I recently took delivery of my Kioti 4020SEH CAB tractor—a 40-horsepower, four-wheel-drive compact tractor, with heat, and air conditioning.
Factory & Installed Upgrades
From the factory, the tractor came with the 4030C loader, which has a lift capacity of 1,997 lbs. I added several modifications to improve performance:
• Third hydraulic function for more attachment options.
• Bora wheel spacers for extra stability.
• Rim Guard tire ballast to improve traction.
• Bluetooth radio—That’s a bonus.
• Quick hitch for faster implement changes.
• Hydraulic top link to fine-tune attachment angles.
Being a sailor at heart, I also installed a Lev-o-Gage, which measures tilt—essentially a heel angle indicator for land work.
To improve function, I added tie-down points, chain hooks, and a receiver to the bucket, all secured with ten ½”-13 bolts. This makes it easier to secure loads and adds lifting versatility.
Build Quality & Reliability
Kioti tractors are made by Daedong Industrial, a South Korean company that has been producing tractors and engines for 78 years. They’re well-known in Asia but not as common in the U.S. The build quality is solid, and they have a reputation for reliability and longevity.
One thing I noticed—this model does not have draft control, which is more common in larger farm tractors. That could limit how well it handles certain drag-behind implements, but I’ll experiment. A subsoiler might be the first test.
Implements & Uses
1. Bush Hog 5’ Box Blade (USA)
• Description: A heavy-duty metal box with adjustable ripper teeth.
• Use: Levels, grades, and smooths dirt. Great for fixing driveways, cutting ditches, and general land maintenance.
2. Wallenstein Hydraulic Wood Splitter (Canada)
• Description: A log splitter powered by the tractor’s hydraulic system.
• Use: Splits firewood efficiently without a standalone gas-powered splitter. Works in vertical or horizontal mode.
3. 5-Foot Bush Hog Finish Mower (USA)
• Description: A rear-mounted mower for clean, precise cuts.
• Use: Keeps lawns, pastures, and fields well-maintained. Produces a better cut than a rotary brush mower.
4. CID Stump Grapple with Thumb (USA)
• Description: A claw-like grapple with a hydraulic thumb.
• Use: Lifts and removes stumps, logs, brush, and rocks. Ideal for storm cleanup, land clearing, and tree relocation.
5. Bush Hog Post Hole Digger with 9” Rock Auger (USA)
• Description: A three-point auger for drilling into rocky ground.
• Use: Digs holes for fencing, tree planting, and signposts, even in tough soil.
6. Ballast Box (USA)
• Description: A counterweight for the rear of the tractor.
• Use: Adds stability and traction when using the front-end loader. Prevents tipping when lifting heavy loads.
7. Pallet Forks (USA)
• Description: Forklift-style attachment.
• Use: Moves IBC water totes, lumber, firewood, and other heavy materials—things a bucket struggles with.
Planned Addition: Three-Point Concrete Mixer (PTO-Powered)
• Description: A 7-cubic-foot concrete mixer, powered by the tractor’s PTO.
• Use: Mixes and pours concrete on-site, eliminating the need for a separate mixer. Great for footers, small foundations, fence posts, and other projects.
Final Thoughts
This tractor setup is a game-changer. It can handle everything from clearing land and fixing roads to splitting wood and pouring concrete. Every implement was chosen for functionality and efficiency.
Now, it’s just time to put it to work.
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