John Deere 4720 Cab w/400CX vs Kubota L5740?

[Matt in Virginia]

Gentlemen,
I come from a row crop background and my family has been farming within 25 miles of my current location since 1635 on my father's side. We have yet to nail the exact year on my mothers side. In short we were involved in modest acreage(850 acres plus or minus) until 1990 when the farms were rented out...

The only tractors I have run have largely been from Deere. Specifically a 4840 that I operated until 90' and a 1970 4020 Diesel that my Grandfather bought and my father partially restored(full mechanical rebuild) and left me. In short the 4020 is proving to be anything but reliable(electrical & fuel injection pump) and I am not a mechanic. Hence I need something to do a bit of property upkeep. I've largely narrowed it down to a Deere 4720 with Cab, ehydro, 400CX loader, etc OR a Kubota 5740 Cab tractor equipped with their heavy loader. I should note that I have a significant allergy problem and the pressurized/air filtered Deere Cab is proving to be a significant draw.

I might also note that we also have had a Deere 310C since new that has been used on the farms exclusively and has proven to be almost legendary for it's reliability. After literally thousands of starts and 22 years the battery had to be changed this year...

In short it is hard for me not to go Deere, however, I am impressed with Kubota's build quality. I'm not impressed by Deere's new junk 5000 series(regardless of d,e, or m suffixes). My interested in that tractor died on the vine when I found the "Made in China" Dana Tag on the MFD Axle.

The 6030 Premium Tractors should not even be mentioned in the same sentence as the 5000s. Damned nice machine, however, it is about $35K more than my $40K budget. In short I'd love a new 6430 Premium or a 7830, however, I need something compact, comfortable, does not break the bank, and fits in my new barn...(36'x48'x12')

In short your thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

The only issue I have with Deere in this area is trying to get someone off their butt in order to quote a price. I find their general attitude to *suck*. As if you doing them a favor to buy a $40,000 glorified lawn mower.

That said I have found a new Deere dealer, James River Equipment, about 45 minutes away who actually seems to be interested in selling his product. The local Kubota dealer is a pretty decent outfit that used to sell Ford/New Holland and now the entire lot is orange... It is also hard to ignore all the landscapers who run Orange. Almost no one but Farmers and the modestly wealthy seem to run deere...

Best Regards, Matt.
Chesapeake, Virginia

Btw, Another reason the Kubota calls is when I compared the quality of their Utility Vehicles. The Gator is POS(from experience) compared to the Kubota Diesel UTV. Granted this is apples and oranges, however, it is hard to ignore as a general statement of quality.

 

[TripleR]

As much as I like Kubotas, if allergies were a problem and the John Deere cab is better at filtration, I would go with the Deere. I have a couple of older cab models of different makes and still have itchy eyes at the end of a day of bush hogging. I also use open station machines, so it's not that big of an issue for me right now.

 

[jenkinsph]

First of all Welcome to the forum.

If it were me I would come up with a budget to fix up the 4020 and 310C. I would then compare the new 4320, 4520 and 4720 cab tractors. You may find you can get a 4320 cab unit and repair the other two tractors for about the cost of the 4720.

The older 4020 electrical and injection systems are simple enough not to be a huge problem to fix and I would get this taken care of. Injectors are easily changed and the injector pumps can be removed and taken in to an injector pump shop to be rebuilt and then replaced. A better understanding of the actual problem with the fuel system would be very helpful. I would not wan't to run the engine much with injection problems as a bad injector can burn a hole in the top of a piston. The electrical problems might be as simple as cleaning and checking terminals to batteries and grounds. On an older tractor like this you may need to change out some cables. If your dad has already gone through the mechanicals it sounds like you need to simply finish the job up. A well cared for 4020 would be an excellent tractor to have on a place such as yours.

I assume that you no longer have the 4840 but still have the 4020 and 310C and with buying a new smaller tractor will need a new set of implements. My experience with the 4520 has been very favorable and suggest you consider this model as well. If you compare the pricing on the Deere "build your own" site most people are purchasing the new equipment for about 15 to 20% off of list.

Ideally having the 4020, 310C restored and a new 4320 thru 4720 cab tractor would be a good choice of equipment.

I should also mention that the 4020 has been considered by many as the best Deere tractor ever built and I see lots of them selling between $10,000 and as high as $30,000 for fully restored models. If it were me I would paint and detail this tractor and be glad I had it.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

Gentlemen,
I appreciate your courteous welcome...


