OP
CaptainKarl
New member
Thanks for the responses so far. Both tractors have 3 range HST, looking back I see I did not say CK3510H. Actually both dealers do not stock anything but HST's in this size range, but are happy to order one for you. The Kubota has a single "rocker" type control, the Kioti one pedal for forward, one for reverse. I can see pluses and minuses to either, but am sure whichever I got used to would work fine for me.
I "fit" on both tractors just fine and both have a fairly flat area for my size 14 boots. It's close, but I think I like the way the Kioti feels a bit better, but having spent less than 15 minutes on either one, don't know that is enough to project how either will feel after an afternoon of using them.
The Kioti has a larger turning radius by about a foot, which may not be a good thing while maneuvering amongst the trees. I think it's longer as well, but since one has the measurement with the 3PH, and the other without, not sure. Ground clearance is ~1" better on the Kubota.
I've seen lots of posts on here talking about getting a dealer you like, I do like both of them for a variety of reasons. I've also read (and agree), that if you think the tractor you are looking at is going to be at the dealers often enough to worry about the drive, don't buy it. Someone posted a Dealer Survey here on TBA on outdoor power equipment including tractors and Kioti (from a dealers viewpoint) comes in a pretty close second to #1 Kubota.
Pretty darn sure both have SSQA, I specifically asked at Kioti, I think Kubota has their own QA (do they?), so not 100% on which one it had. Have read arguments regarding positioning (Kioti) vs 1/4 inching valve hydraulics (Kubota), but even after reading the threads not smart enough to know if one would work better for me than the other, or honestly how I would use either.
Given how I initially intend to use it, the only other attachment I can see is perhaps a box blade and/or some forks - the kind that just attach to the bucket, at least until I learn more about whichever one I end up buying can do. The "yard" is filled with ruts, dips and holes, enough to make me want to do something about it! Box blade the best tool for this? I am also sure that as soon as I get it and start using it, I will look for more things do to with it. The wife wants to put up a fence where the road/driveway makes a 180 Northwest of the house, and asked if I was going to buy an augur to put in the posts. Told her I would borrow/rent things like that that I cannot see using fairly regularly.
I do not personally know anyone who owns or has owned a Kioti, most of what you see around here is Kubota, with a sprinkling of most of the rest of the brands. Only one guy I work with claims to have "inside" knowledge about Kioti. (He claims to have the most valuable insight no matter what the subject though). He basically told me Kioti was junk, and stay away from them, going on to say Kioti was so bad with their dealers that they stopped selling Kiotis. Contrary to what the dealer survey showed... Reading here I can't find any major, systemic complaints about Kioti, but on the 3350 I just read the other night about an ongoing problem with Kubota and the tier 4 engine they have in it. No doubt in my mind they will solve that problem, and may already be a thing of the past. I've gotta believe they do want to keep their #1 status with their target market.
I am sure both are good companies, and will try to make things right for the end customer. I've spent some serious time in South Korea (work), and have found them to be one of the most prompt, courteous and customer service oriented peoples I've ever dealt with. I also have little doubt Kioti would be happy to replace Kubota as #1 in the market. They do build good stuff, as do the Japanese.
As to keeping this one for a long time, I know I might trade it in later, but given what I do, I only have 4 more years of current income levels so finding the closest to "perfect" size and capability tractor that will last a decade plus is important to me. Upgrading, or trading may or may not be very doable in the not too distant future.
I "fit" on both tractors just fine and both have a fairly flat area for my size 14 boots. It's close, but I think I like the way the Kioti feels a bit better, but having spent less than 15 minutes on either one, don't know that is enough to project how either will feel after an afternoon of using them.
The Kioti has a larger turning radius by about a foot, which may not be a good thing while maneuvering amongst the trees. I think it's longer as well, but since one has the measurement with the 3PH, and the other without, not sure. Ground clearance is ~1" better on the Kubota.
I've seen lots of posts on here talking about getting a dealer you like, I do like both of them for a variety of reasons. I've also read (and agree), that if you think the tractor you are looking at is going to be at the dealers often enough to worry about the drive, don't buy it. Someone posted a Dealer Survey here on TBA on outdoor power equipment including tractors and Kioti (from a dealers viewpoint) comes in a pretty close second to #1 Kubota.
Pretty darn sure both have SSQA, I specifically asked at Kioti, I think Kubota has their own QA (do they?), so not 100% on which one it had. Have read arguments regarding positioning (Kioti) vs 1/4 inching valve hydraulics (Kubota), but even after reading the threads not smart enough to know if one would work better for me than the other, or honestly how I would use either.
Given how I initially intend to use it, the only other attachment I can see is perhaps a box blade and/or some forks - the kind that just attach to the bucket, at least until I learn more about whichever one I end up buying can do. The "yard" is filled with ruts, dips and holes, enough to make me want to do something about it! Box blade the best tool for this? I am also sure that as soon as I get it and start using it, I will look for more things do to with it. The wife wants to put up a fence where the road/driveway makes a 180 Northwest of the house, and asked if I was going to buy an augur to put in the posts. Told her I would borrow/rent things like that that I cannot see using fairly regularly.
I do not personally know anyone who owns or has owned a Kioti, most of what you see around here is Kubota, with a sprinkling of most of the rest of the brands. Only one guy I work with claims to have "inside" knowledge about Kioti. (He claims to have the most valuable insight no matter what the subject though). He basically told me Kioti was junk, and stay away from them, going on to say Kioti was so bad with their dealers that they stopped selling Kiotis. Contrary to what the dealer survey showed... Reading here I can't find any major, systemic complaints about Kioti, but on the 3350 I just read the other night about an ongoing problem with Kubota and the tier 4 engine they have in it. No doubt in my mind they will solve that problem, and may already be a thing of the past. I've gotta believe they do want to keep their #1 status with their target market.
I am sure both are good companies, and will try to make things right for the end customer. I've spent some serious time in South Korea (work), and have found them to be one of the most prompt, courteous and customer service oriented peoples I've ever dealt with. I also have little doubt Kioti would be happy to replace Kubota as #1 in the market. They do build good stuff, as do the Japanese.
As to keeping this one for a long time, I know I might trade it in later, but given what I do, I only have 4 more years of current income levels so finding the closest to "perfect" size and capability tractor that will last a decade plus is important to me. Upgrading, or trading may or may not be very doable in the not too distant future.
