Resisting the impulse...your thought, please

chanimal · Apr 2, 2005

Hello to all...glad to be among you true believers. I'm amost ashamed to admit how excited I am to acquire my first-ever tractor, and, unlike may of you more serious shoppers, am in a hurry to get the buying done and the work begun. I have ten acres of riverfront property, about two acres heavily wooded, two acres of house and yard and six acres of open brushland. Think I will need around 30 horses to blade and refinish the road, shred the brush, pull logs and trees around and knock over stumps. (Will fine mow with a separate mower.) Guess I will need FEL w/hooks on the bucket, box scraper, and shredder. Have good green and orange dealers nearby, and have looked at 3120, 3320, and last years' 4310. Looked at and drove the Kubota L2800. These are the tractors suggested by the sales guys after hearing what I need. After studying tractorbynet forums and talking to others, seems that any of these will work. Think I need to find and look at a Kyoti, as well. I am a value buyer, don't want to overbuy, but am willing to pay for reliability and performance. I am thinking that I will be spending in the range of $18-20K. Would like to make the best-informed decision possible, get a reasonable deal and BUY SOON. Now for some questions. What is the right JD model among those mentioned? Am I looking at the best Kubota? If I can find a good Kioti dealer, what should I look at? Am I right about horsepower and implements? Price range?

I am grateful for your willingness to share your experience and knowledge. You will help me prove to mama that I am a savvy tractor-buying kind of guy.

Morgan1952 · Apr 2, 2005

Kioti line in a 30hp you will be looking at the LK3054 or the CK30. The LK3054 doesn't have the style but is a good tractor. The CK30 you can get the Mechanical gear with Shuttle, or the HST model. The HST model cost is only a few hundred more. One step down is the CK 25 and one step up is the DK 35. All excellent tractors. To find a dealer close to you Just go to www.kiotitractor.com. I hope that this helps
Bob

shoppintractors · Apr 2, 2005

If I can find a good Kioti dealer, what should I look at? 

Visit www.kioti.com and put your zip code into the dealer search engine.

While your there check out the CK25/30 HST, CK25/30 gear, and the LK3054xs. I believe you find these up to the challenge.

Don

Edit: Bob, you read my mind. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Powhatan · Apr 2, 2005

If you are going to be doing some bush hogging the L2800 needs to be a hydrostatic drive. The L2800 gear model does not have live or continious PTO, it runs only when the clutch is out. You will find it very difficult to bush hog in reverse and you will find time when you want to do that. The kubota L3400 is a better tractor and has the options you want. The dealer I have near me here in Va. will not sell the L2800 in gear drive. The Ck30 Kioti is a very nice tractor and will probably do anything you want but the bucket size on the FEL is a little small. The DK35 is a very impressive tractor. It has continious running PTO and is on a larger frame than the CK30 and The L2800/L3400. It has more options than eather one of the Kubotas. Kubota and Kioti both are very good tractors, the Kioti's tend to be heavier which will give you better traction using the FEL. I would shop around and look at as many as you can before deciding. For what new tractors cost nowadays you want to get the best tractor for your hard earned dollar. I have looked at Long, Ford, New Holland, Kubota, Taft, and Kioiti, so far for the money the Kioti DK35 has impressed me the most.
Hope this helps Good Luck

frank_f15 · Apr 2, 2005

1ST OF ALL WELCOME TO THE FORUM! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif And yes you might want to check out the KOITI brand. MIght be a good idea to check out all the brand specifics forums to get a more detailed idea of each model.

To20Chris · Apr 2, 2005

Take a good look at the Kioti LK3054XS. It's not the king of style, but it's a real workhorse. I have the previous non-XS version - I bought for value, and I've been more than pleased with the capability, features, and quality for the money.