I was afraid I was going to hear that about the 4020...(smile) I failed to note that I have a brand new in box John Deere Factory Hood sitting in the loft of my barn. My father bought it and it has never been taken from the box awaiting the cosmetic restoration. I also bought a pair of L & R USA Made replacement fenders in John Deere buff as a gift to my father in 2007. He passed away suddenly due to cancer and the fender set sits not far from the hood along with more than a few JD factory replacement parts from a new Tac, Gauges, front, side/front screens, etc. Not to mention more than a few JD odds and ends still in the box. Dad's final contribution to the tractor was a brand new set of BF Goodrich Radial Rear Tires on the back. The rims need, according to my mechanic, to be replaced as one is distorted and the tire tech put little to no surface prep on the bead seating area...

Said former John Deere Mechanic, who now works for himself from his home/farm, completely rebuilt the transmission about a year and a half before Dad passed. I remember as I was amazed how $3K of transmission parts fit so well in 20" by 20" box when we picked them up from the dealer.

As a side note I had decided to convert to the 4020 to a wide front end with one of 24/7s USA made HD Spindle Kits. Do believe the next 2K that is not ear marked for something else will go in that direction before they take another price hike. They were $300 cheaper in late 06' early 07' when I bought the fenders...fwiw

At any rate I have been building my new barn, detailed project, for the last couple of years and we are finally getting close to the finish line for it to be usable. Only wiring, concrete sealing, and closing in the climate controlled areas remain...

At this point I need something that works for cutting grass, bush hogging, and front end loader work. The 4020 is a great project, however, It is anything but reliable and I have NO HELP from the extended family across the property line. Hence my desire for the 4720.

The 4020 will have to wait as I don't even have the tools out of the CONEX box which is sitting beside the barn to do anythiing but basic upkeep.

I GREATLY appreciate the input on what the new equipment is selling for... I will no doubt have a question or two more as I get closer to buying the 4720. Which I intend to have working in less than 60 days. Thank you for your input...

Regards, Matt in Virginia.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'm not sure the air filtration is any different on the Deere than the Kubota, both are tightly pressized and filtered cabs, heck your ears almost pop when you close the doors.

 

[jenkinsph]

I bought my 2009 4520 last year and could have bought the 4720 but did not see the need for the extra power in such a small light tractor. You would need to know there is some specific pto operated attachment that requires the higher hp rating of the 4720 imo. Otherwise for most jobs I couldn't tell the difference between the two tractors and went with the 60hp/50hp pto in the 4520.

From reading your postings, now might be a good time to sharpen up your mechanical skills, years ago I got involved in this because I could not afford to pay a mechanic. Sounds like most of what your 4020 needs is time and elbow grease.

What ever you decide to go with I would recomend you get the diverter valve and third outlet, using the IMatch system is much easier when you have top and tilt 3 pt hitch. I can change implements in alot of cases without leaving the seat in less than 2 minutes.

 

[TripleR]

I'm not sure the air filtration is any different on the Deere than the Kubota, both are tightly pressurized and filtered cabs, heck your ears almost pop when you close the doors.

I have also wondered if there is really a difference or not as my L5030 is fairly good and the L40's are a significant improvement over it.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

I have also wondered if there is really a difference or not as my L5030 is fairly good and the L40's are a significant improvement over it.

Gentlemen,
It could very well be true about the pressurized cab and filtration being the same on Kubota as it is on Deere. That said I don't believe it. Deere has a touch more experience building tight cabs. My family used IH Harvester from the very beginning. I was one that made the turn to observe that John Deere 40 series Cabs were superior and they were/are... Very few use IH 1586s anymore, however, there are more 30 year old 4840s in the field, atleast around here, than you can shake a stick at... The farmer that tends our land had three of them planting the other afternoon. Should have taken a picture...

This is a moot point as my plans for the day were shot in the head by a sick employee this morning. I decided to stop by the Kubota Dealer to give them one last shot. Oddly enough they had one cab tractor on the lot. Don't remember the number, however, it was not a 5740. Want to say it was a 3940, however, I would not swear to it. In short the dealer said it would be the same cab on the 5740. In short the cab was cramped for my frame. It looks proportional on the tractor, more so than the deere, however the inside it is sorely lacking by comparison for room and ergonomics by my estimation. I drove it a bit and found I did not care for their Hydro Pedal nor the location of the hydraulics. Granted this is a personal observation, however, the comfort of a cab makes a great deal of difference to me when making a purchase decision. Spend 10 hours a day with your neck in crick looking back at an implement and the little things make a BIG difference... Apples and oranges, however, the cab is a make or break deal with me.

