Kioti has an independent PTO on the new models. If you check out their website, it'll mention from a certain serial number on is independent. They older ones are live. As far as importance...I like the live in my 4010 so I can ease into the PTO and then just up the RPMs.
Differences might also include safety switches? I remember talking with my bobcat dealer and telling them the only thing I must to do to start my tractor is press in the clutch. I can be off the seat even. And getting out of the seat...I can have the PTO on, in gear, no parking break set, etc... It'll keep running till it's out of fuel. I don't make a habit of that if course, but it is possible. The guy was blown away hearing that and telling me bobcat would never allow that. But I've never personally drove one so I don't know if that's how they are or not.