Buying Advice What should I do??

[Moosetrax]

Hello Folks,

New member, just joined! I am inches away from buying my first tractor. I have been looking through the posts at this site for quite a few months now as part of my research.

I have my mind set on a kioti tractor, but still have questions and would really value this communities opinion. I will try and hold all my questions as I could go on forever. Maybe discussion will lead to more answers.

I am home owner with about 3 acres. I am looking to do mostly 3 point mowing, snow removal, tilling and FEL\Forks work. The ck20 looks great for what I want to do.

Now for my dilema... I was just about to buy the CK20HST from my local dealer, when my phone rings from a dealer that is about 3 hours away. They have a left over CK27HST that they want to move. They are offering this at basically the same price that I can get the CK20 for. This is significantly more tractor for the same money. If i were going with the ck27 locally, it would also be a significant amount more money.

I think the decision is obvious to get the bigger tractor (even though it is not needed). This leads to my first question. How much would it take to get you to stray away from your local dealer? I would rather deal with my local dealer but we are talking about a difference of roughly $4500 dollars. I can't just brush off that amount and forget about it. What would everyone else do? How much value is there in buying locally. Should I be worried about showing up at the local dealer for service if I buy somewhere else? My thoughts are, I should have every right to shop around. Should I be able to get any warranty claims done locally? Anybody else been in this situation?

Also... Any reason I should stay away from the ck27?

Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers

 

[DK35vince]

A local dealer is a little more convenient.
But for $4500 price differance I would travel the 3 hours.
The only time it would be an issue is if/when you would need any warrenty work.
As far as parts, I order them over the phone anyway. So thats a none issue as far as using a local dealer vs not.

 

[Mousefield]

I think the CK27 would be the choice. I bought my tractor, a CK35 HST with Woods backhoe, through a dealer in Oregon and imported in to Canada when the dollar was above par. I have been well looked after by my dealer even though he is in another country. To me having a good local dealer is important but in my case not $6,000 worth.

 

[Moosetrax]

Can you foresee any problems getting regular service done? Or do must tractor owners do there own?

I am able to do it and not apposed to doing my own. Just wondering if it is one of those things where it is mandatory for the dealer to preform the maintenance.

 

[Singlemalt]

There is no reason for a dealer to do any of your service.
If you are able to do it yourself go nuts. It gets you closer to your machine.

Warranty work is warranty work, any dealer would be able to do it.

 

[Moosetrax]

There is no reason for a dealer to do any of your service.
If you are able to do it yourself go nuts. It gets you closer to your machine.

Warranty work is warranty work, any dealer would be able to do it.

This is exactly the way I think. Although I worried about getting into a situation where something breaks and the local guy refuses to fix it. Then I am faced with a 6 hour round trip and crossing a boarder.

Am I just over thinking this? haha. Can the local kioti dealer refuse a kioti warranty request.

This tractor is in the US and I would be importing into Canada.

Thanks

 

[nybirdman]

Can they do a dealer to dealer swap??Might be worth asking.

 

[Moosetrax]

Hmmm... I am not sure. Is that possible. The local dealer would not make anything on the deal? Not sure that they would be willing.

 

[Mousefield]

This is exactly the way I think. Although I worried about getting into a situation where something breaks and the local guy refuses to fix it. Then I am faced with a 6 hour round trip and crossing a boarder.

Am I just over thinking this? haha. Can the local kioti dealer refuse a kioti warranty request.

This tractor is in the US and I would be importing into Canada.

Thanks

Your local dealer should be able to look after any service or warranty work. Will they be slow about it because you didn't buy from them, well maybe.
I had one problem with my Woods backhoe a couple of weeks after I got my tractor from the USA, phoned the dealer Saturday evening and the next morning he returned my call. We talked about the problem and on Monday morning he told me Woods was sending me a new swing cylinder. Came Friday morning, I had contacted a local tractor mechanic and he installed it Friday afternoon. I paid the bill and sent it to my dealer in Oregon. Several weeks later I got reimbursed. Also had to get some o-rings changed on the Kioti, I just couldn't get the nuts off, talked to the dealer and he sent up the o-rings and same mechanic changed them, sent the bill and got reimbursed.
All the rest of the service 50 hour etc I have done.

 

[Gittyup]

I did the same thing, but not across country boundaries. My far away dealer has been great. The only problem I see with a local dealer is if it's a gray area whether it's a warranty item or not. The local guy might not go to bat for you.

With the 27 you definitely get more tractor. The much heavier weight probably offsets hp gains. But the weight is good for ground work. Otoh the 20 is more maneuverable and easier to store and tow.

If the 27 isn't too big for your needs, I'd definitely go that way.

 

[Don87]

As stated in other posts...........I'm going to play the 'devils advocate here.

