Massey Ferguson vs Kioti?

[Valorum]

What are, in your opinion, the pros and cons of these brands compared to each other? Quality? Experiences with customer service and warranty? Resale value? Other considerations?

Specifically: Because of our budget and financing needs we're looking at a MF 1533 / 1540 vs a Kioti DK45S. Below is our comparison. Is there anything we missed in our comparisons? Are there any things that you would weigh heavier than others in your decision?

1533/1540: Not as powerful, big, heavy. Can't lift as much (1900 vs 2800). Better / more positive feedback on the controls. Platform feels roomier, easier to get on / off. FEL joystick not on platform floor, so more floor space. (Again, my big feet...) No rear hydraulics, no 3PH remote. Seat sits lower, slightly less comfortable for my 6'6 frame.

Dk45S: Bigger, heavier, more powerful, can lift more (2800 vs 1900). Should be able to pull big mowers etc. Auto-leveling loader. Rear hydraulics standard. 3PH remote standard. FEL joystick and brake pedals leave little space around throttle pedal (concern with my big feet ). Controls a little mushy, lack of positive feedback. With ROPs up, too high to fit under overhang around the barn, so a risk of someday forgetting that and damaging part of the roof. Very heavy, risk of damage to pastures / lawn?

Price:
1533 = $19,440, $270/mo
1540 = $21,168, $294/mo
Dk45S = $21,700, $301/mo

MF dealer: Almost an hour away. Dedicated tractor dealer. Does both Kubota and MF. Has lots of tractors on lot. Free setup and delivery. During off-season, free pickup and delivery for service, during hot season $50. Can get parts next day. Will take parts of new tractor if necessary to keep us going. Will provide rental tractor in case of warranty work.

Kioti dealer: Almost hour and a half away from us. Seems like a fairly small place, not a lot of tractors. Does mostly other equipment (smaller scale, like mowers etc?) and yard stuff. Charges delivery, setup. Charges for pickup / delivery for service ($2/loaded mile, so $250 or so.)

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

That sounds like the Kioti dealer about 2 hours from me - which is why I went with a different red tractor... I looked at the 1533 3 years back - this time around the MF dealership in the area didn't have any on hand and couldn't tell me when he might be able to get another one in. Where are you and what other brands do you have nearby?

 

[jimmyj]

The dealer is really important. Technically speaking, I would go with the Kioti if the dealers were identical. Note, you will hit the barn overhang for sure one day. Both are good machines. If the massey guy does Kubota too the best of the bunch is probably a Kubota.

I bought a Kioti because i could not afford an equivalent Kubota and would not buy one of the "economy" Kubotas. I'm happy with the Kioti - I have size 121/2 feet and the operator platform is no problem (6'3" tall).

 

[rimshot]

Sounds like you might be steering towards the Massey Ferguson which is a good unit. How about this comparison that perhaps you are overlooking, isn't the warranty on the Kioti 4 years as opposed to 3 yrs for the MF?

I sure like my Kioti and the dealer has been very conscientious about the sale, delivery and service. The design and workmanship of my small Kioti is excellent.

rim

 

[Valorum]

We are in NW Georgia. Others around are Mahindra and Kubota, they are both closer. See this thread for more information about our situation and evaluating those options if you are interested. Because we are financing, and because of our budget, these 3 tractors seem to be the best options for the money. All three offer 0% for 72 months, which makes it hard for the others to compete for our particular needs etc.

I have size 121/2 feet and the operator platform is no problem

I noticed in your sig you have a CK30 HST. We drove the CK27 and CK35, both shuttle and HST. The room was not as big a problem. On the DK45S though, there was less room, and it felt my foot just barely fit between the brakes pedals and the FEL joystick.

perhaps you are overlooking, isn't the warranty on the Kioti 4 years as opposed to 3 yrs for the MF?

I took that into consideration as well. The Kioti warranty certainly seems to cover more / longer, which is certainly worth something. If the dealer is not as good though, maybe the warranty is worth less?

The toss-up for us is that the MF seems to have slightly better controls (better feedback) and from the looks of it better support from the dealer, while the Kioti has more power and a few extra features. Also, the MF dealer has 3 locations in the area, while the Kioti seems to be a small independent shop type of place, and other Kioti dealers are much further away.

I was curious if there is a quality difference between the brands for example.

 

[rickster]

I was looking at kioti and it was a smaller dealer. One day they closed up and that was the end of kioti for me. Not many kioti dealers here in MI

 

[JiminGa]

I was looking at kioti and it was a smaller dealer. One day they closed up and that was the end of kioti for me. Not many kioti dealers here in MI

That's my concern with buying Kioti. I looked at selling my JD for a Kioti the other day, and honestly it seemed to be built like a tank and has tons of features, but, what happens in 2.5years when you break something and that dealer is long gone? parts networks/dealer support is why you pay extra for the major brands.

 

[jimmyj]

Were not Kioti purchased by Bobcat?

 

[rimshot]

I was looking at kioti and it was a smaller dealer. One day they closed up and that was the end of kioti for me. Not many kioti dealers here in MI

===================

Well, it's true. There are not too many Kioti dealers in Michigan but there are fewer in Wisconsin. Living in the U.P. I could have gone either way because after my research, I still wanted a Kioti. They were just built so solid and I felt better specs and owner feedback for models I compared.

So, I found a dealer in Morrice known as Michigan Iron. After checking out small Kubota's and comprable MF's. Michigan Iron offered to bring a ck20 up so I could try it out. A year later and 317 hours on my CK20 including digging stumps and ditches with back hoe as well as tackling tons of Michigan U.P.snows with my tractor and blower and I don't regret my decision in purchasing the Kioti one bit. Sure I took a leap of faith and the climate right now must be hard on on compact tractor dealers but my money says if we can all get through this recession it will bode well for our dealers of course. But I say Kioti comes out one of the top units and therefore will have it's day in the sun. From my experience so far, it's just a tough little tractor and most of the owner's I have talked to feel the same. Check one out and see for yourself. Sorry if I sound like a paid spokesman because I'm really not. But he asked and that's my story.

jimmyj: No, Bobcat did not purchase Kioti but Kioti builds Bobcat's compact tractor line. If you buy a Bobcat, you are getting a Kioti with a white paint job and the name BobCat on the hood.

What ever unit you decide on, the best to you. I'm sure the Massey is a nice tractor also.

rim

 

[Gittyup]

Kioti has been in the U.S. market since like 1986 and growing bigger each year. They are likely here to stay. Dealers for all makes come and go. If the one closes that you deal with, there will just about always be another with in a reasonable distance.