Kubota L3901 vs Kioti CK4010

[chryon]

I was originally trying to decide between a JD 3032 and a Massey 1734, even created a thread on here asking for opinions of the two. Then, I drove a Kubota L3901 and realized that neither the JD or Massey are in the same class.

I really liked the Kubota but have been reading on here about the Kioti. After checking their website, I've found the specs on the CK4010 are a little beefier than the L3901.

Looking to primarily run a brush cutter and finish mower with a little front end grapple work now and then to clean up around the farm.

Any thoughts?

 

[prof fate]

had a kubota, have a kioti. looked over deere and kubota..

the '50' or '60' models (3960 i believe) is comparable 'spec wise' to the 4020 SE - the 01 is the non-se 'value tractor' - BUT with options you can do better for less money (at least I did with a 3510).

small bits - fuel tank location on the back of the kioti is way nicer than on the hood. Kioti has grab handles on BOTH fenders, a quick tach bucket and bucket level indicator included - all extra cost on the 3901.

I added 2 rear remoted (well, dealer did) for $295...and horn, floor mat, arm rest, cruise control, link pedal, filled tires for 400 more. JUST the rear remotes are $900 on a kubota.

And don't know about the kubota, but the kioti has a 75 amp alternator...TONS of power for extra lighting.

I've got 130 some hours on my machine since june..it's been perfect. Granted, kubota sells more units so you'll see more issues talked about, but they seem to have a LOT more issues - regen, wheel seals and more.

Neighbor has his dad's old kioti - 20 some years old and never a single repair.

Oh, and my Kioti came wiht goodyear tires - I like that over some asian imported tire (though GY are probably made overseas...)

And I just got a kioti rear link - crank style, to allow tilting (easily) of a box blade or disks, etc - $99 delivered to my door, shipping and all, from kioti.

Can't imagine that kubota would want - they wanted over $200 to replace a non-adjustable on that was bent on my last kubota.

 

[The Fred]

Ditto on the Kioti, I have a 2610 for 2 years and my neighbor has a 3510 for 1 year. Excellent machine I use on steep terrain and the brakes are very strong compared to any tractor I've had before, they just hold.

Access from both sides of the platform very nice feature. Cheaper remotes compared to Kubota, about 1/3 the price.

Mine has no emissions so it stinks, neighbors 3510 has a DPF and after using it for a few hours last week it stinks as bad as mine with no emissions. He tells me when it burns off the smoke rolls out badly, not sure if there is an issue or not; it came back from the dealer service last week so all updates were done.

Keep in mind the 10 series GEAR tractor only has second and reverse synchronized, 1 and 3 are not. This could be a deal killer.

Best of luck in your endeavor, Fred

 

[chryon]

I went with the Kubota over the Kioti.... I simply feel in love with it as soon as I climbed on it.

I also trusted the dealer more, a lot more. There were only 2 people at the Kioti dealership, a salesman and a mechanic. The sales guy didn't seem to know much about the tractor and the mechanic was working on a boat motor.

 

[The Fred]

I had to laugh yesterday when a customer of mine was telling me about trying to sell his almost new MX5100 with hoe right up the street from the local Kioti dealer. His business is placed on a very well placed highway and gets lots of coverage. He saw the owner of the Kioti dealership one day and the dealer goes over and shakes his hand.

He goes on to explain how many new Kiotis he has sold because people come in to compare prices to the "MX5100 down the street that looks like new" and he can sell a brand new unit cheaper than the one down the street with 200 hours on it!!!

How I laughed

 

[Geotech]

I'm looking between the Kubota L Series and Kioti CK series as well. A Kioti CKxx10 SE with all the bells and whistles is a little cheaper than a Kubota Lxx01 without any of those features. I don't think the spec differences are significant enough to equate to real world operation differences.

So, the Kioti has a better value proposition and slightly better specs. People on this forum seem to love their Kiotis.

The Kubota has a more established reputation for build quality and, in my area, about twice as many dealers. People on this forum seem to love their Kubotas.

Looking at the total package of the tractor with implements, Kubota has the edge on money paid out of pocket if financing - at least the from the quotes I have gotten for comparable models. A total package Kubota with Land Pride implements is a pretty appealing deal, and very convenient. A Kioti with a separately purchased package of EA implements is also appealing, but a bit of a hassle to get it all wrapped up together. I still have not decided. I will say that the Kubota dealer is the only one who has followed up with me after giving me a quote to see if I was still interested. It's a small thing, but it further reinforces that customer service aspect.

When comparing the Kioti SE model to the Kubota, I am interested. For some reason, the non SE Kioti does not seem appealing to me. I have to decide for myself what that means.


One other thing I noticed is that the Kioti has a flatter floor, but also a taller height to top of ROPS (99.2 inches compared to 91.7 inches). I kind of like how you site more "in" the tractor on the Kubota. Some like how you sit up higher in the Kioti. I think I would prefer the shorter ROPS for working around trees - something I have a lot of.

