Completely new to Kioti

[_RaT_]

I have owned a Kubota L4850 shuttle shift, L48, L3830 HST and L3940 HST. The L4850 was a 5 cylinder and loaded with power. The L3830 HST was my favorite. I am looking at Kioti hoping to get a better price than what I am seeing with Kubota. Just got a bid on a CK 3510 SE HST for $24,495 with loader. It is out of state because I have so few dealers in my area. Dealer is in Carson City NV. Any thoughts on this tractor would be appreciated. Engine, HST, ease of removing loader, options like R14 tires etc. The Kioti website is not like Kubota where you can build your own and get details about things like TnT, loader 3rd valve option, tires etc. Plan is to get a 60" flail mower. Thank You.

 

[grsthegreat]

The dk series is built beefier than the ck series, if you plan on hard use

 

[_RaT_]

The dk series is built beefier than the ck series, if you plan on hard use

Well, one thing for sure, Kioti definitely does not have the following like Kubota. I will have to locate a dealer with a Kioti CK in stock and look try it out. I found the pictures on Kioti's website/brochure to not clearly show the things I wanted to know. Brakes on left or right? Differential braking? Read about some hydraulic issues on 3 pt hitch and loader. Hoping these have been addressed.

 

[edawg]

Well, one thing for sure, Kioti definitely does not have the following like Kubota. I will have to locate a dealer with a Kioti CK in stock and look try it out. I found the pictures on Kioti's website/brochure to not clearly show the things I wanted to know. Brakes on left or right? Differential braking? Read about some hydraulic issues on 3 pt hitch and loader. Hoping these have been addressed.

A CK3510SE is a really well equipped, nice, heavy, stable common-rail diesel smooth running machine with monster hydraulic pump, dual rear remotes, handy cruise control/throttle pedal goodies and PTO hp that will far more than handle a 60" flail. I felt it near to a Kubota L3901 roughly in sheer mass/capability, but with a LOT more comfort/implement goodies with the rear remote hydraulics. But you'll miss Kubota solid engineering simplicity and a bit of dealer options / maturity of service and after market support for wear parts. Bottom line, an experienced tractor owner who has a good dealer, knows how to maintain equipment, picked the right hp for the job at hand and avoids stupid operator "tear it up" mistakes should love it.

 

[96snma]

Any thoughts on this tractor would be appreciated. Engine, HST, ease of removing loader, options like R14 tires etc. The Kioti website is not like Kubota where you can build your own and get details about things like TnT, loader 3rd valve option, tires etc. Plan is to get a 60" flail mower. Thank You.

I just purchased a ck2610 2months ago. Been incredibly happy so far with it. First tractor I’ve owned but have used a Kubota, MF and Deere a bit. I’ve only used it for snow and a bit of box blading so far.

not sure about factor TnT or 3rd function as I didn’t inquire about it. R14s were an option from 2 different dealers. Did watch a YouTube video where the guy had a electric over hydraulic installed and the you stick looked factory so I’d say it’s an option. For my 25hp it’s rated for 65” tiller or brush hog. I’d say 60” flail on 35hp would be no problem.

Brakes on left or right? Differential braking? Read about some hydraulic issues on 3 pt hitch and loader. Hoping these have been addressed.

Brakes on on the right. Does not have split brakes. The 3pt can be a bit “jerky” if you try and raise it incredibly slow. Haven’t had a problem with raising fully then lowering to desired height. Loader has been awesome and flawless.

 

[_RaT_]

I just purchased a ck2610 2months ago. Been incredibly happy so far with it. First tractor I’ve owned but have used a Kubota, MF and Deere a bit. I’ve only used it for snow and a bit of box blading so far.

not sure about factor TnT or 3rd function as I didn’t inquire about it. R14s were an option from 2 different dealers. Did watch a YouTube video where the guy had a electric over hydraulic installed and the you stick looked factory so I’d say it’s an option. For my 25hp it’s rated for 65” tiller or brush hog. I’d say 60” flail on 35hp would be no problem.

Brakes on on the right. Does not have split brakes. The 3pt can be a bit “jerky” if you try and raise it incredibly slow. Haven’t had a problem with raising fully then lowering to desired height. Loader has been awesome and flawless.

Thanks for the replies guys, I really do appreciate it. I don't know of anyone around here that has a Kioti so I can't ask them their thoughts much less actually see one, pretty much JD and Kubota and a few older New Holland/Ford. What I have seen with Kioti that impresses me is the cost as well as the beef in things like the loader, the hydraulic outlets on back as standard compared to Kubota. I do like Kubota but am hoping to get by a Kioti dealer soon to see if the online pictures Kioti has match the real thing. Heck, if the CK2610 can run a 60" flail even that would be an option. Thanks again.

