How reliable is Kioti e.g. compared with Kabota?

[CPM]

Seems like Kabota are being a bit more aggressive on pricing down-under. The MX5100 is a very good price at the moment.

The Kioti I'm considering is not much cheaper it turns out BUT the Cab version seems good value - unfortunately I bit too much over my budget!

Given the choice I'd feel more comfortable with the Kabota unless I could wrangle the cab in a super bargain...

 

[Coyote machine]

BTW, Its Kubota. Second, it is impossible to compare one tractor brand to another in a generalized way. One has to compare the specific features of one line to another as best one can and take into account overall dependability of a specific unit in one company to a specific unit in another. Companies do this to make the decision and comparison difficult; maybe not purposefully, but so an exact comparison is unable to be made. One sees this with cars all day long. With a tractor I suggest figuring out what you really NEED from your tractor, then select the particular features, HST vs. gear/shuttle, loader capacity, 3PH category, etc. etc. Look at local dealers of tractors available and select the one with the best fit for you as an individual, taking into account price point, dealer service reputation, financing options, etc. For some brand loyalty is important, for others its all about green, red, orange, or something else that distinguishes the tractor for the person who owns it.

 

[kiotiken]

I apologize. I was summing it up. But you did not directly say "nicer"



Kioti is definatally going to be less expensive than a comparable kubota with similar features. It is just the way things work. Kioti is the "new" kid on the block. They havent been around long enough to make their name as well known. Kubota was in the same boat 15 years or so ago. They HAVE to be priced less than deere, CNH, kubota, et al. or they wouldnt sell many tractors.

That is not to take anything away. They are good tractors with MANY happy customers. But along with that, they will grow, and become as well known as kubota and deere. And then you will see them all priced in the same ballpark.

Actually, Daedong started in 1947, then started building tractors in 1968. It wasn't until 1993 (19 yrs for those of us who don't consider 1993 to be a long time ago :laughing that they came to North America. So even if Kubota has been selling tractors in North America a lot longer (1968), both are well established, long running companies. I agree, Kioti will continue to gain market share and be considered more main stream. I think that would have come easier to them with a better name choice and slogan and their PR needs serious improvement. They make great tractors and that's what's important in the end.

 

[SSdoxie]

Actually, Daedong started in 1947, then started building tractors in 1968. It wasn't until 1993 (19 yrs for those of us who don't consider 1993 to be a long time ago :laughing that they came to North America. So even if Kubota has been selling tractors in North America a lot longer (1968), both are well established, long running companies. I agree, Kioti will continue to gain market share and be considered more main stream. I think that would have come easier to them with a better name choice and slogan and their PR needs serious improvement. They make great tractors and that's what's important in the end.

:thumbsup:
Some years ago Daedong had a joint venture with Kubota, building tractors for Kubota. I wonder how many of old Kubotas that helped build the reputation were actually built by Daedong.

 

[lilranch2001]

I wanted a Kubota when I first started tractor shopping, then decided there were some parts of the Kubota design I did not care for looked around at 5 different makes and ended up with a Bobcat due to the robust design

 

[malk315]

I didn't believe the story about the joint venture between daedong and kubota but found this via google:

The “other” Orange Tractor. Kioti. | OrangeTractorTalks

 

[TractorTidy]

Daedong also had a joint venture w/ ford (tractors) in the early 70s'.
Kioti tractors actually came to the US in '86 through a distributor but then Daedong USA was formed in'93.

Daedong has benn building engines since late 50's early 60's. They build all of their own diesel engines today w/ the exception of Perkins in the 75 and 90 models.

 

[art]

I didn't believe the story about the joint venture between daedong and kubota but found this via google:

The 登ther Orange Tractor. Kioti. | OrangeTractorTalks

There is history with the two brands and it is hard to follow. Did you ever look at a Kioti LB1914? The dash looks to be fresh out of a L-series 2250 as well as the hood releases. The engine is the size of the b-series and the rear, that looks like an old L series.
About two months ago a poster had replaced his Kioti engine with a Kubota and it bolted right in!

Seems to me they sure do keep teasing them if they are copying them. What a compliment!

 

[malk315]

A buddy of mine and I first started following Kioti back in 2000 or so w/ the DK series and around that time the CK20 came out.

We lurked on TBN for 6 years until I finally bought a new CK-20 in 2006!
Same year he bought a Kubota B7510

If you search for posts by me you'll see some side-by-side pictures of those two tractors.

Here's what made me lean toward Kioti:

- With the loader down, it looks like the operator has better view of what he's scooping or whatever w/ the Kioti design over the kubota (loader arms much closer to hood -- Kubota's arms wide out from hood

- Kubota's front wheels are closer together. My thought w/ a heavy load in bucket you would want wider spread of front wheels which Kioti CK-20 has over B7510

- Kubota loader didn't have as high of reach -- you can see in one of my pictures how much higher the kioti loader could reach for dumping in a typical Ford F-series dump body or pickup.

- Kioti weighs more than 7510. At that time Kubota didn't really have a direct compare in weight if I remember correctly.

- Once I demoed the DMM-60 deck, I wanted to take it home... a week later I did!

- A lot has changed since I compared the B7510 to the CK-20 6 years ago, so don't read into the above. Kubotas loaders look a lot more like the curved designs NH and Kioti CK have been using. Not sure if they narrowed the distance between arms which I think helps a lot with "looking around" the arms to see what the bucket is doing etc.

As far as reliability goes, 6 years of watching TBN forums from 2000-2006 I decided Kioti had no more issues than other major brands -- I knew if I took care of my CK-20 it would last. When Harvard Power took on Kioti I saw they serviced Gehl Excavators so I figured they'd have no problem w/ hydraulic and diesel work on Kioti. I've had my CK-20 now for 6 years and 350 hours w/ no major problems. I've had dealers come in go (Harvard was gone w/in a couple year) but with Upper Valley having a presence in Swansea, NH I'm all set as far as having one of the best dealers around to keep my machine going.

 

[dennis52]

Hi All

Am considering a Kioti (after almost going with a Kabota) and asked a related question in another thread. One member said I should compare reliability with Kioti and Kabota.

Anyone had any experience with both or a general knowledge of their comparative reliability?

My 30 year old Kubota has been very reliable , as has my 250 hour Kioti .

Ask me in ten years :laughing:

You will get a much better price on the Kioti packages in Australia.