Comparison NEW MEMBER! Kubota vs Kioti vs LS

MrPenetrator · May 3, 2016

Hello!

First post on this forum!

I am in the market for a compact tractor for our 10 acre home. Mostly used for moving earth & gravel for landscaping & shredding. I have been researching for about a month now & think I have made up my mind on the Kioti CK4010H. What I have gathered so far - really can't go wrong with any of these 3 brands. I have come across some posts where LS has had some repairs needed from folks after some hard work which makes me think maybe the hardware is not as tuff on the LS as Kioti or Kubota. Have used a Kubota compact & it was freakin awesome! But, Kubota is very proud of their products & the price shows. A friend turned me on to Kioti & all I have found on them is they are a top notch brand that has been around (Dae Dong) for a long time. I am comparing the L3901 with the CK4010 as I think they are comparable. Talking with local dealers, Waco, TX, the Kubota dealer priced at $24,400 & the Kioti was priced at $19,200 - both with loaders only. The Kioti warranty is far superior to Kubota, but that dealer is 40 miles further than the local Kubota dealer. I have not done as much research on the LS, so if anyone could fill me in or sell me on why I need to put more time in on the LS brand, I am all ears. Any other brands for that matter - I know Mahindra is a good tractor as well. Just haven't heard much good on the JD compact tractors....

Any advice that is given is sure appreciated!!

Thanks,
Chris

murphy1244 · May 3, 2016

I have a Kioti DK-40se HST and it never been back to the dealer yet. I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

TripleR · May 3, 2016

My brother has a Kioti and had to take it back to the dealer with an oil leak, I had to take my Kubota back for an oil leak, same with JD and we've both had tractors that never saw a dealer after it was delivered. My most often used tractors are Kubotas and I really like them, but no doubt you will pay more and from what I can tell quality is the same across the board. If not for my poor dealership, I might very well have bought one.

Sorry, but while my brother has looked at LS, I haven't, so no advice there.

varmint · May 3, 2016

For the money, the Kioti seems like the one... more loader, about the same weight, a little less 3-point, but pretty close. How about features, like telescoping rear links, SSQA, 3 range hydro, any rear remotes and so forth? Neither one has the auto throttle, I suppose. Reliability should be about the same, but a longer warranty can't hurt.

I would think the Kubota would have better resale, but I don't know that much about Texas. $5000 seems like a big difference, though.

TJP89 · May 3, 2016

My experience is that the CKs outclass the Kubota basic Ls. Both are reliable tractors, there's just more to the Kioti than the Kubota. The loader on the new CK is very good, forget the exact number, but want to say it's north of 1500#. At the price, I'd go with the Kioti.

LS is also good. The R and XR are what you'd be looking at, but that's the limit of my knowledge. The JD E series are junk, and the Rs are nice, but very pricey. Don't know a ton about the other brands.

I am very happy with my Kioti. It's the previous generation CK, and I compared it to the previous generation L (L3200). The L was a good tractor, but no comparison to the CK35.

jaydee325 · May 3, 2016

Bought my LS R3039H in July of 2013. It has been trouble free.

The XR series tractors are premium tractors that come with features such as dual rear remotes and telescoping 3 point hitch arms. Some of these features are add ons on some brands.

I'm not familiar with the others your are looking at so can't speak to them feature wise.

I'd buy LS again.

jeff9366 · May 4, 2016

Repairs on Kubota/Kioti/LS tractors are 98% related to two factors:

1. the tractor being properly sized relative to the task
2. the prudence and experience of the operator.

Brand is only a 2% factor.

Buy enough tractor.

Paragraph your future posts for clarity, like all your respondents.

Hawghauler · May 4, 2016

I am looking at the same tractors and I am a former Kioti owner (DS4110). My previous Kioti was trouble free. I am 99% leaning towards another Kioti, even if price was equal. You can however buy a ton of implements for the price difference.

Teachu2 · May 4, 2016

For what I was looking for, the Kioti gave me more hp and weight for ~20% less money. And the dealer really acted like he wanted my business. No regrets at all.

MrPenetrator · May 4, 2016

Thanks to you all who responded with your experiences & information. Gives me more confidence that these brands will provide what I need, just need to find the right deal for me.

I will space out my topics moving fwd - thanks for the suggestion

Will be traveling around some this weekend & will hopefully get to test drive Kioti & LS to compare to the test drive of Kubota. Going to keep comfortably & placement of controls in the forefront as to see which is most comfy for me.