Ls vs kioti

[joe04785]

Hey all, I'm looking to purchase another tractor and I'm stuck between a xr3037hc ls and a dk 40 with cab. Both hydros. Just trying to see which one people like better. Thanks.

 

[murphy1244]

Hey all, I'm looking to purchase another tractor and I'm stuck between a xr3037hc ls and a dk 40 with cab. Both hydros. Just trying to see which one people like better. Thanks.

Don't matter what we think, you need to sit I each one and decide for yourself.

 

[BlessedMess]

Just went thru the same dilemma on a LS XR4046HC and the Kioti NX##10 series. Decided to go with LS because of "free" extras like rear hydraulic remotes, rear wiper, radio, the 5 year warranty (vs. 4 year on Kioti). Also like the LS dealer in my area better (and who offered a better deal) than the Kioti dealers. However, the Kioti had a slightly nicer interior, more electronic features (like linked hst and auto PTO) and the exterior 3PH lever is nice. Some people might say to get the DK40 if you can still find one with Tier 3 emissions, hydro and cab. I'd go with the one you like best from both a tractor and dealer perspective.

I personally decided to go up a model too (to the larger XU5065CPS) because although the engine is Tier 4, it doesn't have a DPF and larger everything mitigates risk of needing "more" tractor to bale hay, higher lift capacity, etc. if/when it is needed. Depending on your needs and budget, the larger XR40/46 engines and (IIRC) larger wheels may be worth a look too.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

If that size tractor fits your needs, you can't make a bad choice between those two. When I was buying, my two finalists were the LS XR4046HC and the Kioti DK50SE HST-C. It was pretty much a coin flip, but I wound up buying the Kioti.

I'd recommend spending some time on both tractors. Study the ergonomics and see which one works better for you. For example, look at where the loader levers for the hydraulic remotes are located. Find anything that doesn't work for you with a particular one, and that may help make your decision.

Also look at how to do the typical things that you will do frequently, such as checking fluids, cleaning the radiator screen, etc. Some of the little things can become points of aggravation after a while.

Finally, the dealer might make the decision. If one is better than the other, I'd go with with better dealer.

 

[k0ua]

Yep, you pays your money and you takes your choice. The majority of folks that have the LS's are happy with them, and the majority of people that have the Kioti's are happy with them.. There are some differences.. in a general size group, I believe the Kioti loaders lift a bit higher, and may have a bit more lift capability, and they do have that exterior 3pt lever, that I actually use a lot.. but it is all pretty minor things, you just have to decide if you like blue or orange better.

 

[GManBart]

Those are both going to be down on power if you run the A/C. My dealer said he wouldn't order anything under a DK50 or XR4046 with a cab unless the buyer was absolutely certain, and never for a model on the lot.

Between the two, the only major negative for either is that the LS loader has a lot less lift (10-11" as I recall) and that can cause problems. On my LS R4047 I could barely load a 30yd rolloff dumpster, or my neighbors 5yd dump truck....it was just barely possibly which meant you had to go slower, and be more deliberate, which cuts into productivity.

 

[paulfun9]

Three things that swayed me toward the Kioti. I was much more comfortable on the kioti and all the controls felt like they were placed exactly right for me and the loader was a bit stronger as well as loading our dump with the LS would be a constant challenge but the Kioti has just enough lift height to do it with ease. The third thing was that the LS didn't seem to be able to use high range with any real effectiveness on the two LS 3037's that I test drove. Both machines were the same and required me to really feather the pedal and by the time they were able to get any speed up I could have gotten there faster in 2nd.

 

[TSO]

Just FYI, the two tractors you are comparing aren't really comparable. The DK40 is the next size up from the XR3037. Bigger frame, tires, and much stronger loader.

Size & HP would put the xr4040 next to the DK40, the the Kioti loader is still better in that size.

 

[semofarm]

Both are great tractors, but are the dealerships equal in service......just in case?

 

[mjstef]

Those are both going to be down on power if you run the A/C. My dealer said he wouldn't order anything under a DK50 or XR4046 with a cab unless the buyer was absolutely certain, and never for a model on the lot.

Between the two, the only major negative for either is that the LS loader has a lot less lift (10-11" as I recall) and that can cause problems. On my LS R4047 I could barely load a 30yd rolloff dumpster, or my neighbors 5yd dump truck....it was just barely possibly which meant you had to go slower, and be more deliberate, which cuts into productivity.

The A/C does NOT affect my power at all on my 3037. Just keeps humming along mowing......

 

[GManBart]

The A/C does NOT affect my power at all on my 3037. Just keeps humming along mowing......

That's physically impossible. Whether you notice any difference or not, running the A/C still robs power. Mowing doesn't usually come close to taxing a tractor.

 

[mjstef]

That's physically impossible. Whether you notice any difference or not, running the A/C still robs power. Mowing doesn't usually come close to taxing a tractor.

The compressors are so tiny that the draw is very little. I see no noticeably fuel usage difference A/C on or off. At the most these cabs are 80 cubic feet which is not much to cool. Now granted our humidity runs 15-20% here so i'm sure that makes a difference.......

