John Deere 3120 against a Kubota Grand L3130

[epic6500sr]

I am looking at purchasing a new JD 3120 or a new Kubota Grand L3130. I am mainly purchasing this machine in order to brush hog 5 acres across from my home. The subdivision owns a 5ft. brush hog, but the only man who has a tractor, won't let us use it. As I already said, I want this machine for brush hogging, however I also want to blade with it. I currently have a grasshopper front mount 725, so i don't need a finish mower. I would greatly appriciate any opinions and reasons why.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Honestly, I'd look at a Kubota L3400. It wil be priced less and provide more HP for mowing. The L3130 would be the choice if you really needed loader capacity - but I think the size and specs of the L3400 will suit you well.

 

[therebarely]

One thing for sure, you have the best Kubota dealer in the U.S. just down I-70 (Warrenton), go visit them. You will not find a better dealership anywhere!

 

[Kahuna]

I vote for a JD 3320. It is only a few hundred more than the 3120 and will handle a 5 foot rotary mower with no problems. I looked at the Kubota but I think the JD wins hands down on features and comfort. There is no way I could handle the Kubota one piece foot tredle. The 3120-3320 have the single hydro toe pedals. I have a 3320 it handles a MX6 mower (brush hog) that is a pretty heavy duty mower that weighs over 1000 lbs. If you ever want to add a loader, the tractor is already completely set up for it.

 

[RoyJackson]

I am looking at purchasing a new JD 3120 or a new Kubota Grand L3130. I am mainly purchasing this machine in order to brush hog 5 acres across from my home. The subdivision owns a 5ft. brush hog, but the only man who has a tractor, won't let us use it. As I already said, I want this machine for brush hogging, however I also want to blade with it. I currently have a grasshopper front mount 725, so i don't need a finish mower. I would greatly appriciate any opinions and reasons why.

If you've only a 5' hog to use, you need a tractor with 20-24 PTO horsepower. That's more then adequate for a 5' cutter.
If you want to get the job done quicker, buy a 24-30 PTO Horsepower machine (any of the ones being suggested...I'm a Deere guy myself) and a 6-7 foot cutter.

 

[jcmseven]

I really do not think the 3120 is the way to go. It is a really nice tractor, and if your ground is fairly flat, it would do OK. As has been noted earlier, a 3320 is marginally more expensive and a fair amount more powerful. I think it would be a better choice on the JD. I do not know enough about the Kubota to comment, except that a few folks on my road have them (not necessarily that model, though) and like them. If you go green, please strongly consider the 3320. It has more power and I think generally a bit better resale if you were to upgrade later on.

John M

 

[KB9UDE]

The 3320 is an awsome machine. I have been plowing snow all week with mine and have come to fall in love wth the Ehydro that JD offers. I have a 6 foot Frontier RC1072 (LX6) cutter to use on my 3320. Can't wait till spring.

 

[epic6500sr]

Thank you for your suggestions. I think the John Deere 3320 may be what I need, but I still have a few more questions. For one, does the John Deere having a wet clutch have a big difference in quality over the Kubota's dry clutch? Also, the transmissions, theres JD's Power reverser, and the eHydro, compared to Kubota's GST, Hydro, and Gear? Which of those has the least problems? Also, which one will push a snow blade better? Thanks

 

[jcmseven]

I do not think there would be a major difference in the clutch performance between the two machines. The JD ehydro to me is a great transmission. I do not know how the Kubota compares, but to me and with where I live, ehydro beats the PowerReverser tranny for ease of use hands down. I know several on our site have the PRT and are happy though so I think it comes down to how much one wants to spend and where he/she lives. Flatter terrain and more open spaces favor the gear drives a little more. My parents have two places, one in the northern NC mountains and one in the Piedmont area. I could easily use a PRT tranny at their Piedmont location because it is open and flat, but at their mountain place or my permanent place, no way. As far as pushing snow, I really like my JD. I have the Frontier boom blade for mine, and although we have had limited snowfall this year, it is really nice. I do not think Kubota has one of these, so one might have to go with an aftermarket setup such as Curtis, I believe (please check this). I believe properly ballasted and with appropriate tires, each machine would do fine. I have had limited personal experience with Kubota machines, but they have a good reputation. The biggest issue is the dealer with whom you work and whether the tractor offers the features you want and the price you need. Either machine would do a nice job for you. I prefer the Deere and have supported them due to my strong dealer and the nice features. They fit great and work great. The attachments are easy to switch and work flawlessly for me. The tractors have good to great power and are literally easier to operate than a car. I also appreciate the engineering and fit and finish of the Deere product. The Kubota shares this trait as well, though. To me, I have never been disappointed with any Deere tractor or UTV I have owned. To date, I have had 10 JD tractors/ mowers and they all have been great. Each has probably been slightly more than the competition in price, but has provided such good service I have felt my money was well spent. I do ask, though, that you consider a 3320 over a 3120 in the JD line. I do think you would be a bit happier.

