Need help deciding on a tractor

Slackdaddy · Jan 28, 2009

lawn_master said:
looked at every tractor know to man, well at least me... all the aforementioned seemed high in price for what you get. I think I will get more for my money with a kioti. I have officially eliminated the Bobcat..... I currently have a Kubota. Looks like I will be looking for a Kioti dealer...

Where are You located?
I just drove 5 hours each way to Wallace's, worth the drive.

IslandTractor · Jan 28, 2009

lawn_master said:
looked at every tractor know to man, well at least me... all the aforementioned seemed high in price for what you get. I think I will get more for my money with a kioti...

I agree completely that Kioti is often the best bang for the buck. Has been for me twice. Each time I bought a Kioti after initially thinking that a specific Kubota model would suit me best.

It's too bad that Kioti doesn't make a lighter duty BX sized model.

lawn_master · Jan 28, 2009

I am located just south of Pittsburgh, PA

bluechip · Jan 29, 2009

If all you want to do is mow grass, a ZTR may be a better and more economical choice. I don't ever want to mow my lawn with a steeringwheel again!

Slackdaddy · Jan 29, 2009

lawn_master said:
I am located just south of Pittsburgh, PA

Wallace Tractor and Equipment NEPA Compact Tractors Lake Ariel Poconos Honesdale PA

jimb1724 · Jan 29, 2009

lawn_master said:
looked at every tractor know to man, well at least me... all the aforementioned seemed high in price for what you get. I think I will get more for my money with a kioti. I have officially eliminated the Bobcat..... I currently have a Kubota. Looks like I will be looking for a Kioti dealer...

Lawn Master

i've had my ck20hst since 2004 with over 325 hour on it... not one problem with it. absolutely a great all around machine... i had nothing to compare it to until last night, as i had to take care of my son's driveway to clear the 13 inches of snow from yeterday. my son has a kubota b7800 i thinks its 25hp ? .... its nice, has better gear ratios (can do more in high range) has nicer light package, but that's it..... using his metor 48" blower the thing kept bogging down.... i had to creep along in low... the ck20hst is bigger (higher off the ground) heavier, and more rugged all around.... after doing his driveway, i came home and took care of mine...... i run a 54" puma blower on my ck20hst and i'm sure it could handle a 60" with no problems....
after using both machines.... i am definetly glad that i went with the kioti.... no regrets at all..... good luck with your selection...

jimmyj · Jan 29, 2009

I hate to say it cuz I hope you get a CK20, but I think bluechip is onto something. If you are only going to mow, get a mower, not a tractor. That said, a CK20 with FEL and mower will do many many many more things that you ever dreamed of.

Maybe go see Rick, he'll give you the straight goods - but take the checkbook!!!!

Good luck.

lawn_master · Jan 29, 2009

I could not agree more, except I built my house on a hill... NOOOOOO flat land. I need the 4x4.

IslandTractor · Jan 29, 2009

lawn_master said:
I could not agree more, except I built my house on a hill... NOOOOOO flat land. I need the 4x4.

How about a Power Trac then. Much less tippy than a CUT and it is really nice to see exactly what your mower is cutting with the forward mounted mower. PT422 would be great.

Gittyup · Jan 29, 2009

The best mower when a ZTR won't work is a John Deere x700 series. Get the all-wheel steer and it's almost as good as a ZTR. I cut 2 acres in about 1.5 hours with an old JD 425 AWS, and I have lots and lots of things to mow around. It's also an excellent snow mover. Love that tractor!

The x700's aren't cheap though, but they do come in 4WD. Very stable and safe. Would be almost impossible to turn one over.

There are drawbacks though with the AWS:

can't put a standard loader on it
much less ground clearance
no wheel weights - have to go with suitcases
Chains require wheel spacers.

I wouldn't sell mine for anything.... Well maybe an x749!

PA hayseed · Jan 29, 2009

Lawn master

You said you had a Kubota, what kind?

Second, your south of Pitt (Go Steelers), there is a Kioti dealer around Armstrong County, think Wallace was there when they had the grand opening. Think DKvince did some business there, can't be sure. That shouldn't be too far for you. You around the greensburg area or closer to Pitt? Armstrong is not far from you once you get out of the area. There is also a guy on 22, around the 22 and 119 or 219 interchange in the area called New Alexandria. This guy sells all kinds of stuff, mostly retooled tractors like the new old fords from India - can't remember the name of them. He may carry some other lines too, but can't remember. He also sells trailers, and they build them on site (too much for me, he only wanted to sell tilt bed trailers). North of Pitt and especially in Ohio, are tons of dealers in all brands. For me, an hour drive isn't an issue, I live in the sticks. You may want to check into things like your dealers services, charge for pickup and drop off, and what he charges for service. It will affect the bottom line. I have nothing against Rick Wallace whatsoever, and quite frankly I appreciate the time an energy he spends on this Board. He has been more than helpful to me on more than one occassion. just wanted you to get some other info.

Good luck in your decision(s). Hope things work out for you. As you can already tell, this board is full of information, and people like me are all to willing to help you spend your money.

DK35vince · Jan 29, 2009

PA hayseed said:
there is a Kioti dealer around Armstrong County, think Wallace was there when they had the grand opening. Think DKvince did some business there, can't be sure. That shouldn't be too far for you.

