Am new to this forum and in similar situation as B52. JD compacts seem to sell on the name (which is the only thing American about them). My experience with JD garden equipment/tractors is they really price up the parts/service. A friend with a fleet of JD compacts has had nothing but problems with his last. I know of nobody unhappy with a Kubota. Just yesterday I visited a Kioti dealer. Seems like a great dealer/shop. I am impressed with the Kioti looking specifically at the CK30 and 35 in manual and HST. Right now I have a Ford 2N and tired of babying it and nickel-diming. Like the frame, though.
Will keep and use present implements... single share plow, 5' bush hog, 5+' 3 pt disk, rear bucket scoop, 6' York rake, 6' rear blade, post hole auger. Want to add FEL, backhoe, tiller and new mower deck.
Have never used HST..... would like to hear about strong preferences one way or another. Any major disadvantages either way? HST does look like an easy rig.
The overall features of Kioti seem as good and better than Kubota. Like quick disconnect loader bucket. Backhoe seems like a good mount system. I think I prefer the LandPride affiliation that Kubota has, though. Kioti does not offer a reverse rotation tiller...only forward. Anyone out there can vouch for the Kioti implements?
I especially like the ruggedness of the Kioti CKs...axle housings seem much better made cast. Overall tractor is about 50% heavier.
Both kubota and Kioti offer front weights. Only Kubota has a
ballast box...would like to consider that rather than filling tires.
Anyone strongly prefer Ag or industrial tires? I garden 2 -3 acres of produce curently. Will use new tractor for grass mowing as JD garden tractor is done for. Don't want to be too harsh on turf but concerned that industrial treads will fill up too easily in loose/wet soil. On the other hand, I treat a lawn as a utility rather than a place to use $K on chemicals...I'd rather eat my dandelions than poison everything.
What about belly vs. rear hitch mower deck? 30 vs. 35 HP?
Yeah...this is loaded with questons and I can probably spend all day researching other posts.
Would appreciate any input!! Ag....