Buying Advice Kioti CK 3510 - reliable?

[IslandTractor]

Thank you. That was reassuring and it's my best case scenario. Which dealer did you use in RI?

My dealer was Wallace Tractor in Lake Ariel PA. He delivered to Prudence Island for fuel money!!

As noted, I really haven't used any local dealer. I used to stop in to Boston Bobcat for filters but I haven't since they dropped their rebadged Kioti tractor line.

Ask the dealers you are talking to if they are comfortable giving phone advice. Wallace was great as were his mechanics. Sadly I've heard he is out of business and I haven't needed to talk to a dealer in the past six or seven years.

 

[slwelch]

If it's still under warrantee you should want a dealer to fix it, you don't want to lose your warrantee. If something goes wrong the manufacture will not cover it. It's safer and cheaper in the long run to take it to the dealer just in case you lose the engine or something real bad like the transmission or rear end. It will be covered.

 

[IslandTractor]

If it's still under warrantee you should want a dealer to fix it, you don't want to lose your warrantee. If something goes wrong the manufacture will not cover it. It's safer and cheaper in the long run to take it to the dealer just in case you lose the engine or something real bad like the transmission or rear end. It will be covered.

For big issues I agree. However the only warranty issues I ever had to deal with on two tractors were a broken seatbelt retractor and a leaking cracked fuel bowl. Both easily fixed without expert help. I wouldn't touch the bolts on an engine or muck with a transmission etc. Those things however rarely rarely cause problems.

 

[Luke009]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

 

[Garrett Wiggins]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

I would start a new thread. Probably would generate more traffic since your comparing three different tractors.

 

[IslandTractor]

I would start a new thread. Probably would generate more traffic since your comparing three different tractors.

I'd argue that a new thread would be useless. There is no reliability data in the public domain. Marketing claims and other BS is all that can be quoted. IMO the issue is moot as ALL of those brands are extremely reliable and capable machines. It's like comparing a Toyota to a Honda and Mazda. Reliability is NOT a distinction.

 

[cat fever]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

I was in your same boat 2.5 years ago. Couldn't even sleep thinking about it.
I ended buying a Kioti. I do not enjoy doing my own maintenance but I do it and it's not difficult at all. I'm getting close to 300 hours and have not had 1 problem thus far. Trust me I've used the tractor hard. I look forward to every "tractor using opportunity.":laughing:

Like Island Tractor already stated; any tractor will serve you well, but for now I'm partial to Kioti.

I dug this gigantic hole within a month of buying the tractor.

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have a CT27 which is the Bobcat version of the Kioti. I use mine commercially and it shows. I use it daily. I have had my tractor back to the dealer every year that I have owned it. It has had hydraulic leaks in several different places. It is aggravating and expensive to fix, but does not disable the tractor. I have had trouble with the safety switches. I had to have one replaced and I disabled the seat switch. Had to have new hubs replaced due to a jolt they took while I was bushogging. It lost an engine due to a punctured oil filter but it was just a crazy accident. The tractor is very comfortable and works hard.It is easy to work on. The dealer is fantastic. Would I have had these problems with another brand. No way to know. There is nothing about the tractors build that is not robust but are others better. When I hear people say they never need repairs, I wonder how many hours they use it per week. I am at about 200hrs per year.

 

[fried1765]

Yup!
$3000 - $5000 for a new equipment trailer is about right.
I paid $4400 for my new 20' 14K trailer.
I keep all my implements inside, and my trailer will likely still be worth $3400 in ten years.
New trailer prices will have risen over that time.
I will have spent $200 per year to own, use, and have available, a 20' 14K trailer.
Over ten years most folks will find other occasional uses for a trailer as well.
A trailer will take the anxiety out of any tractor purchase anywhere.

 

[DK35vince]

I don't mean to diverge the conversation but, between Kioti, Kubota, and Mahindra, do you guys have an opinion as far as reliability? I'm talking 25-35hp class. I haven't bought my tractor yet.

All I know is I've owned my Kioti DK 35 for 16 years (2060 hours) and its never been back to the dealer.
Its been solid reliable for me.