Comparison Orange versus Orange

[winasu]

Hi all,

I am looking for a tractor to help develop my dream. We purchased 68 acres of virgin land and are developing it into hopefully a goat farm (long story). We have been hiring a professional with a 953 track loader to do the heavy lifting. He has cleared some fields, a perimeter fence line and is working on a pond. But there is still tons of lighter work and we need a tractor with a FEL to finish some clearing and move brush and hopefully keep up with chores. We started with a 1948 8N which has been great with the rake and box blade. It even acts like a skidder with the pole boom. The problem is we are having trouble with some hills as the 8n has neither 4 wd or a locking differential. The maintenance on the 8n is getting old as well We all love the 8n and it will always have a place on the farm, but we do need something beefier to maintain the fence line so to speak. So with all the choices on the market I would very much like to hear others opinions regarding recommendations. We are thinking the 40-50 hp range with a FEL. HST is no big deal to us as we are all used to the 8n. Our biggest issue now is cash so the brands with the 0% interest are very appealing. After sitting in dozens of tractors, we feel very comfortable in a JD5045E, Kubota MX4700 and Kioti DS 4110. If money were no object, we would be going with the JD first, Kubota second, and Kioti third. All three local dealers have been great. The biggest problem we face is trying to decide if it is worth paying the green premium which in this case is about 7K over the Kioti and 3.5K over the Kubota. The Kioti is hands down the lowest price and also has the best warranty. We worry that a few years into this we may regret not purchasing the better name brand. We change our mind regularly between the Kioti and Kubota. We are turned off by the excessive JD premium, but it is a nice tractor. In the mean time the 8N is still chugging and the time may run out for the 0% interest but that FEL and 4WD would be sweet. Any opinions? Good experiences or bad experiences with these tractors?

 

[wallace]

I know where my money would be...In my front pocket!
That is the extra money I would be saving by purchasing a very proven, capable, heaver build tractor.

 

[rtimgray]

I've had my Kioti DK45 for eight years and have had very few problems. As long as you are happy with the tractor and get a good vibe from the dealer, I think that all the tractors you mention are pretty much on par quality-wise.

That said, I am sure that the Kioti will have a lower re-sale value than either of the other two, if that is a concern to you. Of course, it seems that it has a lower sale price as well, and you can do alot with $3,500 (that's alot of goat fencing!).

In addition to my DK45, my dad has bought a 3054 TLB and a DK55. They're both running strong, despite my dad's lack of maintenace (i.e. you only change the fuel filter when the tractor quits running; oil gets changed once every 1,000 hours whether it needs it or not, etc). He has been using them working on his new house for the last several years (a 15,000 - yes, I said fifteen thousand square foot house - that will never be completed - nevermind) and we also use them for haying every year.

Obviously I am a proponent of Kioti; however, if you are going to keep the tractor "forever", and you really like the Kubota more, don't live with a lifetime of regret for $3,500. That was probably about the difference when I bought my Kioti (comparing it Kubota and New Holland). I've have been completely satisfied and then some with my choice.

Take your time, don't rush it, and have fun. Take care.

 

[TripleR]

I can't say anything good or bad about Kioti; no dealers or owners in my area, but have some experience with owning JD and Kubota. JD and Kubota are good tractors and can't say one is "better" than the other, just different, so I have bought my last JD. My choice in a Ag tractor would be JD, but that's a different beast.

Good luck.

 

[DK35vince]

I have had my Kioti DK 35 for 8 years and just under 1400 hours.
I have been very pleased with it. Nice tractor, works great.

 

[jas67]

I know where my money would be...In my front pocket!
That is the extra money I would be saving by purchasing a very proven, capable, heaver build tractor.

Wallace -- You're not partial or anything (since your are a Kioti dealer)

 

[Samandothers]

I hear very few complaining about either Kioti or Kubota, or JD for that matter. I have enjoyed my L4240 and it has not refused anything I have requested of it on our land. I use FEL, Grapple, backhoe, bushhog, posthole digger and blade. 2 years ago I looked at JD and Kubota. I was not 'introduced' to Kioti's at that time as I remember.
Came down to dealer and Kubota was less expensive and it had a good reputation. If I had looked at and tried a Kioti dealer in the area where I bought my tractor I may have been sitting on a different orange. Try them out find a dealer you like and go with it.
I too was comeing from experience with an 8N and a MF 135. I went ahead with the HST and am glad I did. SOOOOO much easier to do loader work and any work where you may need to pull up and then back up often, such as bushhoging in the edge of woods. No time or effort pushing a clutch and changing gears, just rock the paddle!
Good Luck and enjoy sitting on all the brands.

 

[ModMech]

I like the price point of the Kioti, especially considering the features you get that are either extra or unavailable on other brands. I don't care for 4x4 for use as an Ag tractor, so have ruled them out for us.

I own a Kubota, it's well built and have had only a few minor problems that were easily fixed. It's 9 years old with about 700hr, so in that amount of time something is bound to go wrong no matter the brand.

I have looked at Deere as we need to add an Ag tractor in the next year or so. All I can say is that I prefer a 4x2, gear trans tractor that is HEAVY and Deere offers that. Look at the controls and parts, there is a visible difference in the robustness of the Deere parts. Does that mean they are "better", no, but a cast brake pedal in my book beats a bent and welded tube.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I like saving money, don't get me wrong. I'm only passing through life one time and as a result buy what I feel is right for me. For my large tractor I liked the New Holland features so I purchased the TC55DA with power shuttle. It is overkill but I felt it was what I needed to get the job done. It also has a Bradco 611 backhoe which I felt was good quality over lesser priced brands. For a lawn tractor I liked the 4110 John Deere. The size and being four wheel drive fit my program.
I know Mahindra, Agco, Kiota, Kubota and others build a quality machine. I wouldn't consider them because if I keep my present machines for any length of time I am assured good resale value and parts availability. Some "not so popular" models don't enjoy these benefits. JD and NH dealerships are in my back yard so service / parts are close at hand.
I also have Corvettes, four to be exact. I could collect old Triumphs or MGs. The old vettes appeal to me and of course parts and service are readily available.
People buy items by choice, usually advertising, price, or influence of others. I like to base my opinions on what I see as a solid investment. I know there will be more than ten people at the estate sale because I have had inquiries based on " when you sell this please call me first ". I don't believe I will be making the calls.

 

[coobie]

Hi all,

I am looking for a tractor to help develop my dream. We purchased 68 acres of virgin land and are developing it into hopefully a goat farm (long story). We have been hiring a professional with a 953 track loader to do the heavy lifting. He has cleared some fields, a perimeter fence line and is working on a pond. But there is still tons of lighter work and we need a tractor with a FEL to finish some clearing and move brush and hopefully keep up with chores. We started with a 1948 8N which has been great with the rake and box blade. It even acts like a skidder with the pole boom. The problem is we are having trouble with some hills as the 8n has neither 4 wd or a locking differential. The maintenance on the 8n is getting old as well We all love the 8n and it will always have a place on the farm, but we do need something beefier to maintain the fence line so to speak. So with all the choices on the market I would very much like to hear others opinions regarding recommendations. We are thinking the 40-50 hp range with a FEL. HST is no big deal to us as we are all used to the 8n. Our biggest issue now is cash so the brands with the 0% interest are very appealing. After sitting in dozens of tractors, we feel very comfortable in a JD5045E, Kubota MX4700 and Kioti DS 4110. If money were no object, we would be going with the JD first, Kubota second, and Kioti third. All three local dealers have been great. The biggest problem we face is trying to decide if it is worth paying the green premium which in this case is about 7K over the Kioti and 3.5K over the Kubota. The Kioti is hands down the lowest price and also has the best warranty. We worry that a few years into this we may regret not purchasing the better name brand. We change our mind regularly between the Kioti and Kubota. We are turned off by the excessive JD premium, but it is a nice tractor. In the mean time the 8N is still chugging and the time may run out for the 0% interest but that FEL and 4WD would be sweet. Any opinions? Good experiences or bad experiences with these tractors?

I own a 2007 Kioti DK40SE (41 hp)with FEL and have not had one problem (160 hours)as of yet.I also priced the JD,kubota,new holland,case,mahindra to name a few.The kioti not only won because of price & warrenty but because of great dealer support.coobie