Kubota L4400 or Kioti DK40Se

[Mike4282]

First post hope to contribute in the future..
About to buy my first tractor..
Got a quote from Kubota dealer L4400 with loader 20,830 otd
Quote from Kioti DK40se with 401 ldr 20,038 otd
I am located in southeast Michigan.. are these prices fair? What do you guys think is the better tractor? Kioti seams to have more options and the better warranty. but i'm a little scared of push button functions.

Seams like a huge decision at 20,000, I need help!! Thanks for any advice.

 

[Johnbro]

Ah, the old Brand X vs Brand Y debate. Better get some popcorn.

The Kubota guys like 'botas (I'm in that camp) and the Kioti guys like their brand. So do the JD, NH, Mahindra, etc guys. People like what they buy and rarely have a chance to own and operate two similar machines from different mfgs to really compare them.

If you can, rent them each for a week and do a project with each. You'll know a heck of a lot after you do that than a dealership will ever tell you.

I don't know anything about Kiotis--not sure I've even see one. Up here I see a TON of Kubotas, which is why I bought my first one. Now I'm on my second one after 20 years and very happy. They are well built, hold their value, and work well. the L4400 is a good tractor, but it's the "economy" line. Check out the Grand L line (like the L4240) for more bells and whistles, as well as a beefier/stronger tractor overall.

 

[Dmace]

The Kioti is a very strong and reliable machine and at those prices it's an easy decision choosing the Kioti over the Kubota. Sure you can get a better Kubota like the M or Grand L series that will match the spec of the Kioti and have a better layout like the Kioti but it will be no where near the price of the Kioti and easy thousands more. I wouldn't worry about push button electronics, I hear of more problems with people having a hard time getting 4wd levers to go in smoothly then I do of problems with the push button 4wd.

A few important specs on the two tractors in question:

Kubota L4400 // Kioti DK40SE
ENGINE: 43 HP // 41 HP
PTO: 37.5 HP // 34 HP
HYDRAULICS: 12.5 GPM // 16.8 GPM (large difference)
TRANNY GEARS: 8F/4R GEAR // 12F/12R SHUTTLE
3PT LIFT (24" behind lp): 2,310 lbs (position control) // 2,490 lbs (better draft control)
WEIGHT: 3,153 lbs // 3,924 lbs
LOADER LIFT (@ pivot pins): 1,818 lbs to 102.4" max // 2,761 lbs to 107.8" (943 lbs more than the Kubota)

Add in the standard features on the Kioti like standard hydraulic rear remotes, tilt steering, telescoping 3pt arms, rear mounted 3pt lift lever, 4yr full warranty even covering loader and backhoe, etc... and it's pretty clear the winner.

In the end, it's your money and either tractor will be a solid investment for many years. :thumbsup:

 

[Kyle241]

I have been comparing the same models. The DK40SE has more options and does have some better numbers especially with the loader lift. The prices you got on both are pretty good, are they gear or HST? I prefer Kubota because that is what I already have so I am bias however the Kioti are nice tractors and that is why I keep going back to look at them. For the monies you have stated, you will get more for your money with Kioti, bottom line. The L4400 is a 'base' model from Kubota and to obtain similar options, you would need to look at the Grand L's, e.g. L3940 (I believe that is the model) and the price will be something like $3500-4500 more than the L4400.

Have you sat on both and test driven them yet? You need to feel out each and determine which fits you best. Also what about the dealers? Do you find one or the other will give you better service? Have you spoken to any of the service techs as someday they may be your best friend.

 

[duanekeys]

A few important specs on the two tractors in question:

Kubota L4400 // Kioti DK40SE
ENGINE: 43 HP // 41 HP
PTO: 37.5 HP // 34 HP
HYDRAULICS: 12.5 GPM // 16.8 GPM (large difference)
TRANNY GEARS: 8F/4R GEAR // 12F/12R SHUTTLE
3PT LIFT (24" behind lp): 2,310 lbs (position control) // 2,490 lbs (better draft control)
WEIGHT: 3,153 lbs // 3,924 lbs
LOADER LIFT (@ pivot pins): 1,818 lbs to 102.4" max // 2,761 lbs to 107.8" (943 lbs more than the Kubota)

Add in the standard features on the Kioti like standard hydraulic rear remotes, tilt steering, telescoping 3pt arms, rear mounted 3pt lift lever, 4yr full warranty even covering loader and backhoe, etc... and it's pretty clear the winner.

This is the exact criteria I used in the last several weeks to eventually decided on a new Kioti (in addition to testing out both tractors). I've not regretted the decision. In the end the price, the heftiness, and the extra features of the Kioti won my money.

