Buying Advice Need tie breaker on Kioti CS2410, CK2510, Kobuta BK25D, or B2601

[paulfun9]

Still not convinced the resale is higher Kubota vs Kioti (models new price vs used price).
I'd need to see proof. Where are you finding it ?

I must agree about not seeing the proof!

I don't see a difference in the used price percentage wise between Kioti and Kubota At least around here with private sales.

 

[murphy1244]

This has been my experience. The HST in my L Grand is vastly superior to my uncles CK25 HST. I release this isn't a fair comparison. The HST in the L3800 is still better. The CK is so bad I would rather have a geared tractor.

I have never been on a CK so I can't say

 

[TheMan419]

Regarding the skid steer stuff.... I know you can get a quick attach bucket on the deer. There exist a part to then convert the deer to accept skid steer attachments. The lift capacity on the deer is only like 600 lbs.

 

[Gittyup]

You have somewhat conflicting requirements for "ideal" performance. With mowing, you want light weight. With a backhoe, you want weight and hydraulic flow. Heavy tractors compact the soil and/or leave ruts. If I were in your shoes, I'd get the biggest heaviest tractor I could afford and a zero-turn or inexpensive lawn tractor for the finish mowing. In the Kioti line, the CK35 is the one to get. The Kubota B's are nice too, especially the cab models.

I own a CK25 gear TLB (bigger than the 2510) and it's a beast for dirt work. I've had it almost 10 years now. But, I wouldn't mow with it. I mow 2 acres with a JD X739. In fact, I use the JD for most "yard" work, like aerating, dethatching, lawn cart, snow removal. But, when I want to dig or move piles of materials, the bigger CK25 is excellent. If you plan on moving any significant material, or do serious digging, you will be disappointed in the smaller machines. Notwithstanding weight, reach is king for backhoe work and the smaller tractors cannot accommodate a big backhoe. Loader breakout force is something else to consider, and if you ever want to load into a truck bed, look at dump height. With the QA buckets, you also give up some lift on the loader. Yet another reason to go as big as you can. If you go too small, your wife is right. You'll be looking to trade up.

You really should test drive the one's of interest. Your gut will tell which is best for you. Quality-wise, I don't see much difference between brands. Looking at my CK, it's hard to imagine where they could improve on quality. It's well made, end-to-end. And the CK line has been around long enough (around 2004 I think was first year) that it is now tried and true while making small improvements over the years.

 

[JFoy]

Gittyup: I have pondered the thought of getting someone to plow the field I bushhog, till it, smooth it, etc. and then just use a zturn mower for both plots. In which case, as someone else mentioned, I wouldn't need the MMM. Tempting but for two acres, to me it would be overkill of equipment. So, putting it all in one package works for me.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Take the 30 minute ride and look at the Mahindras. They're not of less quality than the others.

 

[Gittyup]

Git a 3PH mower for the bigger tractor to mow the field, finish or bush hog. With this setup you won't need to prep the field. Just take it slow at first, until the field is cleaned up good. 3PH mowers are cheaper and easier to put on/take off. Underbelly decks are a PITA to remove/install, and kill your ground clearance. Use a cheap rider for the yard. A separate mower and tractor is not overkill on equipment. You will need to think about attachment storage anyway. If you buy a compromise machine, that's exactly what you will have: not great at mowing or dirt engagement, mediocre at best.

The suggestion to look at Mahindra is a good one too. The MAX 28 is a nice combination of small size with big HP and lift.

 

[wcampbell47]

You have somewhat conflicting requirements for "ideal" performance. With mowing, you want light weight. With a backhoe, you want weight and hydraulic flow. Heavy tractors compact the soil and/or leave ruts. If I were in your shoes, I'd get the biggest heaviest tractor I could afford and a zero-turn or inexpensive lawn tractor for the finish mowing. In the Kioti line, the CK35 is the one to get. The Kubota B's are nice too, especially the cab models.

I have to agree that a TLB would probably be overkill for what you have stated. Too heavy for lawn work and probably would not use it enough to justify purchase cost. I finish mow two acres often with a 6 ft finish mower usually in two hours. I have a 4 foot finish mower (pull behind) that came with my first tractor which I still have. I have a MMM on it and leave it on because it is a pain to hookup. I have no ground clearance with the MMM in place so gardening (or any kind of dirt work) with that tractor is out of the question. It is now basically a dedicated lawn mower. If one tractor is going to do everything then seems IMHO that best course of action is to go all 3 point equipment. I purchased a B3200 in 2012 and considered it to be a top of it's line model. Light enough to do mowing, heavy enough to do dirt work. It had the mid PTO for a MMM mower or other front mounted equipment requiring a PTO. I never did buy a MMM because of the cost. Just used my pull behind finish mower. R4 tires served me well.

I recently rented a B26 TLB for some utility work. While I loved the backhoe I would never consider trying to use it as a general purpose machine because of the extra weight it carries. Test drive the machine of interest. Ask yourself if you could be comfortable in the operators seat for more than an hour at a time. Ease of getting on and off the tractor and ease of changing implements is not something you may be thinking of at this moment. However in 98 degree weather with high humidity these things can take a toll on you very quickly.

Some thought has been given to easing 3 point equipment attaching. Telescoping lift arms, Pat's quick hitch (essentially a hook to lock onto the draw pin of the implement) and the quick hitch. Most new 3 point equipment claims to be quick hitch compatible in some fashion - but in my experience a little adjustment is necessary along the way.

I love the look of a fresh mowed field or an almost perfectly level drive or pad; but sometimes the equipment thing can make those achievements more difficult than need be.

 

[Clipse3GT]

A lot of people are recommending a whole lot of tractor for 2 acres of land to the OP. I think he would be perfectly content with a SCUT or CUT with a MMM, especially now the SCUT's have drive over decks... I would prefer to keep one machine in the garage vs two if they both do / can do the same job.

 

[Garandman]

Spoke on the phone to the John Deere dealer who would be an hour down the road. Very proud of his product and openly arrogant towards the others. Priced about $5000 higher for their 1025R but does offer on-my-property service and repair for $85 service call. That would be convenient. Wonder if they bring cheese and wine when they come?

That's funny!

I spoke to as many local owners as I could. Huge difference in # of owners, two Kioti and six Kubota. On our street the score was four Kubotas and one Deere. One of the Kioti owners was unhappy, the other very happy. All the Kubota owners were happy.