Thanks for the responses again. So much to learn and evaluate!
So today we went by a Kioti and Massey Ferguson dealership to check out their models. We learned a lot, but i'm not sure we got any closer to a decision!
At Kioti, we test drove the CK series first. They are certainly nicer than the Mahindra 2816, with telescoping link ends for example, and a few other nice features. But we didn't like the shuttle shifter much; too clunky for our tastes, we both had to man-handle it. We tried the HST, and it works fine, but the wife is still not a big fan of 'm
All in all the CKs were ok and they certainly seem solid tractors, but we weren't blown away by them. When we talked numbers, the financing deals they have on 'm are ok but not great: a free loader & 10.4% or no free loader & 3.25%/60mos / 3.75%/72mos, all choices increasing the total cost over the term of the loan obviously. When we compare the price and what we'd get to the Mahindra 2816 or the Massey Fergusson 1533 (see below), the CKs don't stand out. (This is true for our situation where we're financing, it may be different for other people.)
As we were talking numbers with the Kioti sales guy (nice fellow), we noticed that they have a nice financing offer of 0%/72mos on the DK45S. The guy smiled and said we'd like that machine. He had one on the lot (from before the price increase
) So we hopped on and played with it, and yup, we liked it
That's a tractor!
With the financing they have on it, it's actually a better deal financially than the CK35, and the CK27 HST is close enough that for just a hair more money (we're talking peanuts here in the grand scheme of things) we'd be able to get the DK45S instead. So for about the same money we'd spend on the CK27 or CK35 (HST), we could get a DK45S (shuttle) which is a whole 'nother level of tractor. Besides much more power and obviously bigger / heavier frame, it has some nice extra features like rear hydraulics, a remote 3PH lever, and push button PTO & 4WD for example. So that seems like a no-brainer almost... But that's a much bigger tractor! We're wondering if that'd be overkill for our situation, if there is such a thing. What do you think?
Based on a PM from a member here informing me of Massey Ferguson's 0% financing deal, i called the local MF dealer earlier this week to get some info. Based on our situation and my size (6'6+), the salesguy there recommended i check out the 1533, since it's on the bigger frame than the 1531 and below models. He worked some numbers for me to try to be competitive with the Mahindra 2816, and came back with what seems to be a very competitive offer. So we had to go check out the tractor in person. They weren't open today, but he was nice enough to get one parked out for us to sit on etc. From the specs it is obviously better than the Mahindra 2816. And with the 0% financing deal they have, it sure is a tempting alternative. We also sat on the smaller versions, which are definitely a smaller frame, comparable to the Kioti CKs and Mahindra 2816. We also sat on the bigger 1540 and 1547 models (to compare to the DK45S), but apart from engine size and one or two nice to have features they were identical to the 1533 it seemed (which is what the sales guy had told me as well). The gear selection etc on these tractors feels better, with a more positive "click" feedback than the Kiotis. On that front the MFs won out over all the others i think. The MFs also have power shuttle as an option instead of just plain synchro shuttle, which is nice.
So now instead of having narrowed down our options, we have a dilemma
The Mahindra 2816 is the cheapest out of the bunch, and it would probably be sufficiently powerful / big enough for what we want and need. It is nothing special, just a plain vanilla tractor with a loader that would do the job. But now that i've sat on these others, i'm not a big fan of the ergonomics (platform space, control layout, mainly the bucket hydraulics position), and its specs are obviously on the low end of all the options we've looked at. The Massey 1533 is a little more expensive, but still in our financial comfort zone, and it's a good bit more tractor than the Mahindra (on paper at least). I like the ergonomics / controls on the MFs a lot better than on the Mahindra. And then the Kioti DK45S is financially right where we had originally set our comfort zone's upper limit, so it'd be following the "get the biggest tractor you can afford" mantra. We like its controls and ergonomics (although the MF is better in that regard i think.) It is a BIG tractor though
The lift capacity and weight and all that on this puppy are way higher. As we were walking the lot looking at attachments / implements, it was a nice feeling to think that if we'd go with the DK45S, we wouldn't have to worry about the size of the implements, because it would handle them. Peace of mind in that regard is nice. If i compare the total cost of the MF 1533 vs the DK45S over the term of the loan, is DK45S is only slightly more expensive, but it seems like a lot more tractor. The MF 1540 and 1547 would be better comparisons to the DK45S specs-wise, but their price would be higher than the DK45S.
So, which one to pick? We're torn, and we'll be hashing over this some more over the next few days i'm sure. Do you guys have any input on these choices / brands / models? When is big too big? Would the 40-45 HP models, which are on a bigger frame, become too cumbersome you think? Is there such a thing as too heavy? Is there a practicality to consider here when it comes to size & weight, or is bigger almost always better? How does MF compare to Kioti in general, quality-wise for example? People here seem to really like their Kiotis, although there seem to have been some issues with quality & service for some? The Kioti dealer is the furthest away from us, and would charge us $2/loaded mile to transport the tractor for us for service etc, which would add up to probably $200-$250 per round trip or so. We don't mind changing oil etc ourselves, but if there are repairs that need to be done, we'd have to take it in to the dealer. On the flip side, Kioti has the longest and what appears to be best warranty out of them all. The MF dealer is slightly closer by than the Kioti one. I imagine they'd also charge a fee to transport the tractor for service. The Mahindra dealer is closest, and would transport the tractor for free for service.
You have proven to provide insightful feedback, so if you have some more based on all this, please feel free to share again