 

[bigbull338]

we can give you our opions of said tractors,but in the end it all comes down to wich 1 you choose.because your the 1 that has to drive it.

 

[TripleR]

Completely agree with bigbull338. My only caveat is go to the Kioti Forum and read the thread on Kioti dealerships being pulled as well as the corporate view. Dealers in my area come and go, so I don't seriously consider them when buying. As far as the tractor itself, Kioti makes very well equipped tractors for a good price.

We have a Kubota dealer I won't buy from, but there is another that has been in business for over 50 years.

 

[bigbull338]

Completely agree with bigbull338. My only caveat is go to the Kioti Forum and read the thread on Kioti dealerships being pulled as well as the corporate view. Dealers in my area come and go, so I don't seriously consider them when buying. As far as the tractor itself, Kioti makes very well equipped tractors for a good price.

We have a Kubota dealer I won't buy from, but there is another that has been in business for over 50 years.

i figured i was the only 1 that had a dealer they wouldnt buy from.but things like that happen.

 

[TripleR]

i figured i was the only 1 that had a dealer they wouldn't buy from.but things like that happen.

Nope, these people are horrible which is a shame as they handle Case and Kubota and we used to own a Case CX80 as well as Kubota and had to go to two different dealers.

 

[kco]

First post hope to contribute in the future..
About to buy my first tractor..
Got a quote from Kubota dealer L4400 with loader 20,830 otd
Quote from Kioti DK40se with 401 ldr 20,038 otd
I am located in southeast Michigan.. are these prices fair? What do you guys think is the better tractor? Kioti seams to have more options and the better warranty. but i'm a little scared of push button functions.

Seams like a huge decision at 20,000, I need help!! Thanks for any advice.

I'm a new DK35 HST owner and also believe the DK series has features more comparable to the L3940, etc Kubotas than the more basic L4400, etc.

You may also want to look at Bobcats CT 4xx series as they have a "free loader" event on now. Kioti also has a "free loader" event but only on its CK series and the DK35 (i.e. not bigger DK's). Even if you don't go with Bobcat it may help in negotiations for the DK40 if you choose to go with Kioti. I believe the Bobcats are mainly HST's but I think they have some shuttle shift models.

 

[Mike4282]

Yes, I have been to the Kubota dealer twice already, and the Kioti once, Going back to the Kioti dealer on saturday. I hope to make a decision this weekend. The two dealers are equal distance and both seem helpful. The Kioti dealer seams like they are willing to negotiate and make a deal with implements and offered to load the rear tires for free.. Right now I think that I am leaning towards the Kioti Dk40se... Both prices are gear models.

 

[Dmace]

The Kioti dealer seams like they are willing to negotiate and make a deal with implements and offered to load the rear tires for free.. Right now I think that I am leaning towards the Kioti Dk40se... Both prices are gear models.

Loading the tires makes a huge difference! I played on a friends tractor that is almost identical to mine but with unloaded tires and you could tell the difference in traction and stability on hills. Plus the backhoe tossed it around more and you could lift the rear tires with a full load of gravel in the bucket even with a rear blade on the back. With the incredible loader on that DK40, you will definitely want to load the tires unless you plan on mowing with it.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[Mike4282]

Loading the tires makes a huge difference! I played on a friends tractor that is almost identical to mine but with unloaded tires and you could tell the difference in traction and stability on hills. Plus the backhoe tossed it around more and you could lift the rear tires with a full load of gravel in the bucket even with a rear blade on the back. With the incredible loader on that DK40, you will definitely want to load the tires unless you plan on mowing with it.

Good luck! :thumbsup:

Do You know how much weight loading the rear tires will add? I do want to do some mowing but I am considering buying a used set of turfs on rims.. Good idea, or bad?

 

[IslandTractor]

Do You know how much weight loading the rear tires will add? I do want to do some mowing but I am considering buying a used set of turfs on rims.. Good idea, or bad?

As I recall you can add about 80 gallons to each rear tire on the DK40se which comes out to about 800lbs for water/windshield washer fluid or higher for RimGuard.

The DK40se definitely benefits from adding ballast. The alternative to loading rear tires is to carry around a heavy rear implement which also works fine. Best to do both.

By the way, I have a DK40se (2007, about 300hrs). It has been a really great tractor and is the sweet spot in the Kioti lineup >30hp. No issues. Easy to service yourself.

As others have noted, the L4400 is the same horsepower but is more of a base model while the DK40se compares more to the Grand L lineup (except the HST which is like the former GrandL). The DK also has a significantly stronger loader than the L. Kubota has the name but charges extra for it. Think of Kioti as Hyundai and Kubota as Toyota. You cannot knock Toyota quality but you do pay extra. The Koreans are doing to Japan what Japan did to us 25-30 years ago.

