Choosing between orange and green

[Jim75]

Folks, I've been shopping hard and reading a lot, and learning a lot. I'm looking at a Kubota 2920 and a JD2320. Most likely gonna buy one or the other with a FEL and a MMM and ballast box. Price out the door is almost identical, with financing favoring Kubota at this time. Usage is/will be to keep my 3 acres groomed (will add a shreader for the back 2 acres), moving some dirt around to fill in some low spots, landscaping, helping with putting up a shop/barn in the back, moving some rock around. Will probably add a tiller in the future, as well as a post hole digger. Hope to purchase a few (3+/-) more acres adjacent to mine. Land is mostly flat, some small ups and downs-very easily walked. I'm leaning strongly toward the Kubota-bigger engine, more pto hp, 3 speed hydro, operator space seems to fit better. Not too keen on the split toe/heel forward/reverse pedals and wheel brake pedals on the same side. But it seems like the Orange has the most going for it. Am I missing anything? I'd love to buy from the American company, but they don't really want to deal. The Kubota dealer, on the other hand seems to really want my business. Appreciate any positive/negative comments and insights.

Jim

 

[dcyrilc]

As for myself, I typically prefer to buy American made, but Kubota is a good company from what I've read here on TBN. I think the most important answer is which one will fit your needs better and which dealer will give you better support if you have problems down the road. One suggestion I have would be to talk to the service departments of the two dealerships to get a feel of what kind of support you will get from them. Many times, sales and service departments do not give the same level of service. For example, my Deere dealer here could seam to care less when I enter the store and ask questions, but the parts and service departments have bent over backwards to help me when I've needed it. Perhaps you could pick a problem someone here on TBN is having with their tractor and go to the sevice department telling them that a friend of yours is having such and such a problem with their tractor. Ask if they might have any suggestions which might help find the problem and see how they respond to it. This will give you some idea what to expect later when you have problems.

 

[ModMech]

We have a Kubota, it's a perfectly good tractor for it's intended use and market and I would buy another.

Is it equal in quality to the Deere legend? I don't think so, but I am not 100% convinced that any modern tractor will be as reliable as the older Deere products have been.

As with anything, how you treat them has a big impact on your experience.

 

[Gizmo2]

Is it equal in quality to the Deere legend? I don't think so, but I am not 100% convinced that any modern tractor will be as reliable as the older Deere products have been.

I can help here, I am 100% convinced that the modern compact tractors nowadays will not hold up to the older Deere tractors of the same type. This would include the newer Deere tractors as well. That being said, there is no way I would want to go back to my 1988 JD650. If my 2320 holds up half as good as the 650 did I will be more than pleased. Sometimes one needs an excuse to buy a new tractor, I had to look hard with the 650 even after 20 years.

 

[Slackdaddy]

I prefer to buy American made too, But there are NO American made CUT's, including Deere, they are/where made by Yanmar, now some are showing up with "made in China" on some castings.
That said - A new JD, Kioti, Kubota, MF, NH/Case all about equal machines, but the price sure can swing.

Nick

 

[johnk]

Folks, I've been shopping hard and reading a lot, and learning a lot. I'm looking at a Kubota 2920 and a JD2320. Most likely gonna buy one or the other with a FEL and a MMM and ballast box. Price out the door is almost identical, with financing favoring Kubota at this time. Usage is/will be to keep my 3 acres groomed (will add a shreader for the back 2 acres), moving some dirt around to fill in some low spots, landscaping, helping with putting up a shop/barn in the back, moving some rock around. Will probably add a tiller in the future, as well as a post hole digger. Hope to purchase a few (3+/-) more acres adjacent to mine. Land is mostly flat, some small ups and downs-very easily walked. I'm leaning strongly toward the Kubota-bigger engine, more pto hp, 3 speed hydro, operator space seems to fit better. Not too keen on the split toe/heel forward/reverse pedals and wheel brake pedals on the same side. But it seems like the Orange has the most going for it. Am I missing anything? I'd love to buy from the American company, but they don't really want to deal. The Kubota dealer, on the other hand seems to really want my business. Appreciate any positive/negative comments and insights.

Jim

The Big 3 all make great tractors. Drive em all and see what feels comfortable. The problems you won't have with the big three as the track record shows, is they shouldn't be down for repairs 80 percent of the time and will keep on working while the other brands will be getting worked on.. I believe you get what you pay for but that is just me. Shop wisely....

 

[Illini22]

wow, talking about fanning the flames. the only thing i will agree on with that last post is shop wisely and that means well more than the big 3! uh gho, muhamid you better shut this thread down.:laughing:

 

[texas42]

I have a JD 2320 that I have had for about 18 months. Great tractor and I enjoy using it. I like the two pedals for forward and reverse and the split pedals for the brakes on the opposite side. Makes loader work fast and easy and sharp turns a snap since you can keep the power/speed you want with your right foot while braking with your left foot.
However, I'm sure other brands have their good features also.
If this tractor gives me the same trouble free service my 1985 JD 750 gave me for 23 years I'll be even happier with this machine.
All I ever did to the 750 was put a set of brake pads on it and replaced one hydraulic hose other than the normal oil, filters, battery etc.

