Kioti 551c arrives safely home

[IslandTractor]

Glad to see you made it home safely and that the Weights and Measures guys did not nab you.

Nice looking rig. Let's see some photos once you get it dirty.

 

[Mark Connaughton]

Thanks for the photos. I have the earlier version of this tractor from PJ Callan's, the DK50 and it is a great job. Baled small bale haylage with a mini gallignani baler last Summer and it all worked without a hitch.

 

[Donegal_TDI]

PJ Callan is a great old guy, last of the true Entrepreneurs.
As the sole inporter of Kioti into Ireland he is in a great position to pass on a very good deal to the end user.
I've spent the last week preparing this little tractor for work during the winter, and I'm impressed with the quality of everything front to back, and a lot of care and attention has gone into its design and every little detail.
If it turns out to be reliable, it has to be a great value purchase for anyone out there that needs a tractor of this size.
Compared to what is offered by the major manufacturers, and their ludicrous prices
this has to be the best value on the planet.
Compared to what I paid for this,
from the major manufacturers I couldn't buy even a basic tractor without cab without loader without grab
and that was PLUS taxes (VAT)
The time to buy Kioti is probably now
before Bobcat or another global company buys them out.

I put in my cattle yesterday(Sunday).
I filled the Kioti with diesel and it cut its first blocks of silage effortlessly, despite torrential rain, again.
Plenty of hydraulic pressure to do the job.
Now with a FRONT loader, its great to be able to drive around my cattle yard rather than reverse everywhere as I had a rear mounted silage grab on my other tractor before this.
Will show some more pics of this operation soon.
Best wishes.

 

[IslandTractor]

I agree with your points about quality and value with the Kioti tractor. The analogy that is often used here is to compare Kioti to Hyundai or Samsung. I don't know if Hyundai's are imported to Ireland yet but they are cleaning Toyota's clock here in the States. Similarly, the once powerful Sony is on the ropes thanks to LG and Samsung, both Korean companies. The Korean manufacturers have learned from the Japanese and are now beating them at their own game.

 

[Donegal TDI]

Most well to do farmers here use Toyota Land Cruisers, but Hyundai are hot on their heels. Other favourites are the Isuzu Trooper and Mitsubishi Pajero. Land Rover Defenders should in theory be ideal for farmers but are crude and have reliability issues. For some reason Land Rover can not nail down the build quality that the models from the far east offer. This has always been the case, great in concept but poor execution. Jeeps offerings dont appear to be popular here at all. To road tax a 3 Litre 4x4 here in Ireland is Eur1300, and you have to pay that every year + insurance. To go bigger than 3.0 Litre incurs a yearly tax penalty of over Eur 2000+.

 

[IslandTractor]

Interesting. I actually cannot think of any Korean made SUV/AWD vehicle. I think it is a market segment they just are not in at least in the USA.

 

[CowwFace]

Interesting. I actually cannot think of any Korean made SUV/AWD vehicle. I think it is a market segment they just are not in at least in the USA.

Hey Island,

I think Kia is a South Korean Company... I'm not sure if they make any AWD cars.. but they have one that looks alot like a Lexus (I watch too much TV) ...

Tractor on

 

[Hoosier Hay Man]

PJ
I put in my cattle yesterday(Sunday).
I filled the Kioti with diesel and it cut its first blocks of silage effortlessly, despite torrential rain, again.
Plenty of hydraulic pressure to do the job.
Now with a FRONT loader, its great to be able to drive around my cattle yard rather than reverse everywhere as I had a rear mounted silage grab on my other tractor before this.
Will show some more pics of this operation soon.
Best wishes.

What kind of catlle do you have? I agree it is nice having a loader tractor for the chores on the farm. I like the loader. My Kioti has exceeded my expectations. Keep the pictures coming!:thumbsup:

 

[Donegal_TDI]

Cattle type="Salers"
Number=30

A french breed, all brown, white tip on tail.
Known for calving and mothering performance.
Calves fiesty at birth,
no teat they can't find

Must be treated kindly,
known to be a nervous breed.
Personally, have no problems.

Should get more pictures this weekend.

 

[kenstrac]

Kia is owned by Hyundai, Sorento model made in Korea for Europe and Asia available in gas and diesel.
North American Sorento made in GA. available only in gas.
They come in 2WD,4WD,All wheel drive.