Based on the helpful advice provided by TractorbyNet members, I decided to go with Kioti for my first compact tractor. Kioti owners seemed the most satisfied out of all the forums; you can now add me to that group!
Here's some photos
Initial intended uses include 'Bush hogging' and moving the rampart left by the snowplow at the end of the driveway.
Dealer's price included a block heater (Northern Maine), tires weighted with Rim Guard and delivery. Free FEL thanks to Kioti special at the time. Very good experience with Gary's of Caribou, ME!
Pricewise, it was just a little more than the 35hp Nortrac with FEL from Northern Tool I was considering. There are not enough user ratings on the new Nt's, and too many horror stories about the old ones for my comfort level. This is one case where I wanted the dealer 'safety-net' in case of a major failure. The downside is that the money that would have gone for another implement paid state sales tax instead.
I'm manual kind of guy, so I got a manual transmission and have not been dissatisfied. The one flag I'll raise is the shuttle-shift lever that allows you to switch between forward and reverse while staying in your current gear. It's stiff. For most people it won't be a problem, but if you question your left arm strength at all, test drive it before getting the manual. It does loosen up with use.
Also bought a Kodiak 60" rough-cut rotary mower from the dealer - through dumb luck it turned out to be the perfect size, extending just a few inches on either side of the tractor. Makes judging clearances a breeze - if the tractor fits, the mower fits. Tractor runs it easily.
A couple of handy bucket accessories I got soon after are a set of clamp-on forks and a lift ball clamp. The forks are extremely useful: I've moved rows of logs for firewood, pallets and big piles of brush. Yes, clamp-ons will twist if you apply any lateral force, but used correctly I think the bucket would give out before the forks. And they're a few hundred bucks vs. ?? The lift ball clamp let's you re-position your woodsplitter, trailer, etc. using the FEL, and provides an attachment point for a chain. Highly recommended. Check out Paynes Forks.
Not many hours, but very pleased with having gotten the Kioti. Turned out to be the perfect size, handling everything I'd planned for and many things I never thought of. Being my first tractor, I can't say enough about how useful the vertical lift capability of the FEL is!
Here's some photos
Initial intended uses include 'Bush hogging' and moving the rampart left by the snowplow at the end of the driveway.
Dealer's price included a block heater (Northern Maine), tires weighted with Rim Guard and delivery. Free FEL thanks to Kioti special at the time. Very good experience with Gary's of Caribou, ME!
Pricewise, it was just a little more than the 35hp Nortrac with FEL from Northern Tool I was considering. There are not enough user ratings on the new Nt's, and too many horror stories about the old ones for my comfort level. This is one case where I wanted the dealer 'safety-net' in case of a major failure. The downside is that the money that would have gone for another implement paid state sales tax instead.
I'm manual kind of guy, so I got a manual transmission and have not been dissatisfied. The one flag I'll raise is the shuttle-shift lever that allows you to switch between forward and reverse while staying in your current gear. It's stiff. For most people it won't be a problem, but if you question your left arm strength at all, test drive it before getting the manual. It does loosen up with use.
Also bought a Kodiak 60" rough-cut rotary mower from the dealer - through dumb luck it turned out to be the perfect size, extending just a few inches on either side of the tractor. Makes judging clearances a breeze - if the tractor fits, the mower fits. Tractor runs it easily.
A couple of handy bucket accessories I got soon after are a set of clamp-on forks and a lift ball clamp. The forks are extremely useful: I've moved rows of logs for firewood, pallets and big piles of brush. Yes, clamp-ons will twist if you apply any lateral force, but used correctly I think the bucket would give out before the forks. And they're a few hundred bucks vs. ?? The lift ball clamp let's you re-position your woodsplitter, trailer, etc. using the FEL, and provides an attachment point for a chain. Highly recommended. Check out Paynes Forks.
Not many hours, but very pleased with having gotten the Kioti. Turned out to be the perfect size, handling everything I'd planned for and many things I never thought of. Being my first tractor, I can't say enough about how useful the vertical lift capability of the FEL is!
