Kioti vs. Kubota comps

[RJJR]

I've been seriously considering a Kubota Grand L 3940. Can you tell me which series of Kioti is the closest match to this for comparison? Any general feedback would be helpful.
Thanks

 

[tnewbern]

I would say the DK35SE comparing all specs. I was in the same boat you are and started looking at the Grand L 3240. I took a good look at the Kioti and found the DK40SE for the same money. After driving the 2 and comparing specs I went back to the Kabota and found the Grand L 4240 to be the equal. If you just compare HP then you are missing the most important specifications.

I really like both machines and companies and you won't go wrong with either.

In the end I settled on the DK40SE with cab. I was able to get that machine for the same price as the Grand L 3240 without cab. I could not even afford to sit on the 4240 even a 2 year old rusty leftover without cab was out of my price range.

Initially I was doubtful about getting a cab but man I would never get one without now that I have one. I am an out doors guy and hate A/C. On those nice days the cab opens up well. For the dog days of summer and winter no need to put off the chores. Aside from all that mowing, brush hoggin and dirt handling leaves you clean and dust free. Some guys will tell ya it aint a tractor if it has a cab then there is the other camp that say it aint a tractor without one.

Good luck shopping and have fun. This site is a great resource ask all the questions you can.

Tom

 

[8404]

If the Grand L is the full deluxe model of 40hp Kubota then the Kioti DK40 would be the one to compare with but if you are getting a basic Kubota model then the DS 4110 might be the compared model.

 

[RJJR]

I appreciate the feedback. I've gotten a price of 26K for the 3940 with FEL, R4s, quick coupler and rear remote. How does that price compare for the tractor your talking about?
Thanks

 

[RJJR]

The Grand L is the top of the compact Kubota line so I'll start looking at the DK line for comparisons.
Thanks

 

[DK35vince]

Kioti DK 40se would be the closest match to the 3940

 

[tnewbern]

To further justify the DK35SE to Grand L 3940 comparison here are some details and changing point in the 2 tractor lines.

The Kabota Grand L series from the 3240 to the 3940 are the same tractor with bigger engines. All of these can use the LA724 loader and BH90 backhoe. The 3940 is where the engines change from a 3-4 cylinders. Once you jump up to the 4240 the larger LA854 loader is available. So for the Grand L series the 3240 is the sweet spot unless you need more PTO HP and the 4240 is the sweet spot if you need lifting power.

The Kioti DK series starts with the DK35SE and uses KL351 loader and KB2485 backhoe. This is a similar size machine to the 3940 and both have 38 HP engines (well the Kabota has 38.5 HP). The change over in the DK series is the DK40SE and upgrades the loader to the KL401. The DK40 is a 41 HP tractor and the 4240 a 42 HP tractor (close enough). The DK45/50 just get more PTO HP so if you don't need it then stick with the sweet spot DK40SE. If you don't need the extra lifting power the DK35SE is a great machine. I wanted more lifting power as I handle lots of firewood and wanted a machine that could handle a 1/2 cord pallet. The DK40SE moves it with ease with the backhoe on.

Look over all the specs like weight, lifting capacities and hydralic flow. I found that the Kioti was heavier, could lift more (front and rear) and has more hydralic flow than the Kabota. The Kabota has a more advanced HST the 2 speed shift on the fly option was nice. The controls are also different so drive both and decide which you like better. Kabota uses a tredal pedal and Kioti indepndant forward/reverse like JD.

When your comparing don't forget to include the compariable features. I found the Kioti machines come standard with most of the options available for the Kabota. The Kabota options needed add up real fast to eaqual the stock Kioti.

Tom

 

[RJJR]

To further justify the DK35SE to Grand L 3940 comparison here are some details and changing point in the 2 tractor lines.

The Kabota Grand L series from the 3240 to the 3940 are the same tractor with bigger engines. All of these can use the LA724 loader and BH90 backhoe. The 3940 is where the engines change from a 3-4 cylinders. Once you jump up to the 4240 the larger LA854 loader is available. So for the Grand L series the 3240 is the sweet spot unless you need more PTO HP and the 4240 is the sweet spot if you need lifting power.

The Kioti DK series starts with the DK35SE and uses KL351 loader and KB2485 backhoe. This is a similar size machine to the 3940 and both have 38 HP engines (well the Kabota has 38.5 HP). The change over in the DK series is the DK40SE and upgrades the loader to the KL401. The DK40 is a 41 HP tractor and the 4240 a 42 HP tractor (close enough). The DK45/50 just get more PTO HP so if you don't need it then stick with the sweet spot DK40SE. If you don't need the extra lifting power the DK35SE is a great machine. I wanted more lifting power as I handle lots of firewood and wanted a machine that could handle a 1/2 cord pallet. The DK40SE moves it with ease with the backhoe on.

Look over all the specs like weight, lifting capacities and hydralic flow. I found that the Kioti was heavier, could lift more (front and rear) and has more hydralic flow than the Kabota. The Kabota has a more advanced HST the 2 speed shift on the fly option was nice. The controls are also different so drive both and decide which you like better. Kabota uses a tredal pedal and Kioti indepndant forward/reverse like JD.

When your comparing don't forget to include the compariable features. I found the Kioti machines come standard with most of the options available for the Kabota. The Kabota options needed add up real fast to eaqual the stock Kioti.

Tom

I want to run a 6 foot bush hog as the primary PTO consideration and may need to move round bales of hay in the future but that's not a given. Will the 35 pull a 6 foot bush hog with ease? Great information by the way.
Thanks

 

[DK35vince]

The specifications that I looked at on the Kubota site show the 3940 having 40.5 gross HP, the DK 40 is 41 gross HP.

