educate me

[twodogs]

I have been considering a Kubota B7800 & JD 790. I would like to cut my 3 acre yard, mow my fields, & clear my driveway with the tractor that I buy. I recently learned about Kioti. What can you tell me about the company? Is the reliability good? A salesman told me that it is superior to Kubota - built stronger. I rarely trust salesmen - so I thought I would turn to owners. Any experiences that you could share, both positive & negative, would be appreciated.

 

[DK35vince]

You can get information about Kioti USA/DaeDong Ind. on the Kioti website www.kiotitractor.com
My DK 35 has been very reliable so far. (3 years/435 hours)
I like it.
Kubota also makes a fine machine, I don't see one as being superior over the other.

 

[RedRocker]

I've been doing some research on these tractors also, I've liked what I've seen so far, at least on par with the other name brands, quite a bit less expensive. I suggest you go drive one and check them out.

 

[mathey]

I'm with Vince...but with the CK20HST...

My CK20HST has been very reliable so far
(2 years/320 hours) ... I LOVE it.

 

[virgil]

Ive been selling the Kioti since the mid 90's. Only seen the insides of one engine. That is not just a sales pitch, but a true statement as well.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Pretty much all the name brand tractors out today are good machines, the JD790 is an older design, well proven and very popular. The B7800 is a lightweight ladder frame design tractor that is also proven and popular. But both have differnent characteristics. The B7800, being a lightweight tractor is suited for mowing, in fact it is an excellent mowing tractor; it is also a very small tractor for its horsepower so it will fit into places a larger machine won't fit into. On the other hand, if you want to pull a large box blade with the scarifiers down, then the B7800 will not have as much traction as the heavier JD790. I believe the JD790 is also a bit larger than the B7800. The Kioti tractors, as a general rule, are built as heavy tractors, they are well refined, especially the CK and DK series tractor. Which Kioti are you considering? I'd suggest the CK30. It has a very good front end loader and good ergonomics. If your tasks are suited to a large and heavy machine, the CK30 would be a fine choice.

As to what is the best made, honestly all popular brands have lemons and all popular brands build good machines. For a 30hp tractor, I would trust any of the following tractor manufacturers: Case-New Holland, John Deere, Kioti, Kubota, Mahindra and Massey Ferguson.

 

[Skitch]

I was in almost the same boat about a year ago. My set up is very similar: 5 acre maintenance, long gravel drive, and some dirt work/hauling/pulling. Ultimately, you will need to decide what brand is best for you. Every guy on TBN has a favorite, but like Bob said, there are lots of solid tractors out there.

I ended up purchasing a Kioti LK3054XS and couldn't be happier. How did I get to this decision? Well, for me it was a process of elimination. The local Mahindra dealer didn't carry the 30 hp line (he carries Branson's 30+hp line instead). I didn't much care for the reputation or service I received from my JD dealer. New Holland was a bit out of my price range, and the dealer kept trying to push a loader on me. So, that brought me down to the Kubota v. Kioti. The deciding factor for me was made after test driving both for a while. I preferred the Kioti over the Kubota because of the heavier frame and shuttle shift trans. I honestly wasn't crazy about any of the HST's that I drove. Top that off with great dealer service, and I was sold.

There has been lots of grass cut, plenty of trees and logs pulled, and miles of roads maintained, and I have been more than pleased. Ultimately, you have to find what makes you tick and what features are most important to you. I know there are plenty of guys that are of the opinion that an HST is the only way to go. However, I'm not one of them. I got a tractor that is perfect for me, and I expect you will do the same.

Let us know what you ultimately select.