Kioti Warranty Concerns

[Bill Guenthner]

In the last 24 hours I have stumbled upon some threads of people who have reported that Kioti has failed to meet their basic warranty obligations. This is not the first time I have heard this as I was told by an ex dealer North of me a couple of years ago that he dropped them because of this. However, there seems to be two stories that get told about Kioti. One group is saying Kioti finds ways to void their warranty to get out of covering expensive repairs. The other group claims they have never had a problem with Kioti and when they did everything went over like a piece of cake. So something does not add up here and I would like to call into question what's going on with this from people who have had personal experience. I'm looking for truthful testimony from anyone that is in the know. Additionally, I will reference these three threads that spurred me to start this thread covering the topic again:

Kioti Grapple Buyer beware!!!!

Hi all. First Post here. I am kinda new to the Tractor game. I First had a Bobcat CT122 then upgraded to a 2009 CT235, i love the tractor perfect size and power for what i need. I purchased a Brand New Kioti Grapple they just came out with last fall. First off i was really supprised it would...

www.tractorbynet.com

Great Kioti Dealership

AAA+ rating goes out to Concord Tractor in Chichester, NH. I have no affiliation with this dealer at all. My posting is about my own personal experience with this dealer with my smoking and rapping engine. First off they are the nicest group of people that I have ever dealt with. I deal with a...

www.tractorbynet.com

Kioti Warranty and Parts Support ?

Kioti Owners: Has anyone had any problems getting their tractor repaired under warranty? The reason I asked is the closest dealer to me sells LS and Kioti Tractors and he is dropping the Kioti line. He states it is like pulling teeth to get these tractors repaired under warranty. I Love these...

www.tractorbynet.com

Please consider both sides before commenting about this.

People choose the Kubota clone for one reason, because it’s cheaper. They have to cut some corners somewhere.

 

[tractortroof]

Actually that concept is being common because dealers don't get paid for their time if the OEM refuses warranty. The truth is everybody thinks that anything that goes wrong is warranty, but in reality less than 1% is warranty failure. For me if you bring a mower with a locked up engine, I will collect a $50 deposit on push mower engines and a $100 deposit on rider engine before I even touch it. The reason is I have to completely tear down the engine and then take pictures of every bearing surface in the engine, and in some cases is as many as 13 pictures that have to be uploaded after filling out a warranty request form. And if they determine it is not a warranty failure, I would be out my labor time without the deposit.

And the deposit concept is recommended by the OEM companies.

It’s not just heavy equipment manufacturers and distributors doing this, even HVAC manufacturers are charging fit warranty parts up front and paying back within 90 days. Horrible policy

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

It’s not just heavy equipment manufacturers and distributors doing this, even HVAC manufacturers are charging fit warranty parts up front and paying back within 90 days. Horrible policy

This is a new scheme I have not heard of before. I think it is something I should bring up and discuss with my dealer before purchase.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

The middle posting is mine when my motor crapped out. According to a fuel test there was something that shouldn't have been in my fuel, like gasoline. It washed the cylinders down and did a number on the motor. I always buy my fuel in one can and would have known by the smell if gas went into my tank. I bought the motor and they covered everything else including a bad catalytic converter and a new turbo. Had I known the fuel was bad I could have drained it all out and had it all covered under warranty.

Jim do recall where you purchased that fuel for your tractor? Was it at a regular name brand fuel station or some mom and pop place?

If you looked a bit harder you would have found another posting from me about another dealer that makes you pay for your repairs under warranty and will reimburse you when Kioti pays them. In that case I was charged over $1500.00 for warranty work that I never got back from Kioti because they have set rates for repair work. I did not buy my tractor from either of these dealers. If you buy it local they should cover the warranty without any out of pocket expenses.

Yeah I read all that. That was really shocking as I have never heard of a dealer charging what amounts to a deductible for warranty work. That sounds illegal to me.

 

[deezler]

People choose the Kubota clone for one reason, because it’s cheaper. They have to cut some corners somewhere.

In my observation so far, the only corner they are really cutting is into their own profit margin. Kubota is stealing your extra cash to pad their pockets based upon (deserved) reputation.

It's wild to me how a comparable Kubota can be a full 30% more expensive than a Kioti or LS, with a few less operational features, and several hundred pounds less iron on board. They are selling you less tractor, for far more money. But if your top concern is a well established dealer network and in all fairness, a somewhat better bet for long term reliability (debatable?), then I get it. Same story for Deere.

 

[ovrszd]

In my observation so far, the only corner they are really cutting is into their own profit margin. Kubota is stealing your extra cash to pad their pockets based upon (deserved) reputation.

It's wild to me how a comparable Kubota can be a full 30% more expensive than a Kioti or LS, with a few less operational features, and several hundred pounds less iron on board. They are selling you less tractor, for far more money. But if your top concern is a well established dealer network and in all fairness, a somewhat better bet for long term reliability (debatable?), then I get it. Same story for Deere.

You took both sides of that discussion deezler. So I'll simply say I agree.

If reputation, which translates to a longer lasting better built machine, is important to the buyer, then he is willing to pay for it. That's a crap shoot. But the odds are in the buyer's favor.

In today's World, weight doesn't equate to improved quality. I see that thrown around a lot here on TBN.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

In my observation so far, the only corner they are really cutting is into their own profit margin. Kubota is stealing your extra cash to pad their pockets based upon (deserved) reputation.

It's wild to me how a comparable Kubota can be a full 30% more expensive than a Kioti or LS, with a few less operational features, and several hundred pounds less iron on board. They are selling you less tractor, for far more money. But if your top concern is a well established dealer network and in all fairness, a somewhat better bet for long term reliability (debatable?), then I get it. Same story for Deere.