 

[tnewbern]

Kabota 3940:
Engine gross 40.5
Engine net 38.5
PTO 31.5 for HST

Kioti DK35SE:
Engine gross 38
PTO 27 for HST

Kioti DK40SE
Engine gross 41
PTO 32.5 for HST

To be specific but you need to look at more than just simply the tractor HP to do a fair comparison. I am not trying to load the deck for Kioti just give you the facts. The DK40SE is also a good comparison to the 3940 I just feel its more equal to the 4240. I think if you objectivly compare all the specs you will understand.

 

[dennis52]

I want to run a 6 foot bush hog as the primary PTO consideration and may need to move round bales of hay in the future but that's not a given. Will the 35 pull a 6 foot bush hog with ease? Great information by the way.
Thanks

Depends on whether it's a standard duty or heavy duty brush hog and how much it weighs. My guess is that 35 hp might be a bit lean for a 6 ft. There should be a spec available from Kubota.

I bought a Kioti DS4510 after comparing it to a Kubota L4400 ( both geared with minimum options).

Kioti had more standard options and was 25% cheaper for the loader, 4 in 1 bucket and 5 ft brush hog package.

With a set budget, and generally much higher prices over here, it was an easy decision. And I didn't have to trade my old Kubota in.

Now I have a Kubota and a Kioti. Perfecttttt......

The guys on this forum were a great help.

 

[aczlan]

I want to run a 6 foot bush hog as the primary PTO consideration and may need to move round bales of hay in the future but that's not a given. Will the 35 pull a 6 foot bush hog with ease? Great information by the way.
Thanks

The rule of thumb is 5 PTO HP per foot of cutting width as a minimum, so you should be good with a 35HP tractor and a 6' bushhog.

Aaron Z

 

[tnewbern]

The DK35SE manual recommends 65" as the maximum rotary cutter width. A lot of this will depend on the cutter as others have stated. Even more important is what you are cutting and how fast you want to cut it.

 

[tornadowatchranch]

This is the bobcat cousin to the DK35....and my trusty assistant. I am not going fast when moving these but it is not problem on level ground. These are probably 900 pound bales. I run a 5 foot bush hog easily. That is what I had when I bought the tractor so cannot justify getting a 6 but would not hesitate. good luck.

 

[milkman636]

The DK40SE edges out the L3940 in the specs, but from trying both tractors last fall when I was shopping I believe they are a direct comparison.

The DK35SE is directly comparable to the L3540 with the LA724 loader.

The "Auto Throttle Advance" feature of the Grand Ls would be nice to have but wasn't worth the price difference for me.

The HD-S of the HST+ seems like a nice feature that I would use if I had it also, but personally I don't think its a deal maker either. Its not a big deal to let off the HST pedal and slide up to higher range for traveling distances on the Kioti/Bobcat tractors. Its just a quick hand movement to change ranges.


My personal experience was that I really wanted an L3540 with the LA724 loader but couldn't get past the HUGE!!! price difference between it and the CT335 I ended up buying. So far I have no regrets about my decision either.

 

[tnewbern]

Ok so I double checked the specs and I was wrong about the Kabota change over point. The Grand L 3940 and 4240 are the same size tractor so the change over happens at the 3540.

If you negate the loader then the comparison to the DK40SE and 3940 are close. The loaders are a different story. Unless Kabota made a change the 3940 is only available with the LA724 and you need the 4240 for the LA854. I don't know how you can compare the LA724 to the KL401 loader.

LA724
Lift Capacity (Pivot Point) = 1867 lbs

LA854
Lift Capacity (Pivot Point) = 2489 lbs

KL401
Lift Capacity (Pivot Point full height) = 2761 lbs

But enough about specs these are both great machines. Drive them both and see which you like better for the money. Don't forget to think about the dealer in your search. A great dealer for one or the other could make all the difference in the world.

 

[devildog1]

One other item that is important is the three point lift capacity.

Bobcat CT335== -Point Hitch:
Rear Type:I
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm):1,700 lbs [771 kg]

Bobcat CT440=-Point Hitch:
Rear Type:I
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm):1,870 lbs [848 kg]

Kubota=L3940=-Point Hitch:

Rear Type:I
Rear lift (at ends):3,860 lbs [1750 kg]
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm):
Information is from tractorData.com. Seems kind of low though.


DevilDog

 

[gerard]

As a disclaimer i have a kubota and am happy with it but was considering going a bit larger and going hst. Started looking at dk40hst and comparing to the grand L. Specs were better by far with the kioti for loader lift capacity, three point lift and there were some very nice standard feature on the kioti like air ride seat, quick detach loader, telescoping 3 pt arms, a control lever for the 3 pt on the rear of the tractor and a hydraulic remote. All standard. Add those all to the bota and there just isnt a price comparison.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

lets not do this thread disjustice and not neglect to point out that there are some massive transmission differences between a GL40 Kubota and a DK. Auto Throttle, Auto HDS, Stall Guard, 2x3 ranges,3rd function remotes, etc are not offered on a DK. If your looking at more basic tractors (non-cab) an L4400 is the ticket.

Specs were better by far with the kioti for loader lift capacity, three point lift

I did not check these models, but do watch. Typically Kioti is taking their measurements at the ball ends/pivot points to show higher numbers, where Kubota uses bucket center / 24" measurements to reflect the real world capacities of the tractor.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

While Kubota does show their lift capacity at bucket 500mm forward of pin center, they also list it at the pivot pin. So a direct comparison can be made. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: