Go BottomLB1914 LK2554 LK3054
 | Kevin Barrett in MI
Join Date: Posts: 1 
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2002-06-18 39646
Found out today that there is a KIOTI dealer just 12 miles away. With no perceived local support, I didn't consider KIOTI until now, so I just had to drop in and take a closer look.
I have to say I was quite impressed with the LB1914. As I mentioned to the dealer, I have my mowing needs met with an Exmark Commercial mower, so this opens some other options for a tractor.
Most of my 25 acres is wooded, 3 or so of it is mowable. That leaves a 640' driveway to take care of (grading/snow removal) along with landscaping, wood hauling, trailblazing, garden tilling and countless other projects I've yet to imagine.
KIOTI became a contender, because I no longer need to be concerned with a HYDROSTAT transmission, or a MMM. What impressed me is the weight of the unit, just shy of a ton. Also the hydraulics seem to be oriented towards serious work. It appears that the LB1914 could get a fair amount of work done.
Does anyone here have real world experience with the LB1914? Is it as good as it appears? What are it's shortcomings? I'm a little concerned with the 17.5 PTO HP. However, the dealer said that it would run a tiller with no trouble. He also said that he has personally sold over a hundred of these in the area.
It appears that the LB1914 is more comparable to the Kubota 7500 than the BX2200. I think the other ORANGE choice is fine, but the KIOTI (at least initially) seems to be a bit stouter.
Don't know how that translates to real world longevity, but extra weight is appealing to me.
I also looked seriously at the LK3054. It appears to be yet another fine option. Not sure on how maneuverable this would be? The dealer mentioned that either tractor has a very tight turning radius.
I sort of overlooked the LK2554 because of it's lack of a shuttleshift. Is this a BIG omission, or is it a non-issue? This tractor is priced not too much higher than the LB1914.
Initially, I'm more focused on the LB1914. However, I'm also open to considering it's larger brothers. I guess I'm drawn to the LB1914's size as it relates to maneuverability, storage etc.
Does anyone know if the LB and LK series will be replaced soon? It appears that the DK line is expanding downward.
Anyway, sorry for the long winded post, but I'm ramping up on my KIOTI knowledge.
Kevin Barrett
Lowell, MI
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| TomG
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5406 Upper Ottawa Valley 
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2002-06-19 39680
I would certainly consider a tractor other than the big 3 or 4 if I were assured of good long-term local dealer support. I like my Ford, but if there was a dealer of any kind as close as 12 miles to me, I'd probably have one of their tractors. My NH dealer is about 2 hours away and the closest of any kind is an AGCO at about an hour’s drive. I figure ‘in for an hour might as well be two hours,’ and the Ford was the right used tractor at the right time for me.
Regarding shuttle-shift: I don't exactly have shuttle-shift on my Ford 1710. However, it has a clutched 12 x 4 transmission. The three forward and reverse gears in each of the four ranges are synchromesh. I would not like to do much loader work if I had to come to a complete stop each time I shifted into reverse. I think it's definitely an issue for gear tractors that are going to do loader work.
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| Kevin Barrett in MI
Join Date: Posts: 1
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2002-06-19 39699
Tom,
Thanks for the response. The dealer actually highlighted the "shuttle-shift" as a feature with a benefit of easily shifting from forward to reverse. He also said that gear tractors (with shuttle-shift) are preferred to hydros for loader work. Personally, I would think a hydro would be better, but he said that a gear tractor gets power to the ground more efficiently.
I suppose it comes down to user preference.
BTW - He also sells CUB, MF, Belarus etc. ....
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| DK35vince
Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 689 Western,Pa. 
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2002-06-19 39701
The syncronized transmission,and shuttle shift is a very nice feature I wouldn't want to do without..
Hydro. would be better for constant loader work,but if I had constant loader work I would probably get a machine made for that instead of a tractor.. ....
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