Where to buy CK20?

JimMacElroy · Oct 16, 2003

I think I've made my decision as to my first tractor purchase after lurking here for a few months. I have begun researching prices for CK20's. I will also be buying a loader, backhoe, finish mower, tiller, box blade, landscape rake, spreader, and canopy top. Where should I look to find the best pricing and attachments? I have seen the CK20 at shows and really came away impressed, but I am a newbie. Am I making any mistakes. I do have the good fortune of a wife who wants her dream home and is willing to let me spend the money for anything that gets us closer to building. I have a lot of cleanup on the property where we are building. I await your learned responses. Thanks for the input. Almost forgot - I would like a tilt bed trailer to haul back and forth to the site.

JayC · Oct 16, 2003

If I remember right, Little Tractor is in Illinois - Metropolis I think. Their website is: http://www.littletractor.com Also, Sweet Tractor is in Kentucky which isn't to far away from Illinois. They ship nationwide as well as Little Tractor. Maybe I need to check up on my geography, but when I compared distances, Sweet Tractor is closer in Kentucky than Little Tractor is from here. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I thought it would be the other way around. Sweet Tractor's link is http://www.sweettractors.com

BigIron · Oct 16, 2003

Jim,

I know you asked for 'learned' responses, but I'm going to throw my 2 cents in anyhow ;-)

Several people on this list firmly believe in buying local for reasons that vary from loyalty to local dealers, a belief that they will receive preferrential support for buying from a local dealer, or merely because the local dealer has the best bargain. These are all things to consider, and I certainly don't disagree with the wisdom of the 'old pros' (please note I'm just an 'old rookie .... New Member' ;-)).

Nonetheless, I have shopped half way across the US for a CK20HST. Although I find that most people charge ~ the same price for shipping, sometimes things such as our business travels take us close to an out of state dealer location. In that case, you may be swayed to roll-your-own-delivery and save a few bucks. Likewise, an out of state dealers total package (including delivery) may be more attractive than your local dealer.

That said, my approach was to start on the net, pricing and comparing various models and attachments. I have nearly made up my mind that I want an all Kioiti package so that I have a one-stop repair shop for implements, tractor and service (as my local dealer may or may not service other brands of implements, for example). After shopping the net, I used the Kioti web site to locate dealers within 100 miles, and visited or called them for their best price. http://www.kiotitractor.com/

In my case, I have not found a local dealer that was within a reasonable price comparison to justify a local purchase as compared to some deals I have found on the net. It may just be that the dealers around me do not have the volume business that would enable them to be as competitive as some I have found out of state.

In addition to the dealers mentioned above (as I said, distance from the dealer to your location may not be your biggest challenge) here are a couple of others:
http://kioti.com/
http://www.riverasmachinery.com

There are others that currently escape my memory: Google is your friend.

Finally, I found a place not too far from me, ASCO Enterprises, that has put together a very attractive package. Not sure if they have a web site up and running yet, but send an email to kiotiman2002@yahoo.com, and ask him what he can do for you (or find them in the TBN classified).

I'm looking at making a purchase of a CK20HST within the next month or two, so please share your experiences with the list as you progress through your decision making process.

Finally (I lied when I said 'finally' before), this list has an amazing amount of wisdom and talent that they are willing to share (and not just on tractors, either). They can be a *much* better friend than Google. So do like me, and don't be embarrased to show your ignorance of tractors by blurting out 'newbie' questions. The list seems to be far more tolerant of the 'new guys' than any other list I have seen.

Good luck, and hoped this may have helped just a tad bit (kinda like a scoach bit).

Best Regards,
Paul

HayDR · Oct 17, 2003

Jim,
Not all Kioti dealers have these CK-20's in stock. Some dealers advertise low prices, package deals and inexpensive shipping but do not stock the entire line of tractors. They have never had one in stock. They are the bait and switch dealers. This happens with all MFG's. These dealers will offer you a sweet deal just because they do not have it on the lot but can not deliver and try to switch you to another product. Those sweet deals have been known to leave a bitter taste in your wallet. Anyone can appear to have large inventory and store-fronts on the net and this not be true. Ask the dealer if they normally stock the tractor, and why they don't have one in stock now. A good dealer can have times that they are out of stock due to sales volume increases, but a good dealer will always have others on order to be restocked in a short time. There are many good Kioti dealers to choose from, so happy hunting.

