Kubota releasing 2 tracked skid steers

[Digdeep]

Hey....doesn't Hitachi make Deeres miniX stuff and Yanmar their TLBs (JD110)?? And doesn't Mitsubishi make CATs small stuff?? Kubota makes their OWN and I think several or at least 1, Bobcrap, uses Kubota engines. Oh, Bobcrap will soon use their new parent Doosan engines going forward. I expect excellence eventually from whatevenr Kubota makes. If you have to get someone else to build your stuff and paint it your color....why bother?

Hey...Sumitomo makes Case's and LinkBelt's large excavators, Kobelco makes New Holland's large excavators, Mitsubishi also makes Cat's large excavators, Hitachi makes John Deere's large excavators, etc. Should these guys get out of the large excavator business too?

 

[curtisfarmer]

Digdeep, the point I was trying to make is that Kubota builds their own stuff and if they were to build something new (new type that is) I would expect it would be pretty good (after the ineveitable small bugs) like the rest of their stuff. I expect quality, and not Chinese inferior machines like Yanmar hiding in a Deeres suit. Never heard CAT doesn't build their own big stuff.......sure your right on that one??

 

[ctlguy]

so curtisfarmer are you sure that if for some reason Kubota was to a market say... 30 ton excavator they would build it all themselves? And I believe Yanmar is Japan not china. Both yanmar and kubota have grey market machines that certainly appear to be China made. Some of these construction relationships you are talking about have been around for 20 some years, I don't think this minimilizes the quality by any means.

 

[Digdeep]

Never heard CAT doesn't build their own big stuff.......sure your right on that one??

Yep...CAT builds certain excavator models in Belgium, Brazil, China and France and all models in Japan. The machines run down a parallel assembly line right next to the Mitsubishi excavators in different colors. As far as I know, the Japanese large excavators are the only ones built directly by themselves. Most of the others are branded by American OEMs either through partial ownership or Joint Ventures.

 

[curtisfarmer]

As far as I know, Kubota has never sold machines they have not built. Does anyone have actual proof other than casual comments about alleged grey market equipment?? Would they build...say a 30ton excvator, who knows but they haven't yet and they have been around for some time. Maybe some of you guys own machines like these and feel dissd by my comments, but that again was not my intent. My intent was to stick up for Kubotas long history of building quality equipment and that looks good going forward for new types of machines they currently do not offer. And, CAT has plants in France, Belgium, China and in many other places. Did you know CAT is one of our major exporters in gross GDP terms? I am a CAT fan but don't own any and I am just using this as an example of a large equipmnt builder. Why no Mitsubishi excvators around here?? And no, Yanmar is not Japanese...it is Chinese.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

As far as I know, Kubota has never sold machines they have not built.

This is true. There is one exception of a skid loader that they test marketed in Europe. Thats all that I'm aware of though. Thats for major tractors and implements, snow blowers and stuff are outsourced. The gray market machines are usually built in Japan, but are very different machines than what we get in the US. Kubota did just build a factory in Singapore, but as I understand thats for machines for Asian markets.

That being said I do not believe that in this day and age you can buy a customers business with trinkets like this, these large scale deals are tightly evaluated by the ultimate purchaser with the only thought being "will this help us make more money".

Your going to have customers who fit into all kinds of differnet business models. Traditionaly its very difficult for Farm or Landscape dealerships to make much headway into construction outfits. We've made some progress, however its a real uphill battle. I can't explain it, but cost of doing business is not in their equasion. Our labor rates are almost half what the local CAT shop charges and our equipment much less expensive (and in many cases better performing) yet we still struggle to get in the door.

 

[ctlguy]

As far as I know, Kubota has never sold machines they have not built. Does anyone have actual proof other than casual comments about alleged grey market equipment?? Would they build...say a 30ton excvator, who knows but they haven't yet and they have been around for some time. Maybe some of you guys own machines like these and feel dissd by my comments, but that again was not my intent. My intent was to stick up for Kubotas long history of building quality equipment and that looks good going forward for new types of machines they currently do not offer. And, CAT has plants in France, Belgium, China and in many other places. Did you know CAT is one of our major exporters in gross GDP terms? I am a CAT fan but don't own any and I am just using this as an example of a large equipmnt builder. Why no Mitsubishi excvators around here?? And no, Yanmar is not Japanese...it is Chinese.

Sorry when referring to grey market equipment I am ref machines built that are never intended for the na market (yes Kubota and yanmar and many others built these). I don't believe Kubota has ever marketed in the US other mfg machines. My point I was attempting to make (and did so poorly) with the comments about other mfg building some items for others is that these are Very longstanding relationships and I do not believe it has any effect on the quality of the equipment.

 

[ctlguy]

And no, Yanmar is not Japanese...it is Chinese.

Sorry I understand where you are coming from, I have no problems with Kubota equipment. But Yanmar IS japanese, Started in Japan in 1912. In fact we blew up some of their plants in the war. Do they build some stuff in China? probably but who doesn't get something from China. Just like Kubota, Cat, Deere, numerous others, they are worldwide companies building machinery in not just country and getting parts and pieces from all over the world.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I guess I thought Yanmar was Chinese cause every engine block or major part is stamped China but I should have thought that they originated from Japan where most high quality Asian equipmet does. I see Yanmar is now, or has been for a year or so, marketing thier own equivilant of the JD110 TLB. Now that I think of it, almost all JD green tractors up to a certain HP is Yanmar as well.

 

[Ken45101]

Traditionaly its very difficult for Farm or Landscape dealerships to make much headway into construction outfits. We've made some progress, however its a real uphill battle. I can't explain it, but cost of doing business is not in their equasion. Our labor rates are almost half what the local CAT shop charges and our equipment much less expensive (and in many cases better performing) yet we still struggle to get in the door.

