Comparison John Deere versus Kubota

[dkostiha]

I currently own a JD 770 and I have owned two other JDs before it. I have been very happy with them overall. I am currently wanting to buy a 25-40 HP, 4wd tractor with a front end loader. I have narrowed it down to JD or Kubota. What are the pros and cons of these two brands ? Is a geared or hydrostat transmission the way to go ? I will be doing some loader work, but not alot, mostly shredding.

 

[dodge man]

Kubtoa and JD both make good products. I would lean towards an HST just for ease of use. Just comparing what you have to what is available in Kubota's line up to what you have know, I'd look at either a Kubota B model or L model.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I cant say anything pro/con about JD and Kubota, IMO they are the best 2 you can buy.
My decision came down to a dealer who really wanted to sell me a tractor...the Kubota dealer made me feel like I was a 12 year old kicking tires, JD Dealer treated me and continues to treat me very well.

Buy from whichever dealer is better for you.

 

[TripleR]

I own a John Deere as well as a Kubota and for what you describe as your intended use, I can't honestly say one is better than the other; both are good.

I personally prefer the control layout on the Kubota, but others prefer the John Deere.

As to transmission, I have both and like HST over geared, but again I can't say one is "better" than the other and there is a really detailed thread on one of these dealing with "geared v HST".

My advice would be to climb on a LOT of different models and check spec sheets to compare with what you need.

Either way, I don't think you will have an "I wish I had bought a John Deere/Kubota instead of this John Deere /Kubota.

Wish I could of been more help.

 

[beenthere]

Welcome to the Forum.

A good dilema to have.

Both are good and have happy operators. But too, I'd suggest the HST and hope that the model Kubota you look at has the individual brake pedals on the left side. They are worthless on the right side with the forward/reverse pedals. IMO

Might come down to dealer choice for you (or who will sharpen their pencil better than the other). Enjoy the ride.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with the others and would add that since the two brands are so close and you have had several tractors then climb on them all and pick the one you like the best.


For myself I preferred the Deere with ehydro so that is what I bought.

 

[Ironhand]

Tough call. I just went through the same thing, although with a smaller unit. I looked at JD, Kubota, Cub, and NH locally. In the end for me it came down to which dealer actually wanted my business, was going to be decent to deal with for any future service issues (my local Kubota dealer isn't exactly people friendly, to be kind...), resale potential, and my preference of control layouts. Otherwise, it seems difficult to buy a bad tractor these days.

 

[RoyJackson]

I currently own a JD 770 and I have owned two other JDs before it. I have been very happy with them overall. I am currently wanting to buy a 25-40 HP, 4wd tractor with a front end loader. I have narrowed it down to JD or Kubota. What are the pros and cons of these two brands ? Is a geared or hydrostat transmission the way to go ? I will be doing some loader work, but not alot, mostly shredding.

Well, the lowest cost tractor that fits would be the 790/3005. Since it's virtually identical with your 770, the learning curve would be brief (like...30 seconds). However the 790/3005, with it's 27 Engine and 24 PTO HP, isn't that big a jump over what you already have.
So, the tractor I'd recommend would be the 3320 with the power-reverser transmission. This machine has 32 engine HP and about 28 at the PTO. That's a substantial increase over what you have now. There's also a substantial increase in lifting capacity at the 3PH and loader (if you buy a loader). Although I'd go for the power-reverser tranny, you may as well try whatever the dealer has on his lot (which will probably be an HST).
I like what I see with Kubotas too, but when comparing them to the JD's, pay particular attention to the engine and PTO HP's.

 

[spruce Deere]

Tough call. I just went through the same thing, although with a smaller unit. I looked at JD, Kubota, Cub, and NH locally. In the end for me it came down to which dealer actually wanted my business, was going to be decent to deal with for any future service issues (my local Kubota dealer isn't exactly people friendly, to be kind...), resale potential, and my preference of control layouts. Otherwise, it seems difficult to buy a bad tractor these days.

True that. It was down to dealers for me, no question of the two brands after running both tractors and looking at longevity of brand, dealer support. The 790 had a slight edge in tractor size to HP for my needs. The kubota dealer here actually helps deere sales ALOT more than it realizes the way its attitude is with tractors and equipment sales. The same TWIT sells NH stuff too, I looked at the little blue tractors as an option but he already sealed his fate of his potential sale with me. You cant go wrong with ether brand, The dealers in your case should be the final piece of your 'wich one' quandary.

 

[eepete]

I have one Orange and two Green, all good equipment.

Most recent purchase was Green, and it all came down to the dealer. Problems with the Orange/Blue dealer, treated fairly by the Green one.

It comes down to finding something you enjoy driving/working that you can get from some dealer you feel good about and can trust.

 

[Dargo]

I too have both. I've gone back and forth between them. My last purchase was a JD because the cab in a 100 hp size is far larger in the JD. Can't say that I've ever regretted buying either brand. Resale has been amazing with both. I'm not sure you can do it now, but on several occasions I bought one new and then sold it for more two or three years later! I think the economy has halted the rather large annual price increases they had then that allowed those great deals for me.