 

[mcmopar]

I have a CK3510 Hst. It is a great unit, I have the 66" bucket and have the backhoe. I use the tractor for land clearing and digging stumps, ditches etc. I have a woods box scraper 5' and a 6' rake, also a 5' bush hog. Tractor handles all implements easily, run out of traction not power. Kioti is a great tractor and less expensive than JD or Kubota for the same equivalent power and size. Dealerships are not plentiful, but the ones you find are very good.
Just my opinion.

 

[holeycow]

I was more than pleasantly surprised when I saw my first Kioti. They are very nice, well thought-out machines. You should really find a lot to look around in. You'll likely feel the same.

 

[bdog]

I am not familiar with the models you are looking at but I am a new Kioti owner having owned Deere, Case, and Kubota in the past. I was hesitant at first but now that I have one I love it. The Kioti was considerably cheaper than a comparable Kubota but after having operated it I would pick it over the Kubota if they were the same price. I have nothing against Kubota I still own 5 RTVs and a diesel Kubota mower but the Kioti tractors are well designed and heavier built.

 

[DieselBound]

Need to specify what your needs are first.

Some tractor brands do better in certain areas than others, though, in general, they're not all that far apart overall.

Depending on what you're looking/needing to mow you could probably run a 6' mower. I currently run a 6' rotary off my NX5510, but am soon to take delivery of a 7' flail. With heavy brush or thick grass you'd want to either be prepared to go a lot slower OR go with a smaller mower. I've mowed some ridiculous stuff with my B7800: initial taming of my property- had Reed Canary grass over 10' tall; I look back on all of it and wonder how I manged to do it (sheer stubbornness I suppose).

Kubota has been in the US a LOT longer than Kioti. I'm a Kubota fan. No question that Kubota is more refined. I went with the NX5510 because I was able to get a cab (great cab). The value was there, and, in general, the Kioti has proven it to be the case. I likely have done a lot more work with it than say a comparable Kubota (sans cab) because of having that cab. About 600 hrs and, though there have been a few bumps, it just keeps on working hard (I don't dare, however, abuse it like my B7800; larger equipment means larger repair costs).

Squirrel! I just saw "Takeuchi" in bdog's signature. I rent Takeuchi excavators and love the heck of them- if Tak built a tractor...

 

[RidgeHiker]

I bought my DK5010 from S & W in Carson City. Worked with Stan the owner. Experience with him in and after purchase has been xlnt. Since purchase when I have called with questions everyone I spoke to has been great as well. Friendly and knowledgeable.
Very happy with the tractor as well.

 

[_RaT_]

I have had 4 Kubotas. L4850 Ever Clutch shuttle shift, L48 HST, L3830 HST and a L3940 HST. Perhaps my favorite was the L3830, least favorite the L48. The L4850 was a great tractor and by far the most powerful. My old International 454 D was the most powerful. I have had repairs on the L3940, 3 broken front wheel hubs, cracked loader dump hydraulic cylinder brackets and seemingly less powerful than the L3830 I had. I do like the electronic 2 speed shift, very handy in both high and especially medium range. I remove the loader at least twice a week and Kubotas are sweet in that area. I mow currently with a 72" FALC flail mower with hammers as well as a very heavy duty brush mower. It is so heavy I need the loader on to keep the front end down. Mostly looking for value and thus why Kioti has been on my radar. Plan is for a 65" flail and loader for dirt and rock wall building.

Here is my son (right) with a couple neighbors. This is the day I sold my L3830 HST. Moved to a 1 acre home and just did not need it. Now I wish I had kept it! Charlie, kid on the left is now 6'7", left handed pitcher and Jake the one in the middle a top notch snow boarder.

 

[Jay Bee]

I am having very similar thoughts as you. there is so much value in the Kioti compared to the Kubota. My local dealer has a 3610se that I got to play with and i really liked and then i left and played on a L3301 and guess what, i like that too. The price difference between the 3610 and the l3301 were so close the real difference comes down to the added options on the SE compared to the utilitarian build of the L.

I really liked the Kioti though. For the price in Cali you could come to Wisconsin and buy one and still be cheaper.

 

[_RaT_]

I have a CK3510 Hst. It is a great unit, I have the 66" bucket and have the backhoe. I use the tractor for land clearing and digging stumps, ditches etc. I have a woods box scraper 5' and a 6' rake, also a 5' bush hog. Tractor handles all implements easily, run out of traction not power. Kioti is a great tractor and less expensive than JD or Kubota for the same equivalent power and size. Dealerships are not plentiful, but the ones you find are very good.
Just my opinion.

Have you used the PTO? If so, how does it engage. I see a dial that "turns it on". Does it gradually engage or what?

 

[DieselBound]

Have you used the PTO? If so, how does it engage. I see a dial that "turns it on". Does it gradually engage or what?

