CK30/l3400 pricing

[a.p.]

Welcome fellow Canuck!

I think that the L3400 and the CK30 are very evenly matched. I don't think that the few extra hp on the L3400 will let it do any more PTO wise. The loader and 3pt capacities are evenly matched too.

i wouldn't let the the difference in weight sway me one way or the other. There is more to metallurgy than just the weight of the steel involved. Either will need proper ballasting in order to use the loader to its limit. I have my tires ballasted. I wish I had my tires loaded from day one. Got it done about a year after I had my machine. Both will safely lift about the same load once ballasted appropriately.

On the 3pt hitch jerkyness - mine has the upgraded valve which they started putting in around 2005. I could not tell any appreciable difference between the jerkyness of my valve and the CK30 that I have tried out. It seems that a jerky 3pt valve has emerged yet again but since you are armed with this information (check out Harvest Moon's thread with part numbers), you can make upgrading to the non-jerky variety a condition of sale.

Once you throw a Pat's or other quick hitch on - which you should - regardless of which machine you get - I don't believe that the telescoping bottom links make any difference at all. Can't get much easier than that.

One real nice thing that the CK30 has got going for it is that the factory remote setup is nice and clean with hard lines. The L3400 does not have a really good factory remote setup. The so called factory setup is not much different from aftermarket Prince SV valve spools - this is what I have.

I would get a QA bracket and QA compatible bucket - regardless of which machine you got.

$3k is a fair amount of price difference for tractors of the same capability. There is no doubt that if you do re-sell then the Kioti will get you less in return and may take longer to sell - depending on how well it is known where you are. That said, you will also be paying $3k less upfront. So this might be moot.

Where abouts are you located? Some weight should also be added to who the dealers are around you and how many of them for each brand. On a brand new machine, you should not need much more than parts or filters but if you have an exceptional dealer of one brand vs the other - that should be taken into account too.

Around my area, I'd say that the Kioti dealer is superb. All the Kubota dealers are so so. If you were here, I'd guide you to the Kioti dealer. The user jimmyj who is around this area was looking at the same machines, ended up with the CK30.

From a capability perspective, I really do believe that both these models are a wash. I would rate ergonomics high on your list.

All of this said, I think that you should strongly consider the Kubota Grand L3240 with the LA724 loader. This is in particular if you are swayed towards the L3400. I have an L3400 and although it is a solid machine, the Grand L3240 - particularly with the LA724 loader, provides a lot of additional value - e.g. 1.4 x the loader capacity, additional 3 pt capacity, HST+ - for not much more money. I REALLY liked the Grand L that I demoed recently. I think that the HST+ is really awesome.

Good luck with your decision. Wish I was tractor shopping over again!

I'm in the SW Georgian Bay area of Ontario.

I must admit that I'm leaning toward the Kioti as it seems to be a better thought out machine (much to my amazement having been a long time Kubota fan)

The tires on either machine would be loaded.

Definitely I'd be getting the QA bucket - until very recently this was a strike against the Kioti as they didn't offer one.

Maxwell Farm Services is the Kioti dealer closest to me. It's a small outfit, but they seem to have a well organized service area. The Kubota dealer has been established much longer, but I get the sense that they aren't really going too far out of their way for my business.

I'm sure that the Grand L machine is better - but I'm reaching my limits here. If i was using the machine for business I'd have no second thoughts about making the leap up, but the reality is that it will be a personal use machine and, as a result, I'm willing to make a few compromises. I also like the simplicity of these two machines - they dont have the layers of electronics found on the Grand Ls or, say, the Deere 3X20s.

 

[jimmyj]

Welcome a.p.

As Canoetripper said, I just went through this.

Either get the Grand L or the CK30. If you can't afford the Grand L, the Kioti I think is the way to go. 3k is a lot of $, you can get a number of nice implements for that money if it is burning a hole in your pocket! Or you could just not spend it (Boooooo).

Lots of guys are super happy with the L3400's but the Grand L is so nice.

This is called the tractor creep syndrome (Question: I only have X$ so what should I get? Response: Go bigger and fancier!)

A year later you will have spent more! LOL

I got the rig in my signature (CK30, loader and hoe) for about 28k taxes all in. I think getting the backhoe was more worth the money than upgrading to the kubota and not getting a hoe.

 

[Valorum]

Been shopping over the last few weeks myself, figured i'd share:

Kubota: L3400 HST with loader - $18,900

Kioti: i did not price out a CK30 but a CK35HST: CK35HST w/ free loader = $15,550. Pay for loader = $18,127. I imagine the CK30 would be about $1,000 or so less.

(Prices are USD.)

 

[canoetrpr]

I think getting the backhoe was more worth the money than upgrading to the kubota and not getting a hoe.

