Both sub-compact · same Kioti lineup
Kioti CS2520 vs Kioti CS2230
| Spec | Kioti CS2520 | Kioti CS2230 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$17,799 | ~$16,458 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Sub-Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 24.5 hp | 21 hp |
| PTO hp | 18.5 hp | 16.7 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,062 lbsat the pivot pin | 871 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 700 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 700 lbsmeasuring point not recorded |
| Hydraulic flow | 6.97 GPM | 7.0 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Daedong | Daedong |
| Weight | 1,554 lbs | 1,735 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 7.1 gal | 6.6 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr powertrain | 6 yr / unlimited hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Kioti CS2520
What they like
- At 24.5 HP it out-powers the Kubota BX and Deere 1025R while typically costing less than either, a fact Kioti owners love to point out
- The SL2420 loader lifts over 1,000 lbs - dramatically more than the ~700 lb loaders on the BX2380 and 1025R
- Kioti builds their own Daedong engines, and the 6-year powertrain warranty is one of the best in the sub-compact class
- You get a lot of standard equipment for the price - Kioti's whole pitch is more tractor per dollar
- Owners consistently report the machine feels a size class larger than its sub-compact rivals in capability
- Cruise control and telescoping stabilizers come standard where competitors charge extra
What they complain about
- The dealer network is much smaller than Kubota or Deere, so buyers in some regions face a long drive for service
- Resale value trails the Japanese brands, though it holds better than some budget makes
- No drive-over mower deck, so mid-mount mowing setup is more manual than the Deere AutoConnect system
- Some owners note the paint and decals don't hold up as well as Kubota's over years outdoors
- The extra loader capacity means you can overload the light chassis if you're not careful
- Kioti's owner base is a fraction of Kubota's or Deere's, so there is far less shared troubleshooting written down when something goes wrong
Kioti CS2230
What they like
- 1,233 cc making only 21 hp means the engine is loafing rather than straining at rated load
- 1,735 lb bare weight is 250 lb over the CS2210, and that mass is what keeps a loaded bucket from lightening the rear wheels
- 16.7 PTO hp is the highest of Kioti's three 21 hp CS models
- Still under 25 hp, so Tier 4 Final without a DPF or a regeneration cycle
- 72 months of powertrain coverage with no hour cap
What they complain about
- 871 lb of loader lift is less than the roughly $500-cheaper CS2220's 1,062 lb, which is a hard pair of price tags to explain on one showroom floor
- Kioti's page calls the engine intercooled but never says turbocharged, so the induction setup is not actually published
- 700 lb at the 3-point, unchanged across the entire CS line, with no measuring point given
- Kioti moves far fewer machines in the US than Kubota or Deere, so a rare fault has a thinner written record behind it