Kioti vs Branson vs JD

[Rowdius]

Well, I'm a few months out from buying some more iron, and have started to narrow my search.

I have six acres of sand and oak trees, and want something in the 25hp-35-hp range, 4x4 and FEL.

Currently I mow, clear brush, light ground work, some tilling on the hacienda, and sometimes do very light dirt work and shredding for hire. I'll probably discontinue the for hire stuff due to diesel prices, and the need for a heavier trailer for any of the tractors I'm about to list.

Today I've looked at:


Kioti CK 30 and CK 35. Both have shuttle shift, 4x4 and KL130 loader. I do not know if the loader has the refit kit. Dealer is about 30 mins from me. He gave me a rough quote of over $18,000 for the CK35, closer to $20K, but he was trying to pressure me to come in before the end of the month for the free loader deal on the CK 35, so that price might come down. I really liked the look and feel of both machines (though I did not actually run either today.) I liked the postion of the loader control, and I've always liked shuttle shift.


Branson 3510i and 2910i. Both have shuttle shift, 4x4 and loader with skid steer style bucket. Dealer is a little over an hour away, is a small dealer, and pretty new to the Branson line. Quoted me for $18,000 for the 3510i that was sititng on the lot, though if he had to order more, the price might be higher. Also told me that it would cost me about $200 extra to have R1s put on the machine, which seems backwards to all my research. Really liked the feel and fit of the machine, reminds me alot of a mini version of a case 580 backhoe... Except I do not like the postion of the loader controls.

JD 3005. Gear, 4x4, 300 loader. Dealer is very establised, and about 30 mins from home. I've ran the 790, so I pretty much know what to expect from the 3005. Wished it had shuttle shift, liked the postion of the loader control. Dealer tried to talk down having rear remotes installed and top and tilt, dunno why. Quoted $15,000.


Overall, I liked how high the Kioti sat (though underneath did not seem as well protected as I liked) I really liked how wide both the Kioti and Bransons are. I know it is not quite fair to compare the JD 3005 to these, but that is what the dealer had. To be fair, I should be comparing to the 3320, which according to Deere.com goes for around $22K with 300 loader. I did not do any haggling on the prices, as that I'm still about three months from making a deal anyway.

Anyway, any thoughts or hands on knowledge of these machines?

[MessickFarmEqu]

If your serious about top and tilt, rear remoes, and crazy accessories your better off sticking to a large establised company. Some of the small guys don't offer things like Top and Tilt, and working that up from scratch is an art. Typicaly you need to be into the moe deluxe series machines to get this, you've been looking here at economeny tractors, so that maybe not be what your after. I'd add a few more to your list. Kubota standar L's, New Holland TC30, and in your are Mahindra typicaly has a descent dealer network so you could check them out also.

[ToadHill]

I looked at all three as well as Kubota, Massey, and even a Nortrack,(jinma) before I bought my Kioti Dk35. I now have over 700 hours on it and am very satisfied with it. I didn't buy a Branson since the dealer was only a lawn tractor and chainsaw guy who decided to sell tractors and had no experience with service. I didn't buy JD since the dealer never showed up as he promised to look at my tradein. I figured that if that was the kind of attention I got when I was in the market, service after the sale would be a joke.

I have worked the Kioti hard on my 87 acres and it hasn't missed a beat.

[Rowdius]

Originally Posted by MessickFarmEqu

If your serious about top and tilt, rear remoes, and crazy accessories your better off sticking to a large establised company. Some of the small guys don't offer things like Top and Tilt, and working that up from scratch is an art. Typicaly you need to be into the moe deluxe series machines to get this, you've been looking here at economeny tractors, so that maybe not be what your after. I'd add a few more to your list. Kubota standar L's, New Holland TC30, and in your are Mahindra typicaly has a descent dealer network so you could check them out also.

True, though the dealer that talking down the top and tilt is very established, big dealership that does lots of work. Of course, it could be that he was hoping to talk me into a larger tractor down the road too.

I've ran several Kubotas, including the L series. They were okay, but not my favorite. I've not ran anything that small in New Holland, though I did like their 150HP + tractors, and their construction equipment has gotten better. I've not considered them or New Holland because I do not care for the local dealer at all. Before everything is over I might give them another try, but it would have to be a really good deal.

There is also a Case house in town, but I've not done enough book work on them yet to seriously consider them. I really like their construction equipment, but CUTs are different critters all together.

Thanks for the ideas!

[mark.r]

I don't think I'd pay close to 20k for a CK35. Maybe that's just me, but I payed right around 21k for my DK45 if I'm not mistaken. I'd have to go back and look at the paper work but at the very least you should be able to get the crowd favorite DK40 for close to that much.

[bluechip]

If your dealer has a CK35 in stock, buy it before the end of the month. the free loader deal is a real deal, hard to beat.

[RollingsFarms]

my vote would also be for the DK35 simply for the free FEL. that's the kind of deal you hardly ever hear of. I don't know much about Kioti, and there isn't a dealer within an hour of me, but from what I've read on TBN from owners they seem to be making a strong headway into the tractor world. I'm not a big fan of the JD 790/3005 simply because the operators station is VERY cramped to me. I'm only 5'9 175lbs if that tells you anything. I would also get a quote on a DK40 and DK45 just to compare. That free FEL on the 35 is going to be hard to turn a deaf ear to though.

[IslandTractor]

Originally Posted by MessickFarmEqu

If your serious about top and tilt, rear remoes, and crazy accessories your better off sticking to a large establised company. Some of the small guys don't offer things like Top and Tilt, and working that up from scratch is an art. Typicaly you need to be into the moe deluxe series machines to get this, you've been looking here at economeny tractors, so that maybe not be what your after. I'd add a few more to your list. Kubota standar L's, New Holland TC30, and in your are Mahindra typicaly has a descent dealer network so you could check them out also.

I do not understand what you are saying Neil. Adding remotes, especially if you have the dealer do it as part of set up is no big deal. NH charges way more than Kioti to add a rear remote or two. So does JD. Not sure about Kubota. My DK40se came with one set of rear remotes standard and the dealer added another for about $300-350. Ordering a top and tilt is trivial and has virtually nothing to do with the brand of tractor involved.

[kudzu04]

I'm very pleased with my NH 1520 both in function and the deal I got.
However, if your not comfortable with the dealer that is all the difference in the world. I believe Case and NH share some CUT series.

[art]

I consider all three about equal in quality so it leaves your choices about even other then the dealer and possible options from the factory.

I do doubt that Kioti's had that much loader trouble that they decided to give away a few loaders to improve the bad reputation that they have with them but maybe that is there current marketing vise.
Check the pricing with someone who bought this spring to see the difference.