Kioti Isn't Worth the Risk

[marrt]

Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

I keep seeing a lot of posts that imply you can buy a Kioti over a Kubota and save a lot of money. Once you eliminate the cost differential of the HST, I think Kioti’s are only about ten percent less expensive than the Kubota’s (maybe even less when you consider the DK series). For that small amount of difference, why would anyone choose an “off brand” over a Kubota? At least with the Kubota, you can easily sell it or trade it in on a different model if you don’t like it. I was hoping the difference would be greater…however, ten percent is not a sufficient “risk premium” in my opinion. What am i missing?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

<font color=blue>...ten percent is not a sufficient “risk premium"...</font color=blue>

Well... 10% of $15,000.... still is $1,500... no matter how you slice it... it's not chump change... while I may not agree... there are those that have a financial problem with $200. difference in price.../w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

I guess that's why they make some many different flavors and have multiple price ranges... so as not to exclude anyone.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[ByuBill]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

<font color=blue>why would anyone choose an “off brand” over a Kubota?</font color=blue>
Let me see now, just how long ago was it that Kubota was "The Off Brand". What is the risk that you are talking about? I have never owned a Kubota, never had the desire to, don't have an opinon either way. Of course I've been riding motorcycles for over 40 years and have never owned a Harley either. Never wanted one. I do own three tractors though. None are Kubota, but one is Kioti.
Have a good'un
Bill

 

[RanchMan]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

I think one of the main reasons is that you generally get more "bang for your buck" on the "other" brands.

DISCLAIMER: I'm NOT knocking the "big 3" in any way, not saying that they aren't good machines, I'm just saying that you can get the similar or sometimes even more features for the same or less money with a "non-big 3".

For example, compare a L3000 Kubota to a DK35 Kioti. Both good machines. The L3000 has 32.5 HP/27.5 @ PTO while the DK35 has 35/28.3 - e.g., pretty close to one another. But with the Kioti you get 8 fwd/8 rev transmission & 2270 Lbs of lift on the 3 pt. The Kubota has 8 fwd/2 rev & 1435 Lbs of lift. (data taken from mfg. web sites)

That's just a "quick" example, and not all "off brands" may exceed a "big 3 equivalent." There are definitely some issues you might face with a "non-big 3", but from a price/performance ratio, the "off brands" have a lot going for them.

 

[Miklos]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

The DK35 will also have wet brakes, the L3000 are dry. The Kioti transmission is fully synchronised so you can actually shift gears while moving. The tractor I was replacing was a 1952 Minneapolis Moline and the L3000 only offered four wheel drive as an improvement over what the MM had. I wanted more, like wet brakes, live pto and shuttle shift. For me, it came down to a Kubota L2910 vs Kioti LK3504. The price with R4's and FEL was $13000 for the Kioti and $18000 for the Kubota. I can do a lot with $5000 extra in my back pocket, thank you! Certainly well worth the so-called risk to me.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

FYI Kioti has a 97% fill rate on their parts orders. Kubota hmm.........there have been some not-so-nice posts about the problems they are having filling parts orders. Lets check weight hmmm Kioti.....wow 2132lbs for a 20hp....how is this possible. Cast Iron and heavy plate steel that's how. Granted there are some things the Kioti doesn't have, of course you don't pay extra for folding ROPS or rear worklight(DK's)either. Resale is a delicate subject resale depends alot on dealers, good dealers=good resale, bad dealers=low resale. Yes, quality of the product matters, no problems there. Kioti has raised the bar for their dealers. All I have met have run very proffesional businesses. Kioti is coming on strong the "Big 3" need to look out. Kioti has been in the states for around 18 yrs now they are hardly the "New" kid on the block! Kioti was here selling tractors for 15 years with only 3 models, in the last 3 years they have introduced 5 new models all of very high quality. Every Kioti owner I talk to is very happy with their purchase.......even after years of ownership. I'm not knocking Kubota they are a very high quality piece of equipment but, don't knock Kioti til try one.
I think what you are missing is a nice shiny new KIOTI. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif
Ob1

 

[jb112454]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

i think some of you have compared the L series not the grand L series kubota's to the DK35. the grand L3410 is a direct comparison with the GST trans mission to the DK35. the L3410 sells for about $18400 with fel. the DK35 sells for about $15800 with fel. now add remote hyd to the L you get $19000 the dk still $15800. add backup light to the L you get $19050 the dk still $15800. sutract 600 lbs. from the DK you get the L. i think you get the idea $3250 in new math is not 10% a little closer to 20% i'd say but not cump change. there are things i liked about the L such as the shifter in a straight patter vis a H on the dk but i got over it. the L is a great tractor and does have better resale than kioti however, when i was looking i could find used L3410's but not any dk35's for what that is worth. i supose if i could afford anther $100 a month in payments i would own a L3410.

 

[ByuBill]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

<font color=blue>when i was looking i could find used L3410's but not any dk35's for what that is worth.</font color=blue>

/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gifDoes make one wonder, doesn't it ???

 

[SHIFTY]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

Dont forget that Kubota has a rebate on the grand L'S which is at least 1000.00,The Kubota pricing is even closer to Kioti now more than ever

 

[Alan L.]

Re: Kioti Isn\'t Worth the Risk

Suppose the Kubota is 17,000 and the Kioti is 14,000. After 5 years the Kubuta would probably still be worth 12,000, but I'll bet the Kioti wouldn't bring more than 11,000, if that.

This is why I buy Suburbans. (or Yukon XL). They cost a little more up front than a standard SUV, but the real cost is about the same, or maybe even less for the Suburban, because of its tremendous resale. Here in Texas that goes for Chevy pickups and to a lesser extent Ford and Dodges.

Its hard to say what the reliability of the Kioti is, because theres no data available, but I know they don't demand near the used tractor price around here that Kubotas or John Deeres command.

The Kubota is a known quantity, and unless I save 25% or more, I'm going with the Kubota.

As for the 3-point lift capacities, there are any number of ways and positions that can be measured. I'd like to see an objective test between the two to see if the Kioti's is really stronger. You know what they say about figures and liars.