Kioti tractors are made in Korea and China. Kubota tractors are made in Georgia, US. Most likely the cost cutting is in payroll. I'll pay more for made in America.

 

[deezler]

No, weight isn't quality. But it is capability.

Bill, I think you mean assembled, not made.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

No, weight isn't quality. But it is capability.

Bill, I think you mean assembled, not made.

Kubota's Georgia-based plants cover more than 600,000 square feet and employ approximately 1,200 U.S. workers.
You have to start somewhere. I choose the brand that employees 1,200 Americans. I don't have any issue with anyone buying imports, or saving money. For my money, Kubota employs more Americans, has twice as many dealerships, parts are more readily available and they pay more taxes in the US, on top of having a history of better reliability and better warranty service.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

on top of having a history of better reliability and better warranty service.

Ok I am going to chime in here for a second. I'm not here to beat up Kubota but let's be honest, Kubota has had quite a few engineering disasters. And when they have had these disasters Kubota can't seem to get them fixed. Additionally, I have heard very similar reports that Kubota has tried to weasel out of warranty claims from customers also. So I'm not convinced that Kubota is better.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

But the odds are in the buyer's favor.

Please clarify this statement. I want to make sure I fully understand you.

 

[MichiganIron]

Kioti tractors are made in Korea and China. Kubota tractors are made in Georgia, US. Most likely the cost cutting is in payroll. I'll pay more for made in America.

Let's try to stay on track here, all KIOTI Tractors, UTV's and Zero Turn Mowers are manufactured in South Korea. None of KIOTI Products are manufactured in China. KIOTI Branded 3-Point Attachments are manufactured in the U.S.

 

[Blue14]

Kioti tractors are made in Korea and China. Kubota tractors are made in Georgia, US. Most likely the cost cutting is in payroll. I'll pay more for made in America.

Kubota tractors are manufactured in India,China,Thailand,Japan,Canada and the US. Google is your friend!

 

[Bill Guenthner]

Let's try to stay on track here, all KIOTI Tractors, UTV's and Zero Turn Mowers are manufactured in South Korea. None of KIOTI Products are manufactured in China. KIOTI Branded 3-Point Attachments are manufactured in the U.S.

KIOTI tractors and engines sold in North America are manufactured in Korea and China and distributed from its North Carolina and Ontario facilities.

Where Are KIOTI Tractors Made? | Equipment Radar

KIOTI is one of the fastest-growing tractor brands in North America. Known mostly for its compact and subcompact tractors, KIOTI now expanding into compact...

www.equipmentradar.com

 

[murphy1244]

KIOTI tractors and engines sold in North America are manufactured in Korea and China and distributed from its North Carolina and Ontario facilities.

Where Are KIOTI Tractors Made? | Equipment Radar

KIOTI is one of the fastest-growing tractor brands in North America. Known mostly for its compact and subcompact tractors, KIOTI now expanding into compact...

www.equipmentradar.com

So if it on the internet its true?

 

[ptsg]

So if it on the internet its true?

Must have been written by the same guys that believe Kubota is made in the US or something...

 

[RandyT]

If you looked a bit harder you would have found another posting from me about another dealer that makes you pay for your repairs under warranty and will reimburse you when Kioti pays them. In that case I was charged over $1500.00 for warranty work that I never got back from Kioti because they have set rates for repair work. I did not buy my tractor from either of these dealers. If you buy it local they should cover the warranty without any out of pocket expenses.

Yeah I read all that. That was really shocking as I have never heard of a dealer charging what amounts to a deductible for warranty work. That sounds illegal to me.

That can be a slippery slope because if the dealer does abcdefg and The OEM only pays for abcd then you are on the hook for efg.

I know it sounds crooked but dealers have been caught a lot with "I will cover this under warranty" and then the company said NOPE, this is not a failure due to quality or workmanship therefore you do not get paid.

 

[deezler]

Whoa, conversation took off here.

Bill, Kioti is investing heavily in American operations as well. Not certain how many employees they have here yet, but it's growing fast and they have dozens of current job openings posted. Kubota came sooner to the US, but it doesn't necessarily make them more altruistic or patriotic.

KIOTI Tractor Investing $13M In Expansion Of North American Headquarters

Estimated for completion in late 2019, the expansion will double the size of the company’s existing facilities in Wendell, NC.

businessfacilities.com

 

[Bill Guenthner]

Must have been written by the same guys that believe Kubota is made in the US or something...

No worries. You guys just keep buying your Chinese tractors and complaining about the warranty.

Kubota Engine of America Headquarters (KEA) is located in Lincolnshire, Illinois and every 6 - 99 horsepower Kubota engine is built at the facility. Kubota is able to market these engines as the leading OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of compact diesel and gasoline engines, all of which are built with agricultural, industrial and construction operations in mind.

Where Are Kubota Tractors Made?

www.rockymountainkubota.com

 

[ptsg]

No worries. You guys just keep buying your Chinese tractors and complaining about the warranty.

Kubota Engine of America Headquarters (KEA) is located in Lincolnshire, Illinois and every 6 - 99 horsepower Kubota engine is built at the facility. Kubota is able to market these engines as the leading OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of compact diesel and gasoline engines, all of which are built with agricultural, industrial and construction operations in mind.

Where Are Kubota Tractors Made?

www.rockymountainkubota.com

Claims like that just make you look bad. Spend some time researching about Korean and Japanese brands, instead of spreading misinformation and non sense.