Older Deere or Newer Kioti

[pfettig77]

Hi everyone. I currently own a 1957 Ferguson F40 and it's an awesome machine. It's all I have for moving snow and of course it's limited in that it doesn't have 4 wheel drive or a loader. I'm looking for a compact tractor with 4x4, HST, and a loader. It will be used for the typical hobby farm stuff - I have some woods, some pasture, some ag fields - a total of 51 acres. I had made my mind up to get a Deere because of reputation and there are dealers everywhere around here (NW Wisconsin). However, I recently started learning more about Kioti and I'm starting to lean that way. They seem more well equipped for less money and people seem to be reporting good reliability. For the Deere's, I was looking at the 3X20 series (precursor to the 3R series). I was really struggling to find something with reasonable hours for less than $15k which is my approximate budget. I have found a few 3X20 tractors, but they're usually 15 or so years old and have 1500 hours (not a ton for a John Deere I know) to 3500 hours. I'm reasonably mechanically inclined, but I don't enjoy wrenching and for lots of the year, I just don't have the time. With a Kioti, I can get a newer 2610 which will lift a lot more than the 3 series Deeres and it they are new and shiny. Here are examples of what I'm looking at. Thoughts?

Deere 3520 - $13k
Deere 3720 $16k
2020 Kioti CK2610 $14k (stronger loader 1970 lbs)
2017 Kioti CK2610 (weaker loader - 1250 lbs)

The 3720 is my dream tractor, but it has a lot of hours. I would like to do 4x4 round bales with it. I can add remote hydraulics to the Ferguson and use that though. I'd buy the older Kioti right now, but it has the lighter loader and that gives me pause.

 

[endurodad2019]

2021 KIOTI 4210 .....400 HRS MAINTANCE ONLY SO FAR (knock on wood)

 

[pfettig77]

2021 KIOTI 4210 .....400 HRS MAINTANCE ONLY SO FAR (knock on wood)

That's what I like to hear. The dealer said the only trouble he's had was with the CS line.

 

[TractorTYMe]

Do you have a TYM dealer in your area? Have you checked out the TYM 2515r (shuttle) or h (Hydrostat model), comes in ROPS but with cab over new years for $$$. But that lifts 2200# on FEL. Don't know if ROPS or Cabs are preferred for ya. But if you have a set budget in mind under$20k maybe ROPS only? Personally I would go for something north of 40Hp with 50 acres.

 

[IH3444]

What troubles with the CS line?
I would not consider Deere simply because of it not having a QASS on its front-end loader. Deere has their own front end mounting equipment; hence you have to use their Deere forks, grapple, etc.

 

[D&D]

I would like to do 4x4 round bales with it. I can add remote hydraulics to the Ferguson and use that though. I'd buy the older Kioti right now, but it has the lighter loader and that gives me pause.

Move 4x4 round bales or harvest? All of these choices are rather small for 51 acres and baling hay.

 

[rScotty]

Hi everyone. I currently own a 1957 Ferguson F40 and it's an awesome machine. It's all I have for moving snow and of course it's limited in that it doesn't have 4 wheel drive or a loader. I'm looking for a compact tractor with 4x4, HST, and a loader. It will be used for the typical hobby farm stuff - I have some woods, some pasture, some ag fields - a total of 51 acres. I had made my mind up to get a Deere because of reputation and there are dealers everywhere around here (NW Wisconsin). However, I recently started learning more about Kioti and I'm starting to lean that way. They seem more well equipped for less money and people seem to be reporting good reliability. For the Deere's, I was looking at the 3X20 series (precursor to the 3R series). I was really struggling to find something with reasonable hours for less than $15k which is my approximate budget. I have found a few 3X20 tractors, but they're usually 15 or so years old and have 1500 hours (not a ton for a John Deere I know) to 3500 hours. I'm reasonably mechanically inclined, but I don't enjoy wrenching and for lots of the year, I just don't have the time. With a Kioti, I can get a newer 2610 which will lift a lot more than the 3 series Deeres and it they are new and shiny. Here are examples of what I'm looking at. Thoughts?

Deere 3520 - $13k
Deere 3720 $16k
2020 Kioti CK2610 $14k (stronger loader 1970 lbs)
2017 Kioti CK2610 (weaker loader - 1250 lbs)

The 3720 is my dream tractor, but it has a lot of hours. I would like to do 4x4 round bales with it. I can add remote hydraulics to the Ferguson and use that though. I'd buy the older Kioti right now, but it has the lighter loader and that gives me pause.

I wish I knew more about Kioti tractors, but I don't. The ones you've found with those kind of low hours do become attractive. Also HP vs emissions. Some of my neighbors have bought Kiotis and they worked for them - though they moved to different brands when updating. One to Kubota and one to JD..
Not sure what makes the Kioti loaders different, do you know? But in general I do know that loader specs can be and are manipulated by tractor manufacturers. And have heard that Kioti is known for being "optomistic" there. So I'm saying use the grain of salt - be careful comparing based on numbers for lift specs. Are specs taken at the pins or forward in the bucket? Is Lift to Full Height or Low height? Is the bucket weight included or not?

In general with that much land have you considered the next size larger tractors? I'm not a cab guy, but as I'm getting into my 80s I do see the attraction.

On the 3720, I like them too....but pushing 4000 hours on a 13 year old tractor might be OK for the basics engine and rolling gear, but we both know that many hours on a smallish tractor means you are asking for a lot of deferred maintenance and wrench time. So I'd say no on that 3720. Just too many hours. Also NO to anything at auction. Don't even go there.

So I've got some more thoughts, but would like to hear which ways you are leaning and more about what you want to do.

rScotty

 

[D&D]

Not sure what makes the Kioti loaders different, do you know? But in general I do know that loader specs can be and are manipulated by tractor manufacturers. And have heard that Kioti is known for being "optomistic" there. So I'm saying use the grain of salt - be careful comparing based on numbers for lift specs. Are specs taken at the pins or forward in the bucket? Is Lift to Full Height or Low height? Is the bucket weight included or not?

rScotty

Good points and that would be with an appropriately sized counterweight.

 

[MotorSeven]

We have 130ac, most steep Mtn land, the rest bottom land pasture. I initially thought a CK30 would be big enough to handle whatever task I picked on....nope. The loader strained picking up round bales, and overall I just needed a little more HP. Traded it in on a DK40 and it's done it all, so far about 1700hrs on it. A head gasket under warranty is the only thing that I did not break. I have a reoccurring front axle bearing tissue, but I did a zillion hrs in 4wd moving logs around for my sawmill & house build....so I take partial blame for that.

Jmho, I think you need a bigger tractor for 50+ac. A 40-50 horse would be handier and pick up around 2600lbs at the pins. I am pretty sure it will handle what ever you throw at it unlike something smaller. My DK30 was an '06, the DK40 is an '08.

If I had to do it again, I would still buy the Kioti.

 

[pfettig77]

Do you have a TYM dealer in your area? Have you checked out the TYM 2515r (shuttle) or h (Hydrostat model), comes in ROPS but with cab over new years for $$$. But that lifts 2200# on FEL. Don't know if ROPS or Cabs are preferred for ya. But if you have a set budget in mind under$20k maybe ROPS only? Personally I would go for something north of 40Hp with 50 acres.

I have pretty much settled on Deere or Kioti. Deere for obvious reasons and Kioti because they make their own machines and I believe will be up there with Deere and Kubota before long. Also, I'm getting a little research-fatigued. The closest dealer to me is actually a TYM dealer though. Maybe I'll poke around and see what they have to say.