I've taken the time to read all of the posts in this thread and everyone one seems to have an opinion on something, take them for what they are opinions, whether from experience or hersay. I owned two previous Kubota's (albeit small ones) over the past 25 years and have had what 'I' call average problems, nothing to bash about and nothing that would give me a reason not to buy again. The tractors were what 'I' would call very well built and reliable. My last two tractors have been Kioti's for various reasons, the main one is price and I have had no problems with them yet but I've only had them in total about five years now. Yes, technology and feedback over the years have improved them a lot, that's how things get better for the most part of any brand. Kioti may never catch the big three in quality and refinement but they're improving everyday as are the big three. There a variety of reasons for price differences between brands and if you want to try and compare one brand to another for price, it is impossible as each brand has it's reasons for their justification of the price. Let the comsumer decide who will win out if that's what it is all about. I have a tractor that suits me and I am satisfied at the moment until my needs change or something changes my view on my current tractor (CK30HST) or I get like my wife and get tired of the same old thing and change for the sake of change. As far as specifics of lift capacity and flow rates and cycle times, these are irelevant unless you're bought something that will not do what you want, this all comes back to haunt (if that is the appropriate term to use) all of us at some point in time as we all have tried to lift, push or drag something that our tractor would not do, it just a manly thing as a woman would say. As far as reliablity goes, how does each manufacturer look at the design of each tractor as far as how long it will last? I'm sure everyone will have an opinion on that as well, so when comparing tractors do you know how long it was designed to last or even what specific task it may have been designed to do better than another line of the same brand or of another brand altogether. Don't get me wrong, I always enjoy these threads as you see how others look at what they see in a tractor and what they like and dislike. I'm not a brand loyal guy, when I go looking for something it's what I think will suit me at that time. I've owned Kubota, Kioti, GMC, Chev, Dodge, Saturn, Nissan, Honda, Volkswagon, Chrysler, Kawasaki.........they've all had good points and bad points but mostly good in my view. Thanks for your patience and keep up the good postings but also keep it civil.
Steve
