Buying Advice Kioti CK 3510 - reliable?

[IslandTractor]

Thank you. That was reassuring and it's my best case scenario. Which dealer did you use in RI?

My dealer was Wallace Tractor in Lake Ariel PA. He delivered to Prudence Island for fuel money!!

As noted, I really haven't used any local dealer. I used to stop in to Boston Bobcat for filters but I haven't since they dropped their rebadged Kioti tractor line.

Ask the dealers you are talking to if they are comfortable giving phone advice. Wallace was great as were his mechanics. Sadly I've heard he is out of business and I haven't needed to talk to a dealer in the past six or seven years.

 

[slwelch]

If it's still under warrantee you should want a dealer to fix it, you don't want to lose your warrantee. If something goes wrong the manufacture will not cover it. It's safer and cheaper in the long run to take it to the dealer just in case you lose the engine or something real bad like the transmission or rear end. It will be covered.

 

[IslandTractor]

If it's still under warrantee you should want a dealer to fix it, you don't want to lose your warrantee. If something goes wrong the manufacture will not cover it. It's safer and cheaper in the long run to take it to the dealer just in case you lose the engine or something real bad like the transmission or rear end. It will be covered.

For big issues I agree. However the only warranty issues I ever had to deal with on two tractors were a broken seatbelt retractor and a leaking cracked fuel bowl. Both easily fixed without expert help. I wouldn't touch the bolts on an engine or muck with a transmission etc. Those things however rarely rarely cause problems.

 

[Luke009]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

I would start a new thread. Probably would generate more traffic since your comparing three different tractors.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would start a new thread. Probably would generate more traffic since your comparing three different tractors.

I'd argue that a new thread would be useless. There is no reliability data in the public domain. Marketing claims and other BS is all that can be quoted. IMO the issue is moot as ALL of those brands are extremely reliable and capable machines. It's like comparing a Toyota to a Honda and Mazda. Reliability is NOT a distinction.

 

[cat fever]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

I was in your same boat 2.5 years ago. Couldn't even sleep thinking about it.
I ended buying a Kioti. I do not enjoy doing my own maintenance but I do it and it's not difficult at all. I'm getting close to 300 hours and have not had 1 problem thus far. Trust me I've used the tractor hard. I look forward to every "tractor using opportunity.":laughing:

Like Island Tractor already stated; any tractor will serve you well, but for now I'm partial to Kioti.

I dug this gigantic hole within a month of buying the tractor.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a CT27 which is the Bobcat version of the Kioti. I use mine commercially and it shows. I use it daily. I have had my tractor back to the dealer every year that I have owned it. It has had hydraulic leaks in several different places. It is aggravating and expensive to fix, but does not disable the tractor. I have had trouble with the safety switches. I had to have one replaced and I disabled the seat switch. Had to have new hubs replaced due to a jolt they took while I was bushogging. It lost an engine due to a punctured oil filter but it was just a crazy accident. The tractor is very comfortable and works hard.It is easy to work on. The dealer is fantastic. Would I have had these problems with another brand. No way to know. There is nothing about the tractors build that is not robust but are others better. When I hear people say they never need repairs, I wonder how many hours they use it per week. I am at about 200hrs per year.

 

[fried1765]

Yup!
$3000 - $5000 for a new equipment trailer is about right.
I paid $4400 for my new 20' 14K trailer.
I keep all my implements inside, and my trailer will likely still be worth $3400 in ten years.
New trailer prices will have risen over that time.
I will have spent $200 per year to own, use, and have available, a 20' 14K trailer.
Over ten years most folks will find other occasional uses for a trailer as well.
A trailer will take the anxiety out of any tractor purchase anywhere.

 

[DK35vince]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

All I know is I've owned my Kioti DK 35 for 16 years (2060 hours) and its never been back to the dealer.
Its been solid reliable for me.

