Orange vs White B3200/CT230

[laen64]

Please enlighten me on these 2 tractors, I beleive them to be close with the exception of weight and some of the Bell and whistles that are found on the CT.
I'm deciding on these 2 machines as the Boss has lifted her price ceiling so I may move up from the BX.

Thanks in advance to everyone

 

[devildog1]

laen64,
I can't comment on the Bobcat 230 but I can tell you about the B3200 because I own one. For me the B3200 is the most correct size tractor, I've had smaller,(BX23TLB) and larger Fords and Olivers. The B has more the enough power to run my Woods 72"Finishing Mower, York Rake, and Back blade. I have the 60" bucket what is great for snow removal or spreading top soil. It also has the B76 backhoe with a 16" or 18" bucket, forgot which, but I have dug out many stumps and large boulder's, never lacked for power. As I said don't know too much about Bobcat except from what I was told It's built by Kioti.
Good Luck with your choice, DevilDog

 

[kuboman]

The Ct230 is far more tractor than the 3200 even though they are close in hp. It is not a fair comparison.

 

[laen64]

Thanks guys. The 230 is much heavier with more bells and whistles but I'm not sold on that. I still need to manuever on lovely grass so I think the 3200 will win. My wife is still sold on the BX2660 I'm trying to go up a bit the the weight is most likely out of the question.. HOORAH Devildog

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Maybe you should ask this question over in the Bobcat forum also, just to get some of their opinions. But if the BCs weight is a factor, then it doesn't really matter. But you would get other opinions and experiences.

 

[captin_insano]

I've got a bobcat ct235 as a loaner right now while my kubotas in the shop. I'm pretty impressed with it, it seems like a good value and it definatly is heavy. That weight can be both good and bad as you know. From what I gather the bobcat is made by the same company that builds the kyoti tractors. I heard people were having troubles with the kioti's and the online reviews were not the best either. However after having the bobcat here it seems to be better quality than you would think. The test will be time but I'll probably buy one when I need more or other equipment.

 

[DK35vince]

From what I gather the bobcat is made by the same company that builds the kyoti tractors. I heard people were having troubles with the kioti's and the online reviews were not the best either.

My Kioti has been great.
I've had mine just under 9 years and 1400 hours. Strong and reliable. No problems.

 

[dfkrug]

....1400 hours. Strong and reliable. No problems.

1400 hours! You go, Vince.

These kinds of apples-to-oranges comparisons are always coming up.
Although the Bobcat is more than 50% more tractor, it actually costs LESS
than the Kubota. Both are excellent machines for vastly different jobs,
even if the hp is the same. It's like comparing the B3200 to Kubota's
own L3240 and L3400.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

1400 hours! You go, Vince.

These kinds of apples-to-oranges comparisons are always coming up.
Although the Bobcat is more than 50% more tractor, it actually costs LESS
than the Kubota. Both are excellent machines for vastly different jobs,
even if the hp is the same. It's like comparing the B3200 to Kubota's
own L3240 and L3400.

Your talking weight here, right? I had a L3240HST and a B3200 and B7800 and if your talking weight your still missing the target. The B7800 was 1700lbs B3200 probably about the same and the L3240HST was 3700lbs. That's actually a bit over 100% heavier for the L3240HST. You are talking weight when you say this 50% more tractor, right?

 

[captin_insano]

When my kubota broke the first time I did some online looking at other tractors and there were some poor reviews of the kioti's. Having one here in person though means more to me than the reviews, it really does seem pretty decent. When I seen what people are buying them for I was kinda shocked. I think I'm stuck with kubota for now but I'm happy with my dealer and he carries them so next time I'll try a white one. I have a few complaints and concerns with this one after about an hour of use and looking it over but they are minor. I dont like that the bucket doesnt lift and dump at the same time. It's however much quicker lifting than my kubota which is nice but it seems slower dumping. The bucket pins seem kinda small for the size of the machine too. I'm not worried that one would break but I do wonder about wear, will they wear quicker? They may be better quality and not an issue, you just cant tell without some time on it but looking at them had me wondering. Overall I found it an impressive machine, especially for the price people are paying.

 

[TBDonnelly]

I dont like that the bucket doesnt lift and dump at the same time.

My Kioti CK30 lifts and dumps at the same time so I suspect the innards of the joystick could be hampered from the numerous operators on the rental unit.

Don

 

[DK35vince]

My Kioti CK30 lifts and dumps at the same time so I suspect the innards of the joystick could be hampered from the numerous operators on the rental unit.

Don

The Kioti and the Bobcat use differant loaders

 

[captin_insano]

If I can recall I think the loader says 7TL on it, I'd go out and look but I'm feeling lazy. It has about a 68" bucket give or take.

 

[TBDonnelly]

If I can recall I think the loader says 7TL on it, I'd go out and look but I'm feeling lazy. It has about a 68" bucket give or take.

My bad, I forgot the Kioti and Bobcat FEL's are sourced from different companies.

Don

 

[dfkrug]

My bad, I forgot the Kioti and Bobcat FEL's are sourced from different companies.

.....but they DO use the same valve, which comes on all the tractors now.

The 7TL, made by Rhino, and the KL130 used on the Kioti operate very
similarly from what I can tell, and I own both. I did a side-by-side comparo
thread:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/bobcat-tractors/155379-bobcat-ct230-kioti-ck30-side.html
Pin sizes look to be about the same...Kioti uses 25mm....Rhino could use
1.00", I did not measure.

I can dump and lift at the same time on both FELs, but if you do not run
the engine fast enough, dump will have priority. That's how it always works
with a single pump system. Using REGEN lowers the pump flow needed to
max out what the dump function requires.