Older Deere or Newer Kioti

[deserteagle71]

Keep this in mind...any tractor of the size you are thinking about - and bigger - will have the Tier IV emissions system on the engine if it is newer than 2014. That means having to avoid running the engine at low rpms for any length of time. The engine, whether it has a diesel particulate filter or catalyst type emissions control on it, needs to run HOT to keep it healthy.

Not so with an older diesel. Why I use my old John Deere more than my Kubota. For little jobs where the engine will be running a lot at idle or a little above, no emissions system to load up with diesel particulates.

 

[pfettig77]

Keep this in mind...any tractor of the size you are thinking about - and bigger - will have the Tier IV emissions system on the engine if it is newer than 2014. That means having to avoid running the engine at low rpms for any length of time. The engine, whether it has a diesel particulate filter or catalyst type emissions control on it, needs to run HOT to keep it healthy.

Not so with an older diesel. Why I use my old John Deere more than my Kubota. For little jobs where the engine will be running a lot at idle or a little above, no emissions system to load up with diesel particulates.

I've been learning about that. The Kiotis I listed do not have the emissions stuff. They're only 26hp. Interestingly, it's the same engine as the 35hp model and can be tuned up to almost match that - but with no emissions controls. Best of both worlds.

 

[Yander]

I have a 2001 Kioti DK 35 with 2530 hours.
I've been very pleased with it.

Don't you also do custom work with it? Have you ever figured up how much you've made with that tractor in the 23 years

 

[Tractorable]

Got talking to a farmer at a road side stand here in Virginia one time. He rolled up on a Kioti. Told me it had over 5000hrs and still ran good.

 

[pfettig77]

That's what I keep thinking too. It's not that I don't think the Yanmar engine can't handle that many hours, it's that the rest of the machine is probably going to require frequent small repairs.

Regarding the loader: I don't know what makes the loaders so capable - bigger rams? I do know that the difference between Kioti and Deere lift capacities is legit per tests done by owners and reviewers. Deere isn't known for impressive specs in that regard. Some say they do it on purpose so suburban homeowners and soccer moms don't try to overdo it with their loads.

I've heard people say to stay away from auction stuff and I've been sort of ignoring auctions. However, aren't there some cases where that might me ok? Like some meticulous old retired guy that died and they're selling all his stuff off - as opposed to a giant auction where they're just auctioning off the units they can't seem to get off the lot?

 

[txbonds]

That's awesome. I haven't heard of many Kiotis with that many hours.
I wouldn't mind getting a bigger tractor, but the bigger you go, the more money. I could theoretically get a bigger one that's really old and has lots of hours.
I keep reading about matching the size of a new tractor to your acreage. I kinda don't get that. If I had more or less land why would I want to scoop bigger or smaller loads or why would the weeds I'm mowing be any thicker? Shouldn't it be more about what type of land and what you intend to do with it? I've been here 20 years and all I've had is a 70 year old 33hp tractor. I never thought of it as being under powered - I just want 4WD and a loader. (This isn't a response to your comment, but rather what I've been reading in general.)

For what its worth, I have 62 acres with pine trees and lakes on it so my usage is just land maintenance and grass cutting mostly. Last year I went from a JD 5045E and a JD 2032R, both open cab, to a Kioti NS4710HSTC with cab and hydrostat. It was about the equivalent size and HP to a JD 4052R. My logic when getting it was to get something with a cab and being sized between the two Deere's, I thought it would handle the chores both had done. I put 115 hours on it over the course of 1 year. No issues and only did one service at 50 hours before trading it.

Long story short, I traded it a few months ago for a larger Kioti RX7320PC. The NS4710 was a great tractor with 47hp but for my terrain and usage I just found it too small. The tire size alone caused it to beat me to death during usage over rough ground and roots. The larger RX7320, rolls easily over those same terrain features and I'm way less fatigued after usage.

Honestly, I miss the hydrostat drive for mowing grass around buildings and trees, but the larger tractor is more suited for my land. I think thats a lot of why people base tractor size on land. The usage, terrain and amount of ground to cover are easier on a larger frame tractor. Not to mention, you are not risking the equipment and yourself by pushing it to far.

Good luck with your purchase which ever way you end up going!

 

[pfettig77]

For what its worth, I have 62 acres with pine trees and lakes on it so my usage is just land maintenance and grass cutting mostly. Last year I went from a JD 5045E and a JD 2032R, both open cab, to a Kioti NS4710HSTC with cab and hydrostat. It was about the equivalent size and HP to a JD 4052R. My logic when getting it was to get something with a cab and being sized between the two Deere's, I thought it would handle the chores both had done. I put 115 hours on it over the course of 1 year. No issues and only did one service at 50 hours before trading it.

Long story short, I traded it a few months ago for a larger Kioti RX7320PC. The NS4710 was a great tractor with 47hp but for my terrain and usage I just found it too small. The tire size alone caused it to beat me to death during usage over rough ground and roots. The larger RX7320, rolls easily over those same terrain features and I'm way less fatigued after usage.

Honestly, I miss the hydrostat drive for mowing grass around buildings and trees, but the larger tractor is more suited for my land. I think thats a lot of why people base tractor size on land. The usage, terrain and amount of ground to cover are easier on a larger frame tractor. Not to mention, you are not risking the equipment and yourself by pushing it to far.

Good luck with your purchase which ever way you end up going!

Good logic. I'm still learning so that helps.

 

[wolc123]

I think I’d be a little leery of the Korean machines (Kioti & TYM), since there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of stability over there right now, with the recent “Marshal law” crisis and Chinese aggression.

I’ve had pretty good service from the JD 4120, that I bought new in 2005. If you could find one of those, you’d be getting an American made JD Powertech engine rather than the foreign made Yanmars in the 30-20 series. The larger frame size would also be more on par with your old Fergy, and likely handle your other tasks much better. Also pre-emissions which is a big advantage on longevity and fuel economy.

The 4120 works great on snow with loaded rear R1 tires. I use a 7 ft rear blade on it for most of that, and push up the piles with the heavy duty bucket on the 400X loader.

 

[deserteagle71]

I've heard people say to stay away from auction stuff and I've been sort of ignoring auctions. However, aren't there some cases where that might me ok? Like some meticulous old retired guy that died and they're selling all his stuff off - as opposed to a giant auction where they're just auctioning off the units they can't seem to get off the lot?

I bought my John Deere 2020 diesel at a ranch auction back in 1997. Still using the heck out of it.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I didn't realize that. It's hard to keep everything straight. Do you own one?

Yes I have a TYM T474 Cab HST with the mechanical injected engine that was made on license at one time from Cummins but made by Kukje/TYM Engine A2300N4. 560h without regen or any issue.