Kioti NX 5510 vs Kubota M5660SU/M60 series

[TCP2020]

Incredulously, I could not find a single on-line comparison of these two makes/models. As such, I felt like it may be helpful for another person looking at a 50-60 hp tractor if they happen to come across this post. Understandably, these two models are not directly similar. However, it is where my search concluded.

First, a brief background of my needs. I have just under 200 acres which I acquired about 7 yrs ago. It is mostly a recreational tract, but I do have about 50 acres planted in longleaf pines. I have a fairly extensive road system (that requires constant upkeep as expected), two creeks (one bisects the property and another defines the property line), rolling hardwoods, bottom land, and food plots. I do not have any ag fields so I don't really need a 70+ hp tractor. In addition, I have a metal building with accommodations and storage. It truly is an outdoor enjoyment and blessing.

As many of you can relate, this type of property requires a tractor! I've been doing just fine with my 1981 Ford 4600 SU (57 net hp/52 pto). However, I have come to realize that I need 4wd and a loader to be able to do more of the necessary tasks (some of which I've hired out or had to call a neighbor to pull me out when I got stuck!). I also did not want to settle on a lower hp tractor; I figured buy bigger now and then one day, if necessary, I could always buy a smaller subcompact tractor. I decided to narrow my search to dealers within 1 hour and NO Indian products (call me biased I guess). As such, I did not consider Mahindra and was reluctant about the utility John Deere models. I also ruled out a cab due to the amount of work required in the deep woods. Finally, I did not want HST (again call me biased but that is the decision I made). Nonetheless, Kioti, John Deere, and Kubota made the list. Also, when I went to visit the dealers, I went in that order: Kioti, John Deere, and then Kubota. There are two Kioti dealers within about 50-60 min of where I live. We have a local John Deere and local Kubota dealer.

I extensively researched Kioti as I was not very familiar with them at all. I cannot count the hours of YouTube videos and on-line reviews I watched/read. The first dealer I visited had the DK5510. It was a very nice machine; however some of the niceties I desired would require me to move up to the NX5510. The dealer was supposed to have some new tractors coming within the week (which was two weeks ago). However, he has not called to notify me of any arrivals and indicated he had no idea how long an order would actually take (he was expecting 90+ days). I called the other Kioti dealer; they, too, did not have the NX model in stock and had no idea how long an order would take. In a similar fashion, they totally dropped the ball on calling me back with any information at all regarding incoming shipments (or willingness to locate the particular model I desired).

Our John Deere dealer is local but part of a larger corporate ownership. As such, I do have reservations about being such a little guy when so many bigger landowners and farmers require (and deserve) more attention. That said, the salesperson was great; however, I just wasn't impressed with the 5E series.

This led me to the local Kubota dealer. What a difference!! The staff and especially the sales manager was very professional and eager to accommodate my needs. I was able to audition the M5660SU. However, in a similar manner to the Kioti (wanting more niceties than the utility model), I realized quickly that I needed to move up a model (to the M6060). However, my initial comparisons were b/n the NX5510 and the M5660SU (a closer approximation of cost partly drove this comparison).

SO...the comparisons of the Kioti NX5510 and the Kubota M56660SU. Both are VERY nice tractors. Spec-wise, there are a lot of similarities and similar features. Yet, in what mattered to me, the Kubota simply outmatched the Kioti. Weight (4387 vs 4209), power (56/50pto vs 55/46pto), 3 point lift (3307 vs 3177), width (73" vs 65" which is important to me to have a wider wheelbase to avoid turnovers on the hills), wheelbase (80.7" vs 75.6" again important in the stability), ground clearance (16.3" vs 15.7"), and overall height (95" vs 103"; the shorter height will be better for fitting under tree limbs and such) all favor Kubota. Once I decided to move up to the M6060, the data really pales the Kioti stats (weight now 5005 lbs with almost two more inches of ground clearance not to mention the additional 7.5hp/6pto). The only meaningful advantage the Kioti holds is the 24x24 transmission (Kubota has 8x8) and the FEL lift is listed at 2761 lbs (Kubota lists 2536 lbs in the power configuration).

Despite ALL of this, the immediate impression I had of the Kubota dealer as well as their designation as a Premier Kubota dealer will outweigh (IMO) any cost savings I may see by purchasing a Kioti (and having to drive an hour out of town). Perhaps if there were a local Kioti dealer I would have been able to audition these two units more side by side. That said, I feel great about my decision and can't wait to be driving orange.

One last thing, the local Kubota dealer could not acquire a M6060 unit. However, he has a brand new M7060 that just arrived and is being assembled. So, for basically an additional $1250, I decided to upgrade to the M7060. This should be all the tractor (and more) that I'll ever need. I'm having 3rd function and grapple installed along with a hydraulic top link. I'm definitely looking forward to tackling some projects this fall!

P.S. I know how everyone enjoys pics...those will be forthcoming once I take possession of the new tractor!

 

[Farmer495]

You made a good choice, while I won't knock Kioti, Kubota will retain value and give little issues. I see the same model that I run advertised used with hours on them for more than this one was new 5 years ago.

 

[Mat4644]

It's like comparing a Kia with a Lexus. You made the correct choice.

 

[paulfun9]

It's like comparing a Kia with a Lexus. You made the correct choice.

Yes the Kia will run with no issue and cost less, and when it dies long after the expensive Lexus has depleted your savings and went to the scrap yard or some other fool willing to deal with all the issues the Kia will get you just as much at the scrap yard,

Why do you people try and fool yourself with these silly comparisons?

