Need opinions on tractors

[Iggy]

Hey yall, I've been looking for a tractor to have at my house for a while now. Ideally I would buy a 30hp ford with 4wd, a loader and plow. That set up, and pretty much any 4wd with a loader is pretty pricey and rare where I'm at, I don't really have 10k to spend on a tractor at the moment. I found a couple a little bit cheaper one is a kioti 3054 and the other is a farmtrack 300.
I'm familiar with neither and was curious if anyone knew the quality of these tractors. Thanks in advance.

 

[Deets066]

2 wd in that size isn’t bad. A good set of chains goes a long ways.

 

[Iggy]

I have been tempted by a few 2wd tractors but with all the snow we get and how muddy it is behind my house with natural springs I think I would regret it when the loader is full.

 

[Ryan Browne]

2wd with a loader isn't much use until you get into a pretty decent sized machine, like 7000#+, which usually means 45+ HP.

Other than like the 2310 and 2610, I can't think of many actual Fords under 40hp that were available with 4wd. Ford and then New Holland sold tractors made by Asian manufacturers though. That's pretty much what those other machines you listed are as well. The farmtrac 300 is made by LS in South Korea. The kioti is also South Korean. Do you have an LS or Kioti dealer nearby? Both of those companies made good tractors, and I wouldn't be scared to own either one.


At some point, New Holland started selling Shibaura tractors, which are made in Japan. I think Ford was out of the picture by then though. Those are nice machines, but you're right, you pretty much can't get one with a loader for under $10k.

 

[redline4]

My Dads 2009 New Holland t2310 4wd has a Shibaura diesel.
Other than color, they have a Case equivalent.
I thought I read that the Deere compacts of certain models were also the same thing except Yanmar diesels. That was internet speculation, and I do not know that as fact.

My neighbor down the road has an older 4wd Ford branded tractor similar in size to my Dad's, but I dont know the model.

 

[Ryan Browne]

My Dads 2009 New Holland t2310 4wd has a Shibaura diesel.
Other than color, they have a Case equivalent.
I thought I read that the Deere compacts of certain models were also the same thing except Yanmar diesels. That was internet speculation, and I do not know that as fact.

My neighbor down the road has an older 4wd Ford branded tractor similar in size to my Dad's, but I dont know the model.

Deere sold yanmar tractors with their names on them for many years. Also sold tractors and other stuff that Deere made with yanmar motors. It's pretty much standard in the industry. The Japanese tractors are all pretty good though parts support for some models can be spotty or expensive. That's mostly true for the Korean stuff too. Only thing your really want to avoid is what they call "grey market" tractors, which are models that weren't ever sold in the US. So there's grey market Kubotas and Kiotis and Mitsubishis, you name it. Not necessarily bad tractors, just not something you can easily get parts for.

 

[Slacker]

Fyi, Farmtrac no longer exists.
However, it's a rebranded LS, so most LS dealers can supply parts.

 

[Iggy]

Some good info, thanks.
I do like ford, however as I got farther into looking I noticed that almost all of these tractors originated in the same areas at least the main components did, so I had a feeling quality wasn't too different.
I'm sure I have a kioti dealer around but I'm looking to do a private sale. Theres a kioti 3054 near me with a plow that attaches to the bucket with just over 1000 hrs for $6800. I feel a little more comfortable taking a trailer and some cash to check it out.

 

[Ryan Browne]

Yeah, I just mentioned a localish dealer for parts support. That 3054 would be a handy sized tractor. Sounds like a pretty good price assuming it's in decent shape.

 

[Iggy]

Ah, ya that's a good point, I just checked I have a local one here. I'm going to try to look at it next weekend, hopefully it's as good of a deal as it looks. Well see how it works out.

 

[redline4]

Some good info, thanks.
I do like ford, however as I got farther into looking I noticed that almost all of these tractors originated in the same areas at least the main components did, so I had a feeling quality wasn't too different.
I'm sure I have a kioti dealer around but I'm looking to do a private sale. Theres a kioti 3054 near me with a plow that attaches to the bucket with just over 1000 hrs for $6800. I feel a little more comfortable taking a trailer and some cash to check it out.

