Kioti Performance and Reliability

[kattywumpus]

I called that Whittermore dealer in Scowhegan Maine and the prices he gave me were wicked expensive compared to what I pay in PA.

I believe Whittermore will help you with repair issues even if your purchase in PA. Whittermore and Bachelder were the dealers that helped me get Kioti attention on the hydraulics noise issue and other issues caused by the Topham dealer. I spend alot of time on the phone with Whittermore's service manager. Sorry I don't remember his name now. I'm sorry to hear that Bachelder not in the pack any more. I bet they were Kioti's top selling dealer in Maine. They always had many Kioti tractors in their Maine and New Hampshire yards.

 

[SSdoxie]

Awesome advice. I will check out these other models. I want to go back to the dealers and take them for a ride. What is the biggest differences between the DK vs the DS series? I would like a hst model.

From what I can see on Kioti website the DS series is shuttle shift only. DK comes in both. Maybe they are going split it up so DS will hydro only & DS shuttle.

Have you thought about or checked dealer availability in the Bobcat line. Kioti CK series is comprable to Bobcat 200 series and DK is Bobcat 335 & 400 series, 3 & 400 series are available either hydro or shuttle shift. Seems to be more Bobcat dealers around the country than Kioti.

 

[back2earth]

Thanks All, I called that Bachelder company yesterday and they told me they were tired of dealing with Kioti and switched to Branson tractors. I called that Whittermore dealer in Scowhegan Maine and the prices he gave me were wicked expensive compared to what I pay in PA.

Volume gets you discounts. You'll be hard-pressed to find a high volume Kioti dealership in Maine, so don't expect great discounts. Whittemore & Sons is a 5 paw dealership and Ron has good contacts within the Kioti hierarchy, but he is a low volume distributor so he will charge a bit more than dealers in other more populous states.

As for Kioti + cold Maine weather? I have not had a problem starting my CK30 in the coldest of days. In fact, at times it starts faster than our gasoline powered vehicles!

If you plan to use the tractor regularly during the winter months, you may want to add a cab at purchase time and negotiate a package discount then.

 

[jimmyj]

As for Kioti + cold Maine weather? I have not had a problem starting my CK30 in the coldest of days. In fact, at times it starts faster than our gasoline powered vehicles!

Well said. Never had an issue with cold starting.

 

[IslandTractor]

Well said. Never had an issue with cold starting.

A month ago I went to visit my DK40se after leaving it parked in the barn for four months. Temp was below freezing but it started instantly after cycling the glow plug twice. I was afraid the fuel would be gelled but I guess the diesel I bought last fall was already winterized.

Never had an issue the cold starts on my Ck20 either.

 

[grsthegreat]

A month ago I went to visit my DK40se after leaving it parked in the barn for four months. Temp was below freezing but it started instantly after cycling the glow plug twice. I was afraid the fuel would be gelled but I guess the diesel I bought last fall was already winterized.

Never had an issue the cold starts on my Ck20 either.

Awww, leaving the poor baby all alone for 4 months......meany. :laughing:

 

[IslandTractor]

Awww, leaving the poor baby all alone for 4 months......meany. :laughing:

yeah I know but it is really cold and there is no heat. summer place.