I got to meet Rick Wallace at the Armstrong Truck and Tractor open house last year.
I went with a freind who was looking for a new tractor. He ended up buying a DK 35se HST from there.

warhammer · Jan 30, 2009

Welcome to TBN.
From what I have read they are the same tractor with a different color paint job.
The free loader would end any back and forth on the Kioti vs. the Bobcat for me. You may not think you need one now but they are really handy and would add considerable resale to the machine should you ever decide to trade up.
Your can remove the loader and set it aside if you have access issues.

Warhammer

lawn_master said:
I am up in the air on which tractor to purchase. I have narrowed my choices to a Kioti CK20S HST or the bobcat Ct120. I have read numerous response on this site that says they are one in the same. Unfortunately there are no Kioti dealers within an hours drive of me. Therefore I went to visit a Bobcat dealer. He told me the Bobcat is a better machine because it is a heavier duty machine. That is him speaking, not me... I have downloaded both sets of specs and they seem like the same. Not sure if the hood on the Kioti is metal or plastic. Not sure if the loader valve on the Kioti is standard, it is not on the Bobcat... Right now you can also pick up a free loader on the Kioti, but I do not need one. My goal is only to mow the yard..... Help guys, I trust your opinions over any others. You guys know tractors inside and out and can lead me to make an informative decision. Also, this is my first post.......

lawn_master · Jan 30, 2009

I looked at the 700 series from JD. They are expensive.....for what you get... Let me just say I am very frustrated with the Kioti dealers. Someone can help me make sense of this. You call a dealer, ask him for the price of a tractor and mower. They give you a price. You tell them of the three options, 1000 cash back, financing or loader. If its the financing, price stays put. If you want the 1000 off, the price reflects that. If you want the free loader they add about 1000 to the price. How can that be.... If it is free, it should be free..... I don't get it. Someone who is smarter than me can maybe explain this.... I am very frustrated at this point. The kubota I have is a B7410. It is brand new and I am trying to sell it for 6800. O-well maybe I will keep he kubota....

Gittyup · Jan 30, 2009

Those 700 series Deeres are expensive. But, they'll mow circles around any of the CK's. If you really JUST want a mower. They are worth it. Like a said, they are also very good snow plows and blowers. In tight driveways, my little JD will out plow my CK25 easily. Just depends on what you want out of the machine. If you don't like the price of new 700's, just get a used 425 or 455 with AWS. 425's go for $2500 - $3500. 455's go for $3000 - $5000 depending on how equipped and condition.

CurlyDave · Jan 31, 2009

warhammer said:
Welcome to TBN.
From what I have read they are the same tractor with a different color paint job.
The free loader would end any back and forth on the Kioti vs. the Bobcat for me. You may not think you need one now but they are really handy and would add considerable resale to the machine should you ever decide to trade up.
Your can remove the loader and set it aside if you have access issues.

Warhammer

I agree completely.

Until you have owned a loader you have no idea how handy they are.

Gary Fowler · Jan 31, 2009

I also have to jump in with CurlyDave. I bought a tractor with a FEL mostly because my brother in law thought it would be handy to have on the farm which we share a lot of the chores on. I grew up on a row crop farm and we never had a FEL and I couldnt see any need for one. But since I have that one now, I use it all the time and really couldnt see having a tractor without one. Mine is not a QA so it is a little anwieldy in tight quarters, but with a QA type, just unload the bucket somewhere and have it handy when needed and you have FEL convenience without the extra length.
I have used mine to move gravel, grade the driveway, move rocks, move dirt, dig up/ pull up thorn trees,unload equipment from trailers and even just to jack up the front end of the tractor to do some work on the tires. That was undoubtedly the best investment I have ever made.

PA hayseed · Jan 31, 2009

lawn_master said:
I looked at the 700 series from JD. They are expensive.....for what you get... Let me just say I am very frustrated with the Kioti dealers. Someone can help me make sense of this. You call a dealer, ask him for the price of a tractor and mower. They give you a price. You tell them of the three options, 1000 cash back, financing or loader. If its the financing, price stays put. If you want the 1000 off, the price reflects that. If you want the free loader they add about 1000 to the price. How can that be.... If it is free, it should be free..... I don't get it. Someone who is smarter than me can maybe explain this.... I am very frustrated at this point. The kubota I have is a B7410. It is brand new and I am trying to sell it for 6800. O-well maybe I will keep he kubota....

Now I can't say for sure, but are you doing a trade in? If so, many dealers, and not just with tractors, price differently for a trade in vs. a straight buy. having said that, tell the dealer that your done with him if he is playing with pricing. Your power in the negotiation that you are engaged in, is that you CAN buy it elsewhere. Give the dealer YOUR bottom line, if he/she meets it - great - if not look elsewhere. You can buy a tractor online if you choose to. I think your problem is going to be a trade in in the current economy. It is just like trying to move a car on a lot in a bad economy, the dealer will likely sit on it for a long time and make little to no money on it.

Alot of the tractors on the market are very similar, with each brand having it's loyal fanatics and simple owners. I cannot knock Kioti, as it has been very dependable and I have had good service. I can knock another brand, because I had tons of problems with their crappy tractor. Heck, even the service manager left.

Hope things work out for you. Be patient. Patience will normally save you money in the end.