Need Advice: Buy an New MX5400 That’s Been Crated Outside 8 Months or Go with a Fresh Kioti?

[drunderw]

I'm looking for some input as I make a final decision on a cab tractor. I was about to purchase a Kubota MX5400HSTC but when I got the paperwork and reviewed the serial number I found that it was manufactured in March 2024 and has been sitting crated at the dealer’s yard for 8 months. They say it arrived in September and has been stored in the crate since then. My main hesitation is the 8-month crate storage on the Kubota. It's been unassembled during that time. It’s technically new, but I’m wondering if I should be concerned about any long-term effects from sitting that long — or if it’s no big deal.

Meanwhile, a Kioti NS6010C HST just arrived at another dealer last week and was assembled only days ago — fresh and clean.

What would you do? Stick with the Kubota or pivot to the freshly arrived Kioti?

 

[jyoutz]

This is SOP and many new tractors have spent months sitting in a crate before assembly, including the Kioti. The freshly arrived Kioti was freshly assembled out of a crate.

 

[workinonit]

If you want a fresh clean one go get a Deere and pick it up off the assembly line in Augusta. Short of that there's no telling how long any of them have been sitting in a crate.

 

[drunderw]

This is SOP and many new tractors have spent months sitting in a crate before assembly, including the Kioti. The freshly arrived Kioti was freshly assembled out of a crate.

Good to know about SOP but the Kioti came in on the truck last week from overseas

 

[jyoutz]

Good to know about SOP but the Kioti came in on the truck last week from overseas

I don’t understand why the concern? Most tractors arrive crated, and many aren’t assembled until there is space on the lot.

 

[drunderw]

I don’t understand why the concern? Most tractors arrive crated, and many aren’t assembled until there is space on the lot.

I plan to park mine inside when not in use, so would prefer not having months of exposure. Several other dealers cycle their stock quickly and assemble units when they arrive or within a few weeks so I just found it odd to be crated for that extent of time.

 

[jyoutz]

I plan to park mine inside when not in use, so would prefer not having months of exposure. Several other dealers cycle their stock quickly and assemble units when they arrive or within a few weeks so I just found it odd to be crated for that extent of time.

I’ll bet that when they assemble the crated tractor and park it on the lot, it will look like it just rolled out of the factory.

 

[Torvy]

I would guess only a few components would really age. Are belts added in factory or by dealer?

I wouldn't let it bother me. Buy the dealer/machine.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Check the crate and see what's actually exposed. The crated Kubota's on my dealers lot all have the sensitive parts protected. The exposed parts are mostly glass & painted sheet metal and the same ones that are exposed to the elements after assembly.

Buy the tractor you like best. Unless there is noticeable paint fading, I wouldn't be concerned.

 

[CH4Ohio]

Seems like you're concerned with the actual "age" of the tractor -- not necessarily how long it's spent in a crate. If they had assembled it as soon as delivered, it would have sat outside for that same amount of time.

Assuming they both look and feel "new", I'd buy the one I like the best. I like Kubotas, but you might find the cab and controls of the Kioti are more modern and operator-friendly and integrated into the cab interior panels.

Out of curiosity, what's the cost difference?