Pulling the TRIGGER: Narrowed Down To Two Tractors

ericm979 · Sep 22, 2018

"fully adjustable" 3pt with sliding stabilizers and extendable arms and a crank type level adjustment is a lot easier to use than the standard turnbuckle style. The quick hitches don't work for many implements. Some implements don't match the standard and some don't work right with just a hook at the top link. To me the "fully adjustable" 3pt is a distinct advantage, especially as much of the time it seems that the implement I need is not on the tractor. It's way more important than a fender mounted joystick. Is it worth $5k? Hard to say.

Like others said, test drive both. Try changing implements if the dealers allow.

newbury · Sep 22, 2018

eonblue said:
Hey guys, I am pulling the trigger this week after considering this purchase for well over a year. Technically the two tractors are the same brand(which I will not put in the OP cause I dont wanna break the rules:laughing, but I am posting in this forum because my primary question is in regard to the differences in the two tractors as they will affect the type of work I intend to do.

This is a link to a previous thread which describes in depth the work and the property.

30 Acres and 20 years

Description of the two tractors A vs B:

Engine: 45 HP vs 50 HP

There's no replacement for displacement.

PTO: 34 HP vs 42 HP
Hyd. Flow: Both 16.5
Width: 63" vs 66"

Is that max width with wheels all the way out?

Turn Radius: 8.6 ft vs 10 ft
Length: 125" vs 140"
Weight: 3500lb vs 4000lb
Lift Cap: 2700lb vs 3200lb

weight and lift capacity are crirical

Tires are the same

Options on Tractor B that are not inluded on A

Fender mounted joystick

Having a short 6/2" frame I've had to exit right a few times and think a fmj would be a pain.

Fully Adjustable 3pt(although the dealer offered to throw in a quick attach on Tractor A no charge)
*corrected*
Draft Control
Torque Compensation
Anti-Stall

Price Difference: 24k vs 29k

I only drove Tractor A and to be honest the loader control position didn't bother me nearly as much as I anticipated but who knows after 8 hrs of seat time. Both tractors had ample room for my 6.6 frame. My question to the forum is THIS. Given the type of work I am looking to do, which of the above differences am I REALLY going to notice. 5k price difference is not insignificant to me and will pay for a couple implements that I will not immediately be able to afford with Tractor B. As for implements I will be running a medium grade box, rear blade, and rotary. EA grapple.

Thanks guys. Ive only posted a few threads here but you guys have been on point helping me for years now and I know you'll deliver on this big one. :drink:

ETA: One thing I didnt mention was that telescopic arms are also an option on the cheaper tractor, but not the crank style and pin based adjustments for the arms

IF you can readily afford it AND you don't have to squeeze between a 64" gap or an area where the turn around is critical it seems a no brainer - option B.

ericm979 · Sep 22, 2018

Published widths are often with R1s, set inward. R4s are a lot wider. If you're going to run R4s like most people it's best to measure yourself or ask the dealer to do it.

eonblue · Sep 27, 2018

Just wanted to update. The two tractors in question were the Kioti DK47SE and the NX5010. In the end I went back and drove both tractors and ended up going with the DK. There were a few main reasons.

1. In my opinion the DK handling was quite a bit tighter than the NX and in a meaningful way. On paper you maybe can't see it but on the tractors its pretty obvious. I feel like this is going to be important in a lot of the situations I am going to be working in and, Im hoping, ends up balancing out against the lighter weight and extra horses of the NX.

2. Going in, the lack of fender mounted joystick was one of the bigger concerns of mine considering the DK, but it ended up almost being the opposite. It turns out that, being 6'6, my long arms put the joystick mounted on the FEL pretty much right in my grasp without really having to reach whereas the fender JS almost felt cramped. Additionally, Im pretty thin so I can easily fit out of the right side of the tractor and the lack of step means nothing because I can step right on to the platform

The pedal -> seat distance was a bit more cramped but not a deal breaker.

3. There wasn't much feedback regarding the electronic niceties of the NX. Most opinions on those seem to be that they can be really nice but if you never had them you wont know what you're missing.

In the end with a price difference of 5k I couldn't really justify the NX but, more importantly, my gut was telling me that the DK would suit my needs better. I hope I dont regret my decision because its being delivered TODAY. Ill post pics after she's here. Ive waited a long time for this!

