Decision Time - My hands are sweating!

[texaslandman]

I've looked at JD, Kubota, NH, Kioti, MF, Century, Lenar, Agracat, and Mahindra. I've decided on 4WD with FEL. I've driven 20HP to 30HP tractors.

I've decided the size (footprint) & power of the 24-25HP tractors best fits my needs. I intend to use 4' equipment.

For one reason or another I ruled out all but JD, Kubota, and Kioti pretty early. Today I ruled out JD basically because they are 17%($2K) higher for the same sized and configured tractor.

Now I'm down to the 2 oranges ( Kubota's B7610HSD versus Kioti's LK2554) There are pros and cons for each.

Kubota is $390 higher than the Kioti, but it has Hydrostat transmission, live PTO, and an impressive dealer who gave me a good price and free 50 mile delivery with absolutely no haggle. Another Kubota dealer was $400 higher.

The less expensive Kioti ($390), is twice as heavy, has about 700lbs more lift capacity, 2HP more on the PTO, a bigger footprint, gear/shuttle transmission, no live PTO, and the dealer service facilities are not impressive.

I was expecting there would be a bigger price differential between the highly recognized Kubota and lesser known Kioti.

I'm going to drive both again tommorrow and make a decision.

I'll appreciate your comments and wisdom from your experiences.

PS- I know my bride would probably like the hydrostat tranny on the Kubota, however that dosen't carry too much weight since she is out of town and won't know a thing until I've already made the buy!

Gimme your wisdom, before it is too late.

 

[JDgreen227]

If it were me, I would choose the Kubota because of the hydro and you say the dealership is impressive. You don't mention anything about the uses for your new tractor, but for FEL jobs the hydro is ideal. Just my opinion.....

 

[Bob_Skurka]

OK what are you going to use the tractor for?

If this is going to be used for mowing the lawn (70% of the time or more), then the extra weight of the Kioti is NOT wanted.

If this is going to be used for LOTS of FEL or BH work, then the extra weight is good.

HOW/WHERE did you measure the 3-point capacity? Different companies measure it differently, is it measured at the ball ends, 12" behind the ball ends, or 24" behind the ball ends. Measured at the ball ends you expect the capacity to be higher than measured 12" farther back, and there is even a larger difference measured 2' behind the ball ends.

GET HST. Period. It is faster, safer and has a shorter learning curve. You will get more work done in less time and be safer doing it, especially if you are not a real farmer and intend on plowing and since this size tractor is not a plowing tractor, then that is not an issue. If the tractor is going to be used with an FEL, then HST is EVEN more important to increase your safety and shorten your work time. If the tractor will see a lot of mowing time, then HST will be EVEN more important to shorten your work time.

GET a LIVE PTO. Period. Without it you might as well just buy an antique tractor. It is also safer.


Just my 2-cents. . .

 

[Mark4510]

Dealer, Dealer, Dealer. Thats the big reason I went Green.

 

[texaslandman]

Thanks for your comment, I'm leaning to the Kubota. I have 7.5 acres in Northeast Texas. About 1.5 acre is open and I shred it. The rest is heavy woods (oak, hickory, and scattered dogwood and cedar). I need to clear out all the small trees, under 2'-3' diameter, clean up dead wood, and move some soil around.

I'm in deep sugar sand and will use ; FEL, Shredder, BB, and chipper.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Mark makes a great point about the Dealer Dealer Dealer. I ruled out one brand of tractor simply because the dealer, in my humble opinion, is a j@(&@$$. But you will probably need dealer support someday. Having a good dealer is like having a good gun, you hope you never need it, but on that day when you need it, you probably need it really really bad.

 

[texaslandman]

No lawn mowing! 20% bushogging, 60 % FEL, 20% Boxblade.

Any more thoughts? Thanks.

 

[texaslandman]

Thanks, I my case the Kubota dealer was just as impressive or more so than the green. Guess it just depends where you are.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

You will find that dealers are dealers, some are good, some a great and some suck eggs. Brand does not determine the quality of the dealership. In my town I walked into the JD dealer with a checkbook to buy a tractor, they wouldn't even talk to me. The Kubota/Cub dealer and the New Holland dealers both took time and effort to talk to me. The follow up from my NH dealer was amazing. But last year I bought equipment from both, and will probably do the same again this year.

As for the additional thoughts, make sure you get weight on the rear of the new tractor. I like foam filled rear tires. But to operate a FEL with any degree of safety you need counterweight on the back end, foam filled or liquid filled tires, or a weight box or some combination.

 

[BigAl]

I have owned both Kubota and now a Kioti . I consider both to be an excellent tractors . My Kioti fits my personal needs to a tee ,but each owner/operator has to decide what is best for him/her . I would try to spend as much time behind the wheel, do apples for apples comparison and really do my research on the "dealer service after the sale" , in deciding which one to go with . Good luck on your final decision . As I said , they are both quality tractors . You have come to the right place(TBN) to research both Kioti and Kubota and I am sure other members will happily give you their opinion of their tractors . They made my decision much easier and I have not been sorry for seeking their advice . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Big Al