Also, I agree with the comment about Bobcat. The CT440 is essentially the same tractor with different loader and paint. Definitely worth a look and price comparison. Make sure the CT is spec'd the same though, I think I recall that Bobcat considers rear remote an option but I might be wrong.

 

[Dmace]

Do You know how much weight loading the rear tires will add? I do want to do some mowing but I am considering buying a used set of turfs on rims.. Good idea, or bad?

IslandTractor answered your question about loading the tires and that 800 lbs certainly makes a difference. I'm not sure about the used turfs for mowing, would you plan on switching the tires whenever you mow?
If you plan on doing any kind of mowing then I would probably stick with the unloaded tires and just hookup a heavy attachment for loader work. It's easier to unhook a 3pt attachment than switch tires.

 

[DieselnHooters]

Kubota has the name but charges extra for it. Think of Kioti as Hyundai and Kubota as Toyota. You cannot knock Toyota quality but you do pay extra. The Koreans are doing to Japan what Japan did to us 25-30 years ago.

your comparison doesnt stand for many (most?) areas, kioti dealers are few and far between up here with smallish operations while kubotas dealerships are huge and in around every towns.

i have seen 1 kioti my entire life but litterally 1000s of kubs.

 

[IslandTractor]

your comparison doesnt stand for many (most?) areas, kioti dealers are few and far between up here with smallish operations while kubotas dealerships are huge and in around every towns.

i have seen 1 kioti my entire life but litterally 1000s of kubs.

You would have said the exact same thing about Hyundai's a couple of years ago. There are fewer dealers, you don't see many on the road etc etc. Now the Hyundai Sonata is the single best selling car in it's class and I believe outsells the equivalent Toyota, Nissan, GM and Ford products.

Besides, how do you know you are not seeing Kioti's? They are very hard to distinguish from Kubotas unless you are close enough to check decals. I agree without question that there are more Kubotas on the fields today than Kiotis. Just like in 1970 there were more Chevys than Toyotas.

My main point remains: the Kioti tractors are extremely good values and very solid machines. At just about any given price point you can get more tractor with a Kioti. You don't see Kioti owners "moving up" to Kubota to get a better tractor. Most, like myself, move up to a larger Kioti when it is time to change and that should tell you a lot about the quality of the ownership experience. We Kioti owners almost to a man looked very carefully at Kubotas before buying Kioti as the Kubotas are without question the gold standard. Those of us who bought Kioti obviously see the value balance tipping towards Kioti despite the stellar reputation and product put out by Kubota. I would however agree that if you are really dependent on a single dealer then Kubota dealerships are much better established and prevalent.

 

[DieselnHooters]

kubota would be very hard pressed to gain even more market share, their growth avenue prolly is in something other than CUTs

as for kioti and the other smaller makers in the long run its either grow or bust

 

[Kiotikarl]

I've had a few tractors so far, all tractor have their strong and weak points. Had a Kubota B3030, JD 4200hst, NH TC45DA Cab hst, Kioti DK45SE cab, Kioti CK30 gear, and awaiting my CK20Shst TLB.
In my opinion i get more tractor out of my kioti for less $$:thumbsup: My NH was a nightmaire of problems, the JD a very good unit, but expensive maintenance. The B3030 now, not to bash Kubotas, but with the backhoe attached directly to the rear of the tractor...you may end up tearing the rear end off and breaking the cassing, and that was not warrantied by the dealer, a known problem to kubota. Might have been the wrong tractor for the job. Well for my 2 Kioti tractors, can't complain have always been to the task and more.
Dealer support is also important regardless of what brand you choose, it's good to have a tractor, but better to have a good cooperative dealer. Crapy dealers make you hate and bash your tractor brand.
Whatever you buy, be sure to post some pics good luck shopping.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

Yes, I have been to the Kubota dealer twice already, and the Kioti once, Going back to the Kioti dealer on saturday. I hope to make a decision this weekend. The two dealers are equal distance and both seem helpful. The Kioti dealer seams like they are willing to negotiate and make a deal with implements and offered to load the rear tires for free.. Right now I think that I am leaning towards the Kioti Dk40se... Both prices are gear models.

I have a Kioti dealer about 15 miles from where I live. I stop in after hours and look around. People love their Kioti tractors and they look well built.

As was said, I have read here once or twice that the dealers are closing shop. That would concern me some but, really, I think you will get hours of good use out of the tractor without it being in the shop.

For around 20k you are getting a lot of tractor.:thumbsup: