Kioti vs. Kubota comps

[IslandTractor]

lets not do this thread disjustice and not neglect to point out that there are some massive transmission differences between a GL40 Kubota and a DK. Auto Throttle, Auto HDS, Stall Guard, 2x3 ranges,3rd function remotes, etc are not offered on a DK. If your looking at more basic tractors (non-cab) an L4400 is the ticket.



I did not check these models, but do watch. Typically Kioti is taking their measurements at the ball ends/pivot points to show higher numbers, where Kubota uses bucket center / 24" measurements to reflect the real world capacities of the tractor.

1) The new GL40 Kubota transmission is very nice but hardly necessary. How did even Kubota manage with the GL30 series that has the same generation tranny as the Kioti DK? Definite perk but not a substantial ($5000) benefit which is the price differential.

2) Kubota and Kioti both list pivot point lift capacities as I recall so direct comparisons are possible. It is true that the Kubota loader naming standard seems to be kilograms at mid bucket (LA724=724kg at mid bucket) as I recall and that is a very useful and fair standard. However, so long as pivot pins are stated as the reference the comparisons are just as valid and do away with vagaries in bucket depth/length etc.

I've never seen a "lift off" between Kubota and Kioti loaders. Some Kubota dealers feel Kubota engineers purposely underrate their loaders. Another theory (my own) is that to keep the Kubotas light, they use less stout front axles which might not be a good match for more powerful loaders. Certainly that is the reason that the DK35se Kioti has a much less powerful loader than the 3hp different DK40se. I've operated a number of Kubota B and GL on dealer premises and I am pretty sure that my old CK20/KL120 would easily outlift any B series Kubota under 30hp and that my DK40se/KL401 outlifts any of the GL series. Loader strength/capacity is certainly not the only consideration in purchasing a tractor but for some of us with land clearing rather than finish mowing as the primary tractor task, higher loader capacity is of more benefit than lighter weight. If I was finish mowing an estate I'd vote exactly the other way.

Kubota = best dealer network, best resale, state of the art engineering, lighter weight for finish mowing, significantly higher initial price, fewer standard features (generally).

Kioti = best bang for the buck, higher rated loaders for HP size, heavier tractors better suited for field work, tried and true engineering, more standard features (generally), no MMM option, spotty dealer network, lower resale.

Kubota and Kioti: both excellent machines that serve their happy owners well. Virtually no one sells either one to get an equivalent from the other Orange company.

 

[RJJR]

1) The new GL40 Kubota transmission is very nice but hardly necessary. How did even Kubota manage with the GL30 series that has the same generation tranny as the Kioti DK? Definite perk but not a substantial ($5000) benefit which is the price differential.


Kubota = best dealer network, best resale, state of the art engineering, lighter weight for finish mowing, significantly higher initial price, fewer standard features (generally).

Kioti = best bang for the buck, higher rated loaders for HP size, heavier tractors better suited for field work, tried and true engineering, more standard features (generally), no MMM option, spotty dealer network, lower resale.


I couldn't agree more with the comments above from my personal observations. I evaluated both tractors and come to pretty much the same conclusions and bought the Kioti. I loved the Kubota but I'm a hobby farmer with 14 acres coming off of a 1975 Ferguson...gear shift at that. Either tractor in the HST is going to be worlds from where I was. So the premium HST in the Kubota was not a must have option and either would work in my case (short of the squealing HST problems being reported by some owners!). I hope I'll be one of the lucky ones. The dealer said he'd sold 17 of these tractors since March and no one had reported any problems. I hope i'm 18.

When I originally started talking to the dealers there was only $1500 difference in the Kioti and the 3940. Seems like the Kubota guy went "best offer" out of the gate but the Kioti guy countered and when we finished there was $5500 difference. Resale isn't an issue as I don't plan to sell unless it's a lemon. The risk that bothers me most is the depth of the dealer network. However, I'm only 25 miles from the headquarters in NC which makes me feel some better. Bottom line is both are great tractors. I was Ok with either brand but decided the lower initial investment and better specs in some key categories outweighed the Kubotas obvious strengths. I hope I'll be right. Only time and personl experience with this tractor will tell. Back to looking for a grapple.
Thanks for everyones help.
RJ

 

[coobie]

Where did Messick farm run off to?coobie

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Where did Messick farm run off to?coobie

I'm here... whats up?

 

[milkman636]

1) ......................... Certainly that is the reason that the DK35se Kioti has a much less powerful loader than the 3hp different DK40se.

As an owner of a DK35se's step brother, the CT335, my theory on reduced loader capacity is that the shorter wheel base of the CT335/DK35 makes the tractor unstable with the heavier front end load. The ballast in the rear has a shorter lever to work with. It is front heavy when I get a real full load on my loader. I just traded my 635# box blade for an 850# box blade, and the extra ballast makes a huge difference. My JD tractor with about 14" more wheelbase is fine lifting its full 2500# capacity with only the 635# blade hanging on the back. Both have loaded tires.

 

[IslandTractor]

As an owner of a DK35se's step brother, the CT335, my theory on reduced loader capacity is that the shorter wheel base of the CT335/DK35 makes the tractor unstable with the heavier front end load. The ballast in the rear has a shorter lever to work with. It is front heavy when I get a real full load on my loader. I just traded my 635# box blade for an 850# box blade, and the extra ballast makes a huge difference. My JD tractor with about 14" more wheelbase is fine lifting its full 2500# capacity with only the 635# blade hanging on the back. Both have loaded tires.

I didn't think there was a big difference in wheel base between DK35se and the 40/45/50. It looks less tall due to smaller tires and axles but I thought it shared the rest of the body parts.

 

[milkman636]

The dk35/ct335 wheelbase is shorter length because of the 3 cylinder engine block instead of a 4. It's one of the reasons I opted for the 335 over a 440. I was looking specifically for more manueverability than my larger tractor offers.

 

[MotorSeven]

I originally wanted a 'bota Grand L after doing all my shopping/comparisons. However, their "special financing" turned out to be a game & the dealer did not wish to play. It had come down to Kioti or Kubota, so I went with the Kioti. My only regret was not buying the bigger machine so I traded the Ck30 in for a Dk40SE. I have almost 500 hrs on the Dk....life is good!

 

[IslandTractor]

The dk35/ct335 wheelbase is shorter length because of the 3 cylinder engine block instead of a 4. It's one of the reasons I opted for the 335 over a 440. I was looking specifically for more manueverability than my larger tractor offers.

Six inches of wheel base will not affect stability much.

 

[IslandTractor]

Kubota L3950 ***** Kioti Dk40SE

3pt.lift @24in.2,760 ***** 3pt.lift @24in.2,493
LDR lift 2,760 ***** LDR lift 2,761

So I dont see were the kioti loader lifts way more than the kubota as someone said earlier all I can see between the two is that the kubota can handle more on 3pt.Not any of the other tractor owners are going to state the parts the other brand beats them in!!!

Did Kubota just introduce a new Grand L model and loader? What is an L3950 and which loader are you referring to for the Kubota?