Massey Ferguson vs Kioti?

[Valorum]

What are, in your opinion, the pros and cons of these brands compared to each other? Quality? Experiences with customer service and warranty? Resale value? Other considerations?

Specifically: Because of our budget and financing needs we're looking at a MF 1533 / 1540 vs a Kioti DK45S. Below is our comparison. Is there anything we missed in our comparisons? Are there any things that you would weigh heavier than others in your decision?

1533/1540: Not as powerful, big, heavy. Can't lift as much (1900 vs 2800). Better / more positive feedback on the controls. Platform feels roomier, easier to get on / off. FEL joystick not on platform floor, so more floor space. (Again, my big feet...) No rear hydraulics, no 3PH remote. Seat sits lower, slightly less comfortable for my 6'6 frame.

Dk45S: Bigger, heavier, more powerful, can lift more (2800 vs 1900). Should be able to pull big mowers etc. Auto-leveling loader. Rear hydraulics standard. 3PH remote standard. FEL joystick and brake pedals leave little space around throttle pedal (concern with my big feet ). Controls a little mushy, lack of positive feedback. With ROPs up, too high to fit under overhang around the barn, so a risk of someday forgetting that and damaging part of the roof. Very heavy, risk of damage to pastures / lawn?

Price:
1533 = $19,440, $270/mo
1540 = $21,168, $294/mo
Dk45S = $21,700, $301/mo

MF dealer: Almost an hour away. Dedicated tractor dealer. Does both Kubota and MF. Has lots of tractors on lot. Free setup and delivery. During off-season, free pickup and delivery for service, during hot season $50. Can get parts next day. Will take parts of new tractor if necessary to keep us going. Will provide rental tractor in case of warranty work.

Kioti dealer: Almost hour and a half away from us. Seems like a fairly small place, not a lot of tractors. Does mostly other equipment (smaller scale, like mowers etc?) and yard stuff. Charges delivery, setup. Charges for pickup / delivery for service ($2/loaded mile, so $250 or so.)

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

That sounds like the Kioti dealer about 2 hours from me - which is why I went with a different red tractor... I looked at the 1533 3 years back - this time around the MF dealership in the area didn't have any on hand and couldn't tell me when he might be able to get another one in. Where are you and what other brands do you have nearby?

 

[jimmyj]

The dealer is really important. Technically speaking, I would go with the Kioti if the dealers were identical. Note, you will hit the barn overhang for sure one day. Both are good machines. If the massey guy does Kubota too the best of the bunch is probably a Kubota.

I bought a Kioti because i could not afford an equivalent Kubota and would not buy one of the "economy" Kubotas. I'm happy with the Kioti - I have size 121/2 feet and the operator platform is no problem (6'3" tall).

 

[rimshot]

Sounds like you might be steering towards the Massey Ferguson which is a good unit. How about this comparison that perhaps you are overlooking, isn't the warranty on the Kioti 4 years as opposed to 3 yrs for the MF?

I sure like my Kioti and the dealer has been very conscientious about the sale, delivery and service. The design and workmanship of my small Kioti is excellent.

rim

 

[Valorum]

We are in NW Georgia. Others around are Mahindra and Kubota, they are both closer. See this thread for more information about our situation and evaluating those options if you are interested. Because we are financing, and because of our budget, these 3 tractors seem to be the best options for the money. All three offer 0% for 72 months, which makes it hard for the others to compete for our particular needs etc.

I have size 121/2 feet and the operator platform is no problem

I noticed in your sig you have a CK30 HST. We drove the CK27 and CK35, both shuttle and HST. The room was not as big a problem. On the DK45S though, there was less room, and it felt my foot just barely fit between the brakes pedals and the FEL joystick.

perhaps you are overlooking, isn't the warranty on the Kioti 4 years as opposed to 3 yrs for the MF?

I took that into consideration as well. The Kioti warranty certainly seems to cover more / longer, which is certainly worth something. If the dealer is not as good though, maybe the warranty is worth less?

The toss-up for us is that the MF seems to have slightly better controls (better feedback) and from the looks of it better support from the dealer, while the Kioti has more power and a few extra features. Also, the MF dealer has 3 locations in the area, while the Kioti seems to be a small independent shop type of place, and other Kioti dealers are much further away.

I was curious if there is a quality difference between the brands for example.

