Kioti

[k0ua]

I am curious. What is it about the pedal arrangement that you didn't like and is atypical for similar tractors? Thanks!

Kubota's usually have the single treadle pedal on their hydrostatic tractors that some people don't like. The Kioti like most brands have the dual hydro pedal setup. More people seem to prefer that setup. I am fine with either. I had a Kubota with the single pedal, and got used to that, and now have the Kioti and I am fine with that.

By the way my Kioti was about $10,000 less than the comparable Kubota. However the Kubota would have had the premium Hydrostatic transmission with the 2 speed hydraulic motor and the other features that it offers. Of course there are a couple of features on my Kioti that the Kubota would not have.

 

[4570Man]

Kubota's usually have the single treadle pedal on their hydrostatic tractors that some people don't like. The Kioti like most brands have the dual hydro pedal setup. More people seem to prefer that setup. I am fine with either. I had a Kubota with the single pedal, and got used to that, and now have the Kioti and I am fine with that.

By the way my Kioti was about $10,000 less than the comparable Kubota. However the Kubota would have had the premium Hydrostatic transmission with the 2 speed hydraulic motor and the other features that it offers. Of course there are a couple of features on my Kioti that the Kubota would not have.

Most people that don’t like the Kubota pedal are using them wrong. Personally I think the 2 pedal setup is goofy and I don’t like it. Also there’s different pedals on the Kubota Grand vs the economy tractor. I’m not as familiar with the Kioti so I won’t comment but the Kubota grand is a far superior machine to the basic Kubota. Some people call it bells and whistles but that’s far from the truth. First and foremost the Grand has a 6 speed transmission vs a 3. In addition to that it has far superior 3 point arms, a more comfortable seat, a tilt column steering wheel, a separate clutch for the pto engagement, cruise control, and probably other stuff I’m forgetting about.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Personally I think the 2 pedal setup is goofy and I don’t like it.

Because you are using them wrong

 

[Torvy]

Thanks for the answers. I am not likely to get HST, so that helps me keep it in perspective for my needs. (hopefully others' too)

 

[rScotty]

Thanks for the answers. I am not likely to get HST, so that helps me keep it in perspective for my needs. (hopefully others' too)

What transmissions are you looking at?

I like the 6 speed HST on our Kubota with the 3 range & high low in each. It's a great transmission. Durable, lots of filtration, and good cooling. Somehow having lots of gears to chose from makes it feel more nimble.

I'm spoiled by all those gears, and in spite of HST convenience, would look seriously at a glideshift/powershift over a HST with less speeds.
rScotty

 

[Torvy]

Any gear transmission, to me, is better than an HST. Between power loss in PTO to my own experience with gear shifts. The L has 8F/8R. That is on the low end for some of the machines in its class.

 

[ptsg]

Any gear transmission, to me, is better than an HST. Between power loss in PTO to my own experience with gear shifts. The L has 8F/8R. That is on the low end for some of the machines in its class.

True. Most brands offers a 12x12 these days. Branson offers a fully synchronized 16x16 on their newer 20 series (3620, 4820 and 5520). Shuttle shift, ranges and main gears all synchronized, which I don't think anyone offers that in this size of tractor.

 

[paulfun9]

Most people that don’t like the Kubota pedal are using them wrong. Personally I think the 2 pedal setup is goofy and I don’t like it. Also there’s different pedals on the Kubota Grand vs the economy tractor. I’m not as familiar with the Kioti so I won’t comment but the Kubota grand is a far superior machine to the basic Kubota. Some people call it bells and whistles but that’s far from the truth. First and foremost the Grand has a 6 speed transmission vs a 3. In addition to that it has far superior 3 point arms, a more comfortable seat, a tilt column steering wheel, a separate clutch for the pto engagement, cruise control, and probably other stuff I’m forgetting about.

So after years of living with it we were still using it wrong? You do realise there are only so many ways you can place your feet before one establishes they don’t like it!


For the OP
Kioti has been a very good tractor for me.

All brands seem to be good these days so buy the one that fits your needs no matter the brand name. Don’t get sucked into the name game but if your more comfortable on a kubota then buy it if you happen to like an LS best go that way as any of the machines will surely make you happy.

Personally with the experiance I have dealing with electronics and computers in vehicles that would be the thing I would stay furthest from so something like the Yanmar with all its gadgets and the need for serious computer enhanced controlls would be taken right off my list by the straight forward design of the Branson.
Out of all my years of ownership and shopping brands the only brand to have me sit with an unusable tractor during a test drive was the newer Yanmar and the dealer could do nothing but inch it to the side and wait for a specialist to come and fetch it. Just not the kind of crap one will want to deal with 10 or 20 years down the road.

 

[TmbrWlkr]

For what it’s worth; I would be wary of buying a machine from a “non-dealer”! (RK etc.)

Warranty, parts, and future resale value would be my concerns. Also just general accumulated knowledge when you have questions.

 

[Droptine]

Are you just shopping brands? Do you have a tractor size, weight or HP considerations?

