Bobcat CT230 and Kioti CK30 side-by-side comparo

[dfkrug]

So did you want me to have a Kioti rep stop by to set ya up.

Since you mention it, I once considered a dealership with one of the
companies with good machines but limited dealers: TYM, LG-Montana,
Mahindra. I talked with all 3 companies and what turned me off was that
their is little profit in selling the tractors, and I did not want to obligate
myself to having to repair anyone's machine of that brand. I did not
even consider Kioti because they had been established for longer than
the above newbies. There was also little understanding of my limited
non-AG market here.

Then I met an out-of-state Kioti dealer who gave me a good deal.

 

[wallace]

Since you mention it, I once considered a dealership with one of the
companies with good machines but limited dealers: TYM, LG-Montana,
Mahindra. I talked with all 3 companies and what turned me off was that
their is little profit in selling the tractors, and I did not want to obligate
myself to having to repair anyone's machine of that brand. I did not
even consider Kioti because they had been established for longer than
the above newbies. There was also little understanding of my limited
non-AG market here.

Then I met an out-of-state Kioti dealer who gave me a good deal.

So someone out there does understand what we go through

 

[dfkrug]

So someone out there does understand what we go through

Oh, you bet, WALLACE. I really feel for the Kioti dealers who not only have
to compete with the bigger brands (JD, Kubota, CNH), but then run up
against Bobcat selling some tractors below cost.

To run a biz with a full time working owner and one employee, one can not
count on selling tractors for only $1000 or less profit, unless you sold
more than 150 units per year. You would still have to make most of your
income on service, and that is hard, too.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I
I have certainly met many rich people, and I have no envy of them.

I have worked for some very wealthy people.(billionaires) I don't think that I would want to have to deal with all the stuff that they must have to deal with. I will say though that they have been great to work for. Not horrible to work for like the people that think that they are rich & try to act like they are.

Myself, I am rich, just not monetarily.

 

[dfkrug]

I went to the World AG Expo earlier this month and met with Bobcat's
western technical rep. He was able to get some resolution of my
technical issue with my CT230.

I also asked about PDF versions of the service manual and parts book.
They are available and I could see them on his laptop....they ARE
considerably different from Kioti's manuals. I have the Kioti equivalents
on paper, and they have room for improvement, IMO.

My Bobcat dealer emailed me a few days ago and they will sell me a
PDF file of the parts book for $82, plus tax and shipping. So a PARTS
book is about $100, more than 3x what Deere charges for their PDF parts
CDs. Outrageous. And JDParts shows parts online for free.

I have no quotation for the service manual, paper or PDF. Anyone
buy one?

 

[dfkrug]

My early (2005) CK30 came with a 2-speed rear PTO. I don't use it,
so I hardly noticed that the Bobcat CT2xx has only the 540RPM PTO.
The control lever is locked out of the 1000RPM position.

I wonder....do the current Kioti CK27/30/35s have only one speed like
the Bobcats?

 

[Gittyup]

I have a 2006 CK25. It shows 2 speeds and the lever goes into both. But, I've never actually looked to see if the spindle is spinning faster in the 1000 rpm position. I acutally have the stop nut set so I don't accidentally put it into the high rpm setting.