I have owned just about every brand tractor over the years and find for the most part that they are all or have been the same for realizability and cost of ownership with few exceptions. I have also never seen anyone get more on a percentage when they sold with the exception of those who occasionally find a brain washed fool that listened to someone else’s false preaching just before buying.

Now don’t get me wrong as I don’t think kubota makes a bad tractor but the fact remains neither of my last 2 kubota’s were as dependable as my current Kioti is based on the current lenth of ownership, which by the way in about 3 months will be the point where I felt the need to sell off the kubota’s due to issues they were starting to have. Funny but the Kioti has more hours on it then they did and still no issues at all, it’s just as comfortable as it was when I first purchased it, runs just as strong, hasn’t needed repair and the last I checked on price it’s also worth more than when I purchased it which is something I never saw with a kubota but did have with one of my old NH’s.
I watch the sales of tractors local to me and don’t see the great Resale value that I hear about preached loudly from everyone here. A couple months a ago I saw a local place have to lower the price on thier kubota in order to move it from the lot as it sat longer than the kioti’s that came later and sold quicker. Yes that’s right others are noticing that they are not everything you brag them up to be and starting to ask why so much more when your not really getting more?

So please if you want to talk crap about a brand at least do so in a rational manner and do so from a standpoint other than the silly “I pee on ford or Chevy” sticker mindset we used to see on the back window or tailgate of pick up trucks back in the days of the raised truck fad.



To the OP

Glad you found a tractor you like and feel good about. I won’t call my ownership experiance with kubota bad, they make a good machine and for many are problem free. I wish you the best of luck and hope you are enjoying your purchase for many years.

 

[bullbreaker]

Why do you people try and fool yourself with these silly comparisons?

:laughing: Big thank you Paul ! I've had a real rough n tumble day out there today in close to 98 degree and extreme high humidity FLA weather on the edge of the Fla everglades . I just got in AC and settled down and read your response on this thread . You have me laughing out loud. I actually forgot about my rough day , and my minor headache went away . Thanks for the therapy . Just don't bill me I have terrible insurance !

 

[Mat4644]

Nothing wrong with saving money but quality, engineering, durability and support all comes at a price. Corners have to be cut to offer a cheaper product.

If all the components are there it still takes many years for large public acceptance. Hence the resale value. Look how long it took Honda and Toyota.

I posted the comment fully expecting a long rage rant and it happened.

 

[paulfun9]

Nothing wrong with saving money but quality, engineering, durability and support all comes at a price. Corners have to be cut to offer a cheaper product.

If all the components are there it still takes many years for large public acceptance. Hence the resale value. Look how long it took Honda and Toyota.

I posted the comment fully expecting a long rage rant and it happened.

So go ahead and explain why my kubota’s combined together didn’t have the same amount of hours and both cost more in repair than my current Kioti?

Also please explain what was better about them? You do realize that I owned them and my current Kioti and can’t give one reason why they might be better! So maybe you can point it out for me?

No matter how you attempt to hide it anyone who reads this post is sure to see that your post was nothing more than a cheep jab with no real supporting facts!

By the way my resale value on the last 2 kubota’s was no better than anything else on the market at the time unless you only consider the Chinese imports that were around.

I had one buyer who drank the cool aid that wanted to pay the premium I asked for but he couldn’t come up with the cash!

So I will await you to tell me what I didn’t know about my own machines after years of ownership?.

 

[Mat4644]

Please re-read my post. Unfortunately for a manufacture such as this it takes many positive years to form a good perception of a product. For good or bad perception becomes reality and this drives resale value.

One thing I didn't like is that 3 dealers in my area that were forcibly dropped by Deere and Kubota for customer repair non-compliance issues became Kioti dealers.

 

[TCP2020]

Thanks for the replies and comments above. I know there are MANY Kubota vs Kioti threads on this forum. My original post was not meant to fuel that...it was merely to say that I open-mindedly set out to compare these two makes and models. At the end of my journey, I went Kubota. I'm not at all worried about resale value. I keep my toys for a very long time. I just traded my 1999 Ford Expedition (purchased brand new) for some excavator work since the Ford was sitting unused. I could give other examples but suffice it to say that resale value is probably not in my top 5 reasons for purchasing any item.

Most importantly for me was a quality product (I believe both Kioti and Kubota meet this criteria) with GOOD local dealer support. The dealer was the absolute factor that sealed the decision for me, and it wasn't even close. As I mentioned in my original post, one Kioti dealer NEVER even called me back when I expressed interest in visiting his lot. I didn't even ask him for a price quote; I merely asked if he had/could get an NX model.

Long and short of it...in case anyone else is contemplating these two 50+ hp models, I would be perfectly happy with either. That said, I am very glad I went with the 70+ hp model as it gives me more application than I would have with the 50+ hp Kioti. The huge bonus for me is local dealer support. Others have stated this in numerous other tractor threads, and I believe it cannot be emphasized enough the importance of considering this factor.

P.S. I took delivery yesterday and will post pics in the Kubota sub-forum assuming I can figure out how to load pictures.

 

[paulfun9]

It's like comparing a Kia with a Lexus. You made the correct choice.

Just read it again and as stated it’s clearly an attemp at a cheep jab, no matter the dribble that comes out after the fact.

If it wasn’t there would have been a lot more to say when this wa posted than the crude one line that it was and still is!