Comparison NEW MEMBER! Kubota vs Kioti vs LS

[jeff9366]

If you add TEXAS to your CHINA SPRING location in your TBN profile, a member may steer you to quality used equipment near your home.

This happens all the time, but only when we know where you are in every thread.

 

[jeff9366]

If you will relay on the tractor dealer for service be aware of potential transportation cost for repairs.

Dealer will be picking up your tractor with an HD truck and HD trailer, with commercial insurance, driven by a mechanic; loading time, unloading time.

It is not unusual to be charged $1.50 to $2.00 per mile.

40 miles X $2.00 = $80 X 4 ( two round trips ) = $320.

 

[antlers125]

Based on my purchase experience, LS is superior in all categories compared to the others. LS has been making tractors for a long time under different known names such as New Holland. In comparison to other tractors in the same category, LS was cheaper (30%), much higher lift capacity, & better warranty (5years). I own a LS J2023 (23hp) & cost was $12,300 w/ FEL. Lift capacity is 1250 lb (fel) & 1450 lb.(3 pt.)

 

[TJP89]

Based on my purchase experience, LS is superior in all categories compared to the others. LS has been making tractors for a long time under different known names such as New Holland. In comparison to other tractors in the same category, LS was cheaper (30%), much higher lift capacity, & better warranty (5years). I own a LS J2023 (23hp) & cost was $12,300 w/ FEL. Lift capacity is 1250 lb (fel) & 1450 lb.(3 pt.)

But the weight is not in the same category. Weight and hydraulic flow are the two biggest under rated tractor stats, they can tell you a lot. LS doesn't quite match up in those. Not saying LS is bad, it's very good, but no tractor is universally better. In my case, the LS dealer was not interested in selling tractors. Once I picked up on that, I was not interested in buying a tractor from them.

 

[rgr33]

I would lean towards the Kubota if they were price competitive, but they aren't. While shopping for a new tractor in 2012, Kubota was several thousand more than LS and Kioti. Looking hard at both the Kioti and LS, they both seem to be excellent choices. I ended up with an LS, because I got a incredible price on it, and I can tell you, it has never been back to the dealer, with the exception of the first servicing at 50 hours. After many years of owning green machines, the blue was a little bit of a shock, but it turned out to be a good choice.
That said, I still really like the Kioti too, and if my old John Deere ever wears out, that will be the brand I will want to check out, as I am still a fan. You seem to have zeroed in on three good machines, I predict you will be happy with which ever unit you decide on.

 

[ripHST]

What models did you compare TJP? I'm doing similar comparisons as the OP and my research shows that the LS is better (just talking about specs) than the Kioti and the most similarly priced Kubota (L3301): I've been looking at the CK3510HST and the XR3135.....the only spec the Kioti was better with was the BH digging force (and only by a small margin). Weight, pump flow, FEL lift, 3ph lift, etc was all in the LS' favor. Here, they're normally priced similarly, but with the Kioti incentives...the Kioti is about 10% better on price. To me, that's basically a draw and will probably come down to comfort and feel. I realize the price situation is different in different places....but specs are specs. But maybe I'm missing something. I know the OP was looking at the 4010, but I think the only difference there is HP. I'm not sure what LS machine he was looking at. I also compared to JD but I won't go down that road.

 

[GManBart]

Welcome to TBN!

First off, make sure you're comparing apples-to-apples as much as possible. All three of the brands/machines will do what you've mentioned, and all three are great machines, so you really can't go wrong. I owned an LS a while back, and it was a great machine for me. I only sold it because I needed to go much larger (full-size backhoe). Still, I wrestled with the LS versus Kioti question for quite a while and never was 100% certain which way I should go.

With all of that said, keep in mind that there isn't really a comparable LS to the Kioti CK4010. You'd be looking at an LS XR-4040H, which weighs 1,000lbs more than the Kioti and has significant advantages in 3pt lift, FEL lift (although an inch or two lower lift height), hydraulic pump flow, larger wheels/tires, etc....it's just a bigger, more capable machine. It also comes standard with dual remotes, which cost extra on the others. Around here an XR 4040H runs about $23,500 (this dealer discounts a bit over their listed price), so it would be less than the Kubota, more than the Kioti, but quite a bit more machine than either.

If you don't have size limitations (like a particular garage door, etc) a larger machine should last longer and have fewer problems over the long run since you're less likely to be using 100% of its capability on a regular basis. They will burn marginally more fuel for the same tasks, and probably cost a fraction more to maintain (slightly more fluid volume and larger filters) but that shouldn't really add up to anything you'd notice....what's an extra quart of oil per oil change? Just know that tractors seem to shrink when you bring them home!

The most important thing is seat time to see what you like, and what bothers you.

LS XR4H tractor loader, 4x4

 

[TJP89]

What models did you compare TJP? I'm doing similar comparisons as the OP and my research shows that the LS is better (just talking about specs) than the Kioti and the most similarly priced Kubota (L3301): I've been looking at the CK3510HST and the XR3135.....the only spec the Kioti was better with was the BH digging force (and only by a small margin). Weight, pump flow, FEL lift, 3ph lift, etc was all in the LS' favor. Here, they're normally priced similarly, but with the Kioti incentives...the Kioti is about 10% better on price. To me, that's basically a draw and will probably come down to comfort and feel. I realize the price situation is different in different places....but specs are specs. But maybe I'm missing something. I know the OP was looking at the 4010, but I think the only difference there is HP. I'm not sure what LS machine he was looking at. I also compared to JD but I won't go down that road.

I looked at the R (forget which exactly), and the old CK35. The LS was more expensive, not too much more features wise, and specs were not that different. The XR was nice, but expensive. The dealer didn't help. I don't know the new models as well, so I say exactly on those. But that's my general feeling I got when I looked. Almost every maker has come out with the next generation by now, so I'm a little out of date. LS was good, but for me Kioti was better.

 

[bh10]

Im buying my second tractor right now and those are the 3 Im looking at as well. For me I use my FEL a lot and lift heavy pallets frequently, that meant Kubota was out. Kubota while has a great dealer network, its expensive and the loader is marginal compared to LS and Kioti. Kioti won in this category, lifts much higher and has a little advantage in the lifting department.

LS came loaded while the Kioti needed options added. Being I was looking at a bigger tractor 65-75 hp, they only come in shuttle and power shuttle transmission. LS PS was garbage, even the dealer agreed. lol. He said he hates even pointing people towards LS power shuttle, the Kioti's was much better.

That being said, I bought the Kioti. It was about $1k more for the tractor with the options compared to the LS, but will suit my needs better.

 

[BlueToy1]

To me, that's basically a draw and will probably come down to comfort and feel.

When I was recently shopping, I found myself going dizzy comparing and crunching numbers to determine which was the best choice for me. As you are doing, narrow it down the best brands for your use. Buy enough tractor and you'll rarely use all the lift, traction or horsepower. EVERYTIME you will use that seat and control layout. Once I realized this, a few test drives made my choice easy. In my mind, I was set on an LS4100 series until I spent time in the seat. The hst pedals were positioned too close to the base of seat for me to get my feet and legs comfortable. It was a bummer because I had to start my search all over. My :2cents: