New comfort cab for CK30 - REVIEW

[kiotiken]

Well, I couldn't resist the $1500 rebate Kioti was offering on cabs for the CK27-35, so I pulled the trigger and had one installed. I've had the tractor back for a week and I'm getting used to the cab, so here's a few pictures and a bit of a review.

Like everything else I buy, nothing goes smoothly, and this cab is going to fit right into this category quite nicely. I don't have too many good things to say about it so I'll break the issues down between Kioti issues and installation issues. I've got a call into the dealer and will be discussing those issues today, so I won't get to far into them in the hopes they'll be fixed.

First, the good. Very nice looking cab (from the outside). It's warm. It's a little lower than the tractor was with the ROPS. Sorry, that's all I can think of.

Starting with the Kioti issues. My dealer didn't have one of these set up, and neither did any of the other dealers around me, so I relied on the brochure from Kioti (http://www.kioti.com/attach_files/Products/US_CK Cab 12-2011 compressed.pdf) and any pictures I could find on the internet (Thanks KiotiKarl! http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...k20-hydrostatic-transmission-comfort-cab.html). Unfortunately, the specs don't match the product. Listed as standard features are:

1) Pre-wired audio den with speakers - No speakers included, dealer DID install them.
2) Side/Rear view mirrors. - No Rear view mirror, although, there does seem to be a place to attach one. (first pic)
3) Cup holder - No, not for the CK27-35 version. Pics from KiotiKarl show one for the CK20 version. You might say "who cares", and you may be right, but many mornings I've gone out with a coffee in a travel mug for some seat time.
4) They didn't ship all the parts, I'm now waiting on the hardware for the front windshield, my dealer wired it shut in the meantime.

Now for the installation issues. Some may end up moving to the Kioti issue category.

1) The floor is VERY sloppy, it doesn't seem to fit, seems to have been installed in the wrong order (I would guess it should have been the first thing installed, not the last), and will allow water to penetrate and rust out the floor. See pic 2 & 3.

2) The insulating matting is missing around the centre console. It is clearly visible in the picture from KiotiKarl, pic 4, but it is missing and I can stick my hand through the floor, pic 5. Kioti went to some trouble to make the material tight to all control levers, so I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have left gaping holes right beside the engine compartment. This material is to reduce noise after all.

3) The material under the seat doesn't fit properly, pic 6.

I'll leave it there, I may update more later, but I do really like my dealer and he deserves the chance to make these issues right as well as a few others we don't need to get into.

To end on a positive note, I asked for a rear wiper. I was told there wasn't one available. My dealer did figure out how to mount one for me. I also inquired into adding a second remote but then decided to put it off until I buy a snowblower. When I got the tractor back, my dealer had gone ahead with it because they would have had to remove the cab to do it in the future. This may have been a big issue for some, but I appreciated it and I'm glad it only cost me $500 now instead of $1000 next year. He also told me I could pay for it later if I wanted to, which I didn't.

All in, cab, installation, taxes, transport, wiper, rear work lights removed from ROPS and added to cab, second remote came to $6900.00 CDN

 

[kiotiken]

Oh ya, one more bit of info for anybody shopping for one of these, the front work lights are not very bright, certainly nowhere near as bright as the lights the dealer added to the rear. Good enough for me as it's really the rear lights that are important for what I want to do at night (plow the driveway, backhoe work, flood the rink etc).

 

[Kioti guy]

That truly sucks that you are having issues with the cab. Looking at the photo's I beleive that the fit/ finish deficiancies are instalation related. I have seen two other cab installs and both were much cleaner , with smoother fabric and tighter clearances between seams.
Both of the dealers that gave me quotes to install the cab on my tractor took great pains to tell me it was a tricky job and neither seemed very excited about doing the installation . One of the technicions that I sppke to specifically said that aligning the sound deadoning material was a colosal pain in the a&$.
All that being said I can't beleave that the manager or owner of your dealership was willing to allow your tractor to leave the lot with your brand new $7000.00 cab looking like that ,that is simply unacceptable. I certainly hope that they will be able to deal with the instalation related problems and make it right..............Craig

 

[Bob77064]

That's not right that you spent that much money for that kind of quality. The factory cab should fit much better than that.

 

[5030]

My comment is that a rear view mirror is useless in a tractor cab. You'll be looking at yourself most of the time. My old 1086 Massy had one but no side mirrors.

The install, from what I see is very amateurish, like the bunched up mat under the seat. For 6900 CDN, I'd demand more, lots more.

 

[kiotiken]

I have seen two other cab installs and both were much cleaner , with smoother fabric and tighter clearances between seams.

Craig, was either of those installs on a CK27-35? The picture from KiotiKarl of a CK20 install clearly shows the fabric wrapped around the centre console, and I'm betting my dealer just didn't install it. Not having had the opportunity to see one installed on a CK30, I'm just basing this on the CK20 cab pic.

 

[kiotiken]

My comment is that a rear view mirror is useless in a tractor cab. You'll be looking at yourself most of the time. My old 1086 Massy had one but no side mirrors.

The install, from what I see is very amateurish, like the bunched up mat under the seat. For 6900 CDN, I'd demand more, lots more.

OK, I'll give you that point, I took the rear view mirror out of my JD 955. I never would have said anything or cared if that was the only feature listed that was missing, but 3 features?

 

[Kioti guy]

No both were on ck 20s ,but with all the expense that went in to designing these cabs I can't believe they would be different, other then scaling to fit.........Craig

 

[kiotiken]

No both were on ck 20s ,but with all the expense that went in to designing these cabs I can't believe they would be different, other then scaling to fit.........Craig

I agree. There's also only one brochure for the CK20 CK27-35 cab and there are no distinctions made between them.

 

[blueriver]

Both my tractors were factory cabs ... I would not be pleased if I was in your shoes.

 

[MichiganIron]

We have installed several of the KIOTI Cabs. Customers have been overall pleased with them. But, it takes 2 days to do the entire install. That adds to the cost.

Couple comments:
The speakers are not in the cab, they are supplied with the stereo kit.
It is possible to save the cup holder in the CK27/35 Cab. Not easy, but we have done it.
The interior trim takes almost 1/2 day to install properly. Takes a lot of patience for good results.

Compared to the aftermarket cabs, the KIOTI Kab, is a better fit and nicer finish, especially with the heater system and pre-wired sound system.

 

[Coyote machine]

Phew, That is pathetic! Looks like the shop sweeper drew the short straw on that install. No doubt it must be easier to do going down the factory line, but that is just plain unprofessional. I'd be embarrassed to let that out of my shop.
Have them work on it until it's right.
Post back results.

 

[Gittyup]

I think it's just another example (of many) of how poor his dealer is. And, as with most things Kioti, their new offerings still have some "kinks" (punn intended) to get out.

With all the troubles the OP has had with his kioti, I'm surprised he buys anything again, neither from this dealer nor Kioti in general. I certainly wouldn't pour another $7K into a tractor I wasn't exactly happy with.

 

[LaVoie Equipment]

We have installed several of the KIOTI Cabs. Customers have been overall pleased with them. But, it takes 2 days to do the entire install. That adds to the cost.

Couple comments:
The speakers are not in the cab, they are supplied with the stereo kit.
It is possible to save the cup holder in the CK27/35 Cab. Not easy, but we have done it.
The interior trim takes almost 1/2 day to install properly. Takes a lot of patience for good results.

Compared to the aftermarket cabs, the KIOTI Kab, is a better fit and nicer finish, especially with the heater system and pre-wired sound system.

I am going to agree with Michigan guys. I have put a few on. Not an easy task but a nicely finished product if you take the time to do the details. It is not a 5 minute quick job!

Tony

 

[kiotiken]

I am going to agree with Michigan guys. I have put a few on. Not an easy task but a nicely finished product if you take the time to do the details. It is not a 5 minute quick job!
Tony

...But, it takes 2 days to do the entire install. That adds to the cost.

Couple comments:
The speakers are not in the cab, they are supplied with the stereo kit.
It is possible to save the cup holder in the CK27/35 Cab. Not easy, but we have done it.
The interior trim takes almost 1/2 day to install properly. Takes a lot of patience for good results.

LaVoie Equipment / MichiganIron,
Thanks guys, it's really good to get input from dealers. Have any of the cabs that you guys installed been CK27/35 cabs? I'm really interested in finding out if the grey insulating mat material is missing around the steering column, it really seems like it should be there.

