Help Me Choose What to Test Drive

[Cruiserdog]

All the tractors you’ve mentioned are decent machines. Today most tractors (with possible exception of some of the Chinese el cheapo’s) are decent. Look for the weight and features you want AND the availability/reliability of local dealers. I just traded a Kubota L3800 for a McCormick X1 35, a few less horsepower but a lot heavier tractor. Frankly I don’t think anything you want to do cannot be accomplished with 35-40 hp. I mow 30+ acres of very hilly terrain and have another 30 that are wooded and have never had an issue with a lack of power. I’ve mowed brambles higher than my head with the little Kubota HST and a 5 foot rotary cutter without issues. Slow down a bit and a smaller more maneauverable unit will do the job.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Couple changes since I thought I had settled on a tractor last week.

The L4701 I was considering sold quickly which was fine because I had pretty much decided on the L5460 with cab, but for whatever reason the guy seems reluctant to sell it and frankly is just difficult to communicate with. After some discussion I offered him full asking price if he would deliver (about a 1 hour drive, I don't have a truck/trailer combo to come pick it up) or asked him to knock off $500 and I'll pay someone to come pick it up. Said he'd get back with me and never has after several days.

I've now found a 2015 Kioti NX4510 HST Cab with KL6010 loader for $23K locally, low hours. I don't know a whole lot about Kioti tractors since I haven't spent the time yet researching them like I have Kubota. Features-wise it seems quite similar to the Grand L Kubotas but without some of the key features like HST+... I'm going to spend some time researching these but does anyone here have initial thoughts on how it compares to the Grand L? I'm a big fan of the Grand L series but trying not to buy new and they are proving tough to find used. Guess everyone loves them and keeps them.

That is a nice tractor. It compares well to the Kubota. The cab is worth a lot of money. Could sell it if you did not need and spend it on implements. I have a 4710 that is about the same size and power but not as nice. I am well pleased.

 

[Maddog10]

Unfortunately that Kioti was junk. Not the tractor model itself but it's just been completely neglected by the owner. Only had 130 hours but was beat to pieces, looked awful, bucket had been put on a skid-steer and was bent every direction, didn't run cuz it had sit for so long. The tractor itself seemed like once upon a time it was a nice machine so I'm going to make a stop by the Kioti dealer and check out new ones, but told the guy I'm looking for new or lightly used and this wasn't a good fit for me.

For now, depending on what transpires at the Kioti dealer it's probably that or back to a new Kubota L4060 open station... or just remain patient and hope for a nice used one to pop up. I'm still really torn on the cab in the woods thing. Love the idea of cab and it's comfort/protection. Don't love the idea of replacing expensive glass.

 

[Maddog10]

What a circus. Guy with the L5460 texts me yesterday ready to sell. I say let's go, I can be there this afternoon. He can't so we arrange to meet a different day. Calls back this morning saying he's decided not to sell it :duh:... I've been offering full asking price of his ad for a week now and he never would meet so I was sensing that he didn't want to sell it, but now it's official.

I'm all over the map. I think the current lean is toward a new Kioti. I was quite impressed with them at the dealer. Definitely like the bigger lift capacity and weight numbers that they claim in comparable platforms to their competition, and I can get a DK4710SE Cab at the $31k price point with the NX series being about $34K, open station models under $30K obviously which has kind of been my target budget all along.... For my use I'm just starting to feel like there may be a lot of value in their lineup compared to Kubota. Resale of course favors Kubota, but the plan is for this to be a long-term purchase. Then again, plans change. It's all I have to go on in the moment though.

 

[airbiscuit]

I like those Kiotis.

 

[Citydude]

Well, nothing stopping this thread but a shiny new Kioti! Glad your back on the rails again. Good luck with your choice.

 

[paulfun9]

What a circus. Guy with the L5460 texts me yesterday ready to sell. I say let's go, I can be there this afternoon. He can't so we arrange to meet a different day. Calls back this morning saying he's decided not to sell it :duh:... I've been offering full asking price of his ad for a week now and he never would meet so I was sensing that he didn't want to sell it, but now it's official.

I'm all over the map. I think the current lean is toward a new Kioti. I was quite impressed with them at the dealer. Definitely like the bigger lift capacity and weight numbers that they claim in comparable platforms to their competition, and I can get a DK4710SE Cab at the $31k price point with the NX series being about $34K, open station models under $30K obviously which has kind of been my target budget all along.... For my use I'm just starting to feel like there may be a lot of value in their lineup compared to Kubota. Resale of course favors Kubota, but the plan is for this to be a long-term purchase. Then again, plans change. It's all I have to go on in the moment though.

Don’t fool yourself on the resale. When figured on a percentage it isn’t any better.

 

[Maddog10]

The search is still on but I feel that it's narrowing. Barring a nice used tractor popping up in the next week I feel pretty set on a new Kioti open station.

For guys familiar with the Kioti lineup, I'm looking at the DK4710SE HST and the NX4510 HST. I've test drove both of them multiple times and think I'm leaning towards the DK but if anyone has input I'm all ears. The main thing I liked about the NX over the DK was the back end of the tractor and the 3PH, but the dealer has done a great job outfitting the DK with options to narrow the difference while also maintaining the DK price advantage.

I originally was quoted $26,200 for the DK4710SE HST and $28,500 for the NX4510 HST. Since then, the dealer has thrown in extendable links, telescopic stabilizers, linked pedal, cruise control, armrest, and fluid filled tires for the DK at no additional cost which alleviates most of the deficiencies I felt the DK had comparatively. I also prefer the transmission gear selector of the DK vs the NX. I find it a little difficult to locate the gears with the straight-line NX handle (though I'm sure it would improve with time) but very simple with the old-school selector that comes on the DK. I do very much like the loader handle being located on the fender of the NX vs the loader of the DK, but it's not worth $2k.

Why in the world Kioti doesn't put a step on the right side of the DK is beyond me :confused3:. Don't love that but I'm young and can pull myself up until I decide to have one fabricated. I do much prefer the engine compartment of the NX. Things such as battery replacement seem significantly easier, but obviously I hope not to spend a great deal of time in the engine compartment of whatever tractor I buy so that's not a deal breaker. Most everything else between the tractors I find pretty equal. Don't see a whole lot of difference between the mechanical HST vs electronic. Pedals slightly easier to push on the NX but to me it's a non-factor... I feel with the options that the dealer has thrown in I've come as close as I can to converting the DK into an NX while maintaining the price advantage. Spec-wise the NX could lift slightly more but neither tractor is going to do work that the other wouldn't. For some reason (maybe someone here could explain), I had a much easier time doing dual-function loader movements with the DK vs the NX. I could lift/dump or lower/curl pretty easily on the DK. I couldn't seem to find the sweet spot on the NX. Maybe with more practice I would.

I guess at this point I'm just talking out loud. Am I missing anything? It's getting hard to justify used tractor prices when I can get one of these for $26k.

 

[jeff9366]

You have done more research than most. I believe you are ready to sign a purchase order without worrying about Buyer's Remorse.

Congratulations.

 

[airbiscuit]

Those are nice options your dealer is throwing in.