John M

 

[matthew3120]

I really do not think the 3120 is the way to go. It is a really nice tractor, and if your ground is fairly flat, it would do OK. As has been noted earlier, a 3320 is marginally more expensive and a fair amount more powerful. I think it would be a better choice on the JD. I do not know enough about the Kubota to comment, except that a few folks on my road have them (not necessarily that model, though) and like them. If you go green, please strongly consider the 3320. It has more power and I think generally a bit better resale if you were to upgrade later on.

John M

As you may or maynot know I own a 3120 and I have a friend that has the 3320 and to be truthful my tractor can do the same as the 3320. infact as recall I have ran his MX 6 cutter with no problems.My 3120 is 29.5 HP and his 3320 is 32.5 HP and as for PTO HP the 3120 is 22.5HP and the 3320 is 25.5HP not big jump in horse power. I rest my case any way both tractors are the same

matthew3120

 

[ducati996]

As you may or maynot know I own a 3120 and I have a friend that has the 3320 and to be truthful my tractor can do the same as the 3320. infact as recall I have ran his MX 6 cutter with no problems.My 3120 is 29.5 HP and his 3320 is 32.5 HP and as for PTO HP the 3120 is 22.5HP and the 3320 is 25.5HP not big jump in horse power. I rest my case any way both tractors are the same

matthew3120

Not to mention hydrolic capacities are the same as well...looks like the PTO hp is the difference, but as you mentioned it might not be that much...

So it might be said the 3120 is the better value, cost less too - just a opinion of course

 

[Hard]

You can't go wrong with a JD or a Kubota. Just get the one that has the power you need to run the 5' hog from a dealer you can do business with and be done with it. You can put a loader on either one and they both have a 3pt hitch. Don't over analyze this...Do you like Green or Orange?

 

[Kahuna]

There are 4 JD models in the 3xxx series. The 3120, 3320, 3520, 3720. All 4 have the same weight, body style, transmission options, hydraulic pump capacity, etc. The only difference is the engine. The 3120, 3520 and 3720 all have a 91 cubic inch block. The 3120 is naturally aspirated and the 3520 and 3720 have a turbo and different pump to give it a few more horses for which you pay dearly, up to $2000-$3000 for that extra hp.

The 3320 is the only of the 4 with a bigger block, it is about 100 cubic inches and it also has a natuarally aspirated engine with no turbo. The difference between a 3120 and 3320 is a few hundred dollars. The difference between a 3320 and the two higher hp units is a few thousand dollars. That leads me to believe the best buy for your horsepower dollar is with the 3320.

I feel the JD is superior over the Kubota, if for nothing else, the creature comforts. It has a superior ride and operator station. The floor is flat where the Kubota has a big hump in the middle. The other problem with the Kubota is the one piece foot tredle as compared the separate toe touch pedals on the JD. I was at the National Farm Machinery show in Kentucky on Saturday and speaking with the Massey Ferguson rep. They also have the single tredle design for which they get a lot of complaints and loose a lot of sales. He said Massey is supposed to get a twin touch system out this summer but they are having patent problems with the design.

 

[jcmseven]

Matt3120,

I do know that you have a 3120. I am impressed by some of the additions you have made; it is indeed a nice machine. My opinion, though, has been that the 3320 offers a little more for the money. If one is doing mainly backhoe work or stationary hydraulic work, there would be no real advantage going with a more powerful machine, as the hydraulic flow is the same. For PTO work, more power is better. Can a 3120 run the same attachments as a 3320? Sure. Can it do it as fast or well? Depends. I can say without question my 4310 (equivalent to a current 3320--actually torque wise more like your 3120) was nowhere close to my current 3720 in PTO power. This is expected, but the difference is huge. I also feel there is a difference between the 3120 and 3320 in this area. I believe one can gain a little speed and probably more efficiency running certain PTO-driven attachments, especially if the engine is having to pull the tractor up and down hillsides while running them. The 3120 places itself right on the power threshold of being able to run certain attachments. It can do it, but might struggle in certain circumstances. On flat terrain, or doing hydraulic work, or ground engaging work without PTO, a 3120 would be a nice choice. In my area though, they sit to be sold. The 3320's sit some too, just generally not as long. I think you have a great machine, and you have done well with it. I in no way wish to minimize this fact. I do still think if one has a little extra to spend, the additional few horsepower is worth it--provided he/she has the tasks to merit its benefit.