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have to agree that on my tractor, I don't notice any difference in engine sound with AC on vs off. Unlike car engines that lug down when the compressor kicks on, I don't hear anything. Now we all know that any work requires power to perform, whether it be AC or hydraulic pump, but for my tractor and I suspect most CUT tractors, they all run out of traction before power. PTO power would suffer from the AC a bit, but no one I have seen on TBS puts on the max size implement that the tractor would pull under optimum conditions anyway so they always have extra power for the rough spots. Therefore, running the AC does not normally make a noticeable difference.

I cant belief that a dealer would order a tractor with cab without AC. He wouldn't sell one of those EVER in my neck of the woods, regardless of discounted price. Any dealer who makes that kind of statement would be on my AVOID LIST for a long time. Likely the real reason he doesn't order them for his lot is MONEY. Not many buyers out there for small less than 30 HP tractors with a cab (not many buyers for cabs period)so he doesn't put them on his lot, preferring to put his dollars into something that moves faster.

 

[joe04785]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I tried the ls and the kioti. I liked the ls xr3037hc as far as looks and interior but, it seemed very light on the rear end. I went to get a bucket of loam and the rear end came off the ground by a foot. Can anyone tell me if they load the tires or have that problem with the same unit? Thanks

 

[k0ua]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I tried the ls and the kioti. I liked the ls xr3037hc as far as looks and interior but, it seemed very light on the rear end. I went to get a bucket of loam and the rear end came off the ground by a foot. Can anyone tell me if they load the tires or have that problem with the same unit? Thanks

Most tractors are almost unusable/unsafe as they come from the factory. Without loaded tires and/or proper 3pt ballast, you should not attempt to load heavy loads in the FEL bucket. My last two tractors, one a Kubota the other a Kioti, were tested in my gravel pile the minute they rolled off of the trailer, and they both sucked for stability. The Kubota was worse as it did not have loaded tires. The Kioti had loaded tires and it was better, but it still needed some 3pt weight to be totally safe. I cannot go down my gravel driveway in 2wd without 3pt weight even with the loaded tires without breaking traction. Yes I have a very steep gravel driveway.

 

[GManBart]

I cant belief that a dealer would order a tractor with cab without AC. He wouldn't sell one of those EVER in my neck of the woods, regardless of discounted price. Any dealer who makes that kind of statement would be on my AVOID LIST for a long time. Likely the real reason he doesn't order them for his lot is MONEY. Not many buyers out there for small less than 30 HP tractors with a cab (not many buyers for cabs period)so he doesn't put them on his lot, preferring to put his dollars into something that moves faster.

I think you misread what I said. That dealer said he wouldn't put a cab Kioti on his lot smaller than the 50hp model because he felt the 40 and 45hp models were under powered. If a customer wanted one, he would order the crabbed machines with the smaller engines, but isn't recommend it. He didn't order crabbed models without AC....not even sure if it's possible. He had similar feelings about the XR line from LS in the larger frame size anyway.

If you look at PTO power for a DK40SE cab, it's down to 30hp from the open station which is at 34. 30hp at the PTO is pretty light (my opinion) for a machine that size, so I kind of get his point. Then consider that it's a 4,500lb machine before FEL, implements, counterweight, loaded tires, etc, and it makes more sense. I'm sure it would be fine for less taxing jobs, but could be sluggish for others, and dealers don't want stuff on the lot that might disappoint....if you special order it, you're sorta on your own.

 

[GManBart]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I tried the ls and the kioti. I liked the ls xr3037hc as far as looks and interior but, it seemed very light on the rear end. I went to get a bucket of loam and the rear end came off the ground by a foot. Can anyone tell me if they load the tires or have that problem with the same unit? Thanks

Compact tractors need counterweight to be safe using the FEL with anything but the lightest materials. Many companies spec minimum amounts of counterweight, while others leave it to you to sort out. Loaded tires will help, but they don't take weight off the front axle, so you can actually damage the front end without weight on the 3pt. Ideally, 3pt counterweight is used to keep the rear tires planted, and the load on the front axle reasonable, while loaded tires help with traction for all-around use.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . . He didn't order crabbed models without AC....

I'd prefer the AC over the crabs.

On a serious note, I've got the DK50SE HST-C and I didn't see any reason to buy the DK40 or 45 instead. The price difference wasn't that great for something I intended to keep for a long time. And I figured the tractor could use the extra HP for the AC. I haven't been disappointed in it.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Compact tractors need counterweight to be safe using the FEL with anything but the lightest materials. Many companies spec minimum amounts of counterweight, while others leave it to you to sort out. Loaded tires will help, but they don't take weight off the front axle, so you can actually damage the front end without weight on the 3pt. Ideally, 3pt counterweight is used to keep the rear tires planted, and the load on the front axle reasonable, while loaded tires help with traction for all-around use.

I can't believe that the manufacturers and dealers don't do a better job of informing buyers that you really can't use the FEL to its capacity without some counterballast on the rear.

There are a lot of newbs buying tractors. And I can envision plenty of them being unpleasantly surprised, or worse, when they pick up a full bucket of heavy dirt and find out what happens.

 

[TomSeller]

I don't have either of those brands but it seems they are pretty equivalent based on member's opinions. Both seem to be reliable and well made. As has been mentioned, the dealer would be my deciding factor.