KiotiJohn · Apr 3, 2005

As far as Kioti dealers, I've heard EXCELLENT things about Rivera Machinery where several posters have mentioned they drove a long way and got a great deal. I think they also offer as standard, an extended warranty period.
They are in Donna, Boerne, and Three Rivers, Texas.
I go with the others on recommendation of the CK30, LK3054 or DK35, leaning more to the DK35 for your uses. I'm sure you're going to find more to do that will need the extra horespower. This tractor has great features as standard equipment and is a resonably priced mid frame tractor. John

schole · Apr 3, 2005

I couldn't sleep for nights thinking about which tractor to buy.

I just settled on the L3400 with gears 2 weeks ago (wife surprised me) for my very hilly 17 acres. 4-5 acres to mow. Most tractor for the $$ in my area.

The Kioti forum is very active here, friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiatic about the brand. I gave these great looking machines a very careful look. The LK3054xs is awesome -- way heavier than the regular LK3054. I think they are maketting it as competition for the Kubota TLBs. It was 12-15K more than the L3400. The CK30 is great -- I preferred the performance of the gear with shuttle transmission. As the CK30 is only pennies more than the CK25 on the same frame, it is the cheapest 5 hp you will ever purchase. Weight is definitely important, but there comes a point where you just need more hp and you want to move along in a higher gear. Thus, I opted for the L3400 with a few more horses (was less expensive than the CK30 here aswell).

If price is no issue and name recognition is important, JD makes a great product with excellent resale value. Kubota is a close second in my area.

Drive all the brands...one will fit. Buy it.

Good luck.

Shawn

chanimal · Apr 3, 2005

Just want to thank you seven guys for your responses. Seems there is indeed a TBN bias in favor of the Kioti. JD salesman (surprise, surprise) tells me that parts are hard to come by for the Kioti. What think ye all?

And why so few endorsements for the JD's? Too much $ for the name?

Still looking and learning. Fun stuff.

Chanimal

KiotiJohn · Apr 3, 2005

( The LK3054xs is awesome -- way heavier than the regular LK3054. I think they are maketting it as competition for the Kubota TLBs. It was 12-15K more than the L3400. )
Something just doesn't ring right about that 12-15K more for the 3054. I'm not sure how it could possibly be so much more than an L3400. Here in the states, I'm sure that isn't the case, unless they're selling the L3400 for around $5,000.
John

DK35vince · Apr 3, 2005

( JD salesman (surprise, surprise) tells me that parts are hard to come by for the Kioti. )

I order something for my Kioti I get it. No problem..

( And why so few endorsements for the JD's? Too much $ for the name? )

Prices on all the differant makes seem to vary alot from area to area. (JD included). Some areas JD is a lot more exspensive and in other areas they are not. You just have to get some prices from your local dealers..

chanimal · Apr 3, 2005

john, thanks for the thorough response. I am going to find some kiotis to drive. Will let you know what I think. I have been told that parts are hard to come by for these tractors. Any thought on this?

Chanimal

KiotiJohn · Apr 3, 2005

( john, thanks for the thorough response. I am going to find some kiotis to drive. Will let you know what I think. I have been told that parts are hard to come by for these tractors. Any thought on this? ) Yes, I have some thoughts on it, but they won't let me say them on here without deleting my post. It's all BS. Parts are not hard to come by.
Daedong Industrial has been making water cooled diesels since 1949. They make diesels for large ships. They've made tractors since 1965, and have been in the States since 1985. They are not small potatoes, and parts are easily obtained, and usually very inexpensive compared to other brands.
Example from a poster who bought a new fan blade he messed up, $11.00
Example from being at my dealers when he replaced a PTO shaft, $35.00.
Try that with one of the "Big" Three! John

Tryno · Apr 3, 2005

You might want to check out the New Hollands, TC30 is the workhorse. It will do all your asking plus more. TC29, TC33 are both more stylize but will do the job. The TC35 if a step up and probably out of the price range.

creeper · Apr 4, 2005

In response to your qquestion about John Deere. The upfront price scares alot of people away. after the new feeling of a new tractor is over you can really appreciate the finish on JD lots of little things that make operating more comfortable and efficient.Just remember , they are usually the standard that others are judged by or compared to. Just my thoughts.

