New Kioti LK3504 owner here, love this machine, especially the price. I bought the dealer package- tractor,box blade,tiller,finish mower,trailer,and subsoiler. My initial intention was to mow about 5 acres on my farm, till garden,and keep gravel driveway in shape.WELL! the equipment performs, so I'm now in the custom mowing and landscape business! I would rate the tractor as an 8 or 9 I've had John Deere and they have some creature comforts I don't have but I don't think that is worth twice price and a J.D. won't do any more than my Kioti. A hydro trany might be nice but I was raised with gears, why change at 55 yrs. of age? Last week I had the chance to make some money removing snow with a grader blade I bought for that purpose and I was really impressed. The little tractor could get into places that a big backhoe can't and I neve encountered a problem. As soon as I make enough money I'm going to add a front loader.
Eric