Kioti vs Kubota

rk246 · Dec 18, 2005

Why not get both machines out to your place and try them both out? You can put like 3 or 4 hours on each and see which one performs the way you want for the real world? I found most dealers were willing to do this once they knew you were serious about a model. My dealer brought me the 3130 and ended up selling me the 3830 I am glad I got to try it first though, because I was sure the 3130 was what I wanted/needed....

Dargo · Dec 18, 2005

I know this site has more Kioti owners on it than any other site on the internet, but I'll go ahead and say it anyway; when I closely compared the two, in nearly every aspect there was a quality advantage to Kubota. As I said, I know this is the Kioti site, but I have always called it as I see it, and this call is no different. I'll look again in a few years, but as of this last summer, that's how I saw it after spending about 4 hours on, around, over, and under each brand machine.

I know the Kioti owners here will want to argue the point, and that is fine. They all claim to have saved "thousands" over a comparable Kubota. I wasn't looking for savings; only the best tractor. If you're looking to save thousands, and your Kioti dealer doesn't go for the home run on profit, go for it.

MessickFarmEqu · Dec 18, 2005

I guess my statement was not 100% correct. I am not one to really care about rubber floor mats and tilt steering so I tend to overlook those things.

Donnyj · Dec 18, 2005

Not trying to argue.... but what did you see that was better quality? I looked at both and really could not see a big advantage to either one. Keep in mind, I find the Kubota a fantastic machine. The dealer probably blew the deal for me. Getting back to the quality issues though, what did you see as being better? I seen Kubotas setting on the lot with rust and faded paint. Did not bother me any though. I have seen some issues with the rear end housing breaking on the Kubota's from I believe the top link or backhoe attachment. If I'm wrong, please correct me. I have seen pictures of the whole housing busted out. All tractors break. I understand that. I just don't see this poor quality or less quality that some people on here have stated. I'm not a newbie to tractors either. I have owned Fords and my family has owned Fords. Many different models. I'm not an expert on tractors by any means. I just don't see where any tractor is superior anymore.

Neil, I find it hard to believe you don't consider floor mats and tilt steering a step up from a base model. Just my opinioin though.

thcri · Dec 18, 2005

(
Shifter on the floor vs beside the operater (gear model) ?
)

I am not familiar with Kubota or Kioti so I have been staying out of this thread, however, Vince are you telling me you would rather have the shifter on the floor instead of on the side where it is out of the way and easier to use?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

If so every time you get on and off that tractor you have to swing your leg around it. Doesn't make much sense to me.

To the original poster this thread probably has made you wonder what kind of advice your getting here. If it was me go out and try them all three of them, even test drive a few other brands. Buy the one you like the best but make sure that dealer is going to take good care of you. The difference in price over the years you will have the tractor usually doesn't make much difference. As far as the two brands to me, Kubota has been around and in the United States for a long time. You don't have to worry about any track records.

murph

DK35vince · Dec 18, 2005

( Vince are you telling me you would rather have the shifter on the floor instead of on the side where it is out of the way and easier to use?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif)

No, I'm saying just the opposite.
Often the machines considered a little more "bare bones" come with the shifter on the floor. ( Example, JD 790, Kubota 3400). While many more fully featured machines come with the shifter near or beside the operator.

tjkadar · Dec 18, 2005

The shifter in the middle of the floor was one thing I really didn’t like about the Kubota. However, after driving the Kubota for a couple hours, climbing on and off the tractor, I discovered the shifter really wasn’t in my way at all. As long as I was in neutral, my leg never hit the gearshift when clambering on and off the machine. Plus, it seemed to be a much sturdier and simpler design then the column shifter on our L3250.

I would still prefer a gearshift lever on the side, but the middle mounted one turned out not to be an issue after all. But, the cockpit on a M6800 probably has a bit more room in it then on a smaller framed machine.