 

[timmy59]

Thank you all for the responses. This is a great forum. To answer to some of your comments:
1. My two Kioti dealer options are one 20 miles away and another (out of state) 50 miles away. The latter sounds more responsive, has a better price, and both charge the same for tractor service transportation.
2. I debated hard about getting a trailer, for this and other purposes, and it doesn't make sense for me. I'm just a homeowner with 3 acres of land, lawn to mow and driveway to plow. Occasional landscaping and small construction projects. Rough grade to level currently, after deforestation.
3. I pressed this question on CT dealers (Kubota, Mahindra, Kioti) and they would not send a mechanic over for any issue, big or small. They want the tractor brought to them. I wish I could find an independent, professional mechanic willing to come to my house as needed but that's a hard find.
4. I'd love to have the time to do maintenance on my cars and tractor but I just don't have it. Given the prospect of having to pay $$$ to haul it to the dealer, I might have to get into tractor maintenance.
If I knew that the risk is minimal to have anything happen with the tractor if used "prudently" and maintained well (and if such maintenance is not demanding) I would have an easier time to take the plunge here. But dealers admit that they get a number of tractors back under warranty for various glitches, which would add thousands in transportation costs. Perhaps I just need to think of the price that way.

With these statements I'd just about bet you could hire out for the tasks for less $$ than buying a tractor for 3 acres, but that just my opinion..

 

[Luke009]

With these statements I'd just about bet you could hire out for the tasks for less $$ than buying a tractor for 3 acres, but that just my opinion..

To level 2 acres of rough, rock-littered terrain to mowable grade, a contractor would want 10-15k (got quote of 25k for golf course like grade). Then mowing would run about 3-4k/year and snow plowing who knows, 1/2-1k. Then some 2-3 possible construction and landscaping projects and the flexibility to do it when the schedule permits. All this versus up front cost and ongoing tractor maintenance, and having to deal with and coordinate contractors. I agree it's not a clear call but I'm inclined to having a tractor with loader and mower.

 

[paulfun9]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

We have owned many different brands over the years but not Mahindra. About 3 years ago I purchased my First Kioti and have been very pleased so far. I only have had one problem so far and that was just recently I seem to have lost the pin that keeps the seat for the Backhoe in an up position when not in use. Now as far as the other brands that we have owned Not a one of them ever made it past the 2 year mark without needing something under warranty. Now some of those things were very small and some were not but the bottom line is this is the very first tractor that has not had to have any bolts turned under warranty weather the dealer did the fix or me.
Now I must say I have some friends and family that have had good luck with Kubota and Massey but they don't seem to run their machines as hard as I do with only one exception and he runs a Kubota. So taking the time frame and how hard I tend to be on my equipment, so far I must say that I have no problems with saying reliability sure seems to be there. Being that some of my tractors are now 37 years old and have been with me since new the real answer will probably not be available from me but rather my heirs so I will ask them to drop buy here in 34 years and let everyone know how reliable it was.!

 

[1965]

Thank you all for the responses. This is a great forum. To answer to some of your comments:
1. My two Kioti dealer options are one 20 miles away and another (out of state) 50 miles away. The latter sounds more responsive, has a better price, and both charge the same for tractor service transportation.
2. I debated hard about getting a trailer, for this and other purposes, and it doesn't make sense for me. I'm just a homeowner with 3 acres of land, lawn to mow and driveway to plow. Occasional landscaping and small construction projects. Rough grade to level currently, after deforestation.
3. I pressed this question on CT dealers (Kubota, Mahindra, Kioti) and they would not send a mechanic over for any issue, big or small. They want the tractor brought to them. I wish I could find an independent, professional mechanic willing to come to my house as needed but that's a hard find.
4. I'd love to have the time to do maintenance on my cars and tractor but I just don't have it. Given the prospect of having to pay $$$ to haul it to the dealer, I might have to get into tractor maintenance.
If I knew that the risk is minimal to have anything happen with the tractor if used "prudently" and maintained well (and if such maintenance is not demanding) I would have an easier time to take the plunge here. But dealers admit that they get a number of tractors back under warranty for various glitches, which would add thousands in transportation costs. Perhaps I just need to think of the price that way.

I rented a trailer for $36 a day U-haul to drive mine home from 200 miles away when I purchased it used. An inexpensive option to buying a trailer I had no use for.