Thats a better price than most listed here are at.

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listin...ss-than-40-hp/manufacturer/kioti/model/lk3054

 

[Iggy]

Wow, it sure is. It's been up for sale for a while, I have a feeling its because the sale ad on craigslist deters you from wanting to call the seller, but if I can score a good deal I'll play the game.

 

[weesa20]

Would not be at afraid of the Kioti. Factory here in NC not too far from me. They were second on my list when I found my Massey- only reason I went with the Massey was the price.

Just make sure it has what you want- correct transmission style, pto control, 3pt hitch position vs draft, etc.

Not sure what loaded it has but the loader for the Ck30 and ck35 (kl130 loader, I believe). Had a weak cross member design and would crack the welds under heavy use, other than that, solid tractors.

W

 

[Jimmy in NC]

Some good info, thanks.
I do like ford, however as I got farther into looking I noticed that almost all of these tractors originated in the same areas at least the main components did, so I had a feeling quality wasn't too different.
I'm sure I have a kioti dealer around but I'm looking to do a private sale. Theres a kioti 3054 near me with a plow that attaches to the bucket with just over 1000 hrs for $6800. I feel a little more comfortable taking a trailer and some cash to check it out.

Kioti has a huge facility less than 10 miles from me. I'd be more comfortable with them than a lot of other brands, even Mahindra. At 1000 hrs they have found any issues. Overall physical appearance will tell you a lot of how it was cared for.

 

[Jimmy in NC]

North American headquarters in Wendell, NC as of 2004....

http://www.kioti.com/about-us/

 

[Iggy]

Would not be at afraid of the Kioti. Factory here in NC not too far from me. They were second on my list when I found my Massey- only reason I went with the Massey was the price.

Just make sure it has what you want- correct transmission style, pto control, 3pt hitch position vs draft, etc.

Not sure what loaded it has but the loader for the Ck30 and ck35 (kl130 loader, I believe). Had a weak cross member design and would crack the welds under heavy use, other than that, solid tractors.

W

Ah theres something I know little about. 3 pt hitch position control vs draft control, could you learn me. On my dad's ford and our new holland at our property the higher you lift the 3 pt lever the higher it goes, I did not know there was another style.

 

[Ryan Browne]

Most tractors have what's called "position control", like you describe, you lift it up and it stays there until you put the lever down, at least unless it leaks. Some cheaper tractors have what's called a "quarter inching valve" which requires occasional adjustment to keep it at the right height. I've never run a tractor with that kind of setup so I don't really know how it works. Should be able to find a good description if you look it up though.

Then there's "draft control" which was standard on older tractors, and also on new stuff that is designed with ag work in mind. Basically the tractor "senses" how much load is on the implement by feeling pressure against the top link. If the load becomes too high, the tractor will automatically lift the implement a little bit to compensate, and vice versa. Draft control on compact tractors isn't very common. It was available as an option on my tractor, but I didn't spring for it. It does take some practice to get the hang of it, and it will work a little differently for different implements. People who can master it though find it very useful. Typically there will be a second lever, much like the regular 3 point lever, right next to it.

Another thing to look for is if either of those machines have remote hydraulic ports on the back for implements that have a cylinder. You can usually add them, but having at least one to start with is nice.

 

[Iggy]

Ah, makes more sense now, I'll make sure I look for those ports, that would be nice to have.

 

[Slacker]

Remotes are definitely nice to have.
I use mine for a wood splitter and top/tilt.

 

[Marshy]

I have very limited experience with the Kioti brand so I cannot comment on reliability. The one I had the pressure to operate I did not like at all. It was a 30 hp and I do not recall the model. The ergonomics were horrible. I have a mid/late 80's Deutz-Allis 30 hp tractor and my machine felt larger overall and shifting and loader operations is much better. If you plan to use the FEL much at all then try to find a machine which has a single stick and its located by your side. Reaching up to the right and fiddling with 2 sticks is slow and awkward. I looked heavily at the ford compact tractors but like you mentioned then bring a premium. Smallest one I want to consider was a 1900 series. I test drove a 1700 series and it was nice but just too small for the going price range I was looking at.