MichiganIron, I hear you about the speakers, that's what my dealer said as well. That's why I've broken my complaints into 2 categories, Kioti and Dealer. The Kioti brochure and web clearly say the pre-wired audio den with speakers are included and that a CD player is optional. IMO, Kioti is at least as sloppy with they're brochure as my dealer was with the install.

As dealers, how do you rate this install and what do you guys think should happen next? Is this install "close enough", should I ask them to tear out the interior and start over (not going to happen) or do you think it can be fixed properly? I'm holding back on commenting about my dealer, but the initial reception has not been good.

 

[kiotiken]

I think it's just another example (of many) of how poor his dealer is. And, as with most things Kioti, their new offerings still have some "kinks" (punn intended) to get out.

With all the troubles the OP has had with his kioti, I'm surprised he buys anything again, neither from this dealer nor Kioti in general. I certainly wouldn't pour another $7K into a tractor I wasn't exactly happy with.

I can definitely see your point of view. The truth is that this is the first time my dealer has shown any sloppy work, normally all the "extras" I've asked for have been top notch.

The only reason I haven't melted down over my entire experience with Kioti is because of the dealer. They have resolved every issues without question, always pick up and transport my tractor at no charge (120KM each way). A couple of times, including the issues with the cab, they didn't give me the warmest reception and I have to say my patience is starting to wear thin.

My tractor has had a lot of issues, but it's never left me stranded, and that's probably one of the reasons I still like it. Compared to my 20 yr old JD 955 with no warranty and a maintenance schedule more like a helicopter, the Kioti is still a dream. I guess it's like a movie, if your expectations are set too high, you'll be disappointed, if you go in with low expectations, it might not seem so bad.

 

[doelake]

Sorry to hear you have issues, Ken. It seems that the dealer is playing CYA to defend against poor workmanship. They should be apologizing and offering to do whatever it takes to make it right. Let's not forget that you are one of the customers keeping them alive, and bad publicity could hurt them.

The cab looks good from the outside...I'm looking into a Laurin cab for my M59, and the cost is close to $10,000 CDN. You should have high expectations when spending these sums of money!

I think society has conditioned us to expect less due to poorer quality in offshore manufacturing...don't settle for that!

Good Luck

 

[ON84]

Ken;

Sorry to hear about your unpleasant experiences with your Kioti. I know exactly how you feel.

We too are in Ontario, and we also saw first hand what happens when our dealer's teenaged untrained, inexperienced, idiot "mechanic" learned on our Kioti.

We had to get Kioti involved. The bottom line for us was that Kioti stands behind their product and steps in when the dealer screws up.

I would recommend that you contact Kioti. You should have a new, problem free tractor, after all, isn't that what you paid for?

 

[kiotiken]

Ken;

Sorry to hear about your unpleasant experiences with your Kioti. I know exactly how you feel.

We too are in Ontario, and we also saw first hand what happens when our dealer's teenaged untrained, inexperienced, idiot "mechanic" learned on our Kioti.

We had to get Kioti involved. The bottom line for us was that Kioti stands behind their product and steps in when the dealer screws up.

I would recommend that you contact Kioti. You should have a new, problem free tractor, after all, isn't that what you paid for?

Wow, I just looked up your original thread! It's hard to imagine a dealer telling you to get the grinder out, but probably a good thing Wallace told you how to fix it, your dealer sounds incompitant enough to have used his own grinder if you'd taken it back to him.

(http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...g/102618-kl451-frame-cutting-dk45s-front.html)

I'll give my dealer the opportunity to fix this, they have been great in the past. I hope I don't have to call Kioti, but I will if that's what it comes to. Besides, I have a few issues to discuss with them too.

 

[pickeringchris]

My thoughts/opinion are is that Ken is a nice guy. Nice to a fault you could say. His contact at the dealer is probably also a very nice guy and Ken probably considers him a friend now. The number one lesson in sales "share something personal". You start sharing stories about the grand kids (or whatever) and it's hard not to feel like there is a personal relationship there. Problem is, when it comes to business and you need to put the hammer down its hard when you like the people.
Ken has had a rough time here. The biggest Kioti Horror story I have heard of so far. I would think this machine would be considered a lemon and I personally wouldn't be happy with anything less than a new tractor. I would think that in the long run it would be cheaper for Kioti to replace it and would also be the most ethical thing they could do. This bad press can't be good for them.