A trip to any farm show can be a surprise for a visitor when a company quietly shows off a range of new equipment. Kioti, the South Korea-based brand owned by Daedong, has been growing its business across the country, and at the National Farm Machinery Show displayed a wider range of products. Here's a look at the new tools the company has in the works.

New loaders for later in 2022

The compact track loader and the skid-steer loader markets are getting more competitive, and Kioti wants to be part of that business. "This is a new category for us," explains Greg Bibee, director, strategic sales and marketing, Kioti. "This machine was designed and developed in-house."

Bibee adds that Kioti customers and dealers were asking for the company to bring out its own loader models.

The machines won't hit dealer showrooms until later in 2022, and what we're showing is a prototype, but there are some public details. The company will have two skid-steer models — cab and rollover protective structure; and two compact track loader models — cab and ROPS. All four have a Kioti engine featuring 74 hp.

Pricing wasn't available or the machines, but Bibee says that when officially launched, the machines will be priced to bring value to the market with several standard features. He points to the vertical-lift design, the running of hydraulic lines in ways where they are protected, and ISO controls as standard.

The design is also simplified; for example, the track loader won't have track suspension. That choice reduces the number of parts, which Bibee says customers prefer.

Refining a utility vehicle

Kioti launched its Mecron diesel utility vehicle a few years ago, and it's building on that legacy with the K9 version, which Bibee explains is a more refined model featuring a new, fully featured cab. One look and an observer will note the almost car-like interior of the new machine: from the roof-mounted radio, with Bluetooth; to the operator station with the tilt steering wheel; the full heating, ventilation and air-conditioning package; and to the windshield that tilts up 90 degrees.

The machine features a continuously variable transmission and the same engine as the Mecron, but the new drivetrain in the K9 provides more engine braking than in the past, a feature customers requested. "And the vehicle has speed-sensing electronic power steering," Bibee says. In addition, the machine features a limited slip differential up front and locking differential in the rear. For off-road travel, the suspension provides 10.5 inches of ground clearance.

The new utility vehicle will be launched this spring, and the vehicle shown has a suggested list price of $22,500.

New tractor series

Customers talk to Kioti and let the company know what they like, and for many, a gear-drive powertrain versus a hydrostat is preferred. To answer that need, the company is launching the NS Series of tractors, with nine models ranging from 40 to 60 hp.

Bibee explains that this series slots between the DK Series and the NX premium tractor line.

The nine NS models include both cab and open-station versions. "These machines have all the tractor power with less frills than the NX line," Bibee says. They feature a 12x12 synchroshuttle transmission.

In addition, there's a new grapple for the KL5810 loader to provide more versatility for users. Suggested list price for the model shown with loader is about $45,000, Bibee says. The cab version, featuring a cloth seat and added room along with heating, ventilation and air conditioning, will sell for about $48,000.

Beefing up turf care line

Kioti is carving its own niche in the higher-end lawn and turf care business, providing machines not only for those with a lot of lawn to mow, but also serving the professional side of the business.

For the professionals, the company is launching a new ZXC stand-on machine, which was shown with optional wheels. The 24-hp machine is powered by a Kawasaki engine and has an ergonomic design for rider comfort combined with easy maintenance access. Suggested list price for the machine as shown (without those wheels) is $8,700. It can be outfitted with a 48- or 54-inch mowing deck.

The XXC line "sitting" models gets its first diesel engine. "This is an all-new machine with a 25-hp Kioti three-cylinder diesel engine," Bibee says. "This will hit dealerships late in 2022 for the 2023 season."

The rider can be outfitted with a 61- or 72-inch deck. The diesel design has the company targeting professional users, and it includes such features as hydraulic deck lift. Pricing is not available for this new diesel machine.

For more information visit kioti.com.