Comparison New purchase down to two choices

   / New purchase down to two choices #1  
N

Nothern

New member
Joined
Nov 2, 2013
Messages
6
Location
Maine
Tractor
Kioti DK40SE HST
Hello all, I have been lurking and learning here for a while so I have all of you to thank for giving a novice a free education. Due to a variety of reasons it is crunch time and I am hoping to get a few opinions or insights before I make a decision. Because of what I have learned here and the proximity of the dealer I was set on a new (non-t4 compliant) Kioti DK40SE HST. Then a flash of green caught my eye - a local auto shop owner is selling his 2006 JD 4320 with 400cx FEL with bucket and fork and only 210 hrs for $23k. So much for well made plans! The Kioti with everything minus the fork will run just shy of 25k before tax. I will be using a rotary cutter on a couple acres, maintaining a 200yd driveway including snow removal (no blower required), but the biggest job will be trail maintenance and tree/brush removal on many acres of hilly forested terrain so I will probably purchase a grapple in the near future.

I know both are very capable machines that I will be happy to own. Unfortunately that isn't making the decision any easier! what I need is an owner's perspective so I thank you in advance for any insights or opinions.
 
   / New purchase down to two choices #2  
:welcome: Any Remotes on the green?
 
   / New purchase down to two choices #3  
Well, a hard choice. The JD has more horsepower and is a full featured tractor. the Kioti has a 4 year warranty, and is a full featured tractor with a little less horsepower. The 210 hours is not of great concern, My Kioti has that many in a year and a half. I guess it boils down to how well the JD was maintained, how you like the dealers, and how important a warranty is to you. I can tell you the Kioti is a great tractor, but I believe that JD probably is too. Like I said, hard choices.

James K0UA
 
   / New purchase down to two choices #4  
I had a very similar decision. A member here was selling his gently used JD 4520, which was very nicely equipped. I narrowed down my other choices to the Kioti DK50SE. The 4520 and the Kioti were about the same price. Eventually, two things helped my decision.

First, the closest JD dealer is about 30 miles from me and I have no relationship with them. The Kioti dealer is less than 10 and I've shopped there before. Secondly, the JD had no warranty. The Kioti is new with a full 4 year warranty. I chose the Kioti.

The good news for you is that you probably can't make a "bad" decision here. Either tractor will probably be great. The JD has more power than the Kioti, but less weight. You generally run out of traction before power, so I don't know how much of that extra power would ever be realized in actual use. I suggest driving both of them as much as they will let you.

Also, figure out which JD dealer you would use for repair work and check on their reputation vs. the Kioti dealer's reputation.
 
   / New purchase down to two choices
  • Thread Starter
#5  
I would have to add one remote on the JD for the grapple.

James, good point and it is why I still may lean toward the Kioti since I have no relationship with the JD dealer and as a first time tractor owner might want the level of support a new purchase earns.
 
   / New purchase down to two choices
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Pappy, my thoughts exactly. Good to know about traction before power. That is the info I was looking for. So, not such a hard decision after all...unless someone from JD wants to make a bid. Now let's hope the test ride goes well. I will let you know what I decide.
 
   / New purchase down to two choices #7  
Nothern said:
I would have to add one remote on the JD for the grapple.

James, good point and it is why I still may lean toward the Kioti since I have no relationship with the JD dealer and as a first time tractor owner might want the level of support a new purchase earns.
Click to expand...

Well if you have to add a remote to the JD, it will be expensive. That will negate some of the savings.
 
   / New purchase down to two choices #8  
k0ua said:
Well if you have to add a remote to the JD, it will be expensive. That will negate some of the savings.
Click to expand...

Good point. Nothern, if you want to use a grapple, you will have to either (a) add a 3rd function to the FEL, or (b) have a rear remote and run hydraulic lines from the rear remote to the front of the FEL. The Kioti comes with one set of remotes and you can have your dealer add a second set for only $500 - $600. (My dealer charged $600; others have reported paying $500.) I think adding one set of rear remotes to the JD is over $1,000, but I'm not certain.

If you buy the Kioti, I highly recommend getting a 2nd set of remotes. I did, and I'm already wishing I had gotten a 3rd set too. I use one set for the grapple, and will someday soon buy a hydraulic top link from a member here (MtViewRanch). I would be nice to have both of those and still have another set available.
 
   / New purchase down to two choices #9  
I like Orange, so give these two as a choice, I'd go with the Kioti. :cool:
 
   / New purchase down to two choices
  • Thread Starter
#10  
What are the situations where I would want a second set? if backhoe and grapple on at the same time?
 
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