Kubota L4400 or Kioti DK40Se

Dmace · Apr 8, 2011

JDGreenGrass said:
As was said, I have read here once or twice that the dealers are closing shop.

It's not the dealers that are closing shop but rather Kioti is dropping dealers that seem to not meet stricter requirements so they can revamp the overall quality of their dealerships.

IslandTractor · Apr 8, 2011

Dmace said:
It's not the dealers that are closing shop but rather Kioti is dropping dealers that seem to not meet stricter requirements so they can revamp the overall quality of their dealerships.

If there is a real downside to Kioti it is this corporate rejuggling of dealerships. I'm sure they intend to get rid of some of the mom and pop low volume dealerships as they work to promote the brand but for some reason only Kioti understands, they are terminating quite a number of excellent dealers too. Maybe it is just collateral damage but it is astonishing that they would close successful professional dealerships at a time they are also competing with Bobcat and now McCormick who are selling the identical tractors rebadged and painted different colors.

dex3361 · Apr 8, 2011

I think if I were looking at Kioti I would go to Bobcat for the dealer network.

Dmace · Apr 9, 2011

IslandTractor said:
Maybe it is just collateral damage but it is astonishing that they would close successful professional dealerships at a time they are also competing with Bobcat and now McCormick who are selling the identical tractors rebadged and painted different colors.

I don't know which "professional dealerships" you are talking about but the ones I've seen closed were operating out of barns and storage units...
Granted it's unfortunate to lose a very knowledgeable dealer to one with a shiny new showroom floor but it's certainly the image they're looking for.

JoelD · Apr 9, 2011

Dmace said:
I don't know which "professional dealerships" you are talking about but the ones I've seen closed were operating out of barns and storage units...
Granted it's unfortunate to lose a very knowledgeable dealer to one with a shiny new showroom floor but it's certainly the image they're looking for.

Wallace for one

IslandTractor · Apr 9, 2011

Dmace said:
I don't know which "professional dealerships" you are talking about but the ones I've seen closed were operating out of barns and storage units...
Granted it's unfortunate to lose a very knowledgeable dealer to one with a shiny new showroom floor but it's certainly the image they're looking for.

Wallace, Batcheldor (?sp) in Maine, I think I recall one of the big midwestern Kioti dealers too.

IslandTractor · Apr 9, 2011

dex3361 said:
I think if I were looking at Kioti I would go to Bobcat for the dealer network.

Not a bad idea. The only concern I would have is whether Bobcat is really committed to the Daedong (Kioti) tractors or if they just got a good deal once their Korean parent company took over. If they are in it for the long haul then it seems a very decent option.

Dmace · Apr 9, 2011

JoelD said:
Wallace for one

IslandTractor said:
Wallace, Batcheldor (?sp) in Maine, I think I recall one of the big midwestern Kioti dealers too.

Let me repeat myself "the ones I've seen closed were operating out of barns and storage units..."
I'm not saying Wallace and Batchelder are not professional dealers just that they are operating out of very small shops without the big fancy showroom with a large service garage and that is what Kioti seems to be looking for.

With that said, I would rather bring my tractor to a trusty mechanic in a little barn than some know-it-all new guy straight from the dealers workshops in a huge fancy showroom.

Gittyup · Apr 9, 2011

Dmace said:
Let me repeat myself "the ones I've seen closed were operating out of barns and storage units..."
I'm not saying Wallace and Batchelder are not professional dealers just that they are operating out of very small shops without the big fancy showroom with a large service garage and that is what Kioti seems to be looking for.

With that said, I would rather bring my tractor to a trusty mechanic in a little barn than some know-it-all new guy straight from the dealers workshops in a huge fancy showroom.

I don't know. From what I can tell Wallace's facility is far from a small shop. It seem to be as good as most I've ever visited, including JD, Kubota, and NH.

One "drawback", for those who prefer gear, is that Bobcat doesn't sell shuttle shifts in the CK line..... and that hugely white!

IslandTractor · Apr 10, 2011

Gittyup said:
I don't know. From what I can tell Wallace's facility is far from a small shop. It seem to be as good as most I've ever visited, including JD, Kubota, and NH.

Ditto. He had about twenty tractors on the lot, some Kioti some Mahindra, a showroom with tractors and outdoor power equipment and a lot of implements outside as well. The service area had bays for three tractors and several full time as well as a number of part time mechanics. It was a very similar operation to what I've seen at local Kubota dealers here in MA/NH. Certainly not a large midwestern Ag dealer but very professional and not the least bit "Mom and Pop".

I don't like what I see from Korporate Kioti in NC but I don't see that as a negative with regard to the tractors themselves. The company is growing and there will be some collateral damage as they implement various policies to grow the brand. Luckily, whoever the dufus was that closed out Wallace has had no roll in designing or building the Kioti tractors.