The dealer, who has dealt with my family for years, made a final pitch and I went in open minded. The Cab was not comparable and that put Kubota out of the running for my business. The fact that his best cash price was $800 less than an over the phone price on the deere(57 versus 66 HP to boot) made it anything but a horse race. In short it is likely as good a tractor for a smaller man. I tried Toyotas before I bought my Super Duty and Excursion.

At any rate I appreciate the input...

Regarding going to a 4520 or 4320 I would entertain the thought. I have no illusions about the value of the extra HP of the 4720. That said there is a 4720 on the dealer's lot that he wants to deal on. And HP, from my limited experience, never hurts... Granted weight and traction make it usable.

Regards, Matt.

 

[AKfish]

I looked at a L5740 real hard... and felt that the fit and finish of things - the detail - was just a schooch less than the Deere. Not necessarily a "deal breaker" but the price would have to be lower for the machine to be in the race.

Sounds like you've got your mind made up... Hopefully, the dealer has the numbers to make the sale! If the tractor has been on the lot for a spell (a year or so) he should be hungry to move it.

Deere changed the horsepower levels for the 4520 and the 4720 in 2009. Increased the 4520 from 53hp to 60hp and the 4720 went from 58hp to 66hp.

Be most interested to hear how things work out for you. Most new tractor buyers for Deere CUT's report they received anywhere from 15-22% off the website MSRP.

Best of luck.

AKfish

 

[mjncad]

Welcome. I'd say you've made up your mind to get the Deere. Like you, I don't like Kubota's hydro pedal arrangement.

By the way, we like pictures, and would like to see the shop, the old tractor, and the new one when you get it.

Be grateful you have lots of dealer choices on the east coast, as that isn't necessarily the case here in Colorado.

 

[TripleR]

Gentlemen,
It could very well be true about the pressurized cab and filtration being the same on Kubota as it is on Deere. That said I don't believe it. Deere has a touch more experience building tight cabs. My family used IH Harvester from the very beginning. I was one that made the turn to observe that John Deere 40 series Cabs were superior and they were/are... Very few use IH 1586s anymore, however, there are more 30 year old 4840s in the field, atleast around here, than you can shake a stick at... The farmer that tends our land had three of them planting the other afternoon. Should have taken a picture...

This is a moot point as my plans for the day were shot in the head by a sick employee this morning. I decided to stop by the Kubota Dealer to give them one last shot. Oddly enough they had one cab tractor on the lot. Don't remember the number, however, it was not a 5740. Want to say it was a 3940, however, I would not swear to it. In short the dealer said it would be the same cab on the 5740. In short the cab was cramped for my frame. It looks proportional on the tractor, more so than the deere, however the inside it is sorely lacking by comparison for room and ergonomics by my estimation. I drove it a bit and found I did not care for their Hydro Pedal nor the location of the hydraulics. Granted this is a personal observation, however, the comfort of a cab makes a great deal of difference to me when making a purchase decision. Spend 10 hours a day with your neck in crick looking back at an implement and the little things make a BIG difference... Apples and oranges, however, the cab is a make or break deal with me.

The dealer, who has dealt with my family for years, made a final pitch and I went in open minded. The Cab was not comparable and that put Kubota out of the running for my business. The fact that his best cash price was $800 less than an over the phone price on the deere(57 versus 66 HP to boot) made it anything but a horse race. In short it is likely as good a tractor for a smaller man. I tried Toyotas before I bought my Super Duty and Excursion.

At any rate I appreciate the input...

Regarding going to a 4520 or 4320 I would entertain the thought. I have no illusions about the value of the extra HP of the 4720. That said there is a 4720 on the dealer's lot that he wants to deal on. And HP, from my limited experience, never hurts... Granted weight and traction make it usable.

Regards, Matt.

Having spent a lot of time on a tractor, I certainly agree with the importance of comfort, my comment was only a question on the filtration system as I honestly don't know.

I am considering an upgrade in a couple of years, so these things are of interest to me. I have a John Deere as well as Kubota and the HST arrangement is really not a big deal for me as I can use both without a problem with a slight edge in reverse while watching my equipment. Now my wife hates JD HST, so...

I won't own another tractor with the brakes on the left, so my choices will be limited.

Our renters have also gone from IH to all green, primarily 8430's with a couple other models and if I was going to buy a big geared tractor it would be green.