Inspector507 · Oct 17, 2003

At one time, CK20's could not be ordered for dealer inventory.....sold units only. Hopefully they've changed that.

SteveZ · Oct 17, 2003

Hello Jim -

I'm a newbie here, recently purchasing my first tractor. I only have 15 hours on it, so I'm no expert, but I learned a great deal by reading posts in this website over the past year or so. Here's what I can contribute from by limited but growing knowledge and experience.........

Little Tractor & Equipment is located in Metropolis, Illinois. I recently purchased a CK20H from them and I am VERY pleased with the tractor and the service I received. I spoke with James Little (owner of the dealership) and his brother at the DuQuoin state fair to settle some questions about the attachments I wanted. They were very helpful and willing to answer any questions. When I spoke with Kioti factory reps earlier this year at the national ag machinery show, they were more than eager to point out that James Little is their #1 dealer in the nation.

Little Tractor, and many other Kioti dealers, will sell you just the tractor, or a "package" with attachments and even a trailer to haul it on. I found that buying everything at once will save you money, as they give discounts on attachments purchased at the same time as the tractor.

For reference, here is what I purchased:
Kioti CK20H tractor with hydro trans and R4 (industrial) tires
Kioti front end loader with 54" bucket
Midwest 52" rotary cutter (bush hog)
Kioti 60" rear finish mower
Midwest 48" box blade
Midwest 60" "deluxe" rear blade
Kioti 48" tiller
pallet forks for front end loader

I couldn't justify the expense of a trailer, so I had the equipment delivered. I live about 70 miles from the dealer, and they delivered it for free.

I noticed you did not list a rotary cutter (bush hog) in your list of attachments. If you have heavy growth to clear it would be a wise investment. It will cut much heavier vegetation than a finish mower and take more abuse. I bought a 52" Midwest rotary cutter for $500 and couldn't be happier with it. It devours everything it passes over, and the tractor doesn't show any signs of laboring.

I couldn't decide between a box blade or a rear blade. From reading posts on this site, it became apparent that each has its benefits. After checking the prices from Little, I decided to get both. If you get a rear blade, get the "deluxe" version with angle, tilt, and offset adjustments. That's what I got and the extra adjustments came in handy the first time I used it.

I haven't used the tiller or finish mower, so I can't comment on their performance yet. We are getting ready to move into a new house so I don't have a lawn yet.

I would also recommend getting some type of hearing protection. I find it reduces the fatigue on the ears by not having to listen to the tractor's engine, especially when you wind it up to PTO speeds. I bought the Peltor Alert headset, which has the ability to hear what is going on around you but still protects you from loud noises. It also has an AM/FM stereo radio built in, which makes the time pass quickly.

The Kioti manuals are not the greatest, as they were obviously written by someone who is not native English speaking. The dealer has a toll-free number and has answered all my stupid questions eagerly.

By the way - where are you located in Illinois?

Steve

Kiohio · Oct 17, 2003

Inspector,
That was the very first load in the country.
Since that first load came in we are now able to stock them.
Swing on down sometime, I'll let you run one around the lot.

KO

BigIron · Oct 17, 2003

( ( Jim,
Not all Kioti dealers have these CK-20's in stock. Some dealers advertise low prices, package deals and inexpensive shipping but do not stock the entire line of tractors. They have never had one in stock. They are the bait and switch dealers. ) )

I suppose that we, as consumers, are all familiar with this tactic (or at least should be). One of the reasons I lurk/participate here on TBN is to see what experiences others are having. I'm hoping that the less pleasant experiences will be posted here as well as the no-problem-transactions, so that we know which dealers deliver what they promise.

Does Kioti have any requirements for their dealerships/distributors licenses that would place them at risk for this type of activity?

Just Curious,
Paul

Inspector507 · Oct 17, 2003

Shoot, I was just in Lancaster yesterday visting a good friend off of Tarkiln Rd. Wish I had known, I left her place at 3:00, 'bout the time you got home /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

sweettractors · Oct 18, 2003

Not all Kioti dealers have these CK-20's in stock \
Feel freee to contact us. Today, we have plenty CK20's in stock and if it is cold and, or raining when you come down, we try to keep one in the showroom at our 2nd store. Our new second location is on Interstate 65 about 1 hour south of Louisville, Ky (Munfordville Exit #65) Give us a call and we will do our best to earn your business.--Ken and Greg Sweet
Sweet Farm Equipment Co *Now 2 locations to serve you better*