Planning to buy

[RFB]

Sirs,

I am new to the board as a member, as well as to tractors. To attempt to research, I have read all of the posts here and in the own/operate sub-forum, going back 12 months or so in each.

I am planning on a DK55SC or DK65SC, with a quick-attach FEL, a QA front-mounted power-angle(skid-steer?) snowplow blade, and a backhoe(I am trying to decide between the Kioti, Woods 9000, or Rhino 95). For future purchase, I am also considering a front-mounted snow-blower.

I have briefly consider the Kubota Grand L 5030; my son-in-law likes Kubota and so I gave a nod in that direction, but I am increasingly intrigued by the value-point of the Kioti line.

I live in the inter-mountain west, west central Idaho mountains, and have over a mile of dirt/gravel road to keep clear in the winter (snow right now is knee to thigh-deep). I have 10 acres to maintain as well with general "housekeeping" stuff.

My ignorance is so deep that I am not even sure what questions to ask. The one that first springs to mind is, what price range should I see for what I am planning, and where does "that's too high" begin?

Also, what are the substantive differences (besides the obvious ones of price and horsepower) between the 55 and 65. Is there going to be a real obvious difference in capability between the two?

Any and all input will be graciously welcomed.

Thanks in advance, and chime in as much or as little as you want.

 

[RedDog]

First off, welcome to the site, and for considering Kioti. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

For your questions, I believe some of the dealers will respond. I'm guessing you are looking at over $40,000 for all that!!

Good luck, RedDog

 

[KiotiJohn]

Welcome to TBN.
Either of these tractors should be quite capable to handle 10 acres without a problem. As a matter of fact, you probably only need the 55, but I'm not sure you can put the 9.5' backhoe on the 55, as I think they only recommend the 8.5'. I know some people are oversizing, but I don't believe in doing so.

As to price, I'm not really up on the latest, but I do believe to get the Tractor, loader, and backhoe, you're over $30K for the 55. I have no idea how much the QA snow plow blade would cost.

10HP can make a good bit of difference between these two tractors, I'm just not sure that you would need it. The DK65SC is an awesome monster and very powerful, but again, I think the DK55 should do you fine.

Keep in mind that with the larger 65, most everything else will cost more as well, i.e. other attachments that would be larger, etc.

If I had plenty of free money, I'd get the 65 just because I could, but for 10 acres, I wouldn't really need it, most likely.
John

 

[IH3444]

It's a no brainer to me, get the DK65. The hydraulic pumps output of the DK65 is much greater. You'll need that for the backhoe, as was mentioned a larger backhoe is available also. Hands down, the DK65. The few $K you might save with the DK55, will be money well spent on the DK65. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[RFB]

Well we just drove for 6 hours and two States trying to see a DK55SC or DK65SC. Not one to be found; no 55's or 65's of any type. The second Kioti dealer had no Kioti's on his lot; he did have Zetor tractors...are Zetors worth time considering?

We did see an open station DK45S, and a Kubota Grand L 5030 HSTC. Neither appear large enough for our intended tasks...my own ignorance of the genre made me suprised at how small (relatively) the Kubota is. It just seemed slightly underwhelming when I think it might be called upon to clear miles of knee to hip deep snow, but then again, there is always the distinct possibility that I am 180 degrees out simply because of my lack of knowledge.

I guess there is not going to be any easy or close way to see and evaluate (in-person) the 55 and 65.

In searching this site, I found this photo:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1007/sort/1/cat/528/page/1

(and it's labelled a blizzard. That's just an everyday snowfall in my neck of the woods.) What model is the Kioti in this photo?

Please keep the advice coming; I am grateful for every ounce I can get.

RFB

 

[gamble77]

Drive on down to Georgia and I will be glad to sell you one! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[mauistardog]

from the other photos it looks like a DK65S

aloha
joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[KiotiJohn]

In the actual photo with the snow being loaded, it appears to be the older DK65 since it has no sloped hood. In the lower left is a DK65S. Those pics were posted by a dealer, so there are various models showing.
Zetor tractors seem to be a fairly good investment. I don't feel they are as nice as the Kioties, but they seem tough. The Kubota model you mention may seem small, but it will probably do what you need. I find side-by-side that the Kioties have more beef.
John

 

[psuedofarmer]

welcome to the forum.

hmm.. where to start?

i was in the same position you're in nearly 2 years ago. when the decision came to purchase a tractor, i did LOTS of research. i should point out that i have considerable land holdings and use the tractor for all manner of farm operation (read that: haying to logging to field cultivation).

i narrowed my choice to the DK55C and the Kubota Grand L. i purchased the DK55C in July 04 for $36,800. this price included the KL1595 loader, a 8.5 ft Rhino backhoe (sorry, can't recall the model #), and a 7' boxblade. i decided on kioti after driving a few models (also used one on the farm - compliements of my neighbor).

i chose the kioti over the 'bota for a few reasons, the largest issue was price. the 'bota was considerably higher in price.

fast forward 17+ months. i now have nearly 500 hrs on the tractor; 1 issue covered under warranty @ hour 12. no problems since..

i should point out that like you, this is my first tractor purchase.

as other's pointed out, the DK65 is a good unit; the increase in price might warrant the extra hydrualic pump capacity, etc. however, think about the footprint of the tractor (e.g., will you use it for logging?).

make a list before you buy, include all the uses for the tractor and make your decision on tractor size based on that list.

in some cases i wish i had the DK65. but because of the logging i do, i like the smaller footprint of the DK55 (heck, this could be an issue of perception, but the DK65 SEEMS much larger!).

there are many tractors out there - and with them, many opinions on what is best. you'll need to determine the needs of the tractor, and create a matrix that contains everything you want to use it for..

my only reservation prior to purchasing the kioti was reliability and parts availability.

both of these issues turned out to be NON-ISSUES.

good luck.

pf

 

[RFB]

psuedofarmer,

Sir,

Hypothetically, would your decision be different if the GL5030 and the DK55S were both available similarly equipped for roughly the same price? (This question contains zero sarcasm/trollism, I am asking a sincere apples/apples question (I think).

Also, I am completetly unfamiliar with a shuttle transmission; how does one operate such a system? I assume there is a clutch involved in the process, but where and when? How much emphasis/importance does the transmission warrant for snowplowing, FEL work, BH work, and dirt/gravel road grading?

I see also that the Kioti weighs about 1000lbs more before attachments. Is that a plus, a minus, or a neutral for the above type described duties?

Thanks again to all for their patience and input.

RFB