Buying Advice Kubota or Kioti or Mahindra or LS or McCormick????

[RAYJAY]

I was on a budget when I bought and had to choose between brakes and a horn. Since some things won't jump out of the way when honked at, I opted for the brakes.

On a more serious note, after owning a Kubota for 10 years - bought new and excellent tractor - I DID consider 3 other brands when shopping in 2012. I would have bought a Kioti, Bobcat or Mahindra without worrying about the quality or reliability.

Maybe the LS is OK now, but after having problems with the Montana at work, I did rule that out. Our Montana made a few trips to the dealer to get it running reliably. One of our guys managed to smash the instrument panel and it was months till we were able to get a new one. Not LS's fault it was broken, but the parts system let us down.

We removed the loader to make the tractor shorter for some work in a small area and reinstalled it afterward. That was a major chore. It required two husky guys, big hammer, drill, new pin and lots of grunts and groans. We decided it will NEVER be removed again as long as we own it. Both the old and new Kubotas of mine only took about a minute for off and a minute back on and very little effort.

but the Montana tractor was built for Montana company just like bobcat was built by kioti, using bobcat spec loader. the loader ect ect was spec out by Montana not LS

had a kubota before this tractor ( about 15 years )and would never go back to kubota there dealers suck in my area .... parts are way over priced and really it just was not a great tractor for the $$$

 

[PWM3rd]

Does any one have any idea on cost for a FEL and install for Kubota B3200 HSD? Thanks.

 

[TSO]

I was on a budget when I bought and had to choose between brakes and a horn. Since some things won't jump out of the way when honked at, I opted for the brakes.

On a more serious note, after owning a Kubota for 10 years - bought new and excellent tractor - I DID consider 3 other brands when shopping in 2012. I would have bought a Kioti, Bobcat or Mahindra without worrying about the quality or reliability.

Maybe the LS is OK now, but after having problems with the Montana at work, I did rule that out. Our Montana made a few trips to the dealer to get it running reliably. One of our guys managed to smash the instrument panel and it was months till we were able to get a new one. Not LS's fault it was broken, but the parts system let us down.

We removed the loader to make the tractor shorter for some work in a small area and reinstalled it afterward. That was a major chore. It required two husky guys, big hammer, drill, new pin and lots of grunts and groans. We decided it will NEVER be removed again as long as we own it. Both the old and new Kubotas of mine only took about a minute for off and a minute back on and very little effort.

I can agree with this to a degree (regarding the long term quality question of LS). Truth is, I have no idea how this LS tractor will hold up over time. What I CAN say is that initial quality is as good or better than the other tractors I compared. That's my opinion of course...

Time will tell. I use my tractor as hard or harder than most people I know (including this forum) ... So if it's capable of breaking, or has a factory design defect, I'll be the one to find it

 

[Hdoilcan]

I'll give you a smoking deal on my ck35 hst, dual hydraulic remotes, top and tilt, hooks welded on the bucket, 51 hours. Bought new in November 2012.

Private message me what that smoking deal might be. I might be interested. Also why are you selling it?

 

[TomSeller]

These are all good brands. My personal preference in this size range would be (in order):

Kubota
Deere
LS
Mahindra
McCormick

 

[Coyote machine]

Check out all the standard features that come included with the Kioti DK-40~50HP tractors. For instance, horn, 4x4 light, rubber padded OP station, suspension seat, rear 3PH lever control, FEL QA, telescoping 3PH arms, 4 cylinder Daedong diesel engine, draft control, 1 rear remote set, locking differential, etc, etc.
Much of what comes standard is extra $$$ in other brands, if available at all. Kioti offers a 4 year warranty, not 2 or 3.
I have had 2 kiotis since 2009. First was a DK-35se/hst with KB-2485 backhoe, which was a great 35 HP CUT. I now have over 700 hours on my 2010 DK-40 which has the extra 1700# FEL lift capacity I didn't know I would need until I put 350 hard hours on the 3 cylinder DK-35, then traded it up to the DK-40.
The 40 does everything I need it to on my 25 acres of two ponds, 2 houses and huge barn, with woods, streams, hills and gullies, etc. See my list of attachments. I have broken winch cables hauling entire trees out of my woods, and other things that defy most small tractors ability.
I can assure you my DK is strong as OX, heavy enough like bear, and reliable as most any machine made today for a decent overall price. You decide what gets you the most bang for your buck(s).

 

[Mike476]

Great to have the perspective of people who own the brands you're looking; as some have said they all make good lines of tractors. It really depends on what size / HP range of tractor you're looking at for your property.

I just went through almost two years of shopping myself, tested every make within a 2 hour drive of my location. Had a HP / weight range in mind and although I own and old MF135 I wasn't going to be brand loyal, I wanted to look at everything that was out there.

If I was going to stay in the 40-50 HP range, either the Kioti DK or Landini I series would have been my choice. Likely the Landini because in my neck of the woods they are, for the cab version, close to $3K cheaper for essentially an identical tractor.

Once I moved up to the 50-60 HP range, for my price range, I found myself looking at the MF 1600 series, now being replaced by the 1700 series with tier IV diesels. Reason, price and ergonomics, again in my neck of the woods you can't beat the price. Especially if you consider the equine program rebates available today for them.

Not sure how much seat time you have been able to invest yet, best advice I can offer is get out there and play around the dirt piles most dealerships have, find out what you like / don't like. Ergonomics are important, there are controls you will find intuitive and there are those you will find bother you.

Good luck!

 

[TomSeller]

Once I moved up to the 50-60 HP range, for my price range, I found myself looking at the MF 1600 series, now being replaced by the 1700 series with tier IV diesels. Reason, price and ergonomics, again in my neck of the woods you can't beat the price. Especially if you consider the equine program rebates available today for them.

I have heard some really good reviews on the larger MF tractors. I have not heard much one way or the other on the smaller. They are a great long time brand.

 

[TSO]

I like the MF brand also. If I had the cash and could afford it, my goal would be to buy the biggest HST tractor available. That would limit the choices to the Kub L5740, and the MF1658... The Mahindra 5035, and maybe a few select others that I haven't found yet.

I'm a tractor guy much the same as I'm a car guy ... I'd own 10 or more if I could afford it. I'm an enthusiast regardless of brand, color, etc.

But for my needs, 47hp does the job, and under $22k for my LS sure fits the bill.

As a side note ... call a Massey what it is: Iseki.

 

[Mike476]

As a side note ... call a Massey what it is: Iseki.

Not many brands of tractors these days are manufacturing machines solely from their own parts, but that goes for just about anything for that matter in todays world. What upsets me is the difference in price one label will ask when another, using identical components, asks considerably more. Difficult to be an informed consumer today, especially if you are the type who purchases on a whim.