It's just an ON/OFF switch. Big knob for visibility. Spring-loaded dial actuation. No speed adjustment.

 

[_RaT_]

It's just an ON/OFF switch. Big knob for visibility. Spring-loaded dial actuation. No speed adjustment.

I was not clear, does it go to full on dragging the engine RPM down. With the lever, you can gradually apply PTO clutch pressure to get things like a flail mower up and going. On my Kubota, I depress the clutch (this tractor does not use a pedal clutch) engage the PTO lever and slowly let out the clutch. If I simply dropped the clutch, the giant mass of the flail mower spindle would stall the diesel.

 

[Stan B]

I was not clear, does it go to full on dragging the engine RPM down. With the lever, you can gradually apply PTO clutch pressure to get things like a flail mower up and going. On my Kubota, I depress the clutch (this tractor does not use a pedal clutch) engage the PTO lever and slowly let out the clutch. If I simply dropped the clutch, the giant mass of the flail mower spindle would stall the diesel.

I have a CK3510SE and the PTO engagement switch is pretty much "instant" engagement. I run a ditch/bank flail mower and wood chipper off the PTO. My engagement process is pretty much: reduce RPM to idle, engage the PTO switch, and throttle up to PTO RPM. The RPMs drop a bit when engaging, but I've never stalled it. If I had an issue, I'd probably just raise the RPMs a few hundred over idle and engage there.

Regarding the two flavors of orange, my Kioti dealer is just down the road from a Kubota dealer. I looked at both, but went with Kioti because there was simply more bang for the buck. No regrets. Both dealers also sell & service huge ag equipment, and have been around for a while, so dealer quality was not a consideration for me.

 

[_RaT_]

I have a CK3510SE and the PTO engagement switch is pretty much "instant" engagement. I run a ditch/bank flail mower and wood chipper off the PTO. My engagement process is pretty much: reduce RPM to idle, engage the PTO switch, and throttle up to PTO RPM. The RPMs drop a bit when engaging, but I've never stalled it. If I had an issue, I'd probably just raise the RPMs a few hundred over idle and engage there.

Regarding the two flavors of orange, my Kioti dealer is just down the road from a Kubota dealer. I looked at both, but went with Kioti because there was simply more bang for the buck. No regrets. Both dealers also sell & service huge ag equipment, and have been around for a while, so dealer quality was not a consideration for me.

Those are my thoughts as well. I saw the CK3510 SE HST Friday at my nearest dealer, an Ace Hardware store. It impressed me more in person than the pictures Kioti provides. I got a price on the Kubota LX 2620 that was slightly lower than the CK3510SE HST in a comparable configuration. The Kioti also provides 2 rear remotes along with considerably more beef. I thought the CK 3510 actually seemed smaller seeing it in person than the online brochure and that is what I wanted, smaller for my little residential needs. If I had one concern it would be the location of the brake pedal with the forward HST pedal, pretty close and my size 14 boots wants to activate both. I so wish they had put the brake pedal on the left and allowed for differential braking even though I very rarely use it. I have a quote with front weights but after seeing the loader, I don't know how they could possibly stay on with the loader on.

 

[Stan B]

If I had one concern it would be the location of the brake pedal with the forward HST pedal, pretty close and my size 14 boots wants to activate both. I so wish they had put the brake pedal on the left and allowed for differential braking even though I very rarely use it. I have a quote with front weights but after seeing the loader, I don't know how they could possibly stay on with the loader on.

There is a mod someone on this forum did to add a brake pedal on the left using a factory pedal. I'm sure the mod could be modded to delete the right pedal all together. I can tell you that, while the pedals all seem close, my size 13's don't cause a problem. Perhaps it's just a muscle memory/learning curve thing.

Weights on the front with a loader seems odd. I don't think there would be any room for weights. Maybe they were thinking for when you took the loader off? If anything, you'll want more weight on the rear given the CK loader capacities.

 

[_RaT_]

There is a mod someone on this forum did to add a brake pedal on the left using a factory pedal. I'm sure the mod could be modded to delete the right pedal all together. I can tell you that, while the pedals all seem close, my size 13's don't cause a problem. Perhaps it's just a muscle memory/learning curve thing.

Weights on the front with a loader seems odd. I don't think there would be any room for weights. Maybe they were thinking for when you took the loader off? If anything, you'll want more weight on the rear given the CK loader capacities.

Thanks Stan.
I remove the loader when mowing most of the time. One of my reasons for wanting to look at the Kioti in person was to verify the ease of removing it. It looks very simple, just like Kubota. I suspect you are correct about the pedal issue as well. I had 5 minutes of sitting on it and I suspect getting accustom to it takes a slight adjustment coming from a single Kubota (non boomerang style)