Is a Kioti CK30 $1,640 better than a NH TC30?

[TheCommissioner]

I went tractor shopping yesterday and was quoted $13,340. for a Kioti CK30 4WD Gear transmission tractor and a different dealer quoted $11,700 for the similar NH TC30. No implements or additional equipment. I believe these quotes are MSRP. Both dealers are reputable.

The only differences I can determine (so far, before y'all weigh in!) are 4 yr warranty on the Kioti vs. 2 yrs on the NH and more weight in the Kioti, although NH's brochure doesn't list weight for the TC30 in 4WD.

1. Based on these prices, what do you experts feel is the better value?

2. How does a rookie tractor buyer determine what is the 'street price' for new tractors of this size?

Thanks!

 

[Yalerider]

I'm not that familiar with Kioti but they do look like a very nice tractor. My local dealer sells NH and Branson. He tried to sell me a TC30 as they are cheaper. I did a lot of research on this site however and after looking at both tractors and weighing the things I liked it was a hands down decision to buy the Branson. I have not regretted my decision one bit. The TC-30 is most likely a fine tractor but does not compare with the weight and features of a Kioti, Kubota or Branson in my opinion.

 

[gordon21]

Get the prices for the other items before you attempt to make a decision. There could be over a grand difference between the cost of the FEL fully installed from the two dealers. What about power beyond? Will you eventually need that? If so, get it installed before initial delivery. After you add all the other stuff in, the final price difference might be less $300 between the two packages.

I learned this the hard way when I bought a Jeep wrangler 6 years ago. Options from the factory were dirt cheap if bought with the Jeep initially. If you went back and bought something after the sale, the option prices were way higher. Running boards that were factory installed were some ridiculously low price of $65. If you bought the factory part kit and installed them yourself later it was over $100 just for the parts. Same thing with factory installed lamps for $40. Adding them later costs double.

Get everything you might possibly want within the first year of ownership included in the initial purchase. I bought my 27HP JD 790 in January. I have spent at least 50 hours shopping and buying stuff for it since then. If I had known better, I would have arranged for all these items initially.

 

[dgl24087]

MSRP on the TC30 2wd gear is $11542 per New Holland Product Counselor, so $11,700 sounds like a good price.

 

[MDM]

I was quoted 10,950 for TC30 gear model.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

quoted $11,700 for the similar NH TC30

Corriher sells the TC30 gear for $11,000.

As for is one better, that depends on your needs. Define better. Or better yet, define your needs. The TC is lighter weight so will softer on the ground, both generate the same horsepower and PTO horsepower for implments. The CK has about 100# more lift capacity on the 3pt hitch but you may not ever need that, or it may be a critical issue for you? I don't much like the operator platform of the TC30, but others swear it is great.

 

[Gatorboy]

The only differences I can determine (so far, before y'all weigh in!) are 4 yr warranty on the Kioti vs. 2 yrs on the NH and more weight in the Kioti, although NH's brochure doesn't list weight for the TC30 in 4WD.

Then you need to look harder! Isn't one blue and one orange? That's a huge difference.

 

[gamble77]

CK30 = telescopic sway bars & lift arms, suspension seat, tilt steering, curved arm front end loader, fender mounted joy-stick, one piece hood, 4-year warranty...imho these two tractors are not even in the same catagory...so yes the CK30 is worth the extra $$!

 

[TheCommissioner]

As for is one better, that depends on your needs. Define better. Or better yet, define your needs.

Fair question.

I will call on my tractor to do the following:

1. Brush mowing of irregularly shaped areas, none large, and trails all of which are on slopes. I have no flat ground.
2. Future road construction and maintenance, primarily moving, placing, and grading crushed limestone.
3. Assist with firewood collection namely carrying wood through the forest to the road where the pickup truck is parked.
4. Other assorted tasks involving moving or lifting of materials.