 

[johnk]

wow, talking about fanning the flames. the only thing i will agree on with that last post is shop wisely and that means well more than the big 3! uh gho, muhamid you better shut this thread down.:laughing:

I'm not putting any brand down. I'm just stating the facts. It might seem you're paying more for the top 3 but there must be some substinence in why they are still selling. Lot of things to consider. Down time and resale value. Thats all. Nuff said.

 

[DK35vince]

The Big 3 all make great tractors. Drive em all and see what feels comfortable. The problems you won't have with the big three as the track record shows, is they shouldn't be down for repairs 80 percent of the time and will keep on working while the other brands will be getting worked on.. I believe you get what you pay for but that is just me. Shop wisely....

WOW.
I have a JD and a Kioti.
In 9 years and 1400 hours my Kioti has never been down.
It is just as solid and reliable as my John Deere.

 

[Slackdaddy]

Man, I would love to see them "facts"
Or where these the "facts" the JD salesman told ya as he took your money, and now you keep repeating them "hoping" you'll beleive it one day and finally not feel sick for over spending on that Chinese tractor painted Green and yellow

Slack

I'm not putting any brand down. I'm just stating the facts. It might seem you're paying more for the top 3 but there must be some substinence in why they are still selling. Lot of things to consider. Down time and resale value. Thats all. Nuff said.

 

[dcyrilc]

Man, I would love to see them "facts"
Or where these the "facts" the JD salesman told ya as he took your money, and now you keep repeating them "hoping" you'll beleive it one day and finally not feel sick for over spending on that Chinese tractor painted Green and yellow

Slack

Mine was made in Germany! LOL

 

[buck12]

I'm not putting any brand down. I'm just stating the facts. It might seem you're paying more for the top 3 but there must be some substinence in why they are still selling. Lot of things to consider. Down time and resale value. Thats all. Nuff said.

I would like to know more of those facts. Heck I may need trade my tractor. But I doubt its worth much. By the way my nontop three is not down today. To the OP poster both tractors should fit your needs. Spend time on each then sleep on it. One will likely stand out.

 

[johnk]

That was Just my opinion. To each their own. Every brand is getting made w/ cheaper materials etc. It's he quality control and consistency of the machines I care about. Likewise you can say that is starting to suck on ALL brands also. No brand wars Just My Opinion. Sorry if I hurt someones feelings....Have a nice day.

 

[Gizmo2]

All I ever did to the 750 was put a set of brake pads on it and replaced one hydraulic hose other than the normal oil, filters, battery etc.

Replaced two loader cylinder seals and a waterpump gasket is all the repairs I did to my JD 650 in 20 years.

That was Just my opinion. To each their own. Every brand is getting made w/ cheaper materials etc. It's he quality control and consistency of the machines I care about. Likewise you can say that is starting to suck on ALL brands also. No brand wars Just My Opinion. Sorry if I hurt someones feelings....Have a nice day.

JohnK,
I know what you are saying, and it is not brand bashing. I will also add, if the tractor companies made tractors today as like the ones from past years they would be selling a boat load less because they just seemed to have lasted forever not to mention the price would be unaffordable to most. My dealer told me not once but twice that I should hang onto my JD650 as the JD2320 or the 2520 was not near the tractor my 650 is, was. Again, I am sure the 2320 will not hold up as well as the 650 but I sure like the 2320 better.

 

[955er]

Sounds like your mind is already made up.

 

[Illini22]

Not brand bashing? " all the others ( except the big 3) will be down 80% of the time". I'd say that's brand bashing, and that's a fact, not an opinion. Oh by the way I have a kubota but will be seriously looking at the kioti and bobcat. I'm mad as he'll I didn't jump on the bobcat deal last summer, but I can wait it out.

 

[ModMech]

I've got an old WheelHorse C-16 (SCUT), not one of the *really* old ones, but old enough....

I must admit I like the SOLID feel of it, it starts very well even with this blended corruption they call "gas" and runs well. It's the perfect size for tilling the smaller garden the LP won't fit into and it's smooth as glass running. It has retained that "built-to-last" feeling even after 30 odd years.

I don't get THAT type of feeling from anything but Deere, and not even with all of their stuff, especially the smaller SCUT/CUT models.

I would agree that for *most* people, the decision should be based more on the dealer (helpful, overall quality experience etc) than on the color of the machine.

 

[Charles M Poland]

To Jim75: You are talking about a ballist box, all that is is dead weight thats all it's good for. I have a 2320 JD with a BB1048 Frontier box blade, heavy duty rated for a 45 HP tractor. What i'm trying to say is you will get more use out of a box blade than a ballist box. Box blade weight is around 450lbs. and I have no problem using my 54 inch loader even with forks on to pick up logs. I'm partial for JD over orange- The lilt of the seat feeles like you are falling off the front edge, the toe- heel shifter, the seat is to low to the foot rest, it has to run wide open for the hydrolics to work with any speed. I hope you make the right choise, to bad one cant operate each one for a day before you purchase eather. I feel the same about my JD as I do with my truck, I,d rather push my ford than drive a shevy... Wish you best of luck with what ever you get. CHARLES M. Poland

 

[dcyrilc]

I feel the same about my JD as I do with my truck, I,d rather push my ford than drive a shevy... Wish you best of luck with what ever you get. CHARLES M. Poland

If your truck needed to be pushed, I could bring over my Tundra and give you a pull...although it might be a fast one if the throttle sticks! LOL