Without a question. I would be VERY tempted in this case to get the $3k savings with the CK30 and put it towards a hoe right away. You will get the best deal on the whole rig right now. Think like you are buying a L3400 and paying about $3500 for a hoe

When I priced the CK30 out vs the L3400, the CK30 came out to be about even with the L3400. In that situation, it was not worth it for me to go with the lesser known brand. There were fewer dealers 3 years ago as well and the new Kioti dealer in my area, who is great, was not in business back then. Under those circumstances, the L3400 was and probably is the better deal in MHO.

With a $3k difference which can go towards a hoe and a dealer that you sound comfortable with close by, I think it would be hard to pass up on the CK30.

Some other suggestions:
- Get two remotes on the CK30 installed as part of the deal. When you are making the whole deal is the best time to negotiate this stuff in. It will cost you a lot less right now and you will be thankful in the future.
- Get a hydraulic top link - either get the dealer to get you one, or order one from CCM. This is the BEST money you will spend. After having gotten both top n tilt, I would not spend the money on the sidelink again. I reallly don't use it at all.
- Get a sunshade canopy worked into the deal and some work lights installed (two front and two rear) on a separate circuit.
- Get three chain hooks welded onto the bucket.
- Get a Pat's

I only wish I had all considered all of the above. I got them all done eventually myself but it might as well be done as part of the deal as it is so much cheaper to do then. If you are absolutely convinced that you don't need a backhoe, that $3K savings can go towards the above - and you will have money left over for an implement (every tractor needs a box blade to go with it!... something else I didn't really figure out until I got it!)

 

[canoetrpr]

BTW - I don't believe that there is any real difference in hydraulic pump capacity between the two machines. Not as substantial as it might seem at first glance anyway.

The Kioti specs list only a single number that includes the implement and power steering flow. The Kubota number lists them separately.

3 pt lift capacity on the Kioti is listed as 1764lb, at 24"
3 pt lift capacity on the L3400 is listed at 1998 at 24"

Kubota has a small - 150 lb advantage here. Doubt you will really notice it.

Loader lift capacities are even.

FWIW - I found that the L3400 *felt* bigger in the seat than the CK30. Whenever I get on a CK30 it feels smaller. It probably isn't - just feels that way to me.

Spend some time in both seats and weigh the ergonomics as they feel to YOU of one vs. the other as well.

Oh yeah - and IMHO the weight difference of 500lb total between the tractors isn't really going to make any noticeable difference performance wise of one tractor vs. the other - once properly ballasted.

I'm not suggesting to you that one is better than the other - I think that both these tractors are about as equally capable as you can get comparing tractors across brands in the CUT world.

A blanket statement of more weight == better does not hold water JMHO. After a certain critical mass, it is about having weight in the right places and both these tractors will perform equally once that is done.

 

[Dmace]

BTW - I don't believe that there is any real difference in hydraulic pump capacity between the two machines. Not as substantial as it might seem at first glance anyway.

The Kioti specs list only a single number that includes the implement and power steering flow. The Kubota number lists them separately.

Kioti CK30HST = 12.7 gpm (Total)
Kubota L3400 = 10.1 gpm (6.3 main + 3.8 ps)

In the world of tractor hydraulics, I would say that is quite a substantial difference. Even the L4400 (45hp) tractor only puts out 12.5gpm. Kioti's 45hp DK45 puts out a whopping 16.8 gpm.

 

[George in Spokane]

So have you been happy with your Kioti?

Yes, I love the heavy weight and the traction that gives me.

 

[Gittyup]

This data, other than Kubota weight, is straight from the manufacturers' websites. Kubota weight taken from a post found on TBN because I could not find it on their website.

Kubota Kioti %Diff
Tot. Hyd. pump 10.1 12.7 26
3 PH lift at 24" back 1435 1764 23
Weight 2554 3184 25

I don't know about most people, but for me, 25% more, give or take, is significant. According to Kubota's website, the 1998 lbs is at the lift point for the Kubota. Kioti does not list at the lift point.

I'll take the extra 2.6 gpm every time when running a backhoe or a log splitter.

Links to data:

http://www.kubota.com/f/products/l2800L3400L4400Specs.pdf

http://www.kioti.com/products/tractors/tractors_view.asp?src_con1=CK30&src_con2=2


Saying that 25% difference in weight doesn't matter is like saying that a 60 HP CUT is the same as 60 HP utility tractor. Not in my book. Add 500 lbs of weight to any tractor, be it suitcase, wheel weights, or just plain beef and I'll bet you it'll have better traction and stability.

 

[a.p.]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone. I went in and firmed up with the Kioti dealer this a.m. After thinking about this for 2 or 3 months it was nice to take action.

We added a rear work light and remotes to the package. I think it should be just the ticket!

Happy tractoring.

 

[Gittyup]

Congrats, a.p. You chose wisely. Post pictures when you get it. Welcome to the pack!