Who really makes what?

[Sysop]

Are there German CUTs being sold in America?

I don't think there are German CUTs being sold in Germany... I could be wrong, but I don't think they make anything small.

 

[GManBart]

Is it dumb of me to think I would rather have a Japanese sourced tractor than a Korean one? For some reason I tend to lean toward Japanese products over any other offshore producer country. Maybe it's because I've had such good luck with Toyota products over the years.

How much of a price premium must one pay for the domestically produced Deere products over comparable imported units?

I wouldn't use the word "dumb", but it may be a somewhat simplistic approach.

My wife and I each drive a Toyota, so I'm not against Japanese cars (dangerous here in Michigan). If you were to put a new Camry against a new Hyundai Sonata, I don't think there's a big difference in the quality....and the Sonata has a longer warranty, by a lot. One of the key things Hyundai did when they entered the market was to push affordable quality, over the long haul, and backed it up with a long warranty....they haven't lost out on that yet. They did all of that while undercutting the price point that Toyota and Honda were primarily occupying.

The Korean car companies are doing to the Japanese companies, what the Japanese companies did to the U.S. companies....and we're starting to see the exact same model playing out with tractors.

Similarly, the guys blathering on about any particular U.S. brand are the same folks that probably still think a Cadillac is the world-standard for quality, elegance, and performance.

For CUTs, a Deere is going to run you $10K+ more than a similar sized/power imported tractor...and $10K is conservative.

 

[Guesseral]

I don't think there are German CUTs being sold in Germany... I could be wrong, but I don't think they make anything small.

Hay my stilh chainsaw was made in Germany!

 

[ajd187]

My Deere has a Yanmar engine made in Japan, a loader made in Mexico, a seat belt made in China, and who know where all the rest of.the stuff comes from.

 

[psdx]

The Bobcats are nice tractors. They are made by Kioti but the agreement is ending.

This may not be material to some, although it is to me. This will affect resale value. Expect a lower percent of new purchase price down the road. It's a great tractor. Just be aware of the transient nature of some of the brand labels and the resale value impact. Cub Cadet tractors are likely going away as well - so similar situation.

 

[aczlan]

I think a kioti geared tractor is all there's. The hst in the DK is a kanzaki made in Japan. Cub Cadet sold kioti for a while too.

Actually, Cub was selling Yanmar tractors, not Kioti tractors.

Aaron Z

 

[bandaidmd]

Hay my stilh chainsaw was made in Germany!

You sure about that? I think Stihl is made in Virginia Beach Va.

 

[bandaidmd]

I'm in the market for a new tractor w/ loader because (surprise, surprise) when I bought my first tractor in 2010 I bought too small. It's a Kubota L2350DT and it has been a great performer but I am running it at the absolute max end of its capacity. I'm looking to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $20K if I buy a new machine--that includes the loader. I'm happy to buy a good used machine if I can find one, but new is also an option.

I'm considering Kubota based on the strength of my current one, but I won't rule out any other quality brand as well. I just want to make an informed decision and not pay extra for a rebadged unit with no real difference. So here's my question: who really makes whose tractors?

Who makes the small Massey Ferguson? I think it's Iseki, right?

Who makes the New Holland Workmaster and Boomer?

Who makes the small Deere units?

Yanmar is an actual maker, correct?

I don't think Kioti is an option because there doesn't seem to be a dealer anywhere within 100 miles of me.

Thanks in advance for any input.

When I was shopping for a new tractor this spring I kept a open mind to check out all the brands and i ended up with another Kubota. In a 30 mile radius I have my choice of 4 first rate dealers and 3 of them are flagship Kubota dealers (no other brands). With all the other whack a label erector set brands I just felt like when its 20 years from now will parts be avail?. I know i can still walk up to the Kubota counter and get parts for my 30 year old B8200. I did not look closer at the JD because i thought they were still a whack a label /yanmar my mistake.

 

[RandyT]

I was told by a MTD distributor, back when they first and i mean first started selling compact tractors, they were Kioti. The later ones are yanmar, but the very first ones where Kioti. Mtd actually purchased some Kioti tractors and then disassembled them, because they were considering making there own, using the Kioti design.

 

[Guesseral]

You sure about that? I think Stihl is made in Virginia Beach Va.

Yep has a label made in Germany.

 

[TSO]

I was told by a MTD distributor, back when they first and i mean first started selling compact tractors, they were Kioti. The later ones are yanmar, but the very first ones where Kioti. Mtd actually purchased some Kioti tractors and then disassembled them, because they were considering making there own, using the Kioti design.

I'm not sure that's correct, MTD makes garden tractors and small equipment from what I recall. MTD is Modern Tool and Die out of Ohio, and they actually make lots of equipment for other companies that rebrand them. Think Toro, Wheelhorse, yard king, ranch King, Craftsman, entry level mowers like that, and other small mowers you see at the big box stores.

That is the first time I have ever heard anything to the contrary, especially throwing Kioti into the mix.

 

[DK35vince]

Kioti/Daedong made 3 models for Cub Cadet for a year or two, 8 or 9 years ago.
The 8354, 8404 and the 8454 models.
They were the same as the older style DK models, painted yellow and white.

 

[grm61]

I think a kioti geared tractor is all there's. The hst in the DK is a kanzaki made in Japan. Cub Cadet sold kioti for a while too.

Huh?? Japan what??

 

[TSO]

Kioti/Daedong made 3 models for Cub Cadet for a year or two, 8 or 9 years ago.
The 8354, 8404 and the 8454 models.
They were the same as the older style DK models, painted yellow and white.

That's very interesting, had never heard that before

 

[Creamer]

I am not too worried about parts down the road as long as the original manufacturer is still in business. For instance my Ford 1710 is a Shibaura. There are no Shibaura dealers around here so obviously I was going to the Ford dealer which is now New Holland which does not carry a real good inventory of parts for my tractor. The obvious alternative is the web. Twenty years from now if the parts are available somewhere in the world it will be almost as good as buying them from a local dealer because the dealer will not stock them anyway.

 

[Katahdin]

That's very interesting, had never heard that before

I've seen a few of the Daedong/Kioti Cub Cadets around here, here's a picture from another TBN thread:

 

[Katahdin]

Huh?? Japan what??

"KANZAKI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Yanmar Company Limited. For over a half century, KANZAKI has been a core of the Yanmar group, focusing on the production of machine tool, gears, and hydraulic equipment."

Hydraulic Equipment & Transmissions | Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.

So...Kioti HST tractors use Yanmar transmissions. This is confirmed in this PDF (published 2007) which states the Kioti EX35,40,45,and50s use the Kanzaki KHS-42 JAS HST transmission. Lots of interesting HST tranny information in that PDF.

 

[PILOON]

Well I have a Mitsubishi and to the best of my knowledge all major components are Mitsubishi made.
Exceptions being smaller components like air intake, filters, starters and alternators etc are jobber supplied and often crossed with other brands.
On the other hand the Mitsu engines are found in many brands including Yanmar, Ford, Massy and others.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Some Mahindras are made in Korea by TYM. some in India, and some in Japan by Mitsubishi. I suspect China, but don't know for sure.

 

[Mirboo]

The 2600 series Massey Ferguson tractors sold here in Australia are made by TAFE in India.