Looking at Kubotas

Anonymous Poster · Dec 17, 2002

Who makes the engines for the Kiotis?
Are they as good of machine as Kubota,are they as well established as Kubota,the company itself?
I like the looks of the New Holland line of tractors(But I prefer Kubota over N.Holland),I would have concerns of CNH,the company seems to be struggling financially.
I may be wrong but I see Kubota and John Deere as the "2 biggest kids on the block".

markie61 · Dec 17, 2002

Kioti is a part of Daedong from Korea. They make their own engines (plus engines for some other brands). From what I understand, Kioti and Kubota have hired each others' engineers over the years and have some striking similarities. For instance, the 35hp engines (on spec sheets) are almost identical.

A significant thing about comparing Kubota and Kioti: they both design, manufacture, and control distribution of their own products directly - a very successful business model. Significant subassemblies of both Deere and NH tractors (plus Massey + others) are farmed out to Shibura, Yanmar, Kukje, Iseki, etc. and then assembled here and there. Nothing bad about it, but all manufacturing these days seems to be done on a global scale.

If you go to the Kioti forum, you will see many posts about people and their experiences with the products. I REALLY like Kioti - after driving the DK50, I could hear the turbo whistling in my dreams. I just bought a barely used NH, though, because I couldnt resist it -low hours, low $. The Kiotis are traditionally built, very sturdy construction, and have a lot of standard features for the buck. My caveat: I think the dealer is going to be your deciding factor with the lesser-known brands. Some are selling out of converted shacks; some are in professional shops. I've seen both.

Check one out - you may be impressed.

Mark

Rockdog · Dec 18, 2002

I ordered a Kubota L3430 HST w/Factory Cab about 2 months ago. Should be delivered in 2-3 weeks. The cab lists for about $5300. My "new" dealer quoted me $4200 and I got him to throw in the rear work lights for free. The "old" dealer quoted the full $5300 and was giving me $1300 less in trade-in on my B2710. I can't wait to plow snow or drive on a windy cold night. The cab is what really got my interst up in upgrading. Good luck on you decision and welcome to TBN.

Jerry

frank_f15 · Dec 18, 2002

DON'T BLAME U FOR WANTING TO GET RID OF THAT TRACTOR. although i am KUBOTA oreinted, i think you just got a bad machine, it happens but jd should have made it right. u should not have to be checking your wheel lug nuts everytime u get on the tractor.JD makes a fine machine and can't understand why u had so many problems. like i said i am partial to KUBOTA, but there are a lot of folks that like the KIOTI tractors. hope u have better luck with your new one.

Kelvin · Dec 22, 2002

I have heard of problems with some of the JD hydrostatic transmission in the 4xxx series, but other than that, I think that both Kubota and JD are good tractors.

After looking at Kubota, JD, Kioti and Massey, I decided I liked the Kubotas best and JD second. There was two reasons for this:
(1) I liked the Kubota tractor better, and more importantly (to me),
(2) I liked the Kubota dealer much better.

I will point out that if the Kubota dealer had been a poor one, as some of them are, I would've probably ended up with a JD.

Regarding the Kioti, they were much cheaper, but my local dealer appeared to be a "fly by night" operation. About a year after I purchased my Kubota I was visiting the Kubota dealer where they had a nearly brand-new Kioti tore apart in the shop. Apparently the local Kioti dealer had gone out of buisness and the Kubota dealer got the job to fix the Kioti tractor (seems like it was warrantied by Kioti, but I can't remember for sure). What I do specifically remember is the comment by the Kubota Service Manager to the effect of "If you thought that Kubota parts were expensive..."

Bottom Line: Regardless of which color you end up purchasing, I feel that a decent dealer is VERY important (as you have unfortunately found with your JD dealer).

Regarding your "parts" question, I don't have any idea how quickly Kubota parts can make it to you. Seems like most of the parts I order come in on either Thursday or Monday. I have never asked for a more "rapid shipment", but I suppose that option is available at an additional cost.

Good luck,
Kelvin

Anonymous Poster · Dec 23, 2002

I appreciate everyones reply./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Happy Holidays.

Buster57 · Dec 24, 2002

I own a JD 318 lawn tractor and a L3010 for my orchard. My JD dealer is great and so is my Kubota dealer, however, I think my selections I made are correct.
JD is great in L&G and the best for bigger stuff. Kubota is the only way to go in the 20 to 40 HP range. Having said this, I do plan to purchase a NH as soon as my son's college is paid for.
Basically nothing has gone wrong with my Kubota-and I have really worked it very hard in very tough conditions. I spoil it when I am finished, however, I have every reason to believe it will last several thousand hours without major problems.
I can't remember who it was that said, "Kubota makes the tractor from the ground up. This includes the engine." That sold me. I have no regrets at all.
Take one out and drive it. Talk to your neighbors and ask them what they think.
There are reasons Kubota owners are fanatically loyal to the brand.
Good luck!