Talk me out of a Kioti CK3510SE HC

[Grandad4]

Having owned a pair of Kubotas that have been trouble-free and hard-working for many years (one bought in 2002; the other in 2005), I have a soft spot for that brand. But the Korean manufacturers, particularly Kioti, are making some outstanding equipment as well. If you like one of their models, no one needs to talk you out of it.

 

[Einthewoods]

Every time I see this thread, I think it is the start to "take me out to the ballgame". Must be the font I use or something.

 

[MossRoad]

Oh you're evil.

I don't know, I'll have to ask the dealer but it's looking like the price difference is about $2k and that gets you 2.5pto horsepower. As much as I would never regret another couple horse when I think about the opportunity cost of that $2k I'm thinking I can likely find more value putting it somewhere else like an implement or maybe even a better seat for someone over 300lbs. I'm not adverse to spending the money, I just want to put it to the best use.

You're still evil though, I gotta think about that. One perk is the dealer doesn't have one so it would be ordered factory fresh vs. on-the-lot-for-3-months fresh.

OK, here's more evil...

Take the cost of each tractor and divide it by the horsepower.... then let us know how that turns out.

 

[bspeedy]

I'm a Kubota guy and that's just the way it is. No apologies here...

I suggest you look at total cost of ownership, including depreciation. Pick a prior model of several brands - Kubota, Kioti, LS, JD, NH tractor around the same size and hp as the one you are looking at. Find out new cost. Check out tractorhouse and craigslist listings. Assuming maintenance is the same and repairs are nil, find out which tractor retains the most value over 5 years, 10 years, 15 years.

I haven't done this exercise on paper, but my guess is that the Kubota owner comes out even with or better than the other guys due to higher resale value, despite the higher up-front costs.

I make a lot of purchases these days with concern over how it will affect my net worth. Depreciation is among the most important aspects of that decision.

Good luck and please report back if you do crunch actual numbers.

 

[plowhog]

Take the cost of each tractor and divide it by the horsepower.... then let us know how that turns out.

Moss, you can also divide total cost by weight to get cost per pound. I was so shocked at the price quote for a Ventrac that I did that-- just for fun. Turns out the Ventrac was about twice the $$ per pound of virtually any typical tractor I had looked at. :laughing:

 

[Peter 315]

You can always buy 2 or 3 tractors all different brands:thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

Moss, you can also divide total cost by weight to get cost per pound. I was so shocked at the price quote for a Ventrac that I did that-- just for fun. Turns out the Ventrac was about twice the $$ per pound of virtually any typical tractor I had looked at. :laughing:

Yeah, price per pound and you come out way ahead with the 40 over the 35. They weigh exactly the same.

 

[Thomas]

Look at it this way...do you enjoy pushing loaded wheel barrow,having project seems like its taken forever as the things to do list gets longer and longer.

 

[bspeedy]

Moss, you can also divide total cost by weight to get cost per pound. I was so shocked at the price quote for a Ventrac that I did that-- just for fun. Turns out the Ventrac was about twice the $$ per pound of virtually any typical tractor I had looked at. :laughing:

My dad has a Steiner - about the same as a Ventrac. Brand new, Kubota powered - over 20 grand. What a joke. Not a good value at all. The few times I've worked on it I've seen the poor build quality, as well.

 

[Jstpssng]

Having owned a pair of Kubotas that have been trouble-free and hard-working for many years (one bought in 2002; the other in 2005), I have a soft spot for that brand. But the Korean manufacturers, particularly Kioti, are making some outstanding equipment as well. If you like one of their models, no one needs to talk you out of it.

I'm on my second; whereas my father owned about a half dozen over a 40 year period; and they've all been good tractors. Yet the competition is likely why Kubota's list price has dropped. The 3901DT I speced out was a little north of 29K last year, whereas now it lists for $26523. (I ended up with a used 3301HST instead) As I said in my last post, guys I know who bought Kiotis seem very happy with them.

 

[DK35vince]

I'm not really up to date on the newer models.
But my (2001) Kioti DK 35 is 17 years old now with 2100 hours and I've really been happy with it.
Its been good, still runs and operates like new.

Forgot to mention fit and finish.
I still feel the fit and finish on my DK 35 is as good as any tractor brand I have looked at over the years.

