Kioti DK55 (used) vs. DK40SE (New)

CentralNC · Jun 19, 2013

Hello Kioti owners -

I have been considering a tractor upgrade most of this Spring. I have a very good NH TC35A that I have owned for almost 6 years. It has ~500 hrs and it has been an excellent tractor. My needs have changed a bit as I cleared some land and built our house. The smaller size of the TC35A allowed me to work around trees and in my yard, but now I find myself pulling a 6' tiller and doing more bush hogging. I also use the FEL to lift dirt, gravel and trees. The TC35A is a bit light for heavy loader work and it might be a bit small. The adv is that it is a great size, reliable and 100% paid off!!!

I stopped and looked a several Kioti tractors. They really look like well made machines. I have looked at Kubota, NH, LS, MF and JD tractors as well. The Kioti seems as well made as any comparable brand and they have a lot of features for the $$$. The DK40SE (gear) has a bit larger frame than my NH, but the FEL is much stronger and it should pull a 6' (or even a 7') bush hog with ease. Pricing here in my part of NC is about $21k. I didn't push for an exact price because I need to sell my NH tractor first.

Another option I found is a used DK55 (2008) with about 500 hrs on the meter. It has had 1 owner and is about the same age as my TC35A. 500 hrs is not much for a good diesel engine. The owner is asking $18,100 for the DK55.

The DK55 is a bigger tractor, but it is 5 yrs old and out of warranty. It does cost $3k less and it is a more powerful tractor. I plan to keep this next tractor for 10-15 years and use it around our place. Another advantage in buying used is no sales tax. We no longer have a farm tag, so a new tractor would be subject to tax.

I am not 100% certain that I want to trade tractors right now, but I would like to consider my options. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? Has anyone been in a similar situation? I do think that Kioti tractors are probably the best value on the market today. Thanks for any advice.

unimog_jason · Jun 19, 2013

When I was last talking to my dealer I believe he said that the DK55 had a Perkins engine and not a Kioti. Perkins discontinued that engine and he seemed to indicate that there wasn't a replacement available.

I wouldn't consider that to be a show stopper, but something to think about while pondering the big picture.

Jason

kiotiken · Jun 19, 2013

unimog_jason said:
When I was last talking to my dealer I believe he said that the DK55 had a Perkins engine and not a Kioti. Perkins discontinued that engine and he seemed to indicate that there wasn't a replacement available.

I wouldn't consider that to be a show stopper, but something to think about while pondering the big picture.

Jason

You could very well be right, but I thought it was just the DK75 and DK90 that used the Perkins engine. I'd say go for a new DK45, it has more PTO hp for your bush hog (4 hp more) and is almost the same PTO hp as the DK50 (only 1 hp less), but won't be that big of a price difference (the big jump is usually between a DK45 and DK50). To me, the price of used tractors is so high that it usually doesn't make sense to buy used when you can get new tractor with a nice comfy warranty for near the same money. Also get an HST for the loader work.

CentralNC · Jun 19, 2013

I appreciate the advice and comments about the engine. I was running some numbers and I agree that the spread between the new and used tractors isn't big enough to justify buying the used DK55. One other big difference is the location of the FEL control. On the 2008 DK55 the control is to the right of the steering wheel. Newer models like my NH and the DK40SE has the loader controls on the fender beside the seat. It is much more comfortable to use this way.

I might go and test drive the DK55, but it would need to be priced several thousand dollars lower to make sense for me.

Thanks again!!!

GManBart · Jun 20, 2013

unimog_jason said:
When I was last talking to my dealer I believe he said that the DK55 had a Perkins engine and not a Kioti. Perkins discontinued that engine and he seemed to indicate that there wasn't a replacement available.

I wouldn't consider that to be a show stopper, but something to think about while pondering the big picture.

Jason

If Tractor Data is correct, it's only the DK 65, 75, and 90 with a Perkins.

CentralNC · Jun 20, 2013

I stopped and looked at the DK55 today. It is a strong tractor and a good size for use around a small farm. The owner always kept it in a barn, but it is still 5+ years old. I also stopped and looked at Bobcat tractors. I got a quote for $20,500 (tax not included) for a CT445 gear tractor. This is the DK45SE clone from Bobcat.

I like Kioti tractors and if I do chose to up-size it will be a Kioti. Probably a new one. Thanks for the advice.

kiotiken · Jun 20, 2013

CentralNC said:
I stopped and looked at the DK55 today. It is a strong tractor and a good size for use around a small farm. The owner always kept it in a barn, but it is still 5+ years old. I also stopped and looked at Bobcat tractors. I got a quote for $20,500 (tax not included) for a CT445 gear tractor. This is the DK45SE clone from Bobcat.

I like Kioti tractors and if I do chose to up-size it will be a Kioti. Probably a new one. Thanks for the advice.

The CT445 is the DK45. Daedong is the South Korean company that makes them both. Their North American brand name is Kioti (and it is now spreading to other markets that previously used the Daedong name). Bobcat has/had an agreement with Daedong to produce tractors for them, but they are not renewing it after this year and are exiting the tractor business completely. Daedong still makes the McCormick X10 line as well as Landini CUT's.

The differences between the Kioti and Bobcat tractors you looked at are are the loader, seat, and some electrical components and wiring. Every other part is interchangeable, but will clash terribly! If you were buying something to keep long term and didn't care about the resale, I'd jump on the last Bobcat's available. You'll get all the part from Bobcat, but if they ever stop supplying them, you'll be able to get them from Kioti.

hunterridgefarm · Jun 20, 2013

CentralNC,

You may have called these guys but if not it would be a good price comparison for Kioti.

West End Sales is a Kioti dealer in western part of Lincoln County. They seem to be very competitive and carry Kioti and Massey.

CentralNC · Jun 20, 2013

hunterridgefarm said:
CentralNC,

You may have called these guys but if not it would be a good price comparison for Kioti.

West End Sales is a Kioti dealer in western part of Lincoln County. They seem to be very competitive and carry Kioti and Massey.

That is good advice. Those guys have a good reputation. I am going to be in Lincolnton on Wednesday. I will stop and see them. Thank you.

CentralNC · Jun 20, 2013

kiotiken said:
The CT445 is the DK45. Daedong is the South Korean company that makes them both. Their North American brand name is Kioti (and it is now spreading to other markets that previously used the Daedong name). Bobcat has/had an agreement with Daedong to produce tractors for them, but they are not renewing it after this year and are exiting the tractor business completely. Daedong still makes the McCormick X10 line as well as Landini CUT's.

The differences between the Kioti and Bobcat tractors you looked at are are the loader, seat, and some electrical components and wiring. Every other part is interchangeable, but will clash terribly! If you were buying something to keep long term and didn't care about the resale, I'd jump on the last Bobcat's available. You'll get all the part from Bobcat, but if they ever stop supplying them, you'll be able to get them from Kioti.

I appreciate the thoughts. I plan on keeping the next tractor for a long, long time. I like the tractor I have now. It is a good size, but doesn't have quite the HP and lift capacity I would like. I checked on the specs for the Bobcat CT445 vs. Kioti DK45. There must be some errors in the Bobcat website data. It is showing much lower FEL and 3PH lifting capacity. Kioti lists much higher lifting capacities for both. The Bobcat dealer was up-front. He says Bobcat is paying them a fee to move inventory on the back-end of the sale. They want to move product for the remainder of 2013.