Should I buy a Kioti CK30?

Youare · Oct 12, 2005

A little over three years ago I was in the same tractor buying market you were, looking for a 30hp 4WD with a FEL. I wanted a gear drive unit because that is what I like.

I looked at the Kioti and was really impressed with the price and weight of the tractor. At that time the dealer network was not what it is now. Kioti was the new kid on the block and has since proven itself as a very good tractor.

I purchased a Kubota, what they called the economy line, L3000DT 4WD with a FEL. It is a basic 30hp tractor which I am more than pleased with. One of the issues for me was resale value, should my wife have to sell the tractor after my departure I wanted her to get all she could. I do believe Kioti would now have a very good resale value.

The dealer I purchased my tractor from is an hour drive away which is a little bit of a pain when you want something but, they are a very good dealership. Pick a dealer who you can trust and will serve you well.

Most of us are color blind when it comes to tractors. Get what you will be happy with.

Randy

DrewL · Oct 12, 2005

If you really need a tractor immediately, I advise you to RENT one for a while. Take this time to research a little better and figure out the differences. IMHO, I don't think I could give you an equiv. to the CK30. Someone mentioned that they saved $4000k over a Kubota L3130. I am sorry, but that is just plain misleading. You can't call a CK30 and a L3130 an Apples to Apples comparison. They are similiar in some aspects, in other aspects there is no comparision.

Different dealers can make this a reality as mine did. In my search the Kioti was the least expensive but I submit that Kioti does stand on it's own. The dealer you discussed Kioti's make-up has already given you wrong information as confirmed here. The advice to take your time in your search/purchase is very good advice unless you already know what you want. There are very few "bad" machines" out there so take your time and have fun

OrangeAlex · Oct 12, 2005

( I will use the tractor for landscaping and some gravel road maintenance on a 15 acre site of mixed woods and former pasture (7 to 8 acres) which I will get a rotary cutter (any suggestions on a rotary cutter?). I do not need a backhoe long term, I will rent one if and when I need it. )
Westly,

based on your acreage I would say you are looking at the right HP rating. Some things to think about.

1. Tractor weight. Do you want heavy or light and why? There are advantages to both.
2. Hydraulics. How much lift capacity do you need?
3. Tires. Type R1, or R4. You said woods so I will rule out Turf.
4. Turning Radius and overall tractor width, length, height. Do you have tight spots you regular need to get in and out of? Is tip stability a concern (sloped land)?
5. Ground clearance and under-carriage protection. Does this matter?
6. Do you want to finish mow with this?
7. Do you want Hydrostatic tranny, Shuttle or Gear and why?
8. Budget? Financing, cash?
9. Are you mechanically inclined and like to tinker with the tractor or do you want to not fuss with it.
10. How far is your dealer under consideration. Are you willing to drive your tractor to and from the dealer for servicing, adjustments, warranty work?
11. Or if you need to take it into service, will they come and pick it up and deliver it to your house for free or a reasonable charge?
12. If you need to haul the tractor yourself, do you have a truck big enough to haul this tractor around and trailer?

Good luck
-Alex

OrangeAlex · Oct 12, 2005

( Different dealers can make this a reality as mine did. In my search the Kioti was the least expensive but I submit that Kioti does stand on it's own. The dealer you discussed Kioti's make-up has already given you wrong information as confirmed here. The advice to take your time in your search/purchase is very good advice unless you already know what you want. There are very few "bad" machines" out there so take your time and have fun
)
Just so I am clear. Given the right situation and needs, I can see someone buying a 30HP tractor which is $4000 cheaper than the CK30, just as I can see someone buying a 30HP which is $4000 more expensive than the CK30. If the situation and needs are correct, all the tractors would be the right tractor for that particular individual. Needless to say, neither tractor would be Apples to Apples to each other other that they are the same HP. If any one person in the above situations, simply went out and bought a 30HP tractor without considering their needs and the difference between the tractors; then they would likely be making a mistake. No matter what the price is. They can be paying for too little or too much tractor. But one thing for sure, they will get what they pay for.

It is possible that for your situation the CK30 fulfilled your needs just as easily as a higher priced 30HP tractor. Perhaps it was a good fit for you and you never considered the added features/capabilties of a higher priced 30HP tractor. So to you it simply appeared that the CK30 was a better deal and simply $4000 cheaper. However, that does not mean it has the same capabilities and appeal as higher priced 30HP tractors which are needed by other people. Moreover, the CK30 may have features and capabilities which are overkill for some people who would fine a cheaper 30HP tractor would fullfill just as well. So you see they could see the CK30 as simply more expensive.

But please don't imply the CK30 is the same tractor for less money then a tractor which is $4000 more. This is simply untrue and misleading.

Respectfully,
-Alex

Mavrik02 · Oct 12, 2005

Westy,

If the CK30 doesn't meet your needs (features, cost, capabilities, etc.) or if you don't have a dealer you can trust then NO, you should not buy it.

If it does meet your needs and you do have a dealer you feel good about then I would say that the Kioti brand tractors are very nice and well supported and there should be no reason not to buy it.

Good Luck!

OrangeAlex, I agree completely with your first two paragraphs but not the last sentence. If two tractors meet my needs but one actually exceeds my needs and is also less money then to ME that will be more tractor for the $$. That did happen with my search. I feel I bought more tractor for ~$3000 less. I felt I was being asked to pay for the brand name and decided it wasn't worth it.

Someone else might look at the same two/three tractors and come to a different conclusion based on their needs. I accept that...but to me...

Regards.

OrangeAlex · Oct 12, 2005

Which Tractor were you considering which was $3000 more with the same capabilities just a fancy brand name. I will leave it at that.
Thanks
-Alex

DrewL · Oct 12, 2005

But please don't imply the CK30 is the same tractor for less money then a tractor which is $4000 more. This is simply untrue and misleading.

the 30hp range is tough to make equal comparisons because there are few machines that are equal right down the line, side by side. I can only speak of my search and I can say that other machines were anywhere from $1,500 to over $3,000 more money. I can't help it if it is misleading to some but keep in mind it is fact............in my search. Dealer created perhaps but rediculous pricing nonetheless and that is all I had to go on. If the dealers I spoke to spent the time to address my concerns and questions then maybe the illusions of comparitive pricing could be answered.................but they didn't.

OrangeAlex · Oct 12, 2005

Can I assume you paid around $16k for the CK30 w/ FEL? the question is which $19-20k tractor w/FEL did you compare which you thought was equivelent and just paying more for the name brand.

might want to check out this old thread.
Shortened Long URL

I hope you did not compare it to something like the L3130 as this thread states. The L2800 is closer in my opinion and that is $400 price difference. The CK30 has some nice features over the L2800. But hardly anything which should cost very much money. If I recall right, 2 more engine HP on the Kioti, but PTO HP is only off by 1 HP. Kioti has Telescoping 3 PH feature. You can but after market adapter on this web site to do something similiar. About the same Loader capacities, Kubota L2800 is slightly smaller dimensions then the Kioti. Yes, the L2800 is less ttractor then the CK30 but not that much less. Price is about the same.

The CK30 and the L3130 are much futher apart in their differences.

I compared the CK30 to the L3130 and the L2800 and I was happy to pay the extra $4000 for what it offered over both machines No comparisons, different world. Let me turn things around a bit... Kubota sets the price both on the L2800 and L3130... and yes there is a $4000 price difference. However, it is the same brand and the L2800 does not hurt L3130 sales and vs.versa.

MikePA: Cleaned up long URL. Please review your message before posting it. It's simple not to do this. Just insert a descriptive word or two between the {url=http://whatever}Enter words here{/url} instead of the entire URL. Replace parentheses {} with square brackets in previous example. Alternatively, if you use the Instant Markup language URL link, the first prompt is for the URL. The second prompt is for a description. Do not simply paste in the URL again. Type a short description of the link.

OrangeAlex · Oct 12, 2005

Another thread to look at comparing the CK30 to a "fancy" Kubota label. no $4000 price difference here either. As you can see, they are comparing the L2800 to the CK30 also.

Shortened Long Link

MikePA: Cleaned up long URL. Please review your message before posting it. It's simple not to do this. Just insert a descriptive word or two between the {url=http://whatever}Enter words here{/url} instead of the entire RL. Replace parentheses {} with square brackets in previous example. Alternatively, if you use the Instant Markup language URL link, the first prompt is for the URL. The second prompt is for a description. Do not simply paste in the URL again. Type a short description of the link.

DrewL · Oct 12, 2005

I think you missed my point about the "dealers" I spoke to. You can even compare MSRP's if you'd like but I'm referring to the quotes I was given by the dozen or so dealers asked. Search my posts about pricing......................

I paid $15,500 inc tax for a CK30HST w/FEL

very much in line with other Kioti quotes that I have seen here