I still have not decided. At one time, I was dead set on the CK3510SE. I then started looking hard at the Deere 30XXe models for a while. After a couple months of thinking about my needs, wants and budget, I am now leaning more towards the L2501. I vacillate one way to the next, so I think the choices are pretty comparable. I plan to buy something toward the middle-end of December.

 

[prof fate]

I got a non-se kioti - dealer added rear remotes, cruise, link pedal, horn, floor mat, arm rest, mirror, loaded tires - a bit under $700 if i recall, total.
I added a kioti crank handle for tilt on implements ($80). the only SE items I think i'm missing are tilt wheel, switch operated pto and telescoping links which I'm sure i could ad. Don't need tilt and the normal live pto is just fine by me.

As for the 'base' (01) kubota vs kioti- fuel fill in a harder location, fewer grab handles, no bucket level indicator, no quick tach on the loader bucket - all can be added, but you best be sitting when they quote you a price.

Kioti dealer did 0 down, 0% for 6 years, free delivery. the 35 wasnt much more than the 25, same size. the 40 was too much more ofr only 5hp.

ROPS folds..or the trees will give up their limbs...LOL. Even my old kubota, much shorter, took down many a limb. First tractor with a ROPS...

Higher rops means mounting lights higher!

Subtle things, like GPM of the hydraulics, the grab handles, etc add up. And some of the Kubotas are having DPF issues...kioti seems to have none. regen is 35-40 hours on mine first 2, waiting on the third (137 hours..nearly 65 hours)

I'm looking between the Kubota L Series and Kioti CK series as well. A Kioti CKxx10 SE with all the bells and whistles is a little cheaper than a Kubota Lxx01 without any of those features. I don't think the spec differences are significant enough to equate to real world operation differences.

So, the Kioti has a better value proposition and slightly better specs. People on this forum seem to love their Kiotis.

The Kubota has a more established reputation for build quality and, in my area, about twice as many dealers. People on this forum seem to love their Kubotas.

Looking at the total package of the tractor with implements, Kubota has the edge on money paid out of pocket if financing - at least the from the quotes I have gotten for comparable models. A total package Kubota with Land Pride implements is a pretty appealing deal, and very convenient. A Kioti with a separately purchased package of EA implements is also appealing, but a bit of a hassle to get it all wrapped up together. I still have not decided. I will say that the Kubota dealer is the only one who has followed up with me after giving me a quote to see if I was still interested. It's a small thing, but it further reinforces that customer service aspect.

When comparing the Kioti SE model to the Kubota, I am interested. For some reason, the non SE Kioti does not seem appealing to me. I have to decide for myself what that means.


One other thing I noticed is that the Kioti has a flatter floor, but also a taller height to top of ROPS (99.2 inches compared to 91.7 inches). I kind of like how you site more "in" the tractor on the Kubota. Some like how you sit up higher in the Kioti. I think I would prefer the shorter ROPS for working around trees - something I have a lot of.

I still have not decided. At one time, I was dead set on the CK3510SE. I then started looking hard at the Deere 30XXe models for a while. After a couple months of thinking about my needs, wants and budget, I am now leaning more towards the L2501. I vacillate one way to the next, so I think the choices are pretty comparable. I plan to buy something toward the middle-end of December.

 

[Geotech]

Kioti increases the up front sales price when giving 0% financing. So they front load the interest. It is effectively the same as having an interest rate, but you still pay all the interest even if you pay it off early. Your deal may have been different, but that's how that program works at all the dealers in my area. Cash price gives Kioti the edge and financing give Kubota the edge where I live. It's close either way.

If I went Kioti, I would probably refinance my truck at 2.65% and pay "cash" for the tractor. At that point, the financing costs become very close and it is then a question of dealer confidence. I speak only of my personal preferences and pricing that exists in my area.

I agree that the differences are subtle. I don't think that they will add up to a significant difference in the field, though. But I am only speculating. For example, I like the gas tank location on the Kioti for convenience. At the same time, I can appreciate the benefits of having it tucked away, with shortest possible fuel lines to the engine. Tank under hood seems better from an engineering perspective. I'll gladly fill through the hood cap if it means I don't risk snagging a fuel line on some brush.

 

[prof fate]

Lifting 40lb can of diesel over the loader arms isn't fun, and if (when i mean) you spill some it's all over the hood and engine, instead of the ground behind the tractor.

My invoice didn't list any finance charge as a separate item. I paid 22450 out the door including 993 for 6 years of insurance, so 21450, less 700 in options, about 20,750 for the tractor (and financing if it's in there). I was told the 35 was $1800 more than the 25, so you can figure the prices. I paid no sales as it's for farm use.

 

[DieselnHooters]

If you have a well established and trustworthy Kioti dealer nearby then why not?...otherwise play it safe and go for the Kub