 

[spruce Deere]

Problems with the Orange/Blue dealer, treated fairly by the Green one..........says eepete

My local kubota dealer isn't exactly people friendly, to be kind.... says ironhand

The kubota dealer made me feel like I was a 12 year old kicking tires....says spudland_dave

And my own dealings with a orange/blue dealer twit.....

Hmmmmm...... pattern emerging here? A top notch tractor... hung by its sales/managers? Dealer is very big part of tractor purchase decisions.

It is also said a good sales person could sell ice to an Eskimo....

 

[oldnslo]

Problems with the Orange/Blue dealer, treated fairly by the Green one..........says eepete

My local kubota dealer isn't exactly people friendly, to be kind.... says ironhand

The kubota dealer made me feel like I was a 12 year old kicking tires....says spudland_dave

And my own dealings with a orange/blue dealer twit.....

Hmmmmm...... pattern emerging here? A top notch tractor... hung by its sales/managers? Dealer is very big part of tractor purchase decisions.

It is also said a good sales person could sell ice to an Eskimo....

May want to add service department to this list. Local Orange dealer sales people are great, most of the mechanics are great, service manager has lost them business though.

 

[CurlyDave]

I agree: Dealer, Dealer, Dealer.

I went with JD, partly because the local Kubota dealer did not impress me. Partly because I liked the HST and Kubota didn't have it on the L-39.

Well, a couple of years later, the local Kubota dealer went out of business. Apparently a few other people agreed with my assessment.

Now think about that for a while. If you buy from a dealer who doesn't treat his customers right, and they desert him, he may go out of business. Now you have to go quite a ways down the road to get service from a dealer who didn't sell you the machine. I'm sure some people have a good experience with that, but if I had to place a bet it would be on the "bad experience" square.

 

[art]

The closest to the 770 would actually be into the Cub Cadet line-up! The 770 was built by Yanmar unlike much of the deere line-up is today. They are known for building quality products that last.

 

[RoyJackson]

The closest to the 770 would actually be into the Cub Cadet line-up! The 770 was built by Yanmar unlike much of the deere line-up is today. They are known for building quality products that last.

The 3005 (formerly 790) is still built by Yanmar. I'm pretty sure most the other Deere CUTs are too...except for the larger 4xxx machines (they use Deere engines). All the others have Yanmar engines.

 

[robertwhite]

Problems with the Orange/Blue dealer, treated fairly by the Green one..........says eepete

My local kubota dealer isn't exactly people friendly, to be kind.... says ironhand

The kubota dealer made me feel like I was a 12 year old kicking tires....says spudland_dave

And my own dealings with a orange/blue dealer twit.....

Hmmmmm...... pattern emerging here? A top notch tractor... hung by its sales/managers? Dealer is very big part of tractor purchase decisions.

It is also said a good sales person could sell ice to an Eskimo....

Add another one to the list. I am going to purchase very soon and will be looking in other towns as the local (and only) Orange dealer (who also sells NH) acted like he could care less if I bought from the second I walked in the store. I spent about 5 minutes there and left, never to return.

It sure does seem to have a certain pattern, doesn't it?

 

[spruce Deere]

Dkostiha- dealer, dealer, dealer. I don't want to be pinned as a Kubota/NH dealer slammer, I could just see a common occurrence that was happening. I hear nothing but good about messicks, a Kubota/ NH dealer, and fellow TBN'er. If I wanted to drive 80 miles out of my way for a tractor, I could have delt with a down right friendly, no stuff kubota/NH dealer. But then at the same time, I read the same non-sales making attitude even right here on tbn from another "blue" blooded individual peddling NH. Just an observation

 

[daveinnh]

I have a Kubota L4310 HST, bought used that I've been happy with - It could be a little heavier though. Hydrostatic is very nice when doing loading or snow-pushing back-and-forth work.

Did you look at a NH model? I'd consider them too, depending on reputation of local dealer. Platform and cab layouts are spacious.

As others have said, dealer support is primary - I've had good and bad experiences with dealers. BTW, I bought my used Kubota from a Massey delaer and implements too; hydraulic circuit work and Salsco sale and support by a local NH dealer was very responsive (Keats in Keene, NH).

 

[texasjohn]

dkostiha ... WELCOME TO TBN

You are in Austin, I'm in Jarrell. You are invited to come visit, drive my HST tractor, see my equipment and how it fits together and we can talk about your needs, etc. Send me a PM and we can schedule a get together.

Lanford Equipment in Austin gets my complete vote of confidence as a Kubota dealer. Have been totally satisfied with them on the few occasions I have needed dealer assistance. They have been there for YEARS and there is a reason...they provide the service and support you need when you need it. They have willingly talked me thru problem solving via a phone call on a couple of occasions.