Review By : The Evil Twin on 10/04/2005
Price Paid : $0.00
Years of Use : Test Drive
Implements :
Purchased From :
Strengths Well, the Kioti tractors just had that "feel" like they were probably strong, but 10 years behind the big 3 on fit, finish, and overall quality. I know folks love to brag about fit and finish, but I doubt they have actually driven and used a nice newer Deere, Kubota, or CNH. Kioti honestly doesn't compare.
The "new" DK65s does not have the curved loader arms. Visibility is horrible. The front loader lift capacity is only a couple hundred pounds more than an L5030. (they rate capacity at the pins, not the bucket so their capacity is inflated). The only realy "big" advantage it has more 3 pt. lift capacity. And, I've never actually been "wanting" in that area. It also has more weight, but t
Weaknesses It also has more weight, but that very well can be a negative. With a Kubota 5030, I can add weight to match, but with the DK65s, you can't take away. I closely looked at the actual axle steel and the frame steel. I don't know how to describe it, but from working with steel for decades, it is a lower quality steel as suspected. Being that they use more, it is likely as strong as an L5030, but I very seriously doubt that it is stronger.
The dealer told me that he wouldn't suggest it for logging, because every one he sold to a logger who used a rear winch has pulled a chunk out of the rear of the tractor housing. Kioti is calling that "abuse" and not covering the failure. The hood gap on ei
Overall The Perkins power seemed strong and smooth. The gears made noise, and you must use the clutch when using the shuttle shift. It's not like the Kubota, Deere, or CNH. The clutch felt less smooth than I would have liked. I did use the loader into a pile and the power was good, but I was able to stall it out in 2nd gear in low range. I think the "power to weight" ratio is worse than an L5030. It has about 12 more hp, but it has 2300 pounds more weight. That makes it feel more sluggish.
The "sunroof" in the cab is cheesy. It is not made like that of a car, and, in my opinion, will likely leak after time. The instrumentation is poor when compared to the Kubota. The feel of the steering wheel, knobs, and pedels do not have the quality and smooth feel as the Kubota or Deere or CNH. The 3 pt hitch moved in a jerky fashion. The dealer said "they all do that", but when a "good" load is on them that they smooth out.
Parts : Performance : 5
Ease of Use : 5 Financing :
Reliability : Overall : 5