Kubota-Kioti (the burning question...)

[Agrarian1]

Am new to this forum and in similar situation as many before me (sorry). JD compacts seem to sell on the name (which is the only thing American about them). My experience with JD garden equipment/tractors is they really price up the parts/service. A friend with a fleet of JD compacts has had nothing but problems with his last. I know of nobody unhappy with a Kubota. Just yesterday I visited a Kioti dealer. Seems like a great dealer/shop. I am impressed with the Kioti looking specifically at the CK30 and 35 in manual and HST. Right now I have a Ford 2N and tired of babying it and nickel-diming. Like the frame, though.

Will keep and use present implements... single share plow, 5' bush hog, 5+' 3 pt disk, rear bucket scoop, 6' York rake, 6' rear blade, post hole auger. Want to add FEL, backhoe, tiller and new mower deck.

Have never used HST..... would like to hear about strong preferences one way or another. Any major disadvantages either way? HST does look like an easy rig.

The overall features of Kioti seem as good and better than Kubota. Like quick disconnect loader bucket. Backhoe seems like a good mount system. I think I prefer the LandPride affiliation that Kubota has, though. Kioti does not offer a reverse rotation tiller...only forward. Anyone out there can vouch for the Kioti implements?

I especially like the ruggedness of the Kioti CKs...axle housings seem much better made cast. Overall tractor is about 50% heavier.

Both kubota and Kioti offer front weights. Only Kubota has a ballast box...would like to consider that rather than filling tires.

Anyone strongly prefer Ag or industrial tires? I garden 2 -3 acres of produce curently. Will use new tractor for grass mowing as JD garden tractor is done for. Don't want to be too harsh on turf but concerned that industrial treads will fill up too easily in loose/wet soil. On the other hand, I treat a lawn as a utility rather than a place to use $K on chemicals...I'd rather eat my dandelions than poison everything.

What about belly vs. rear hitch mower deck? 30 vs. 35 HP?

Yeah...this is loaded with questons and I can probably spend all day researching other posts.

Would appreciate any input!! Ag....

 

[munchie]

A ballast box is more flexible, but loaded rear tires have advantages too, such as always available and lower centre of gravity. A rear mower is slightly easier to change off but a mid mount on a narrow-ish tractor is v-easy to direct with no wiggling back to cut close to anything.
Just more stuff to add to your considerations.

 

[MarkV]

You mention a belly mower and also a backhoe. I am not sure with Kioti but the two may not be compatible if you want a backhoe with a sub frame. The sub frame makes for a much stronger platform than a 3pt hitch backhoe.

The HST vs Gear question is an on going debate here on the forum. Do a search, set a side a couple of weeks for reading and you will know more than you want to.

MarkV

 

[ChuckinNH]

If you want a mid mounted mower the Kubota is perhaps the better option. The extra weight of the Kioti will be better for lifting, pushing, and general dirt work though. One interesting thing here is that the two tractors are being compared more, and more often these days........ wasn't so long ago that wouldn't have been the case.

 

[carpenter383]

Get a FEL for front wieght, you won't regret it! LOL

 

[greenmule]

I can't speak for the kubota but have a kioti ck 30,like it. Its gear,wouldn't have the hst,[but thats just me].Heard some kioti models had a nasty 3 point lower/raise thing going on/jerky?

As far as industrials,mine has industrials,like them too. First tractor I ever had with industrials too,I got a 1/2 acre garden and brushog maybe 10 acres,no problems with them as far as traction,filling up with mud,ags do to,just not as much of them to fill up,r4's give you better sideways stability,smoother ride,won't tear up yard like areas like ag's will and are supposed to be more punture resistant,get them loaded.
I wouldn't want a belly mower,get hung up,probably hard to take off and put on,etc. hog will do good job cutting grass in fields and you don't have to cut it before it gets real tall like with a mower,you can wait till you're ready,just cut 5-6 acres which some of it was 4 ft tall.,and if you got wide open smooth areas,than a finish mower might be the thing.

Bet that kubota is a good bit more money than the kioti?

 

[TBDonnelly]

Heard some kioti models had a nasty 3 point lower/raise thing going on/jerky?

Hmmmmm......never heard that before.

Don

 

[Dmace]

Heard some kioti models had a nasty 3 point lower/raise thing going on/jerky?

Hmmmmm......never heard that before.
Don

He probably meant the Kubota had a jerky 3pt which I heard also due to their quarter-inching valve compared to Kioti's Position control. Check out the YouTube video posted in that TractorByNet link I posted, that would drive me nuts!

 

[greenmule]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

[art]

He probably meant the Kubota had a jerky 3pt which I heard also due to their quarter-inching valve compared to Kioti's Position control. Check out the YouTube video posted in that TractorByNet link I posted, that would drive me nuts!

The jerky hitch that Kubota had a couple of years ago was not with the inching valve only with a position control valve just like on the Kioti's. Many customers are very happy with the inching valve. Only those that might have used the regular hitch system might have problems.