Kioti advice?

jpdeuts · Jul 2, 2002

I'm new to all of this, being a retired Army guy, and seeking advice. I just bought a 69 acre farm in Missouri. We're looking to raise horses and a few head of cattle. About 50 acres is in rolling pasture, some of which neds to be renovated. I figure most of the tractor work will be bush hogging and mowing. Up front I'll also give a post hole digger a work out as I install fencing. I'll also need to maintain a gravel drive and some landscaping.

The local Kioti dealer offered me a DK35 with a Great Bend 260 FEL for $15,550. Is this a reasonable price?

Thanks,
John

Mr_Kioti · Jul 2, 2002

It seems to be a good price but I would go for the Kioti brand loader.
It is a better loader and also will fetch a better resale if you ever decide to sell it or trade.
Also the 35 seems a bit small for what you are considering, I would suggest a DK50 at least if you can afford it.
The DK35 is a great tractor though and comes highly recomended from me.
Coz

Kiotimike · Jul 2, 2002

jpdeuts,
I only have 6 1/2 acres and I couldn't imagine having a smaller tractor than my DK40 with 1470 Kioti loader.It is used for bush hogging,post hole digging, and cleaning up after the horses as well as collecting the bazillion rocks I seem to have around here in Michigan.In your case with that much property I don't think you could get a compact tractor that was too big.
You should look at the DK40 up to the DK65 if the $$$$ will allow it.

Good Luck Mike

jpdeuts · Jul 2, 2002

Thanks for the input. I might look at the DK45 though unfortunately money is an issue, as always. Somewhat surprised at the recommendations on the Kioti loader. The local dealer here says they are somewhat trouble prone.

Mike, where are you in Michigan? We just moved to Missouri from Dexter (outside Ann Arbor). We found Michigan, especially the SE, terribly expensive. We could not find a place at the same cost as this place south of Midland. Made an easy decision; 1 month of winter vice 5 or more.

northcreek2624 · Jul 2, 2002

John,I originally wanted a 35 which is a great machine,but I found out that a DK40 was'nt much more and gave me almost twice the lift capacity with the 1470 fel not to mention 4cyls.,5 hp,bigger tires&more weight.
I bought from a Canadian dealer via the phone to save $$ and bought the 40 cheaper than a 35 in the states plus no tax,this may not be for everybody,but it worked out for me............Mike

RanchMan · Jul 2, 2002

It depends on what you will be doing to your place, but based on your description, no offence, but to me at least, it sounds like something like the DK65 is overkill for 6.5 acres.

While I generally agree with the concept that "More is Better" in the HP department, there is always a balance between usefulness & finances (I'd love to have had a Corvette, but I had plenty of fun with my RX-7 when I had it.)

I have 216 acres and I have a 40hp tractor (Mahindra 4110 - same Daedong engine as the DK40). Admittedly, the tractor is only used on select portions of the property (e.g. blade several miles of road, mow/bush-hog, etc.), but it has served my purposes well to date.

I guess I'm saying "it depends" on what your goals are & how much time you want to spend getting there.

Oh, BTW, Kioti makes a top-notch tractor in my opinion based on what I've seen & heard. (I considered the DK40 myself as well - almost bought one.) Good luck! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Kiotimike · Jul 2, 2002

jpdeuts,
I live in Ortonville Mi. about 40 miles North and East of Ann Arbor.Believe me if it were in the cards to leave Michigan and the 5-6months of cold I would.My parents retired to Northeast Ark. and that is too hot in the summer.I guess no matter where you call home the weather is always an issue one way or the other.Good, Luck on your tractor search I only spent 2-3 months reading this board and gathering information.For me the Kioti tractor has all anyone needs in a tractor at less $$$$.
Mike

jb112454 · Jul 2, 2002

john, that is a great price. the kioti loader a sub frame mounted loader is the gb the same? i like sub frame monted because it gives better access to the engine. is the gb painted to match the dk35? kioti loaders made in the usa have had some problems however, mine hasn't except the paint is not quality but, i think all loaders have that problem. as for what you want to do with your tractor sounds like the dk35 is just right. i have 80 acres and brush hog, post hole dig, box blade and move dirt with the fel with dk35 with no problems. now if you were going to want to bale hay you would be limited but with the correct equip i think it could be done. i've seen some of the older NH swathers and balers that 28 hp pto can handle and they'r cheap. if i had any larger tractor i would not be able to do alot of the work i do because it wouldn't fit. the other reason i wanted the dk35 was the price i paid $15800 with kioti fel. well that was my 2 cents worth hope it helped.

jpdeuts · Jul 2, 2002

JB,

Thanks. Your experiance with similar uses is most helpful (reassuring?). Nothing like having to spend $15,000 on something about which you have no experiance to raise the anxiety level.

I think the Great Bend loader is functionally the same as the Kioti. Paint isn't an exact match but I'm not planning to trade in the next 20 years anyway. Seems like several people have had good luck with the Kioti loader but my local dealer says he doesn't like to sell them. Quess he had to handle a lemon or two some time in the past.

John

Anonymous Poster · Jul 3, 2002

The loaders on the Dk series are good loaders. Kioti has been using these loaders since the DK's came out. Some of the loaders back in the early days were a little shaky. The Kioti is a post mount loader and is very nice with no framing covering up the front of the tractor, very clean looking mounting.
IMHO Go Kioti
BTI