Kioti vs Taskmaster ?

Anonymous Poster · Sep 12, 2002

I have been doing a lot of research on compact tractors and will probably buy one this winter. I would like any input on the Taskmaster tractors as I have found a 4WD 38 HP taskmaster (new) for 10,550 which is about the price of a 25 HP Kioti. I am looking for information to base my purchasing decision on. I have no real bias toward either tractor. Of course the price difference is some incentive. I have been following this board for a while and the information is great, I can't find a comparable source of information on the Taskmaster tractors.

DK35vince · Sep 12, 2002

The LK 3054,30HP,4WD Kioti tractors are around $11,000.
I believe Taskmaster tractors are made in China.
I personally would go with Kioti.

rtimgray · Sep 13, 2002

I agree with Vince. I am almost positive that the Taskmaster is a Chinese tractor, although I could not tell you which brand (Jinma, Dong Feng, etc.). I would check with the guys on the Chinese tractor portion of this site. I imagine that they can tell you all about the Taskmaster pros and cons. I have never owned a Chinese tractor or even seen one up close, so I can't really comment on them.

I can tell you that I owned a Belarus (Russian) tractor, and several folks have made comparisons between the Chinese and Russian tractors - as far as them being similar. The Belarus was a rugged, heavily built tractor and would pull down a mountain if you could get a chain around it....if you could get it started. The electrical system was horrible, and I worked on it off and on for the five years that I owned it. It smoked alot and leaked hydraulic oil like a madman - although I must say that the air-cooled four-cylinder diesel engine never, ever used a drop of oil. It held 12 quarts and when I changed the oil each year, I drained 12 out and never added any. I thought that was how tractors worked....

Until I got a Kioti. Yes, Kioti is going to cost more (most likely) than a Taskmaster or other Chinese tractor of comparable size. The fit and finish of a Kioti is first rate, and the shuttle transmission, as opposed to the normal gear transmission that I believe is the only thing offered for Chinese tractors, is great. The best thing to do is get more information from Chinese tractor owners, go drive one if it is feasible (I know a lot of Chinese tractors can be purchased in crates and assembled by the end user to save money) and then go to a Kioti dealer and test drive a couple. In the end, the decision is of course entirely yours. The important thing is to get a tractor that suits your needs that is affordable.
Good luck.

Take it easy

Tim Gray

Anonymous Poster · Sep 13, 2002

Thanks for the replies. This is the kind of stuff I was looking for. The Taskmaster tractors are Chinese, mostly Dongfeng and some Jinma. I had checked out the CTOA (chinese tractor owners association ) and found that the Jinma tractors in particular seemed to have many problems. Engines seemed ok but the hydraulics seemed poor and trouble prone. Kioti tractors are Korean ? It seems harder to find user feedback on Kioti's than on the other import compact tractors, Maybe satisfied customers don't say as much as the unhappy ones. Does anyone have any Idea how many Kioti's are running in the us ?

BC

HickoryDean · Sep 13, 2002

While doing my research earlier this year I read that Kubota estimated they had 45% of the Compact Tractor market; but other analysts put that number closer to 60% saying Kubota was too conservative. Turns out that I had 3 Kubota and 3 Kioti dealers in my area. Even found a dealer with 3 35HP tractors in stock, made in India. His lead off price was $7,500 with a 1 yr warranty. Fit and finish was so poor that rust bubbles were visible under the paint. Chinese tractors seem to have a 6 month fix-it-yourself warranty. Factor that in, as well as Kioti's great reputation and the price difference isn't all that much.

northcreek2624 · Sep 13, 2002

My experience with Chinese stuff(generally speaking)is that most of it appears heavily built,but breaks easily.
I think that their engineering is far behind the industrialized world it's almost as though they were building things using our 1940 blueprints.
Another thing to think about is our shakey political relations with China,It wouldn't take much to make your parts supply dry up.........Mike

Anonymous Poster · Sep 13, 2002

I believe I will be buying a Kioti tractor. One reason is... looking as hard as I can, I have difficulty finding many posts discussing troubles with them. I read several about some o-ring pinching on FEL hydraulics and a few other things but nothing much seems to go wrong with them.

One question though Mike. Aren't Kioti's made in Korea, I did not noticing anybody addressing that question in my origional post. If they are made in Korea....well we have our political problems with them too. I guess that is just a risk we take buying imported stuff....wait! everything seems to be imported now days...oh well.

Ben C.

DK35vince · Sep 13, 2002

Kioti is made in South Korea.
We have had OK relations with them for 50 years.

northcreek2624 · Sep 14, 2002

Ben,Like Vince said,South Korea has been an staunch ally for over 50 years,it's North Korea that we have issues with.
Years ago my wife brought home one of the first Hyundai cars on a test drive,she wanted to buy it and did, much to my dismay.It turned out to be one of the best cars we've ever had,I've been pro-Korean ever since.....Mike

rtimgray · Sep 14, 2002

With so many things being imported, I would hesitate to warn anyone not to buy something over political concerns. Of course, South Korea could be invaded by North Korea Tommorrow, and that would effect Kiotis, Mahindras, Long Landtracs (I think they are the ones made in Korea), Century tractors, Scorpions, etc. If Pakistan and India went to war, that might affect the Indian Mahindras and the Masseys that are made or partially made in Pakistan. Of course, our political climate with China could be in question, so there goes the Chinese tractors. Of course, China could invade Japan, so what about Kubota and Yanmar (John Deere). The truth of it is, as previously stated, with so many things being imported, and nobody manufactures anything in a vaccum, political or otherwise, decided to or not to buy a tractor based on its country of origin is low on my priority list. I'm pretty comfortable with imported tractors (and cars), so I am rather biased. Good luck with your tractor search.

Take it easy

Tim Gray