Comparison The process of elimination - Mahindra, Kubota, Kioti

[Atchuuu]

What size is your property? What will be your major tasks with the tractor? These questions will help you figure out if weight is important or not. I personally like the independent PTO but I do a lot of tilling and bush hogging. I have not priced the L series Kubota's but if you are considering a L3901 have you looked at the L4701? Not sure how much of a price jump that is though. That seems to be a good sized economy tractor. I think a lot depends on what you plan on doing with the tractor.

15 acres of land. approx. 4 of that is a pond so I will be mowing/BH the rest. Will use a ZTR around the house. Most of the land is flat but slopes some to the pond. I believe I could get by with less than 37-38 HP but figure I will buy a little more than I need now and hopefully this will be my first and last tractor. I could do what I need right now with a larger ZTR mower but it's a one trick pony and I'm making up lots of excuses to rule it out in favor of a tractor.

EDIT - Extra weight really isn't a problem as I will be maintaining a field with the tractor and using the lighter mower around the house.

 

[Atchuuu]

 

[N2DFire]

You're right, I had the order of operation on the two stage backwards. I'm pretty sure the HST and gear ones work the same. Doesn't make much sense on an HST machine other than using existing parts.

That makes sense & I agree that's about the only reason I can see for doing it on a HST.

That's also why I figure Live vs Independent is almost a wash. About the only thing I can think of that would make a difference (aside from some of the Auto Off type features of independent) is actually engaging the PTO. You would have to clutch on a live PTO but not independent. Both can be disengaged w/o the clutch.

In hindsight, we should have gotten the HST but after 30 or so years on a regular 4 speed with "ground speed" PTO - I'm still in high cotton with a Live PTO & Shuttle shift as long as my knees hold out. LOL

 

[N2DFire]

15 acres of land. approx. 4 of that is a pond so I will be mowing/BH the rest. Will use a ZTR around the house. Most of the land is flat but slopes some to the pond. I believe I could get by with less than 37-38 HP but figure I will buy a little more than I need now and hopefully this will be my first and last tractor. I could do what I need right now with a larger ZTR mower but it's a one trick pony and I'm making up lots of excuses to rule it out in favor of a tractor.

EDIT - Extra weight really isn't a problem as I will be maintaining a field with the tractor and using the lighter mower around the house.

That's a nice looking place you have there.

Size wise we're about on par with you. We have roughly 16-18 acres mostly open pasture land (hardly any of it is flat though lol) with a small portion of sparse standing timber.

When Dad and I were shopping he was looking at the largest Sub-Compact (35 hp) and I was just across the line at the smallest Compact (40 hp). At that time there was a pretty good price jump when you crossed that line and for most brands it was a change in Model/Series as well.

If Kioti had offered the 40 hp in the CK series then like they do in the CKxx10 series now, then that's probably what we would have gone with. All that being said, I have yet to run across anything I want/need to do where that extra 5 hp would make or break me getting a job done.

I think you're at a good size point for your needs. Physical size wise your choices are still small enough to get into some tighter spaces (if you have them) and still enough HP to take care of pretty much anything else you may need to do. Anything across that 40 hp line and you may start getting too big physically for your space.

 

[Atchuuu]

That's a nice looking place you have there.

Size wise we're about on par with you. We have roughly 16-18 acres mostly open pasture land (hardly any of it is flat though lol) with a small portion of sparse standing timber.

When Dad and I were shopping he was looking at the largest Sub-Compact (35 hp) and I was just across the line at the smallest Compact (40 hp). At that time there was a pretty good price jump when you crossed that line and for most brands it was a change in Model/Series as well.

If Kioti had offered the 40 hp in the CK series then like they do in the CKxx10 series now, then that's probably what we would have gone with. All that being said, I have yet to run across anything I want/need to do where that extra 5 hp would make or break me getting a job done.

I think you're at a good size point for your needs. Physical size wise your choices are still small enough to get into some tighter spaces (if you have them) and still enough HP to take care of pretty much anything else you may need to do. Anything across that 40 hp line and you may start getting too big physically for your space.

That's very good information Steve. Thanks.

 

[Atchuuu]

A bit off topic but I purchased a Dewalt 12" battery operated chainsaw to clean up the small pines and brush that have grown up at the base of the larger trees. I can't believe how well this thing works and how long it cuts for. So much easier to use then a gas saw for small jobs.

 

[Navvet]

That's very good information Steve. Thanks.

I was at the same point as far as deciding what tractor to buy. When I saw that Mahindra qualified for tier 4 without the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), That alone made my decision.

 

[Atchuuu]

I was at the same point as far as deciding what tractor to buy. When I saw that Mahindra qualified for tier 4 without the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), That alone made my decision.

Navvet - I'm thinking the same. It may not be an issue but since I already find the Mahindra to be a good value I'm leaning toward the 2638. Just waiting for the local dealer to get one on the lot. The 2538 is heavier than the competitors and I truly can't see the "fit and finish" issues others have talked about. The only thing I can think is that my inexperience keeps me from noticing the difference or those that have complained about the build quality are talking about different models or perhaps Mahindra's from years past.

 

[TheMadOne]

A bit off topic but I purchased a Dewalt 12" battery operated chainsaw to clean up the small pines and brush that have grown up at the base of the larger trees. I can't believe how well this thing works and how long it cuts for. So much easier to use then a gas saw for small jobs.

I keep a little black and decker around for the same reason. I firmly believe you should have three saws, a small(16") gas, a large(24"+) gas, and a little battery job(10"-12") for things like 4" limbs that come off in a storm, or cleaning around the base of larger trees.

 

[cheneyejc]

Hello, I bought a new ck4010 last summer. I use my tractors for lawn installation. I decided to go with the kioti because the dealer was close. That tractor was the biggest piece of crap. Had nothing but regen issues with dpf. My dealer was the biggest joke of all. They couldn't help fix the issues and when I would call i would get an answering machine. I can't afford down time. Sold the tractor and went back to a mahindra. Got the new 2638. Only 40 hrs on it and running strong. I put around 800 hrs on in a summer so the real test will be soon. I would stay away from kioti. There regen system sucks and I was having to force regen it on jobs. Tractor would sit for 45 minutes to regen. Mahindra did it right. Spent the money in R&D and designed an engine to meet tier 4 emmisions without filters.