Good luck with your new tractor and enjoy.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

Triple R,
I am new to compact tractors and appreciate your input. To be honest I don't like Hydro in general, however, I've never driven anything smaller than a 4020 with lots of ballast.

The NEW big Deeres are in tighter market with CaseIH and Cat's Challenger. Almost everything around here is green and has been for awhile. That said the operator station on the MX335 is the full equal, from the few hours I have behind the wheel, to the 8030 series. That said Deere has a big edge in available HP on Mechanical Front Wheel Assist Tractors. The new big dog is the 8345. 345 HP in standard, but radical, tractor configuration. I know nothing of the IH/Steiger vs. Deere vs. CAT Race...

That said Farmers around here don't seem to want more than about 250 HP on a regular machine. More small cuts where truly huge equipment eat up space on the end rows. Has not stopped them from going huge on combines though. We are starting to see Class 8 machines more and more...

At any rate I appreciate your input whether we agree or not. I've found I often learn more from folks with a differing opinion than someone who agrees. In this particular case I do not want to make a bad decision and I'm looking for input from anyone with hands on.

As biased as I can be toward JD I am aware they are a for profit company and make a product to make a profit upon. I remind myself often that there is no love in a purchase. One piece of equipment, or a fleet, is not going to lead them to give me anything. Hence my desire to keep an open mind with Kubota. Whom seems to be from exhaustive reading/driving/trying to be the other 1st class compact. I heard a good deal of horse puckey about Kubota and allowed it to run off like water on a duck's back. They make excellent compact machines. There large machines suffer in comparison, again from experience, but that is not there specialty and it will take a good while for them to be competitive there. I've never heard anyone buy a Kubota Ag Tractor because it outclassed a Deere. It came down to money...

Sorry for the rambling post but I am open to differing opinions. Appreciate all the input I have received here...

Regards, Matt.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

Welcome.
By the way, we like pictures, and would like to see the shop, the old tractor, and the new one when you get it.

Be grateful you have lots of dealer choices on the east coast, as that isn't necessarily the case here in Colorado.

Gentlemen,
Thank you for the kind welcome and your input...

The barn project has been in high gear for the last month and the following pictures are grossly out of date, however, It will give you an idea of the barn. It is a pseudo pole barn built with full cut 8"x8"x20' Salt treated Poled and 5 rows of Salt 2x12"s. All of the 2x12" were let in and bolted with 1/2" galvanized marine bolts. The exterior is Select Cypress from Gate's Cypress just across the line in NC. Built in traditional board and batton construction and nailed with Stainless Steel Nails. The roof is heavy 24 gauge standing seem screwed into 2x6 pearling. The windows are Anderson 400 series in Green to match the Roof and door. The trusses are 2x10" bottom cord, sistered with 2x6" along their entire length, and anchored to the top cord with 3/16" web channel iron on both ends. Bolted twice to the top 2x12 and to the truss. Loft/Attic floor is 3/4" plywood which is going to receive another layer with tar paper run perpendicular to what is already screwed and glued down to the trusses. The floor is 6" pour 5000 PSI fiberglass reinforced concrete with six seperate sections seperated by expansion joints. The carpenters have had to shoot nails into the concrete 4 to 5 times with the Hilti gun before they reached the appropriate depth...

All of the Salt was double commercial treat/2.5# treatment by Atlantic Wood Industries as a favor to my father(RIP). Some are so green they look bizarre...

The door is a 16' x 10' CHI Commercial Door with a Commercial Jack Shaft Lift...

I was fortunate to buy 800 plus tons of ground asphalt delivered for $550 which has since been a trick to spread and level. The current pictures do not show it, however, the asphalt is 100% around the barn at 12-14" deep and I have a driveway directly to the road which runs 14' wide and varies in depth from 12" to 3' due to soft soil conditions. A buddy of mine did the work and I could not be happier. We've since cleared the lot in front of the barn, short of the good trees, and dug and drain ditch to the highway... I will update with photos shortly.

The first night when he finished I sat for two hours in my Super Duty with the Diesel idling admiring his work. Went home at 11 pm...(grin)

The next hurdles are electrical, finishing interior framing, insulation for climate controlled areas, sealing the concrete, and hooking up to city water. Like a dolt I borrowed a bucket to changed the oil on the tractor. The bucket had a leak and my floor shows the aftermath. Various concrete cleaners are slowly taking it up and out.

I want to get the 4720 and a basic land plane to level out some areas of the loose asphalt before the summer sun hardens it further. Well traveled areas are hard as the proverbial rock and nearly perfectly flat...


