Head-to-Head Comparison
KIOTI CS2520 vs John Deere 1025R
The 1025R is the best-selling sub-compact in the country, and the CS2520 is our answer to it. Honest truth up front: these two are close. The difference isn't the spec sheet, it's the check you write.
Spec for spec
| Spec | KIOTI CS2520H What we sell | John Deere 1025R |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | ||
| Gross Horsepower | 24.5 hp (18.3 kW) Advantage | 24 hp (SAE J1995) |
| PTO Horsepower | 18.5 hp (13.8 kW) Advantage | 18 hp rated PTO power |
| Engine Model | KIOTI 3C100LFH-U2, 3-cyl water-cooled turbo diesel | Yanmar 3TNV80F-NCJT, 3-cyl naturally aspirated diesel, Final Tier 4 |
| Displacement | 61.5 cu in (1,007 cc) | 77 cu in. (1.267 L) |
| Rated RPM | 3,200 rpm | 3,200 rpm |
| Fuel Capacity | 6.7 gal (25.5 L) Advantage | 6.3 gal. |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Infinite 2-range hydrostatic (HST) | Two-range hydrostatic (HST) with Twin Touch foot pedals; cruise control standard |
| Drive | 4WD, mechanical engagement | Standard four-wheel drive with power steering |
| PTO | ||
| Rear PTO | 540 rpm, independent | 540 rpm rear PTO, independent engagement, wet-disk clutch and brake |
| Mid PTO | 2,000 rpm (optional) | Mid PTO 2,100 rpm, standard |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Hydraulic Flow | 7.0 gpm (26.4 L/min), gear pump | 7.0 gpm total (3.5 gpm implement + 3.5 gpm steering), open center |
| 3-Point Hitch | ||
| Category | Category I | Limited Category 1 (John Deere designation), iMatch Quick-Hitch compatible, position control |
| Lift Capacity | 700 lb (318 kg) @ 24" aft of hitch | 758 lb (344 kg) through full lift range, measured 24 in. (610 mm) behind the hitch point Advantage |
| Dimensions | ||
| Overall Length | 99.3 in (2,523 mm), incl. 3-pt hitch | Not published |
| Overall Width | 45.9 in (1,168 mm), min tread | 47.3 in. outside width over rear R4 tires (47.22 in. with R3 turf) |
| Overall Height | 87.6 in (2,226 mm), top of ROPS | Not published |
| Wheelbase | 55.1 in (1,400 mm) | 57.1 in. (1,450 mm) |
| Ground Clearance | 6.4 in (162 mm) | 7.7 in. front axle ground clearance |
| Turning Radius | 8.2 ft (2.54 m) with brake | Not published |
| Operating Weight | 1,554 lb (705 kg) with AG tires | 1,556 lb base machine weight (open station, no loader) |
| Attachments & Warranty | ||
| Warranty (as published) | Non-commercial use: 24 months parts and labor plus a 48-month powertrain warranty, no hour cap stated for either. Rental/commercial use: 24 months or 1,500 hours, powertrain 36 months or 2,000 hours. Loaders and backhoes: 12 months. KIOTI also runs extended powertrain offers on eligible units, currently up to 72 months. Ask us what applies to the unit you're buying. | 6-year / 2,000-hour limited powertrain warranty, standard at no cost, covering residential and commercial use; PowerGard Protection Plans available beyond that |
| Loader quick-attach | Not published | John Deere proprietary Quick Connect system - Quik-Park loader mount, iMatch Quick-Hitch, Quik-Knect PTO connector; tool-free attach/detach |
| Factory loader | SL2420 | 120R front loader - 120R NSL (non-self-leveling) or 120R MSL (mechanical self-leveling) |
| Loader lift (as published) | 1,062.3 lb (482 kg), to full height (pivot pins) | 120R NSL: 517 lb (235 kg) at 72 in. (1,828 mm) max lift height; 120R MSL: 680 lb (309 kg) at 72 in. |
| Mower deck system | Not published | AutoConnect drive-over mid-mount mower deck - installs or removes in under 5 minutes |
Specs come straight from each manufacturer's own published literature. A blank marked "Not published" means that brand doesn't publish the figure for this model, not that it's zero.
Where the CS2520H wins
- PTO power. 18.5 hp against 18.
- Fuel capacity. 6.7 gallons against 6.3.
- A turbocharged engine where Deere runs naturally aspirated.
- Price. Configure both with a loader and mower and compare out-the-door numbers. That gap is the whole argument. Get both quotes and see.
Where the 1025R wins
- Three-point lift. 758 lb against 700, both at 24 inches behind the hitch.
- AutoConnect drive-over deck and iMatch. Deere's mowing setup is the slickest in the class.
- Dealer density. There's a Deere store everywhere. Out here that matters less than it sounds, but it's real.
Our take
Weight is a dead heat, 1,554 lb against 1,556. Power is a wash. So drive both, price both with the loader, and do the math.
And whichever way you go on paint, size the tractor to the property first. If you're working more than a few acres of rough ground, look at the CX or CK series before either of these.
About the measurements
- Deere publishes the 1025R's ground clearance at the front axle. KIOTI publishes minimum clearance. Different measurements, so no winner is marked on that row.
Competitor specs come from each manufacturer's published spec sheets and product pages, pulled July 2026. Manufacturers change specs, so check the current sheet before you buy. Competitor brand and model names belong to their owners. We're a KIOTI and LS dealer, and this page says so up front.
Want our number on the CS2520H?
Call or text 503-325-2970 and we'll get you a real quote.