Maybe it's much like the computer business used to be. It was a common saying that "No one ever got fired for buying IBM." I'm retired from 34 years as a computer specialist with a major corporation. "Been there, done that." You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to bring in any alternative to IBM 25 years ago.

Ken

 

[ctlguy]

I guess I thought Yanmar was Chinese cause every engine block or major part is stamped China but I should have thought that they originated from Japan where most high quality Asian equipmet does. I see Yanmar is now, or has been for a year or so, marketing thier own equivilant of the JD110 TLB. Now that I think of it, almost all JD green tractors up to a certain HP is Yanmar as well.

I think you are confusing the "kit" tractors with Deere's premium tractors. Virtually all of Deere's diesel powered equip under approx 43 hp is Yanmar Powered (and has been since I think about 1977), not necc Yanmar built tractor. The 110 is a JD unit with a Yanmar powerplant although I would think after all of the high $ discounts Deere threw at them this fall the 110 is going by the wayside, I hope the next one if there is, has a Deere powerplant but that will probably make it a larger machine, who knows. Are you really this upset with Yanmar or do you just dislike Deere equipment in general?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

The 110 is a JD unit with a Yanmar powerplant although I would think after all of the high $ discounts Deere threw at them this fall the 110 is going by the wayside

You may want to google the Yanmar CBL40... It sure as heck looks like a Yanmar product to me.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I guess this is still getting back to my main point...if you wanted a JD mini-x you would like to think you would get what you think it is (some people may know or not know) and not a Hitachi which are great machines but not what people think Deere is all about (i.e whole marketing campaign doesn't mention re-branded). Same with JD 110 TLB, a Yanmar machine which is still good, but we are told it is JD tough. I am not sure I would by Kubota machines with all of my instilled ride and quality in their brand knowing someone else built them. Again, I am not singling out any specific make by using the JD brand as an example (though I am now amused thinking of how it seems alot of JDs stuff is not theirs) and we do see alot of Hitachi machines around here. You would think you would see more Yanmar, Mitsubishi, Hitachis and more around ( I live in NH) seeming thy would be cost competitive if alleged to be the same quality with JUST a different color. One thing is for sure, I love all my Kubota equipment and having driven alot of the small stuff like I have (TLBs and miniXs), Kubota is by far my favorite in terms of quality, performance, and value.

 

[curtisfarmer]

OK, not to pick scabs, but want to hear something funny? I am playing with my 3 year old son who just got a really nice match box size metal excvator being a JD 300 size machine. And guess what, made by ERTL from Iowa....but manufactured in China. Best toy excavator have seen yet....other than the $40 Kubota KX121-3 equivelant (which I won't buy,too much $, and is probably made in the same plant). Too funny on this chance moment but all in fun none the less.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I guess this is still getting back to my main point...if you wanted a JD mini-x you would like to think you would get what you think it is (some people may know or not know) and not a Hitachi which are great machines but not what people think Deere is all about (i.e whole marketing campaign doesn't mention re-branded). Same with JD 110 TLB, a Yanmar machine which is still good, but we are told it is JD tough.

Well, while some of us know what we're actually getting, some people SEEM to think they know what their getting..This thread is proof of that...

Deere 110 is a Deere Built Product..built here in the USA using a Yanmar engine: JohnDeere Tractor Loader Backhoe : Product Overview

I've seen a CBL40 from afar and I didnt think it was even remotely related to the 110....little bit of research tonight proved it...

As far as getting a Hitachi excavator in a different paint scheme...your right. What I'm actually buying isnt so much a Hitachi or Deere either way...I'm buying a local dealer that cares about me....the average Joe. The big "Construction Brands" such as Cat, Hitachi, Komatsu, etc.. really dont care about me owning 1 Mini-Ex....They care about "Major Construction Inc" who has 2 dozers, 2 Wheel Loaders, 4 excavators of various sizes, etc...

If I could find a smokin deal on a Hitachi mini ex, I'd buy it right after I made sure it had a JD Yellow cousin.....so I could at least easily get parts... When I say easily....I mean both in dealer locations and I dont feel like a "2nd rate" customer in the JD Showroom...

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

...I'm buying a local dealer that cares about me....the average Joe.

Amen.

 

[tractorworks]

"Deere 110 is a Deere Built Product..built here in the USA using a Yanmar engine: JohnDeere Tractor Loader Backhoe : Product Overview"

According to the link, it is proudly assembled in the US, the loader is built in Canada, the backhoe is built in US but they are silent on the tractor point of origin.

 

[BleedGreen]

The tractor point of origin is JDCP (John Deere Commercial Products) in Augusta, Georgia. Yes, the engine is Yanmar. No, the 110TLB is NOT a Yanmar CBL40, or any other Yanmar... Take 5 minutes to look up the specs on the 110TLB and the CBL40 and you will see they are not even close. Y has a shorter wheelbase, Y has only 2 hydraulic pumps, (JD has 3) Y has a larger fuel tank, Y has a 2 range "Hydro-Mechanical" Transmission, (JD has a 3 range eHydro) Y has dual control patterns for the BH. (JD does not)

The CBL40 and the L39 both only have 2 hydraulic pumps - that doesn't mean that they are the same TLB - nor is the JD 110, even though it has a Yanmar engine. BTW, the engines in the 110 & SBL40 are different as well.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

The CBL40 and the L39 both only have 2 hydraulic pumps

Not true. L39 has 3.

 

[Duffster]

Oh, Bobcrap will soon use their new parent Doosan engines going forward. ?

Has that been announced or is it just speculation?