:dance1::dance1::dance1:

ETA: Im going with the quick hitch to start and am going to see how that suits my needs. If I end up wanting to add the telescoping lower arms that is an option in the future.

majorwager · Sep 27, 2018

Enjoy your tractor, you might remind those that disagree w/ your decision, that their input would have more relevance and influence, if they were willing to CONTRIBUTE to the purchase price, cash or check accepted.

gladehound · Oct 1, 2018

eonblue said:
Just wanted to update. The two tractors in question were the Kioti DK47SE and the NX5010. In the end I went back and drove both tractors and ended up going with the DK. There were a few main reasons.

1. In my opinion the DK handling was quite a bit tighter than the NX and in a meaningful way. On paper you maybe can't see it but on the tractors its pretty obvious. I feel like this is going to be important in a lot of the situations I am going to be working in and, Im hoping, ends up balancing out against the lighter weight and extra horses of the NX.

2. Going in, the lack of fender mounted joystick was one of the bigger concerns of mine considering the DK, but it ended up almost being the opposite. It turns out that, being 6'6, my long arms put the joystick mounted on the FEL pretty much right in my grasp without really having to reach whereas the fender JS almost felt cramped. Additionally, Im pretty thin so I can easily fit out of the right side of the tractor and the lack of step means nothing because I can step right on to the platform The pedal -> seat distance was a bit more cramped but not a deal breaker.

3. There wasn't much feedback regarding the electronic niceties of the NX. Most opinions on those seem to be that they can be really nice but if you never had them you wont know what you're missing.

In the end with a price difference of 5k I couldn't really justify the NX but, more importantly, my gut was telling me that the DK would suit my needs better. I hope I dont regret my decision because its being delivered TODAY. Ill post pics after she's here. Ive waited a long time for this!

:dance1::dance1::dance1:

ETA: Im going with the quick hitch to start and am going to see how that suits my needs. If I end up wanting to add the telescoping lower arms that is an option in the future.

Congrats!!!

Regarding the pedal to seat position being cramped... I have a similar tractor and felt the seat was too low and too close to the pedal. I made some aluminum brackets and remounted the seat track on the brackets. The brackets move the seat up 2" and back 2". That's all the further back it could go due to the tool box. I think going up 2" did more to relieve the cramped position than going back.

bruceha2000 · Oct 1, 2018

eonblue said:
Just wanted to update. The two tractors in question were the Kioti DK47SE and the NX5010. In the end I went back and drove both tractors and ended up going with the DK. There were a few main reasons.

...

2. Going in, the lack of fender mounted joystick was one of the bigger concerns of mine considering the DK, but it ended up almost being the opposite. It turns out that, being 6'6, my long arms put the joystick mounted on the FEL pretty much right in my grasp without really having to reach whereas the fender JS almost felt cramped. Additionally, Im pretty thin so I can easily fit out of the right side of the tractor and the lack of step means nothing because I can step right on to the platform The pedal -> seat distance was a bit more cramped but not a deal breaker.
...

I'm glad you drove both before deciding. The last line of #2 is why I went with the tractor I did. The other was the same brand, different manufacturer, less "refined" but 3 more HP. Pretty much equal on paper and #2 was cheaper due to its MSRP and the fact it was a prior year leftover. BUT the seat to pedal distance (and I'm only 6' 2") WAS a deal breaker. Different pedal style as well and I know my right knee would lock up having to hold that close position for extended periods. And for my knees, an extended period is about 15 minutes. No real ability to keep my foot on the pedal and adjust my knee angle at all. Similar issue with the backhoe, very short seat to "back wall" distance.

The only problem I have with the fender mounted joystick is that my subconscious brain thinks I should be using it to shift. My tractor is an HST, no shifting. I haven't owned a standard transmission vehicle since 1995! :laughing: I have NO idea why that long ago memory of "stick next to right hand, must use it to shift" pops up. Granted I did drive stick from '78-'95 but it was a LONG time ago!

cat fever · Oct 1, 2018

eonblue said:
Just wanted to update. The two tractors in question were the Kioti DK47SE and the NX5010. In the end I went back and drove both tractors and ended up going with the DK.

Good choice and welcome to the pack.:thumbsup:

Now we need the proof....I mean pictures.