 

[Jstpssng]

I think the title kind of says it all. With a lot of homework, a lot of dealer trips, my own fair share of analysis paralysis, I've finally broken through to what seems like a winner, the Kioti CK3510SE HC. It will do what I need, it fits my tall, fat stature, and it fits my budget.

That said however the proof is often in the pudding and the real phase of discovery is in ownership and while I'm sure I'll discover something less than perfect no matter what I buy, I'd hate to walk into something nasty that I could have discovered ahead of time if I looked just that little bit harder or longer. I'm still open to an alternative if it means avoiding some pitfall.

Obviously I'm searching this model, as well as potential typo variations, into Google and soaking up all I can. Any of you have anything to share that hasn't made it to the internet yet? Spill the beans!

As always, thanks for reading. :drink:

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned this yet. When you get it, don't forget that we like pictures. Lots of pictures.

 

[seijirou]

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned this yet. When you get it, don't forget that we like pictures. Lots of pictures.

Well since this community completely failed me, it should be delivered tomorrow, so I'll see what I can do. :thumbsup:

 

[cowbridge]

Well since this community completely failed me, it should be delivered tomorrow, so I'll see what I can do. :thumbsup:

Looking forward to seeing your decision. I compared the same two tractors you mentioned for months before I made my move, it wasnt easy... but like the others have said, either one of these machines will be great.

 

[bullockcm]

Oh you're evil.

I don't know, I'll have to ask the dealer but it's looking like the price difference is about $2k and that gets you 2.5pto horsepower. As much as I would never regret another couple horse when I think about the opportunity cost of that $2k I'm thinking I can likely find more value putting it somewhere else like an implement or maybe even a better seat for someone over 300lbs. I'm not adverse to spending the money, I just want to put it to the best use.

You're still evil though, I gotta think about that. One perk is the dealer doesn't have one so it would be ordered factory fresh vs. on-the-lot-for-3-months fresh.

I stopped reading at this post so its possible someone has already covered this. I am in NY and you are in TX so my experience may not apply. That out of the way, 2.5pto HP in this range might make the difference between having to go with 5' instead of 6' implements. If you are buying all new implements it probably doesn't matter. If you are in a position to buy used when good deals come along at least around here 6' implements have significantly more availability. That leads to better selection and more importantly better prices, to the point you could probably get that $2k back in savings, or at least most of it.

 

[seijirou]

I stopped reading at this post so its possible someone has already covered this. I am in NY and you are in TX so my experience may not apply. That out of the way, 2.5pto HP in this range might make the difference between having to go with 5' instead of 6' implements. If you are buying all new implements it probably doesn't matter. If you are in a position to buy used when good deals come along at least around here 6' implements have significantly more availability. That leads to better selection and more importantly better prices, to the point you could probably get that $2k back in savings, or at least most of it.

Thanks for the feedback. I did seriously consider that and decided for my purposes the PTO HP isn't a factor for me nor will I need a breadth of implements (famous last words?).

Looking forward to seeing your decision. I compared the same two tractors you mentioned for months before I made my move, it wasnt easy... but like the others have said, either one of these machines will be great.

I'm looking forward to seeing it too!! :licking:

 

[MossRoad]

You wanted to be talked out of it on January 10th and purchased it on the 11th.... :laughing:

 

[seijirou]

You wanted to be talked out of it on January 10th and purchased it on the 11th.... :laughing:

Oh wow, really? It felt like an age!

 

[Gittyup]

I own a Kioti, 2006 CK25. Beast for ground engagement. Great fit/finish. As good any except in one area: paint thickness. My JD's paint is many times thicker and tougher than the CKs. Paint is nice on the CK. Just not very thick.

Extra HP: Only if running implements that need it or if you get more loader capacity with it.

I see it's a done deal anyway. Congrats and enjoy.

 

[seijirou]

I own a Kioti, 2006 CK25. Beast for ground engagement. Great fit/finish. As good any except in one area: paint thickness. My JD's paint is many times thicker and tougher than the CKs. Paint is nice on the CK. Just not very thick.

Extra HP: Only if running implements that need it or if you get more loader capacity with it.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah that was the advice I'd seen repeatedly so I took it.

I see it's a done deal anyway. Congrats and enjoy.

Thanks!