You know you only need the CK20. Now you are going to buy a tractor you don't need, from another dealer, a kot farther away. But you may be thinking that your local dealer will put you at the front of the line, if you have a problem. if your local dealer get's PO'ed.........you could wait some time to get yours repaired.

You need to ask yourself(or others in the neighborhood)........is the dealer worth working with? Service good? Employeee turnover high or low?


I have 2 acres of ground, half wooded...........I was made other offers, but the GC400 is all I need for my property.

4,500 is a lot of money though,
Tread carefully, and good luck in your decision

 

[Moosetrax]

Yes this is exactly my dilemma. I don't know whether I could use the bigger tractor or not.

BUT... there are other options that are attractive on the CK27. The bigger QA bucket, the three range hydrostatic, the fully adjustable three point hitch ect....

Maneuverability is an issue, although I suspect that the CK27 is still half ton towable?

 

[Don87]

Yes this is exactly my dilemma. I don't know whether I could use the bigger tractor or not.

BUT... there are other options that are attractive on the CK27. The bigger QA bucket, the three range hydrostatic, the fully adjustable three point hitch ect....

Maneuverability is an issue, although I suspect that the CK27 is still half ton towable?

no it isn't:

Towing Capacity of a 1997 Chevy Silverado 1/2 Ton Pickup | eHow.com

 

[Don87]

Weight of the CK 20 is 2125.

Weight of the CK27 is 3161

Width of the CK 20 is 44.1 inches

Width of the CK27 is 54.6 inches

Height of the CK 20 is 86 inches

Height of the CK27 is 96 inches

Huge difference in the tractors, be sure you can use the larger size on your property.

EDIT: I generally agree with the 'bigger is better analogy.............but if the tractor is too big for your property then you end up with an even bigger problem.

 

[Moosetrax]

no it isn't:

Towing Capacity of a 1997 Chevy Silverado 1/2 Ton Pickup | eHow.com

OK. Well this could be a deciding factor. Because moving it around is important to me.

Maybe I am just wrong on the weight? My understanding is that the ck27 is in the area of 3200lbs and the loader with bucket is 770lbs. My trailer is is 2000lbs. That is about 6000lbs That sounds under the 7000-7500. Am I just way off on the numbers?

I am towing with a 08 F150 crew cab 4x4. I think it has an even higher towing capacity.

Also thanks all for all the input. I value every ones advice. Just want the best deal for me at the end of the day.

 

[Gittyup]

no it isn't:

Towing Capacity of a 1997 Chevy Silverado 1/2 Ton Pickup | eHow.com

Don,

Not all half tons are the same. Mine has a rated towing capacity of 9200 lbs.

A CK27 with loader is about 4200 lbs. This will tow on a 7K rated trailer, and several half tons can tow that.

Also, be careful with ehow. I've seen many a wrong statement on there. Not saying the one you quote is or isn't; just don't trust ehow.

 

[Gittyup]

OK. Well this could be a deciding factor. Because moving it around is important to me.

Maybe I am just wrong on the weight? My understanding is that the ck27 is in the area of 3200lbs and the loader with bucket is 770lbs. My trailer is is 2000lbs. That is about 6000lbs That sounds under the 7000-7500. Am I just way off on the numbers?

I am towing with a 08 F150 crew cab 4x4. I think it has an even higher towing capacity.

Also thanks all for all the input. I value every ones advice. Just want the best deal for me at the end of the day.

I think you will be OK with a half ton. But, if you plan to tow a lot, it might get hard on your truck long term (tranny and brakes). Make sure you keep your brakes on the trailer in good working order and properly adjusted.

 

[Moosetrax]

Any body out here had the CK20 and moved up for the features other then the size? i.e the QA, three range HST ect....

My thinking keeps leading me towards the bigger tractor, especially for the same money. Rather have more and not use it then find out I need more. Seems to be the school of thought I can't get away from....

 

[Moosetrax]

I think you will be OK with a half ton. But, if you plan to tow a lot, it might get hard on your truck long term (tranny and brakes). Make sure you keep your brakes on the trailer in good working order and properly adjusted.

Yes I think you are right. I don't expect to be towing far. I just want to be able to when I want to.

I tow a 6000lbs camper now with no trouble.

 

[Martian]

You are just like all the rest of us. If you can get more, why not? Just be sure to warn your local dealer. I would take the quote of what you've got and say that you got this very similar price on a more powerful machine, why should I get your CK20? He will either be honest and say I can't match that price and you should do what's best for you, or show his true colors and say you don't buy from me I won't service it and good luck. It at least gives you a better chance of being able to know that you can get warranty work done or that you have to plan for a trip elsewhere, either way you will be able to get a better picture of what you will encounter later.

One thing to look at is that the CK27 is a couple years old and has lived outside. Is there any faded paint, does it just look worn more than the newer CK20? I know I wouldn't want a machine that looked bad before it had a chance to get used.