Bob_Skurka · Apr 4, 2005

Just yesterday I had the opportunity to play with a JD 4310 and man is that one nice tractor. I only wish that I had the opportunity to actually work the tractor in some mud or out in a field, unfortunately that was not possible yesterday but I am looking forward to it in the future. I'm a long time fan of the ergonomics and design on the New Holland tractors and up until yesterday I would have argued that they are the best thought out tractors on the market. And many of them, I believe are very well thought out (the TC35 & 40 are supurb). But the 4310 is simply supurb for its size (it is smaller than the NHTC 35 or TC40). When I sat in the seat there were things that struck me as being odd, but as I worked the controls, my hands simple fell on the controls as if they were extentions of my arms. Silly little things like the "cruise control" button that was placed on the right fender instead of the dash all of a sudden became genius concept as it essentially fell under my thumb when I was adjusting the levers I could simply engage the button without having to reach for the dash. I also was impressed with about 100 other little touches that made sence and worked as they were designed, I liked the cubby holes to hold gloves, sunglasses, cups, I liked the way the controls felt, etc. It was simply a great design and it was obvious that they really took time to study comfort and useability.

One thing about tractors (of all makes and models) is that there is something for everyone out there. Low priced low featured, modest price well featured, high priced and fully featured. I believe some are better values than others. I also believe that sometimes you get what you pay for, and I admit to not knowing what the JD4310 costs, but whatever it was, I think it was worth it.

I don't like machines that make me sore when I get off of them, or worse yet make my muscles ache for a day or two later. I'm willing to pay for the little things. I understand that not everyone can, or will, and I respect their choices. But if you plan on spending much time in the seat of your tractor, make sure it fits you very well, make sure the controls seem natural. If you are uncomfortable, you won't be safe because you will constantly be distracted by something.

As for the parts being hard to come by on the Kioti brand . . . I would suggest that is bull. My Kubota dealer told me that the Kiotis are inferior in every way. I've seen a few, played on a couple. I own a Kubota and a New Holland. I have to tell you that Kioti is probably as well built and parts are probably as available as any other brand. One thing NO manufacturer has been able to match is the smooth running Kubota engine, but as for parts and quality, Kioti is probably as good as most brands. Each is different in some ways. In some areas Kioti is a bargain, in other areas it is not, but pricing is very regional for all brands from what I can see here. But whatever you pay, make sure you find a machine you really like and that fits you, that is more important than price over the 20+ year life span of a tractor.

schole · Apr 4, 2005

Great thoughts, as usual.

KiotiJohn: The LK3054XS was being pitched at me for the low $30,000's range. I did not get down to hard figures and this is in Canadian play money remember. The L3400 Kubota with gears, R4s, FEL, and block heater was purchased for $20,700 Cdn (taxes extra). The CK30, R4s, shuttle shift, FEL was quoted at $22,500. Often, one can chip away at the quote when final pricing is agreed upon. The Kioti guy here is great -- as are his tractors -- they are just priced way too high, I feel.

What would I change on the L3400? My big, clumsy feet tend to hit the PTO lever if I'm jumping off in a hurry -- this turns the tractor off (Operator presence system). I might have placed this up near the fenders as on other tractors. I am sure there will be other issues, but so far, I can't praise this extremely smooth running and shifting tractor for the dollars spent. A real tough, strong, no frills workhorse.

Shawn

Varmintmist · Apr 5, 2005

Since you stated you are a value buyer and not color driven, take a look at Mahindra. I got my 3510 (35 hp eng) for 500 more dollars than a gear L2800 Kubota, 700 more than a NH TC30 (30 hp), and 900 more than a Deere 790 (27hp).

Ill put it up against any tractor in its class, by price or HP.