 

[rickster]

I was looking at kioti and it was a smaller dealer. One day they closed up and that was the end of kioti for me. Not many kioti dealers here in MI

 

[JiminGa]

I was looking at kioti and it was a smaller dealer. One day they closed up and that was the end of kioti for me. Not many kioti dealers here in MI

That's my concern with buying Kioti. I looked at selling my JD for a Kioti the other day, and honestly it seemed to be built like a tank and has tons of features, but, what happens in 2.5years when you break something and that dealer is long gone? parts networks/dealer support is why you pay extra for the major brands.

 

[jimmyj]

Were not Kioti purchased by Bobcat?

 

[rimshot]

I was looking at kioti and it was a smaller dealer. One day they closed up and that was the end of kioti for me. Not many kioti dealers here in MI

===================

Well, it's true. There are not too many Kioti dealers in Michigan but there are fewer in Wisconsin. Living in the U.P. I could have gone either way because after my research, I still wanted a Kioti. They were just built so solid and I felt better specs and owner feedback for models I compared.

So, I found a dealer in Morrice known as Michigan Iron. After checking out small Kubota's and comprable MF's. Michigan Iron offered to bring a ck20 up so I could try it out. A year later and 317 hours on my CK20 including digging stumps and ditches with back hoe as well as tackling tons of Michigan U.P.snows with my tractor and blower and I don't regret my decision in purchasing the Kioti one bit. Sure I took a leap of faith and the climate right now must be hard on on compact tractor dealers but my money says if we can all get through this recession it will bode well for our dealers of course. But I say Kioti comes out one of the top units and therefore will have it's day in the sun. From my experience so far, it's just a tough little tractor and most of the owner's I have talked to feel the same. Check one out and see for yourself. Sorry if I sound like a paid spokesman because I'm really not. But he asked and that's my story.

jimmyj: No, Bobcat did not purchase Kioti but Kioti builds Bobcat's compact tractor line. If you buy a Bobcat, you are getting a Kioti with a white paint job and the name BobCat on the hood.

What ever unit you decide on, the best to you. I'm sure the Massey is a nice tractor also.

rim

 

[Gittyup]

Kioti has been in the U.S. market since like 1986 and growing bigger each year. They are likely here to stay. Dealers for all makes come and go. If the one closes that you deal with, there will just about always be another with in a reasonable distance.

 

[flusher]

Kioti has been in the U.S. market since like 1986 and growing bigger each year. They are likely here to stay. Dealers for all makes come and go. If the one closes that you deal with, there will just about always be another with in a reasonable distance.

You're right about that. Six months after a bought a new Kubota B7510HST in Jun05, the dealer closed his doors after more than 30 years in the business. Fortunately a JD dealer added the Kubota line to his business.

Noticed the nearest Kioti dealer (~40 miles) has quit this month. He had a small operation, limited inventory and not much in the way of service facilities. There are small fry all over the place who sell 10-20 tractors per year and provide only limited after sale parts and repair service.

 

[IH3444]

Both very good machines. Kioti has a 12/12 SS, with 3 gears below 1mph. May come in handy. If you purchase a Kioti K45S from Rick Wallace, you'll never have to worry about dealer support. Rick will do all he can to besure you are happy with your Kioti. Have you looked at the Kubotas, Deeres, New Hollands. The Deere and New Hollands have excellent ergonomics.

 

[coobie]

I was looking at kioti and it was a smaller dealer. One day they closed up and that was the end of kioti for me. Not many kioti dealers here in MI

HUH?I have at least 5 dealers with in a 100 miles radius of me.The reason I sold my 1998 massey 1240 and bought my Kioti DK40se all 3 massey dealers closed up shop in my area.coobie

 

[jimmyj]

Agreed. One saying we have at work, "don't say no because of the "ya butts". There will always be "ya butts."

I don't think Kioti will be gone any time soon.

Good luck!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

1533/1540: Not as powerful, big, heavy. Can't lift as much (1900 vs 2800). Better / more positive feedback on the controls. Platform feels roomier, easier to get on / off. FEL joystick not on platform floor, so more floor space. (Again, my big feet...) No rear hydraulics, no 3PH remote. Seat sits lower, slightly less comfortable for my 6'6 frame.
quote]

A few more things to think about.

The Massey's have rear remotes available, check to see how muck more that they are. When I looked at them, a pair of them were $1400 I think.
That would be another plus for the Kioti having them std.
The Massey's also have draft control available for another extra charge, again another plus for the Kioti that has it std.

