Kioti vs. Bobcat prices

[OldOrange]

I was just offered a new Bobcat CT230HST with loader and R4 tires delivered for $17,600. The dealer said there are about 120 differences between the Bobcat and the Kioti CK30HST, but that only about 5 of them were of real interest to a prospective purchaser. They include the faster operating Rhino loader (He also said that the Kioti capacity specs for the loader are tech specs, not operating specs and that the front axle on both is only rated for 1200lbs). The Bobcat has a sealed electrical system, Kioti does not. The suspension seat is a Bobcat fully adjustable seat, like on the skid steers and the muffler has a spark arrestor.

The Bobcat dealer is about 20 miles from my house and the nearest Kioti dealer is over 100 miles away. Also, the Bobcat dealer said they had to purchase a full maintenance parts inventory before they could get their first tractor.

Now the question. Is this a good price, or do you think a Kioti dealer could beat it by enough to make the difference in distance worth the money?

[mark.r]

Interesting video . . . I didn't know Daedong had dealers in the states.

Bobcat enters compact tractor market with new CT Series | National Farm Machinery Show

[TBDonnelly]

Originally Posted by OldOrange

(He also said that the Kioti capacity specs for the loader are tech specs, not operating specs and that the front axle on both is only rated for 1200lbs).

Several years ago, I researched the front axle capacity for the Kioti CK25/30. The info had come right from Kioti/Daedong. It was much more than 1200 lbs. I'm looking for the exact numbers but have not come up with them yet.

Don

[davitk]

I was quoted 17,100 for the same set up last December. Same Kioti was 15,900. Prices seem to have gone up after the first of the year, so the Bobcat price does not seem out of line.

[dfkrug]

Originally Posted by TBDonnelly

Several years ago, I researched the front axle capacity for the Kioti CK25/30. The info had come right from Kioti/Daedong. It was much more than 1200 lbs. I'm looking for the exact numbers but have not come up with them yet.

Don

Of course, 1200 lb is ridiculous. The tractor naked weighs either 3058 lb
(brochures) or 3300 lb (service manual). That would put 1500-2000 lb on
the front right there, depending on weight distribution. A full loader will
add as much as 2500 lb MORE to the front. Kioti has always had a tough
time getting the real #s out there.

[mark.r]

Originally Posted by dfkrug

Of course, 1200 lb is ridiculous. The tractor naked weighs either 3058 lb
(brochures) or 3300 lb (service manual). That would put 1500-2000 lb on
the front right there, depending on weight distribution. A full loader will
add as much as 2500 lb MORE to the front. Kioti has always had a tough
time getting the real #s out there.

Yeah I noticed this the other day on the DK90. They have two different weights listed on their website.

[OldOrange]

Thanks all for the replies.

I thought the info on the front axle sounded strange. I am going to the Farm Show in Kansas City on Saturday and will have a chance to talk to the Bobcat reps. If the difference between a Kioti and a Bobcat is over $1500, I will also be checking with the 2 nearest Kioti dealers on their pricing.

[wallace]

Originally Posted by OldOrange

I was just offered a new Bobcat CT230HST with loader and R4 tires delivered for $17,600. The dealer said there are about 120 differences between the Bobcat and the Kioti CK30HST, but that only about 5 of them were of real interest to a prospective purchaser. They include the faster operating Rhino loader (He also said that the Kioti capacity specs for the loader are tech specs, not operating specs and that the front axle on both is only rated for 1200lbs). The Bobcat has a sealed electrical system, Kioti does not. The suspension seat is a Bobcat fully adjustable seat, like on the skid steers and the muffler has a spark arrestor.

The Bobcat dealer is about 20 miles from my house and the nearest Kioti dealer is over 100 miles away. Also, the Bobcat dealer said they had to purchase a full maintenance parts inventory before they could get their first tractor.

Now the question. Is this a good price, or do you think a Kioti dealer could beat it by enough to make the difference in distance worth the money?

Ask the Bobcat dealer a couple of these question if you did not already?
How long is the warranty?
What kind of financing are they offering?
How much weight can their loader lift?

[dfkrug]

Interesting video, Mark.

I have not seen one of the Bobcat CUTs yet, and I missed the World AG
Expo last week. I like to ask the manufacturer's lots of tough questions.

The video alludes to tests performed on the Kiotis by Bobcat and their
decision to fix a few things. I guess that is why they went with the
Rhino loader. That loader has much lower boom supports and no cross
brace over the instrument panel I notice. Interesting.

BTW, all 3 of the Kiotis I bought new and assembled myself are still running
great.

[wallace]

I would also like for the Bobcat dealers to provide the 120 differences between a Kioti and a Bobcat.
As a matter in fact just tell me 50 differences.
I stood their and watched them roll down the assembly line one orange tractor two orange tractor 1 white tractor another orange tractor.
I did not see anyone grabbing from different parts baskets.

I think the only real difference in these tractors are going to be made by the salesman!

O and of coarse the color and loaders and backhoes.