kioti tractor questions?

[kiotiken]

You'll find them to be a very solid, heavy, well equipped tractor at a reasonable price. You should do your research on all tractors and compare and try many brands before making any decisions. A few points;

Kioti is not a "new" tractor, they've been building tractors since the '60s and selling them in North America since the '80s.

Kioti is the brand name for Daedong in North America. Daedong is South Korean and sells tractors under the Daedong name in other parts of the world.

Daedong makes compact tractors for Bobcat, McCormick and Landini. All 3 of these are identical to their corresponding Kioti model (Bobcat CT230 = Kioti CK30). The main difference is the loaders (each is different with different specs) and the warranty (Kioti is 4 yrs, the others are 2). They have made tractors for others in the past, including Cub Cadet, as I've recently learned from another thread.

Kioti is "the other orange" tractor for a reason, they once had a partnership with Kubota to design an build tractors. Kubota accused Daedong of stealing some of their designs, and the partnership dissolved after a few years. Ever since there has been a rivalry with litigation over everything including the color orange that is used.

Good luck and enjoy shopping. Anything you buy (new) will last 30+ years if you want it to, so take your time and get it right. It's hard to knock any brand as far a being quality machines, you'll get a lot of opinions on which one is best here on TBN though.

 

[gkh7890]

Carmanbeast,

Welcome aboard!!! I used to live in the Gahanna/Westerville area so I'm familiar w/ Galena! Love BlackHawk GC!!!

Your profile says you have 1-10 acres. Do you know what you will be doing w/ the tractor? Is there a particular size you are looking for? I have the DK40SE HST w/ KL401 FEL, loaded rear tires, R4 tires. I'm coming up on 2yrs in May and I've got 189 hrs. All trouble free.

I do recommend you do your homework like Kiotiken said. The Kioti is a great tractor line! Both smaller and larger compacts to pick from.

If I may the following is a quick summary of a recent discussion with a good friend I have who lives fairly close to you (Delaware Co.).....here are some suggestions for comparisons....make sure you are comparing apples to apples when comparing a Kioti w/ a John Deer or a Kubota. My friend just ordered a '12 DK40SE HST, KL401 FEL, & a KB2485 (backhoe) He was looking at JD. The JD dealer had him look at the 4105 and 4120. The 4105 is not an apples to apples comparison to the DK40SE (SST or HST). The 4120 is. The 4120 MSRP is around $26K. My friend is getting his DK40SE HST & KL401 for $21,500 (not sure what the hoe was costing him....he added it at the last minute....he just had to one up me:laughing. This pricing is also due to the "Free Loader Program" in lieu of financing & I believe that is on all CK & DK units???

I've shared all of this b/c if you're looking in this HP range, you need to pay attention to the Standard equipment of the Kioti VS the add-ons from others.....for example, the following 2 items are STD w/ the Kioti DK line and where they are all options/add-ons w/ others: 1 set of rear remote hydraulic lines, & quick attach (skid steer) loader/bucket system.

Now, before all the JD and Kubota guys jump me here.....they are awesome machines too! Heck, I was all over the Kubota Grand L3940 HST but I ran into 2 problems that was hard for me to overcome......ergonomics & $$. For me, I had to turn my right foot in an uncomfortable and awkward position to operate their HST pedal. The other reason was b/w $4,500 to $6,000 higher cost among 3 dealer quotes. Kioti had copied JD's twin HST pedal design and it is so comfortable....plus the seat goes back and up for my longer legs.

Sorry....I'm babbling but go drive all of the tractors you are considering. You may like one of the others better?

Some other areas to pay attention to when comparing:
1. weight
2. hydraulic gpm flow
3. loader lifting capacity - make sure you use same reference points (at the pivot pin or 500mm in front the pins)
4. warranties
5. dealers (if you can turn a wrench, it shouldn't matter too much)

I shopped JD, Kubota, New Holland, & Kioti for 2 yrs before I bought my Kioti. Unless you have $$ to burn, I really think it is hard to pass on Kioti when you compare the quality, performance, weight, warranty, for the price.

Well, hope this helps you a little.....good luck and don't forget to post pics of your new tractor....regardless of what you buy:thumbsup: