What Makes Kubota Better Than Kioti

[Grateful11]

My son was all set on buying another Kubota, an L2501, until we stopped recently at a Kioti dealer and he drove a CK2610 and a CK3510SE. Then he realized the options he could get on the CK2610 vs. the L2501. Linked accelerator pedals that work similar to his L3940HST but no Stall Guard, telescoping draft links, a rubber deck mat and as silly as it may sound, a horn. Then there's what came standard, true hydrostatic power steering instead of the L series pitman arm type steering, fender mounted loader joystick, and all loaders come std. with skidsteer QA. He liked the feel and the layout better, it's also a hair heavier and less money. There's no doubt that the L2501 is a fine tractor, quite frankly from what we were told it's comes from Japan crated with the wheels and loader off, no assembly in GA, to me that's a plus. Personally I think the L2501 should be selling for less than the Kioti he's looking at.

As you can see by the signature his operation has never been set on one color, just get something to get the job done.

 

[LMychajluk]

... I didn't consider Kioti because there are no dealers close by in NC. From what I'm hearing here, Kioti is also of competitive quality to the Kubota. As a side note, the closest Kubota dealer(40mins) priced my M7060HD12 $4k over the next closest dealer(75mins) across the line in the next state. I went to VA. and purchased from a great dealership.

Odd. I was fairly certain Kioti had a distribution center in the Carolinas, so I did a dealer search based on Bahama, NC. There are 2 dealers within ~30mi (about the same as the Kubota dealer?), and another 3 ~60mi away. After checking, one of the main US distribution centers for Kioti is in Wendell, NC, about an hour away from Bahama.

Have you tried Napa for air filters? My son gets air and engine oil filters for his Kubota from Napa made by Wix. Saves a good bit of money.

Messick's did a nice little comparison video on YouTube of Kubota filters vs. Napa. Check it out. Might change your mind about using those Wix filters.

I'm waiting to take delivery on a Kioti CK3510se open station. I have nothing against Kubota, and they seem perfectly capable machines, but feature- and spec-wise, no other brand I shopped could come close for the price of just under $26.5k (TLB), so I think thats a good value. What I would consider an equivalent from Kubota would be a Grand L L3560HST, and I don't think I'd be able to get that for under $35k similarly equiped (dual rear remotes, etc...). And as far as a support network goes, there are 5 Kioti dealers within 65mi of me and only 2 Kubota.

 

[Jstpssng]

With the plethora of options out there, any manufacturer needs to have a decent, competitively priced product if they want to survive. If you dont believe that, just ask the US automoblie "Big 3". I went with a Kubota because I have had good luck with them and planned to keep it for the rst of my life. People who I know with Kiotis have also had good luck with them. Also those with JDs, New Holland...
To say that dealers don't matter is a stretch though; things go wrong sometimes. My cousin's CK25 spent 2 weeks in the shop for computer issues which would have been costly if not for the warranty; just as my neighbor's L went down for transmission issues within the first 6 months.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Seems like "Options" trump quality, quality control and resale value.

We once (in 72) bought a Universal 445 over a Massey 135, also on account of options. Power steering, remotes, full lighting and tools, all above and beyond the Massey. The Universal was not a bad tractor, but did have some Quality issues, and when it came time to trade in our pristine tractor in the 90s, we wish we would have bought Massey.

 

[crashz]

My particular dealer, who carries a fair amount of used equipment as well as Farm and Excavation equipment (many brands) was a major decision maker for me because I traded my Bobcat in on the L2501. They simply could offer me more, because they carried that type of equipment on a regular basis.

But...
There is the history of both. Not that Kioti was ever bad as far as I know. But I do know, or my perception is, that Kubota has been around for decades longer in the US and everyone knows somebody that had one that ran forever with no care at all. Some of the stories could rival a fishing story. Bottom line though, most people's perception of Kubota is of Japanese quality and longevity like a Honda or Toyota. I bet that drives a lot of sales, as it did for me.

Statistically, the Kioti being a Daedong product, should be a better supported product. Globally, Daedong is a giant and builds some great equipment including Bobcat and IR equipment. So if you looked at the data alone, you probably should buy a Kioti.

I guess we as compact tractor consumers fall in between. I can't lie, I've wondered if the equivalent Kioti would be able to lift more with the loader, but overall I doubt I'd be any happier.

 

[D2Cat]

Industrial Toys, you make a very good point. Often times new buyers buy the prettiest, least price machine that looks to be equal or better than the higher priced machine. If/when they sell or trade in the lower price they paid at the beginning is reflected in the valve then.

There is a reason Kubota is the basis of comparison. It's like of old phrase, "It's the Cadillac of ....fill in the blank"

When a manufacturer copies another's product they can get pretty close, but often times close is it. Comparing a Kubota HST to other brands leaves Kubota standing far above others.

Someone interested in a tractor purchase, new or used, would do good to talk to shop mechanics at an independent repair shop. They might get a good idea of what problems occur, why, what's right and what's not so right.

It's easier to fool people then to convince them that they have been fooled. Mark Twain

 

[Grateful11]

Seems like "Options" trump quality, quality control and resale value.

We've searched high and low for two of the things you mentioned "quality and quality control". Can't find anymore quality issues from Kioti than we can with Kubota. Will not argue the resale value part. I'll about guarantee the Kubota will hold more resale value but as you can see from my signature things seem to stay on my sons farm for good once there here as long as it's not giving trouble.

Take for example the CaseIH Maxxum, when my FIL first bought he had lots of electrical problem, mainly relays and solenoids but once the right mechanic came over and straightened it out it's been rock solid.

The 686 even with the M&W turbo added on has been rock solid.

The Kubota other than the glow plugs having not been plugged or activated or something in inside the dash has been totally trouble free, dealer picked it up on a Friday afternoon and had back by Monday lunchtime.

Now for the Deere, the Deere has thrown numerous error codes but none to the point of saying stop as in the stop sign light coming on in the dash. It has been checked with a laptop and no errors were stored in the computer. Then last Fall at about 900 hours the water pump started leaking between the block and the water pump but it's not just a matter of unbolting and putting on a new gasket. One bolt will not come out of the 5 cyl. 3.0L engine without pulling the harmonic balancer nearly completely off the crankshaft. My son hired an independent mechanic to fix it. It seems the engine factory in Mexico decided to save $6.66 and not put a gasket between the two mating surfaces. They put a very thin layer of some yellow sealant that was so thin it couldn't even be scrapped off at places. So 2 1/2 hours later and $300 labor and $6.66 gasket it was fixed. It's a very strong tractor for a 65hp engine. You can see that on our son's Youtube channel.

Any brand of tractor can give trouble but not every tractor will have trouble, I believe that's the way someone put it the other day.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I won't even get started on the garbage tranny in our JD. The factory wasn't even aware they were building tractors with inoperable transmissions. Nice quality control!

That gasket would have cost them a buck! Fortunately I have "Martin Farm Service" a menonite JD expert, but not dealer that does all my work. They leave the sophisticated and "modern" dealers in the dust for actually knowing these tractors.

Off topic. A friend was at his mechanic and they were working on replacing a Dodge Cummins Oil Pan Gasket. $3500.00 on account of the complexity of the operation. Yeah. That's our "modern" version of progress.

 

[sdquick]

For what it is worth, I chose Kubota for the following reaons...

Kobota vs JD --> I felt that Kubota focused on making a compact / small tractor as opposed to JD who makes great big tractors and assembles small tractors to meet market demand.

Kubota vs Kioti (and others) --> I was influenced by the history and long term reputation of Kubota. I do believe that there are comparable models (such as Kioti) out there with more features and for less money. In my mind this is very much like the Toyota argument. They have a great history and reputation. However, feature for feature and including cost do I think they are a better car than a Hyundai? Knowing "enough" about cars I would be comfortable buying a Hyundai and knowing I got a "better" deal or paying more for a Toyota with better resale.
For me, not knowing much about tractors, I went with the reputation for reliability and support. I consider the "kubota premium" as insurance against future problems.
I have been very happy with my Kubota and would go with Kubota again without hesitation. However, the more knowlege and experience I have with tractors and the more Kioti builds their reputation the more I would also consider looking that way. Similar to the way that I would now consider a Hyundai where I would not have 15 years ago...

 

[Grateful11]

I won't even get started on the garbage tranny in our JD. The factory wasn't even aware they were building tractors with inoperable transmissions. Nice quality control!

That gasket would have cost them a buck! Fortunately I have "Martin Farm Service" a menonite JD expert, but not dealer that does all my work. They leave the sophisticated and "modern" dealers in the dust for actually knowing these tractors.

Off topic. A friend was at his mechanic and they were working on replacing a Dodge Cummins Oil Pan Gasket. $3500.00 on account of the complexity of the operation. Yeah. That's our "modern" version of progress.

I read earlier about the JD not shifting and I believe your Dad showed them this at the factory? That's crazy to build a tractor that won't shift properly.