kioti dealer is superb. All the Kubota dealers are so so. If you were here, I'd guide you to the Kioti dealer. The user jimmyj who is around this area was looking at the same machines, ended up with the CK30.

From a capability perspective, I really do believe that both these models are a wash. I would rate ergonomics high on your list.

All of this said, I think that you should strongly consider the Kubota Grand L3240 with the LA724 loader. This is in particular if you are swayed towards the L3400. I have an L3400 and although it is a solid machine, the Grand L3240 - particularly with the LA724 loader, provides a lot of additional value - e.g. 1.4 x the loader capacity, additional 3 pt capacity, HST+ - for not much more money. I REALLY liked the Grand L that I demoed recently. I think that the HST+ is really awesome.

Good luck with your decision. Wish I was tractor shopping over again!

 

[greenmule]

Got a ck30 gear,seems like your difference here might be the hst,[don't know],which ever one of them is the best,might be the best for you since thats what you want,unless,the three point is jerky on the kaboto,mine ain't silky smooth but wouldn't call it jerky,works fine.

 

[DK35vince]

You don't have concerns about the fact that Kioti is a much more recent entry into the North American market e.g. warranty, parts availability, dealer network, etc.?

I was a little worried about that when I first bought my Kioti tractor 8 years ago, because I was one of the first in my area to have a Kioti.
Turned out to be a non-issue for me.
Any time I have ordered parts, filters, canopy, backhoe buckets, Etc. I just call the dealer and they are delivered to my door.

 

[Gittyup]

Wow thanks for the speedy response.

You don't have concerns about the fact that Kioti is a much more recent entry into the North American market e.g. warranty, parts availability, dealer network, etc.?

Kioti's been in the U.S. market since like 1986. Hardly a recent entry. And they keep expanding their product offerings and dealer networks.

On the weight. A heavier tractor will allow you to put more power to the ground before spinning and will be more stable overall than a lighter tractor. Loaded tires is a must in any case.

Second the QC adapter option. Wish I had it.

Also, the Kioti gives you better hydraulics flow should you need this for a backhoe, log splitter, or other hydro powered implement, and your power steering won't be starved when working with a loaded bucket.