I believe that most of the people here at TBN that have a 1533 wish that they had up graded to the 1540. Not that they are unhappy with their 1533s, just that for the little bit more $$$$ they wish that they had bought the 1540. The Massey has all the goodies available, just that those goodies are extras and you pay for those extras.

I did not end up getting a Massey due to the price and that it was just a little bit bigger than I really wanted. I still think that you should be comparing the Massey 1547 to the Kioti. If you think that the bigger tractor is going to fit your needs and not be to cumbersome, then your should strongly be considering the Kioti. What about any of the other Kioti tractor sizes? Do any of them fit you better. Don't let your dealer push just one particular tractor on you just because that is what he has on his lot.

Good luck with your search, and do not rush into any decision, at least sleep on any decision that you may make, before you sign any paper work.

 

[canoetrpr]

I would put ergonomics quite high on my list of needs for a tractor purchase. If you notice things now that don't quite seem 'right' chances are that they will bug you as time goes on.

I think that in YOUR dealer situation, and given the ergonomic advantages that you have noticed, I would sway towards the MF 1540. 1900 lb plenty of lift given your situation. Get a QA loader bracket and a bucket.

I don't think you decisively have a NEED for more tractor than a MF 1540 given the amount of land you have and your needs. Add rear remotes to that and a sunshade and you are set.

If the MF has a clutchless powershift / GST type of transmission, that would be my choice over a straight shuttle. Best of both worlds IMHO.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I think that they could get a Massey with some of the extra goodies that would end up being a little nicer than the Kioti. Just don't know if they would be able to swing the price tag that goes along with it.

 

[IslandTractor]

My perception as a two time Kioti owner is that both companies make excellent machines. Kioti is up and coming while MF is trying to maintain it's market share. However, MF has a well established dealer network while Kioti is hit or miss. I am wary of small Kioti dealers who may not be committed to the brand and whose primary business may be general outdoor power equipment etc. My first Kioti dealer ran that type of operation and folded the tractor line after a year or two. Having said that, there are also excellent Kioti dealers who are worth seeking out. My current dealer is 300miles away and I have no problems with that as I have to go through major hoops to get the machine on/off the island regardless so I do everything I can myself. It is amazing what you can do with a patient dealer/mechanic to diagnose issues if you have a cell phone and a digital camera).

You might also look at the Kioti DK40se which is just a tad smaller than the DK45s but is a whole new series of tractor and has generally better ergonomics and features. I think you can get it without HST but dealers may not stock as many of the standards. The Kioti that is closer to the MF1433 is the DK35se which is 38hp and part of the same model group as the DK40se and a little lower than both the DK40se and DK45s. The loader lift capacity on the DK35se is more like that of the MF while the DK40se is essentially the same as the DK45s except for no self leveling.

There are a few combo MF/Kioti dealers so you might want to contact one just to get their perspective. Wallace Tractor in PA is one.

 

[Valorum]

I am wary of small Kioti dealers who may not be committed to the brand and whose primary business may be general outdoor power equipment etc.

That's kind of what this Kioti dealer looked like.

You might also look at the Kioti DK40se which is just a tad smaller than the DK45s but is a whole new series of tractor and has generally better ergonomics and features. ... The Kioti that is closer to the MF1433 is the DK35se which is 38hp and part of the same model group as the DK40se and a little lower than both the DK40se and DK45s. The loader lift capacity on the DK35se is more like that of the MF while the DK40se is essentially the same as the DK45s except for no self leveling.

They only have the 0% / 72 months on the DK45S, not on the others. Otherwise i'd certainly look at those as well. As it stands though, the 0%/72mo is what makes the DK45S a candidate. Without it, it would not be in our budget limits.

 

[IslandTractor]

They only have the 0% / 72 months on the DK45S, not on the others. Otherwise i'd certainly look at those as well. As it stands though, the 0%/72mo is what makes the DK45S a candidate. Without it, it would not be in our budget limits.

Understood. It's just a lot more tractor than the MFs you are looking at.

Regarding the dealer, I would check on where the next closest Kioti dealer is just so you know what the backup would be if the primary goes under. I use a dealer 300 miles away and find I can do just about anything with phone support. Of course any major repair would require a big hassle/expense but that is a risk I was willing to take.