John M

 

[BleedGreen]

epic6500sr,

You could also look at the 3203 - depending on what your needs are. The 3203 is a direct-injected (vs. the L3130's indirect-injection) 32hp unit with our older linkage style Hydrostatic transmission (instead of the electronically controlled eHydro on the 3x20 Series) and rigid ROPS.

The 3203 is one of our "Advantage" series tractors, so there are no options like a mid PTO or rear hydraulic outlets available. The "300" is the only loader available, and it is a little light in the lifting department - 547# for the "300" vs. 997# for the "300X" and 1,047# for the "300CX". (all weights are at full height, (88" on the 300 and 300X, 101" on the 300CX) at 500mm in front of the pivot point) This is due to smaller pumps running at lower pressure. (3203 implement pump is one full GPM lower, and 350 psi less than the implement pump on the 3x20 Series) Again, depending on what you need to do, these differences may push you back to the 3120 or 3320...

I would definitely recommend that you drive them both - preferably one after the other - as there is a definite difference in the "feel" of the pedals. If you have driven a Kubota L3x30 series with the HST transmission, it is also linkage controlled, so it should feel more like the 3203.

The difference in cost is pretty substantial: The 32hp 3203 Tractor with 300 Loader lists for $18,449.00, while the 29.5hp 3120 Tractor with 300X Loader lists for $20,621.00 and the 32.5hp 3320 Tractor with 300CX Loader lists for $22,226.00! If the lower specs on the 3203 / 300 are not a problem for what you are doing, it must just be the "right" tractor for you. Anyway, I hope I was of some help.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

as there is a definite difference in the "feel" of the pedals. If you have driven a Kubota L3x30 series with the HST transmission, it is also linkage controlled, so it should feel more like the 3203.

Just a minor point of correction, the Grand L30's are not "linkage controlled" the pedal is tied directly to a low pressure hydraulic flow that regulated to control the travel speed. Kubota brands it "feather step", its noticably better than a linkage controlled hydro.

I do agree that I'd be looking at the value segment Deere's and Kubota's for your task. I don't see the point of all the bells and whistles for running a simple bush hog.

 

[BleedGreen]

Just a minor point of correction, the Grand L30's are not "linkage controlled" the pedal is tied directly to a low pressure hydraulic flow that regulated to control the travel speed. Kubota brands it "feather step", its noticably better than a linkage controlled hydro.

I do agree that I'd be looking at the value segment Deere's and Kubota's for your task. I don't see the point of all the bells and whistles for running a simple bush hog.

Neil,

Point taken - and I apologize for getting it wrong. Although I must say I am happy to see that we agree on something!

 

[JHTFarmer]

I vote that you approach that neighbor with the tractor again. Offer him him
some cash and top off the tank every time you use it. He can contibute the money to his note (if he has one). Certainly less expensive than purchasing a big machine for the occasional bush hog job.

and what about that five acre lot? Do you own it? If not, what is the probability of it being turned into somebody's home plot in the future?

 

[coolhl7]

"The other problem with the Kubota is the one piece foot tredle as compared the separate toe touch pedals on the JD. I was at the National Farm Machinery show in Kentucky on Saturday and speaking with the Massey Ferguson rep. They also have the single tredle design for which they get a lot of complaints and loose a lot of sales. He said Massey is supposed to get a twin touch system out this summer but they are having patent problems with the design."

I have a Massey Ferguson 1540HST and it has the two pedal design, one for foward and a separate for reverse. I definitely like that better than the single pedal design that I believe Kubota has.

I am glad I went with the MF1540HST (40 HP turbo), but it was close with the JD3720. I think the choice of dealership swayed me more than anything.

 

[RoyJackson]

For 5 acres, you could go for a Deere 790 (27 gross HP, 24 at the PTO) and save substantial money.


Frankly, the Deere 3320 and Kubota 3130 are more tractor then you need for 5 acres of brush cutting.
Unless there are severe time constraints, you could pull that 5' cutter with a Kubota B7500 or equivalent. I used my 5' cutter though very thick tall brush (about one and a half acres) using a 16.5 (PTO) HP tractor. Since I was going so slow (and wasn't in any hurry), it took me two days spread over two weekends.
With my 790, I do about 5 acres in a weekend...again, I go slow since I've no time limits.

We on TBN are real good at spending "money", so take that in account when you make your decision.