Which one??

[back_the_pack]

Hello everyone! I am in the market for my first tractor, and I have really liked what I have heard about the Kioti. My question is now which one to buy. My needs will range from mowing to earth moving. I want something I can move a lot of dirt around with, but still afford. I saw the O'Bryan site and liked the setup on their LB1914 (FEL and Backhoe). Is the 1914 going to be enough tractor for moving alot of stuff around? I was thinking more along the lines of a 25 to 30 hp, but I obviously like the price of the 1914. What do you guys think?

 

[helobubba]

I'm new to the Kioti brand but in general I think the LB 1914 might be a little too light for the applications you mention. I went with the LK3054 and I'm sure I made the right choice.

 

[RanchMan]

Howdy!

I'll go ahead and jump in and try and ask a few questions a lot of the "old guys" (Veterans - I mean Veterans!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif) would probably ask to get a better idea on what they'd use...

<font color=blue>...something I can move a lot of dirt around with...</font color=blue>

I guess the question here is what is "a lot" to you? Are we talking a few cubic yards for flower beds or are we talking about making a stock-tank (er - um - a lot of non-Texans call them "ponds")? If you could be a little more specific on the types of projects you wish to complete about your place, that would help quite a bit in the "sizing" discussion and opinions on the best implement for the job (e.g. FEL vs. BH).

<font color=blue>...range from mowing to...</font color=blue>

How much area do you need to mow? An acre? 3? higher? What type of mowing? Finish? Rough pasture stuff?

I'm sure you'll get LOTS of opinions here - but get ready - you'll get lots of questions too!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[back_the_pack]

Well, let's see if I can clarify a little. As far as mowing goes, it will be a small amount (1 - 2 acres at most). The FEL and backhoe are what I really need to work hard for me. I am in the mountains of NC, therefore rock and lots of vegatation will be in my way on some jobs. I plan to use this tractor to prep building sites. I realize I cannot move a mountain, but I need some power. I will also be using it to cut in driveways and maintain driveways. Snow scraping will also be of some concern. Does any of this help? Let me know if you need more.

 

[RanchMan]

<font color=blue>Does any of this help? </font color=blue>

Absolutely!

<font color=blue>As far as mowing goes, it will be a small amount (1 - 2 acres) </font color=blue>

For that, I'd think that it would be fine. It'll take a while, but if it is an already established lawn, I see no problem with that.


<font color=blue>I plan to use this tractor to prep building sites</font color=blue>

Errrk! (That's the sound of me hitting my brakes on the endorsement of a 1914 /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif)

I'm no developer or contractor, but if you are preparing building sites, cutting new roads and the such, my gut says it would be WAY too small for that, especially if you are doing this to make money where time is the premium component.

I have a 41 HP tractor and have been doing quite a bit of roadwork (follow this link to read my latest thought and see some pics <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=buildit&Number=125236&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=>Sheep's foot roller</A>) Although it has been working great so far, I can't imagine doing those types of activities with something in the 20 HP range on my place. I guess it might help if we knew a little more about what "types" of site development you will be doing.

It sounds like this is a business proposition - so I'm sure that someone out here can give some more direct & applicable feedback in that department. Anyone??? Anyone???

 

[back_the_pack]

Not really a business proposition. I am into buying and selling property and houses, but only 1 every few years. I have plenty of time to work. I am just tired of paying and watching someone else do it.

 

[RanchMan]

/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif What type of tractor/equipment did your contractors use? My *guess* is that they probably used something bigger than you would need, but again this goes back to the "time premium" I was talking about. (e.g. you might be able to get away with something a size smaller if you don't mind spending more time than they did.)

I had some dozer work done on my place. They used a D7 - a monster machine - but it took them a lot less time that way...

 

[back_the_pack]

Well, the last job took a huge trackhoe and a dozer about 5 days! But, then came the smaller jobs of digging the septic hole, digging the footers, cutting in a water line, burrying the power, and so on. He had a Kubota L35 and a Bobcat. These small jobs are what I would love to do myself, as well as some of the earth moving mentioned above.

 

[RanchMan]

/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Hmmm... Hopefully some others out here will pipe up soon too, but my gut reaction is that I think the 1914 would be too big an "underkill" for what you want to do.

