Comparison Kioti CK3510 vs. Kubota L3901

[k0ua]

I suspect Messick meant smaller in terms of market share, not overall company size. And, like TripleR said, he wasn't bagging on Kioti.

I own two Kubotas and a Kioti. They are all good tractors. In the OP's case, I'd probably go with the Kioti since it is much cheaper. $6,000 would buy you a grapple, a box blade, a rotary cutter, a grading scraper and a tiller!

That is what I am thinking too.. You won't go wrong with either one, but I would rather have all them fun extra "toys" to go with my tractor for $6000.

 

[k0ua]

If you want a slightly smaller Kioti than the DK40se (a real beast of a tractor) and if you can find a used one a DK35se like the one in my avatar is a good machine. It is about 4 inches shorter than the DK40, lifts slightly less on the 3pt and only lifts 1430 to full height on the loader but otherwise has all of the deluxe features of the DK40se. This machine is a cut above either the 3901 or the CK35 or CK3510. I paid $19,300 for mine new in 2012. Of course they don't sell new ones, but maybe you could fine a good used one somewhere.

 

[GManBart]

What features did Kioti drop with the new value line tractor compared to the previous models? Also finally got some good pricing today on both and the kubota is significantly more expensive than the kioti. $18,500 for the ck3510 hst before taxes and 24,500 for the L3901 Hst before taxes. Would it really be worth the price difference since they are so comparable? Also thanks for all the input so far it has really helped.

AT

I don't think they're all that comparable when it comes to many important specs. Other than a slight edge in PTO power, the Kubota lags behind in almost every important category.

The most glaring example is the FEL lift capacity and lift height. The Kioti lifts a full 700lbs an additional 4" which means that at the same height the difference is more than 700lbs in favor of the Kioti. Another way of saying that would be that when the Kubota is maxed out at 1,131lbs at 94", the Kioti could probably lift close to 2,000lbs to the same height. It's not double, the capacity, but like 70% more.

The Kioti 3pt lift can handle an extra 200lbs, which isn't usually a critical factor, but points to overall capability. The Kioti also has a 1.5gpm edge in pump flow (which impacts loader cycle times) which also isn't critical, but can be handy.

From a personal standpoint, I don't like the rocker pedal HST control on the Kubota, and having the brake pedals on the right side above the HST rocker is terrible from a functional standpoint. There really are times when you want to be able to use the brakes and the HST pedal at the same time....not easy to do the way the Kubota is set up. Lastly, having the FEL control mounted on the loader arm rather than the fender is annoying....your arm is hanging in the air to use it, which gets tiring after a while.

As far as Kioti quality goes, there are a lot of Kioti owners here, and you don't see many serious issues reported. For the price of the Kubota, you could actually step up to a Kioti NX4510 and get way more machine.

 

[ishiboo]

I believe that the Kubota is the better tractor by a slight edge, but the Kioti is close and a much better value. As mentioned, having money for attachments is important as well - I figure I have about $11,000 in "Craigslist value" attachments (most not purchased new) and I still have a whole list of more I would like

In addition, the loader capacity I think is a big deal, as I use my loader a ton and couldn't be without it.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . . What I then did with my extra budget was a bucket grapple, tooth bar, and rear remotes.

That's a smart way to use your extra budget. Those are 3 very useful tools. I've got 2 pairs of rear remotes and wish I had 3.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

That's a smart way to use your extra budget. Those are 3 very useful tools. I've got 2 pairs of rear remotes and wish I had 3.

Pappy, we can always add on to get that 3rd set that you need.

 

[paulfun9]

I believe that the Kubota is the better tractor by a slight edge, but the Kioti is close and a much better value. As mentioned, having money for attachments is important as well - I figure I have about $11,000 in "Craigslist value" attachments (most not purchased new) and I still have a whole list of more I would like

In addition, the loader capacity I think is a big deal, as I use my loader a ton and couldn't be without it.

I am puzzled at your first sentence ? I started out considering the 30 to 35 HP range of tractor and spent extensive time testing the CK and the Kubota and for the life of me cant understand how anyone could think that the Kubota has the edge. Please enlighten me on what gives it an edge because I could not find it when I was shopping.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Pappy, we can always add on to get that 3rd set that you need.

I know it, and one of these days I'm gonna get with you to do just that so I can also buy a top and tilt setup from you. But I've been spending money like a drunken sailor, and there always seems to be something a little further up the priority list than a 3rd set of remotes and a TNT setup.

 

[aturne67]

What would be the benefits actually of all these extra features that say the dk40 has opposed to the ck35? Telescoping 3 point, stabilizers, remotes, etc.

 

[k0ua]

What would be the benefits actually of all these extra features that say the dk40 has opposed to the ck35? Telescoping 3 point, stabilizers, remotes, etc.

The 3 pt telescoping lower links and stabilizers make hooking up so much easier. The remotes are to hook up things that need hydraulic fluid flow. Like a grapple, top and tilt cylinders, multiple cylinders on a grading blade. Batwing mowers. Log spliters. Or anything your mind can think up that needs fluid power.