KIOTI buyer beware

[tradosaurus]

So this is a 10 month review of my Kioti DK5310 se cab tractor, and some hard lessons that I have learned. My background was dairy farming in my youth an then a sub compact Kubota owner for many years so I have run machines from 200 hp to 25 and everything in between.
To start out I got the KIOTI for a decent price other than all the dealers hidden fees. The tractor has performed ok with the exception of the bucket, which is the weakest most cheaply built bucket I have ever seen as well as a few other issues I will discuss later. I unfortunately bought the tractor from a dealer that only offers services at there shop and has no transport or onsite repair. So I have to arrange a trailer any time I want to bring the machine in for service as I don稚 own one myself. Luckily as a mechanical engineer with a well stocked shop I was able to repair all the issues myself but if you buy one of these machines be ready for repairs. I have had to repair the diff lock, the brake springs, the loader stick the HST return springs, several plugs that have become disconnected and weld the bucket cracks after removing several rocks. The machine for a 50hp unit runs much more like a 40hp tractor, torque is poor and the tractor bogs down on any hill even in medium speed with no PTO(3 speed HST). The horsepower weight and lift capacity seem to have been slightly exaggerated on the spec sheet, from my experience. The worst part of this is that now that I致e realized I need a larger machine or something different and looked to other dealers for trade-in value I致e literally been quoted a trade-in value half of what I paid 10 months ago with only 99 hrs.

I would say this is true for most brands of tractor. Kubota seems to be one of the few honest brands that don't inflate their values.

 

[Industrial Toys]

My guess is that many manufacturers don't go to the lengths that let's say Deere and Kubota do. Yes, they all build something that resembles a tractor. Maybe some have labs that examine and test paint, plastic, metalergy (sp?) and so forth. Extensive testing in all climate conditions. All that costs more money. I have no doubt, they are not all the same in this regard. Like I said before. Often you get what you pay for.

 

[coobie]

My guess is that many manufacturers don't go to the lengths that let's say Deere and Kubota do. Yes, they all build something that resembles a tractor. Maybe some have labs that examine and test paint, plastic, metalergy (sp?) and so forth. Extensive testing in all climate conditions. All that costs more money. I have no doubt, they are not all the same in this regard. Like I said before. Often you get what you pay for.

Sometimes you pay too much for what you get.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Also guessing the testing was done without a bucket on it. My Kioti bucket has to weigh around 200-300 pounds. Big difference lifting something with forks compared with bucket

 

[grsthegreat]

Why trade in...you can sell on craigslist for WAY more than trade in value. When i purchased my new kioti in 2011 the highest trade in offer for my older JD870 was $4,000. I sold it on craigslist for $10,500.

 

[DK35vince]

Very odd. My 2010 DK45 has great fit and finish. No structural failures except for a poorly located snd attached tow hook. All welds tight. Have used it to haul many heavy loads with forklift in my generator installation business over the years. This probably led to front oil seal leak a few years back.

Other than that i would buy another kioti without any reservations.

but yours sure seems like a monday built unit.

My 2001 DK 35 has been a fantastic tractor.
19 years and never gives me any issues.
I personally like the older model DK's much better that the newer model DK.