Korean Tractor Resale

[Pacesetter300]

I'm exploring every option I can before I make my final decision on a tractor. Driving everyone else in the house nuts, but hey, I'm havin' fun!!
Through this forum, I have become very interested in the Korean made tractors. Kioti, Century, Branson and Mahindra. I have only seen the Kioti in person and I was very impressed. Based on the comments I have seen here, I expect the same quality features and craftsmanship with the other brands. One thing I'm concerned about is resale value. Should I get lazy in my old age and want hydro and a cab on my tractor, I would want to sell. The Branson recently on eBay for $12,500 got zero bids and even some Kioti's go nowhere. A recent example was a DK40/FEL that was new and bid on in the $10K range. Also, the recent example of Daewoo causes me concern. That doesn't factor in the problems with the nut to the North. What can they charge for a part that glows in the dark?? I guess this is all to ask: How much of a hit should one expect compared to the big three when it comes to resale of a Korean tractor?

Thanks in advance

Pacesetter

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I think it depends a lot upon the dealer network in your particular part of the USA. I have been researching Kioti's and if Hydro is a concern, Kioti is coming out with a 21 hp (CK20)model in just a few months and there is supposed to be a 25 & 30 HP following later in the year. It might be wise to find the nearest "hot spots" for your particular brand of tractor and if it does come to selling in the future you could transport it to that particular dealer for trade or possibly sell on consignment. Kioti appears to be rolling out a hot new line of tractors and as popularity increases so will the dealers taking on the line. IMO the resale value of the Kioti tractors will become less and less of an issue as time goes on.

 

[DavesTractor]

The Korean tractors cost less to start with and probably will resale for a little less as well. I suspect the loss of value will be about the same as a percentage of what you paid for it.

Certainly the Korean tractors are nice machines and are gaining in popularity.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

You might want to check with your Kioti dealer about hydro tractors. They are being sued by Kubota for patent infringenment. This will delay the hydro introduction. Also, they are developing their own hydro system. Why does everyone else use Eaton? Have you looked at the Scorpion Line? Eaton hydros, Kubota engines, this has to help resale values!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I've been selling many brands of Korean tractors as well as the big three for several years and I've found that the Korean tractors retain their value as well as the major brands. The majors may bring a higher price but they also cost considerably more up from the start. Assuming the percentage of decline is roughly the same the actual dollars lost on investment is much higher on the Big Three.

In fact the single most important factor in depreciation in the real world is condition and hours, in that order. It is much easier to sell a tractor with high hours that looks immaculate than a very low hour tractor of the same model that looks abused. That's why I garage keep my own Millenium T390, wash it after use and keep it waxed. Looks brand new after a 150 hours.

 

[JimMc]

Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but I don't recall anything about the HST being involved. It was an issue with appearances only.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Here is a link to Kubota's web site and their press release regarding Kioti:<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.kubota.com/prL49.cfm/>Kubota's press release</A>
I did not come across any mention of Hydro's in the press release.

BTW, there is an entire thread in the related topics forum on this issue...

 

[HayDR]

This must mean Kioti is ringing the sales bell and converting some customers to Kioti Orange, close but not the same as Kubota orange. It's just a legal ploy to discredit Kioti engineering. Kubota and Deere do this all the time. Funny thing Deere went after the Challenger saying their design was first, Deere lost and so will Kubota against Kioti. I guess Dodge needs to sue Ford for their F250 clone of the Dodge truck.

 

[Inspector507]

The F250 is a Dodge clone??.........jeesh now I know I gotta trade......./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

CCI, I think you are right on the Kioti sales. They are up a lot over here and may be cleaning Kubota's clock overseas. I don't know about the Ford/Dodge thing though, neither one were smart enough to clone GM's.