Using tractor will be more of a 'hobby' or 'leisure' activity rather than anything commercial or daily use.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

None of your tasks seem to be anything that will tax the capacities of either tractor. The CK has a stronger front end loader, but I'm not sure if you are buying one of those since you didn't mention it. It also has the curved arms, which make it easier to use. The CK loader also has a cracking problem but it is in the process of being redesigned so that problem may soon go away.

The TC can clearly be had for less money than you were quoted, so the increases the price difference to roughly $2340 based on the other two price quotes mentioned here. That is a lot of money. I would say it is a more traditional old-style design.

For mowing a field, I don't see either tractor using the 3pt capacity and both will operate the same size rotary cutter. Both are capable with a box blade, but the CK will offer somewhat more traction for that work. Both tractors will carry a full bucket of firewood without any strain.

One point about the warrenty you mentioned. The Kioti warrenty is 4 years on the engine/drivetrain and 2 years on everything else. Unless NH changed their warrenty, they are 3 years on the engine/drivetrain and 2 years on everything else. Further, for your reference, most manufactuers have only a 1 year warrenty on attachments like a front loader or a backhoe.

 

[Dargo]

Fair question.

I will call on my tractor to do the following:

1. Brush mowing of irregularly shaped areas, none large, and trails all of which are on slopes. I have no flat ground.
2. Future road construction and maintenance, primarily moving, placing, and grading crushed limestone.
3. Assist with firewood collection namely carrying wood through the forest to the road where the pickup truck is parked.
4. Other assorted tasks involving moving or lifting of materials.

Using tractor will be more of a 'hobby' or 'leisure' activity rather than anything commercial or daily use.

Well heck, why didn't you say so?! All you need is to rent my son! He'd be a lot cheaper, but he eats like a pregnant heifer. He can do all of that stuff and it won't make me even break a sweat.

 

[MotorSeven]

Do yourself a favor...drive 'em both. I looked at the TC, but the cockpit was too small (6'4",220). The Branson had the most room for me, but at the time only the selling dealer could do warranty work. I have been very pleased with the CK30, and my dealer is 12 miles away. If you are comfortable on the TC, go for it, as it is a fine tractor. I was glad to have the extra room and the other extra's listed above...for me they were well worth the $.
RD

 

[DaryleD]

I own a tc30 and absolutely love it. It sounds like the kioti has the features that would make it nice to operate. I have a preference for the NH after having one. Tractors seem to be something that most people are happy with when they buy one no matter what brand. I would suggest that you maybe price the TC 34 or a new left-over TC33 due to having some of the fancy options for possibly around the same price as the Kioti. That will give you a few more PTO horsepower, possibly more weight, better hood than the TC30, slopeing loader arms ( I think ), maybe even more 3 point lift capacity as well, which is always good. Other than having more horsepower, the TC33-34 sound like a better comparison to the ck30. One other thing though. Does anyone know the resale value of both tractors. You may want to sell it one day for bigger tractor. Good luck with your decision.
Daryle.

 

[VAChesterfield]

Fair question.

I will call on my tractor to do the following:

1. Brush mowing of irregularly shaped areas, none large, and trails all of which are on slopes. I have no flat ground.
2. Future road construction and maintenance, primarily moving, placing, and grading crushed limestone.
3. Assist with firewood collection namely carrying wood through the forest to the road where the pickup truck is parked.
4. Other assorted tasks involving moving or lifting of materials.

Using tractor will be more of a 'hobby' or 'leisure' activity rather than anything commercial or daily use.

Before I purchased my TC 30 2 years ago I looked very closely at the Kioti line. Tractor for tractor the CK 30 offers more (gamble77 is correct on that point), however, for the tasks you have listed (which pretty well describe how I use mine) the TC 30 will give you great service and will leave you a few thousand dollars richer -- so you can start to buy attachments.

Once you buy one of these toys you will find that you can find a good reason to buy and use every just about any attachment that will fit on it -- beginning with a toothbar.