Kioti Performance and Reliability

[bman0023]

Hi All, I am doing my research into getting a tractor and leaning towards a Kioti. I am looking at CK 30 or maybe CK35, and the DK 35. Do the CK models have the 2 HST pedals? Attachments are FEL, tiller, finish mower, plow and auger.

Does anyone have experience with the Kioti's and how they rank to say like a JD, NH and Kubota?

The Kioti's seem to be built well and heavy duty. Where I am moving to the dealer is a drive away, but near my brother in law. I have heard that parts are hard to get, but you know about rumors. I am doing a lot of research as this is a huge investment for me, so I want something that will perform well and last.

All advice is welcome,

Thanks, Brad

 

[Oldtrout]

I own a CK25,its a 2008 with over 800 hours on it,its been used and abused no issues to date,in my business we will trade it at 2000 hrs, its a tough tractor needed no parts so far,if I need parts dealer is A1 I will have a replacement within the week.

 

[kco]

I recently considered Kubota L3400, L3540 vs Kioti CK35 and DK35 (all HST's, loaders, and industrial tires). I too, decided the L3540 offered much more over the L3400 which is a basic tractor not that much more sophisticated than my current Kubota L275DT.

I thought the Kioti CK35 was somewhere in between the Kubota L3400 and L3540 in features (but closer to the L3540) and the DK35 and L3540 similar. But the L3540 has a more sophisticated HST transmission, a stronger dealer network (at least in Canada) and higher brand recognition.

If prices were close I would have gone with the L3540. But the DK35 was about $22,500 vs the L3540 $28,000 so I purchased the DK35SE HST.

The DK35 deal was helped by the current "free loader" event and a competing offer from Bobcat for a "demo" 2010 CT335 with 9 hrs and full warranty (the CT335 is a rebranded Kioti DK35).

I went for the DK35 over the CK35 because of the beefier frame that I feel might give it some additional ability to handle the loader stresses. The DK35 is also 38 hp vs the DK35's 34 hp.

I have no experience with Kioti's but have ordered a DK35 HST which should arrive next week. The above quote from my post yesterday gives some of my reasoning.

The CK has one rocker type HST pedal and the DK has two pedals.

 

[Dmace]

The Kioti CK's are a one pedal HST, push down on the front to go forward and push down on the rear to go back. I do like the two pedal setup on some tractors but I cannot tell you how many times I accidentally pressed the wrong pedal and went the opposite direction I was planning. That makes the pucker factor rise quickly. Never had that problem with the rocker style pedal on my CK20HST. It's more natural, forward to go forward, back to go back.

As far as parts, my tractor is only 5 years old with only 450 hours so I have not needed any parts but IF I ever do, I will let you know if they're tough to get.

These tractors are TOUGH and I would rank it right at the top with the other big manufacturers and in many cases, even higher than the others. Especially when it comes to value, quality and warranty. :thumbsup:

 

[bman0023]

Thanks for the info. I am getting excited to get one. We will be in Maine, so I hope they work in the cold!! Maybe a cab will be the ticket. I am going to teach myself tractor maintenance. Hopefully do a lot of the work myself. I feel pretty confident with the Kioti brand.

So the DK 35 is beefier and more heavy, slightly more HP than the Ck 35, right? What is the price difference between them? What is the resale for Kioti's? Just in case I have to upgrade down the road.

 

[grsthegreat]

personally, i dont worry about the resale of the Kioti i bought last month. why, cause i paid so much less for it in the first place. Even if it sales for less later on, im still ahead.

and i paid alot less for my DK45SE HST then the kubota or JD dealers were offering.

oh...and i love my cab tractor with heat, air,radio,etc. it came standard with all the stuff the others charge extra for.

 

[IslandTractor]

I've had two Kioti tractors, a CK20 and a DK40se. Both completely reliable workhorses. I started the DK40se last week after leaving it in the barn untouched for three months over the winter. Started instantly. These are tough, well designed and well built machines.

No issue with parts that I am aware of. Of course I haven't needed anything but filters and a couple of things like the bucket level indicator that I broke. No trouble getting those at all. With Bobcat also selling the same tractors, that just adds to the parts distribution system so there really should not be any issue with parts for Kioti tractors.

 

[Western]

I have a DK35 I bought in 06, I was on the fence like you since the only tractors I have owned where JD 950 and Case 2290.

While I was at a Kioti dealer, I met a retired hydraulic Engineer (NASA) who was buying a DK 35 and said he had bought one of the bigger Kioti's in 05. I asked him what the decision maker for him was since I was "on the fence", he said 3 things.

1. He had done allot of research on the hydraulic design and components and what not and believed that the Kioti had a stronger pump and delivery design.

2. Heavier weight in it's class.

3. Price overall

I already knew about the heavier weight, which I like, price was like everyone knows +less, but what really put me over the edge ($21k with attachments an hour later) was his comments on the hydraulics. He could have been pulling my leg, but I doubt it, he seemed to know more about the Kioti than the dealer did, as far as the mechanical.

Take that for it's worth, it has been 5 years. Only problem I've had in 300 hrs is the Tachometer quite working, which I will address when I get "around to it"

 

[Lloyd_E]

bman,

Like you, I did a lot of research before buying... huge investment. I had seen the kioti's about 6 years ago at a farm show and was impressed with the finish and weight compared to other tractors. At that time they were considerably cheaper than the other orange. I have noticed the other orange has come down in price and kioti has increased a bit. But there is still a noticeable difference.

I have had a few issues with mine but all has been covered under warranty.
I have over 725 hours and it runs fine. Starts on the coldest mornings and it is not stored inside. It is very efficient on fuel and once you get used to how things work, like taking off the loader and BH it becomes simpler/faster.

In the 3 years since owning kioti has improved a few things on the DK45 line.
I have been in mud up to the frame and managed to crawl out... blown through 3'+ snow drifts and dug 1000's of feet of trench. Augered 100's of post holes and carried more things on the forks... It does all of the stuff I ask of it and sometimes it surprises me...

Lloyd

 

[dking]

I have a 2008 DK45 with 600 hrs. I have done everything with it from logging to snow blowing and I haven't had any issues. I think it's a well built machine.

I also have a 1974 Massey Furgeson 165. It still works perfectly and it's built like a tank. you can't kill the thing. I hope my Kioti holds out that well.