You did say you like a picture or two... Here is my Barn about a month ago. Much has been done, however, it'll be another month before I'm ready to reveal the work done. This has been a long project. We are coming up on two years.

Regards, Matt Garrett.
Chesapeake, Virginia

Btw, I lived in Colorado for 2 years while attending the Colorado School of Trades for Gunsmithing. Spent my first night in Kit Carson, back in July of 05', across the street from the John Deere Dealer. They have a steak house there called The Route. Best Steak I have had in many a day...fwiw

 

[TripleR]

Matt,

Actually I like long posts. In spite of how it may seem, I have no real 澱rand loyalty? even looked at some Massey Fergusons the other day. I really don稚 see Kubota as being competitive with John Deere in anything but the CUT market either and if I was looking for a geared unit; I would probably go with a John Deere. Since I don稚 make money with my tractors and already have a couple of geared tractors, I値l probably never need one, but who knows.

I use tractors now for property maintenance because I enjoy it, not because I have to. I give our renters a real good cash rate and they have tractors from 45 to 325 HP in addition to commercial mowers, UTV痴, sprayers etc. and they would do all the maintenance on our farms if I let them.

I have sold my bass boat, pontoon, cabin on the lake and can稚 ride my Harley anymore, so my tractors and projects are just a really expensive hobby to occupy my time and stay active, so my approach will probably be different than many.

I do like hearing from people who really work with their tractors.

Again, good luck, Larry

 

[jenkinsph]

Matt,

If your dealer has a 4720 cab on the lot he wan'ts to move then I would go for it. I use a plane more than I would have ever thought and built this one last year for my 4520. Weighs about 950 lbs and has straight set 8' graderblades. I use this to grade lawns and small fields in combination with tiller, boxblade, rearblade and harrow.

Top n tilt is a real help for this finish work and is a real help making swales for run off. The boxblade is a Frontier(Gannon) BB1284 and is about as large as these tractors can handle.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

Larry,
Looked at a Massey the other day as well. Unfortunately they have zero support locally. They are little more than an AGCO brand name. That said AGCO is going to market German Fendts under the Massey Banner and I REALLY LIKE those machines. Very intuitive. Would still buy a Deere due to parts and service, however, I try to keep an open mind as well...

Best Regards, Matt.

 

[Matt in Virginia]

Steve,
VERY nice work. I like your design. My welding skill are not in your ball park so I'll likely buy a plane but that is first class...

One of the things that is completely new to me is the hydraulic top link. I saw one about a year back on CaseIH MX255 and thought it neat but brand specific. I WILL be putting one of those on the compact and the 4020. Too handy...

Regards, Matt.

 

[TripleR]

Larry,
Looked at a Massey the other day as well. Unfortunately they have zero support locally. They are little more than an AGCO brand name. That said AGCO is going to market German Fendts under the Massey Banner and I REALLY LIKE those machines. Very intuitive. Would still buy a Deere due to parts and service, however, I try to keep an open mind as well...

Best Regards, Matt.

Pretty much the same here, but I was curious after reading some posts on them. I have an older model 375 4WD which is broke down more than it runs, but people say they have improved a lot. This place advertises about five different brands and probably doesn't have any in some of the makes. Yeah, I like the Fendt from what I have seen too.

In my area if it is not a Deere, NH or a Kubota, support is pretty poor. My left leg is about as reliable as Lucas electrics, so I guess I will stay with Kubota or something like it, but like to stay informed.

 

[mjncad]

Btw, I lived in Colorado for 2 years while attending the Colorado School of Trades for Gunsmithing. Spent my first night in Kit Carson, back in July of 05', across the street from the John Deere Dealer. They have a steak house there called The Route. Best Steak I have had in many a day...fwiw

That's quite a barn, and I'm looking forward to seeing more pictures as you release them.

I've lived in Colorado all my life, and have been through Kit Carson on my way to and from a 50-caliber machine gun shoot held in Cheyenne Wells a few years ago. A friend of mine that I went to the machine gun shoot with is originally from Omaha, Nebraska and he said that part of Colorado was so desolate that it made the trip to Omaha to visit his parents look good now.

 

[silverbeast]

Matt if you have the time check out the NH tractors. I just traded my Kubota L4330 in on a T4330. Best move ive ever made and wished i would have never layed eyes on the Kubota. I know the two tractors are not even in the same ballpark but the Kubota is the most under powered over rated tractor ive ever ran. Just MHO.