I'd think something more along the lines of a 3054, 3504, or DK35 (in a Kioti - although there are other good "non-big 3" brands out there) would be much better for what you're wanting to do. They'd be faster, could do a lot more, and wind up being put under a lot less stress.

Of course, these cost more, and I'm not sure what your budget is. If budget is an issue, my gut says that you should consider getting something used. There are definitely pitfalls to this, but it sounds like you don't want to just "play" but actually get some stuff done in a reasonable time-frame.

 

[back_the_pack]

Thank you for all of your help. I figured that the 1914 wouldn't be enough, but I was really wanting it to be. I appreciate all of your input, I don't want to make a huge mistake and buy the wrong thing. I guess I will keep on hunting for a bargain!!

 

[RanchMan]

Happy to give feedback, /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif but I'll be the first to admit I'm not an expert. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Hopefully some other folks here will confirm/refute my "gut". Anyone??? Anyone???

 

[woodmills1]

i have a 3054 and i will say it is and honest 30 horsepower it never stops trying though it is light and will spin. actullay more than spin, i think it is trying to eat its way back to korea.

 

[ByuBill]

I also am in the mountains of WNC. Had my LK3054 delivered last monday. Haven't had much play time ( 5 or 6 hrs ) but so far I am very pleased with it./w3tcompact/icons/love.gif I have an fel, rear blade, all four tires are loaded and I added a couple hundred extra lbs to the rear also. If you run it up against something that is a little much for it, it will spin the tires even with the extra weight. Although it doesn't bogg the engine down. The first thing that I learned, the hard way, ( all of the excitement of a new toy I guess ) When you start it up, Take the key out and put in in your pocket. It will be buried under the dirt before you know it./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif If you forget, you can start it with a screwdriver. I just hope that it quits raining on my days off soon so I can get more seat time. Good luck in your search.
Bill

 

[ByuBill]

<font color=blue>back the pack</font color=blue>

I sent you a personal message.
Bill

 

[Anonymous Poster]

As a Kioti dealer, a quality dealer should allow you to perform some type of brief demo of the unit to see if it is the correct unit for you. We normally allow customers to trade up or down within a short period of time to ensure that the customer gets the right tractor/equipment for the job. Of course, I am in Georgia so our way of doing things may be a little different.

 

[jb112454]

i have a dk35 that has 87 hours on it and think it could do what you are wanting but not real fast. i know that the dk is a good tractor and could do alot more than i'm able to do. i really think it's more operator than tractor. i know i've watched the experts make it look simple believe me it takes pratice and patients. my dk35 can haul alot of wet clay/mud and can push alot of dirt and rocks but it took awiile to learn how too do it so don't be supprized when the tractor everyone recommended seems like it can't do the job. i still can't use the fel as well as would like it always seems to dig too deep. that's a problem you won't have if you get a 1914 because i feel it really is too small i recommend at least 35 hp just because it would be much more safe in the operations you mentioned and even better with fluid in the tire for that added extra weight. buying a tractor is something special and fun so take your time i did.

 

[Tscott]

I'm sure you will be happy with any of the Kioti's. i have a DK 35 that I'm completely satisfied with. Originally i was looking at 25 - 30 HP tractors with FEL and i also wanted a 72" finish mower and 60" tiller. When I compared specs, prices, service and value, I bought the DK 35 which is a larger tractor than i thought i wanted. I think and I'm sure others on this board will agree that you should consider buying a larger tractor for your needs. You'll never be unhappy with having additional HP when its needed. Good luck with your search.

 

[Golfgar4]

Back the Pack -

I can't resist any longer. Do you happen to be a transplanted Green Bay Packers fan, or does your name refer to something else?/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

 

[back_the_pack]

No Golfgar4, the Pack I refer to is the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University. By the way, thanks to everyone for the advice. I am really trying to figure out what to do with my limited budget. I would love to find a good used one, but that seems impossible! I guess everyone that buys the Kioti loves them too much to sell!!

 

[ByuBill]

<font color=blue>Back the Pack</font color=blue>
I wondered about that one also.
Since we live only 2mi apart, (although we've never meet) you know the area. You might want to check out Blue Ridge Equip. in Franklin. On hwy 64 towards Highlands. That is where I bought my Kioti. They are dealers for kioti, Mahindra, and Long. Todd had a few used tractors when I was there. I got his last Kioti though. He also has some pretty good deals going on with the new Mahindras.
Later, Neighbor