Is Kioti addressing ongoing problems

Dingo Man · Mar 28, 2012

Hi everyone. I am in the last stages of my tractor shopping quest. I had a big change of events yesterday after leaving my Mahindra dealer and going to my Kioti dealer. Looked at the DK40SE. Got a much better price than Mahindra could offer on a similar tractor.

So today I began really hammering the websites and this forum to learn more about Kioti and the Dk40. From what I have read there seems to be alot of Kioti owners on here that are expericencing problems with their tractors. Some of them are smaller problems, some are not. It looks like there is an abnormal about of problems listed here as opposed to the other brand's forums. Is it because Kioti owners are just so honest. I spent eight years working on a dairy farm so I understand things will break from time to time. But alot of Kioti's issue appear to keep happening year after year.

It sounds like Kioti has been having an on going issue with ignition and starting problems. This is related to post from 2008 to present. Is Kioti addressing these problems.

I really want to buy but the more I am reading the more I am becoming hinky about them.

I am not trying to tick anyone off I am just trying to make the right purchase. I have spent several hours on other brand forums and have not heard half the problems. Why?

murphy1244 · Mar 28, 2012

I bought my dk40 last year after reading what you read. The starting problem was with the switch needing a plastic cover over it. The squeal has not reared its ugly head yet but CM has found a kit.Hey, you can always buy a JD.

Mousefield · Mar 28, 2012

I have been happy with my CK35 that is almost 4 years old and 363 hours.
Only a couple of minor problems that were looked after. Now my neighbor bought a new 55 HP John Deere last year and after a few months it had to be split in half for a major problem. So stuff can happen to any make of tractor as you suggested. Perhaps Kioti owners are honest and also looking to help one another to solve issues between us through this forum. Buy the DK40SE, I'm sure you won't regret it.

Dingo Man · Mar 28, 2012

I am all set with JD.

Dingo Man · Mar 28, 2012

I have been doing this for two years and have been on here reading different forums during that time. I just have not noticed the numerous issues people were writing about until today. Now i will admit I am probably a little more concerned now that I am actually thinking about spending the hard earned dough. I have one friend that has had a DK35 since 2004 I think. He has 300hrs. and no problems. But he is mechanically inclined as well. I am a filter changer for the most part. Maybe just cold feet.

ritcheyvs · Mar 28, 2012

IMO, Kioti is comparable to any brand and better than most considering features for the price. But dealer quality is more important than brand. A good dealer will fix any issues at little or no cost. A bad dealer will create problems, by accident or design.

I suspect that because there are fewer Kioti dealers (than the more common brands) that's why you see more of us sharing experience on the net vs just running off to the dealer 5 miles down the road.

The ignition switch (happened to me too) issue was simply dirt getting into the contact area creating unreliable connections. I wouldn't be surprised if many brands used this same switch. Has Kioti since found a better design? Beats me; it's a $50 part that you can install in 10 minutes or rebuild in an hour. But if this happened on a JD or Kubota, I doubt you'd ever hear about it.

A final comment, but the tractor you need the first time. Trading up in a year or two is expensive.

ricky wyatt · Mar 28, 2012

dingo i just posted my same deal i have sat her in bed with every brand of tractor information sheets you could think of and i said to myself their is no way i can spend so much on the used stuff so i started looking at new. i did have a ck30 kioti and was happy but wanted more hp so it went like this for me j deere no way i could see 28,000 for plastic fenders and a turbo to boost the smaller cubic in engine so that left for me kubota l3940 or kioti dk45hst i got the kubota down to the 25,000 mark but still when it came down to it the only thing they had was a new kick butt throttle/engine anti stall i liked so i finaly said to my kioti dealer here is what i want to pay and throw in a box blade and you know what...... he did just about 3 hours ago. but i also asked around and the only thing i found was the hydro after a little time of use may creep on you but they tell me it just needs to be adjusted to me the fit and finish is better with no plastic and beefy loader i feel i did the right thing at least i hope so

TractorTidy · Mar 28, 2012

You're borrowing trouble. Kioti is avery good brand and reliable. There can be problems w/ any brand. Deere had MAJOR problems w/ their 4000 series in the late 90's w/ their transmissions. Numerous rebuilt trannies. Anything can happen to any brand, Kioti is just as good if not better is some respects. It is a good value for what you get, especially in the DK series.

JonKioti · Mar 28, 2012

"You're borrowing trouble."

What a great phrase - perfect description.

Dingo, while I congratulate you on the amount of research you are doing, the fact is you are not going to get people with perfectly functioning tractors posting regularly. So yes, all you will see posted are people with problems.

In some ways, I'm glad I didn't go reading about the CK-20 before I bought my first tractor. I went by the experience I had using a similar Kubota, as well as the helpful attitude of my Kioti dealer. The Kioti looked solid in all respects (no plastic fenders), and the price was clearly displayed and affordable.

This has been one purchase I am proud of and would and did repeat (and I'm a picky SOB). The experience has been echoed by the 3-4 other people who have bought Kioti based on my experience as well.

So, if your Kioti dealer is treating you right, and the tractor looks like it will do what you want, then don't let a few postings on the internet dissuade you from your own observations.

Enjoy your new tractor!

Jon

DK35vince · Mar 28, 2012

I bought my DK 35 around 11 years ago and have around 1625 hours on it so far.
If I had to do it all over again I would pick the same tractor. Its been great.