I had never owned a tractor before but really wanted one. When we decided to buy a new house, I had a lot of excavation work to be done. After getting quotes from contractors for stump removal and leveling the site (approx. $8000.00) I decided it was time to start shopping. I spent several weeks looking and pricing. I figured that I was going to have to by used based on my budget. I looked at every used tractor within 100 miles. I couldn't believe the pricey, worn out tractors that were out there. I then started looking at new. After comparing prices, I finally decided I was going to bite the bullet and buy a 30 hp Kubota. While I was negotiating the deal, my wife saw an ad for a used Kioti in a nearby town. I had never even heard of Kioti. We called the seller and asked to look at it. As I pulled up to his house, I saw the tractor sitting in his yard loaded on a trailer. It was love at first site. I looked the tractor over real good and was impressed with the fit, finish and quality. The tractor had only 40 hours on it and was like brand new. It was $2000.00 less than the Kubota. I was especially impressed with the frame mounted backhoe (KB2375). I was ready to deal on it when the seller told me that it also came with a new rototiller, post hole digger, scraper blade, and the new 10,000 pound 18 foot trailer it was sitting on! He even delivered it to me 100 miles to my house the next day.

I have since dug up 28 lodgepole stumps measuring from 10" to 28" diameter trunks, moved 8 dumptruck loads of roadmix, built a driveway, prepped a foundation for the house, moved 4 feet of snow this winter and many, many other jobs including moving items that I could not have without a tractor. I now have 235 hours on the Kioti. I have not had a single problem with the tractor itself. The only expense has been fuel and routine maintence. The backhoe has been great, but I did manage to somehow break the stabilizers at the lower pivot point. Could be beefed up some in my opinion. The only complaint I have had other than that, is the floorboard area. Many times when I am getting on or off the tractor I end up snagging my pant leg on one of the levers near the floor. As I have a bad knee this has at times been a problem for me. I also wished that someone made an enclosed cab for it. Curtis used to make one and discontinued it in 1998.
My tractor is the shuttle shift and I have to say that since I have gotten used to it that I really like it and have gotten pretty efficiant with it.
The 3054 has been made for several years now and obviously has been a good model for them. I can see why. If all the models that Kioti make are this good, the big names have some sweating to do!

Date Purchased: 10/2004
Purchased: Used
Price Paid: US$19000
Pros: Price, service, ease of use, quality.
Cons: Floorboard area cramped, weak stabilizers on backhoe. No enclosed cabs offered.
Rating: