So... Yanmar Ex450 vs. Kioto DH45SE vs. Kubota L4600

[hnicols]

I hear that this is like the Apple Genius Bar for tractors. So geniuses what do you think?

A newbee and i am getting a TLB. I have looked and now focused on these three with HST and the recommended matching loaders and backhoes plus mechanical thumbs. My novice observations are that there are a lot of good tractors out there, and:

Yanmar is prettiest.
Kioti seems best on the specs of the three.
Kubota seems best in dealer depth/support in my area (kioti is next deepest)
Prices vary but my order above seems to run from the least 32k to the most 37k costly.

Your views on the relative merits much appreciated. My use is general hobby farm, 100 acres, mostly wooded. Need to maintain logging roads and access for future logging, seven acres of brush hogging for my horse trails and pasture, and general grounds keeping. Will not mow or snow plow/blow although I do live in the North Country of New York state.

Thanks!

 

[Coyote machine]

Kioti.

 

[hnicols]

Take it you like yours. Experience with others? Anything you wish was different about yours?

(What do you think of ratchet rake?)

 

[Coyote machine]

Yes, definitely. I'd skip the mech hoe thumb and get used to the hoe first. I went from a mech thumb to a fully hydraulic thumb over time. Ratchet rake is OK, haven't used it a lot to date, been doing other things.
Kioti is a strong tractor, and dealer service is a factor if you plan on having them do your service work. If you are going to do it yourself, except warranty work, then not so much a factor. Where upstate? I bought my Kiotis in upstate.

 

[Monster5601]

Putting brand prejudices aside, all three brands offer quality products and regardless of which one of the three you purchase you will get a good machine. Over the years I've seen this question asked many times and the responses typically filter down to this;

You are not buying a brand as much as your are buying a dealer. You want support an honesty from your dealer. One thing about sales that has never changed is that people buy from people.

Next, operate all three, which do feel most comfortable with.

Be careful with specifications, for example, loader lift, some rate at the pivot point and another will rate it so many inches out from the pivot point. Another consideration is tractor weight, more isn't always better depending on you work environment. Your dealer can help you with specifications because they will know your area best.

I use a ratchet-rack, works very well for clearing areas even with smaller trees.

 

[Msamt]

I compared the same 3, just not with back hoes. I found the kubota operator station just "not for me", the yanmar the best looking, and the Kioti the best combination of price, value and performance. Only have 12 hours on it, and only moved snow so far, but just a breeze to move (great turning circle), very capable in deep or heavy snow, and somewhere I feel confident I'll be spending some time on the coming years. It did help to have a great dealer 3 miles away too.

 

[murphy1244]

Are any of those TLB's? Nope, not a one.

 

[Katahdin]

hnickols, I think you mean to compare the Yanmar LX4500. The Ex450 has a shuttle shift transmission, the LX 4xxx series has the HST transmission and a beefier front-end and loader with more lift capacity.

I think either brand models will do the same tasks for you. I think the Yanmar stands out with the more efficient engine design of the three. I believe Kioti copied the Kubota engine, the specs are identical right down to a 10th of a millimeter of the bore and stroke.

Re dealer support, note the warranty. You'll enjoy your dealer support more when your warranty hasn't run out. In any event, double check the specs that are most important to you, go for a few test drives, see what's more comfortable, go with your gut and have fun!

 

[Eyecatcher]

I have the Yanmar EX450. It is shuttle shift. I did not want the HSR tranny. Big, excellent running tractor. FEL has hydraulic problems that I fought with Yanmar over for 2 yrs that never got fixed. Fuel tank up behind the seat means you can't see what's going on behind you. Exhaust outlet under left front corner will gas you out in a headwind. Had to re-enforce loader frame to keep from twisting. Loader control is located so that you always dump the bucket with your leg if you twist to look back. Worst most unknowledgeable dealer I have ever dealt with on anything. My 2nd Yanmar, the old 82 336D was a much better designed tractor.

 

[pilotman]

I would echo replies that recommend the Yanmar LX line over the EX model, it is much more tractor for little more money. Yanmar warranty is among the best