I drove our vet’s TN75A and really liked that tractor’s layout too. It was a very nice machine and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings at all to have one in the barn (along with a John Deere 4110). Again, it all comes down to finding what machine suits your needs the best and which dealer you want to work with. Kioti, Mahindra, John Deere, New Holland, Massy Ferguson, Antonio Carraro (I love those tractors!!), and Kubota are all fine tractors. Most likely, with proper care and maintenance, they’ll outlast us all.

Buy the tractor you are comfortable on with the dealer you are comfortable with on a budget you can afford. Pretty simple – eh? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Me, I like getting the biggest beast that fits my needs with the most bang for the buck I can squeeze from a tractor. My definition of bang for the buck is probably a bit different from others. In my opinion, the Kubota edged out all the other players if only by a smidgen. If a couple variables were different, I could have ended up with any of the other tractors I listed above and been perfectly happy.

Kioti or Kubota is an argument we've read over and over again. Owners on both sides of the battle fervently defend the honor of their machines. That means there are plenty of happy owners of both models.

Look at the numbers of each machine and see if you are comparing the same specifications. Drive both and see which fits you personally. Then settle on the dealer that you want to work with. In that manner, you'll end up with a machine you are happy with for many, many years to come.

If it were me, I would end up with the Kubota over the Kioti. But that has as much to do with my dealer as the tractor.

depratt_equip · Dec 18, 2005

If your looking for a larger HP tractor and want HST I would go with the Kubota... As Kioti does not yet have a 35HP range HST. If you don't mind gear you might look at the DK35. When Kioti gets HST (Should be soon) in the 35 and 40 HP then I would invite all to recompare. Like all others have said, test drive them and see which one fits better. Just like shoes not one pair fits all. Take care, and happy shopping!

Dargo · Dec 18, 2005

Not a problem. In some thread earlier, right after I spent quite a bit of time on a DK65 and a L5030HSTC, I used about 500 words going into every detail I saw. Some don't agree, but I've really noticed that when I've gone to buy a used tractor, used car, used boat, etc. the seller's idea of "mint condition" differs considerably from what I consider mint condition. The concept of a "quality" peice of equipment is no different. Some people feel that Harbor Freight sells top quality merchandise; I personally don't agree with that statement. The Kioti tractors were certianly leap years ahead of a Tractor King on fit, finish and overall appearance, but in no area were they equal to the Kubota.

As I recall, the fit and finish were not up to the Kubota, the castings were not up to the same level, the feel of all of the controlls were not up to the same level, the shifting was not up to the same level, the smoothness of the gearing in the transmission was not as smooth, the smoothness of the FEL was not up to the same level, the cab quality was not up to the same level, the steering feel was not up to the same level, the alignment of the fenders, hood, grill etc. were not up to the same level, the engine smoothness was not up to the same level the feel of all the lever movements were not up to the same level, the dealership service, parts and sales department were not nearly up to the same level. I could look up the old post I made right after doing extensive direct comparisons, but it is a moot point.

I get the same sort of people who get their feathers all ruffled up and claim that they'd put their Belaraus up against anyone. Simply put, not all people's sense of quality are the same. In my case, there was NO price advantage for the Kioti. Being that I was going to have to accept a dozen or so items that I felt were not up to the same level of quality, the price difference would have had to be significant for me.

Take a Kia and a Lexus and do a head to head comparison. Most of your Kia owners see no difference other than additional bells and whistles. I feel a difference in many areas. It all boils down to what the person spending their own hard earned money thinks. I'm only giving my take. Kioti has certainly increased in quality and reliablilty in recent years, and I have no reason to feel that the trend won't continue.

Here is a link to some university that did a comparison on quality versus "service challanged" machines Service challanged As you can see, the Kioti tractors fell into the "service challanged" category. That was 5 years ago. Based on the following of this one particular website, I'd think that Kioti has worked to move themselves out of the "service challanged" area. When you spend your money, you have to do what you think best.