If you’re set on Kioti, please look at Bobcat too. The Bobcat is a rebadged Kioti (with a proprietary loader) and it may be cheaper than a comparable Kioti.

Mike

I'm looking to be in the 40hp range, I did briefly look at the bobcat I am definitely not apposed to it I'll research more into it
Thank you

 

[Torvy]

I'm looking to be in the 40hp range, I did briefly look at the bobcat I am definitely not apposed to it I'll research more into it
Thank you

I figured with Bobcat's name recognition and the rebranding costs, the Kioti would be cheaper like for like.

 

[Rdrcr]

I figured with Bobcat's name recognition and the rebranding costs, the Kioti would be cheaper like for like.

It’s hard to say in this market but…in my area, the Kioti is just as expensive as Kubota and Bobcat is cheaper than Kioti. Go figure.

Mike

 

[kantuckid]

It’s hard to say in this market but…in my area, the Kioti is just as expensive as Kubota and Bobcat is cheaper than Kioti. Go figure.

Mike

In a fairly wide search area for my next tractor I've seen a wide price point range (thousands of $$$) between Kioti dealers. Also common is various costs for rear tire ballast fluids ranging from free (built into the price of course) and delivery costs vs. sales taxes vs. no sales taxes. The only way you'll really know most brands true cost is to do the same legwork that a road vehicle purchase involves as they simply don't advertise final invoice price points.
Common to see here and other places comments on parts in stock or speed to get parts delivered. Many tractor maintenance parts are generic as are major service parts and this is true for Kioti.
In todays world parts are often not stocked by anyone except a warehouse and come via delivery trucks even at AP's stores. Two of my nephews make a living in KY delivering vehicle factory parts based on the "just in time" parts concept developed by Toyota and applied to their network of smaller parts mfg.'s. Service garages-dealer & independent typically stock what keeps their work flowing-when and if they can. In this weeks NYT's newspaper there's an article toward the world today and shipping issues- particularly from Asia or from USA mfg/s who cannot hire people. It's a large and current dilemma. China has closed several major shipping points. Issues with steel & other components make it tough times for parts or machines, etc..
Kioti dealers are often smaller, as are the other secondary brands but the real issue for me is not next door dealers (there are zero of any brand really close) but price to acquire and how co-operative in a warranty pinch given that I am mostly my own service provider. If I range out say, 250-300 miles then I have lots of Kioti dealers to choose from and each has quite a different price point.
I like the Branson tractor lineup but have zero experience with owning one.

 

[rScotty]

It’s hard to say in this market but…in my area, the Kioti is just as expensive as Kubota and Bobcat is cheaper than Kioti. Go figure.

Mike

When I am buying a sophisticated tool that I expect to use hard for decades, buying cheaper is way down near the bottom of my own list of most important features.

 

[IndyJay]

When I am buying a sophisticated tool that I expect to use hard for decades, buying cheaper is way down near the bottom of my own list of most important features.

When I decide on a specific high dollar item, I shop for the best deal on that specific item. Manufacturer, Model, exact same item may vary in price by 10-20 percent. When talking tens of thousands of dollars it is worth shopping the best price.

 

[Midniteoyl]

based on the "just in time" parts concept developed by Toyota

Whats funny is that while Toyota came up with the concept, they do it totally different than most of the rest of the world. Especially in the US where we took it way to far. When I worked at Motorola, we constantly had delays as they took it so far that parts were landing at the airport 2hrs before actually being needed on the lines. One little slip up or weather event, and the lines were sitting idle with no parts

Toyota still stacks everything needed to keep the lines running for ~6 months (I think its 6 months) because they know the world and it's supply chains are not perfect.

 

[Midniteoyl]

When I am buying a sophisticated tool that I expect to use hard for decades, buying cheaper is way down near the bottom of my own list of most important features.

When buying what is the same tool with branded differently, yes, price point becomes important.

 

[Williy]

No body said anything about the LS tractors, easy to
get parts and expanding getting more dealerships open.
Very well made tractor. LS Tractor offers a six-year warranty for most of their tractors. And just like all LS Tractor warranties, you get a two-year bumper to bumper protection, plus additional power train coverage that includes parts and labor. There's no deductible, and it isn't loaded with exclusions

willy

 

[coobie]

No body said anything about the LS tractors, easy to
get parts and expanding getting more dealerships open.
Very well made tractor. LS Tractor offers a six-year warranty for most of their tractors. And just like all LS Tractor warranties, you get a two-year bumper to bumper protection, plus additional power train coverage that includes parts and labor. There's no deductible, and it isn't loaded with exclusions

willy

Local tractor dealer just dropped his LS line of tractors told me they were a PIA to deal with.

 

[Torvy]

Local tractor dealer just dropped his LS line of tractors told me they were a PIA to deal with.

Having experience working with auto dealerships as a partner and being a bit cynical anyway, I figure it is at least 50/50 likely that the manufacturer pulled his franchise. Could be sales, could be service who knows? Don't have direct experience with LS or that dealer.