Buying Advice Kubota vs John Deere

[tc18ny]

If you can't find a reason to own a FEL I would stick with your zero turn and figure something else out to clear your paved driveway. I always preferred a blower on my JD garden tractor (318) on my old paved driveway. Just seems to eat right through it. If you can use a FEL, go with the BX or 1026R. Once you have a FEL, you will probably never be without one unless you move into the city/village. When I think back to before I had a FEL, it blows my mind how hard and long I had to work to do simple things. There are so many things it can be used for. Just my 2 cents

 

[xring100]

Stupid phone no delete option

 

[xring100]

You already have the most efficient style of lawn mower twice as fast as an expensive riding mower or scut. You could always buy one of the premium Ariens or simplicity snow blowers not stocked at lawn and garden stores for $2000 - $3000. I would personally want to keep the zero turn regard less an FEL adds a whole new dimension. Simplicity and Ariens also make heavy duty snow blowers not stocked at normal stores. have an amazing snow removal device.

The biggest advantage of either the bx or 1026 is the loader feature and standard 3pt.
I finally convinced my neighbor to get a 60" zero turn to mow his 5 acres of grass with rather than his 60" mower on his b2400. He cut 1.5-2 hours off his mowing time with very few trees and objects to mow around. his only regret is not buying a zero turn 5 years sooner. He brush hogs about 2 acres and clears his 500 feet of driveway with the b2400 now. The mower has been retired.

Dave

 

[yelbike]

If I had to choose between my FEL or my zturn mower, I'd really be stuck, that's for sure.
I would suggest keeping the mower bc that's a weekly job and you likely spend the bulk of your operating hours mowing.

You can put a blade on your truck, suv, quad or even the ztr( I don't know how well those work though). you spend so little time removing snow compared to mowing, so efficiency isn't as much as a concern. Jmo.

 

[xring100]

If I had to choose between my FEL or my zturn mower, I'd really be stuck, that's for sure.
I would suggest keeping the mower bc that's a weekly job and you likely spend the bulk of your operating hours mowing.

You can put a blade on your truck, suv, quad or even the ztr( I don't know how well those work though). you spend so little time removing snow compared to mowing, so efficiency isn't as much as a concern. Jmo.

Neighbor has a Honda 500 4x4 with probably a 56 - 60" width blade, that's lifted via his winch. the thing is a tank in 4wd. Ive seen him push 8-10" of wet snow no problem i believe he has chains on the rears.

Dave

 

[High Compression]

I agree that both make great tractors, but I will never give up my zero turn mowers for a garden tractor or sub compact for doing the mowing. I mow 5 acres with trees, buildings, etc. and the zero turn is the only way to go.

Ditto! I have a Kubota ZD21 zero turn mower. The only way to go for mowing. I loved my BX2660 though for pushing snow and other yard work.

 

[PhilY]

It seems for the price of a JD x700 series tractor you can get a nice Kubota with FEL. The FEL is incredibly useful and if its the same price or even close, I would say, go that way. When I did my shopping, I found that a similarly set up JD was about 5000 more dollars than the Kubota I picked. I also have compared my Kubota to my FIL's JD tractor, which is a 4620 and I can tell you that Kubota seems to be built stronger, too. If you look at the specs, you will see a definite difference in weight. This weight translates into robustness. Also, if you like to buy American, a lot of the smaller JDs are being manufactured at places like India. My Kubota was manufactured in C-bus, OH. Believe me, I would have loved to had a JD but the differences I see in the tractors made this an easy decision.

 

[jenkinsph]

So the final pricing from the dealers is in and I still can't decide what is the best tractor for my needs.

Kubota BX2660 with 60" deck and 60" front blade is $15200.
Deere 1026r with 60" deck and 54" front blade is $15778.
Deere x728 with 60" deck and 54" front blade is $12785.

So, over $3k more for a SCUT, but I'm sure it would hold that value more if I would want to trade or sell.

Before you make the decision which to buy can you give us more details on your use and terrain/layout? When I was buying my x749 my main interest was getting something small enough for lawn work that was highly manuerverable and good on slopes. This has worked out well for me but I had several tractors to do the larger jobs.
Have you decided to trade or sell the ztr mower and have you had a chance to drive the x728 around to see how it handles? Do you have a lot of trees, shrubs or landscaping to manuever around? All of this makes a difference as to what would work best for you.

So far most of the discussion seems to be about subcompacts and fels, very little has beem asked about your specific needs.

 

[JD3203]

I would buy where ever you have the dealer support. it is so much more helpful if you can drive 10 minutes and get good dealer support vs driving 15 minutes to get a specific brand but not have as good as dealer support

 

[94BULLITT]

I agree with jenkinsph we need to know what all you want to do with it. Are you just going to mow and move snow? How much mowing do you have? Is your driveway very steep? Do you have any steep spots you will be mowing?

 

[jwenzler]

My primary 2 needs are mowing and snow removal. We have 4 acres on the top of a small hill. Lawn and all landscaping is already done, so I don't see a need for a FEL. No garden so I also don't see a need for a tiller and anything else on the rear PTO. Broadcast spreader for fertilizer and salt in winter would be nice. Not a lot of trees to mow around so 4WS is not necessary, and I don't mind push mowing a little either. My biggest concern is plowing the paved driveway so 4WD I feel is a requirement. Large hill with curves for the driveway and large areas in front of my garages and a turnaround area. I'm leaning towards the x728 or x748 but for a only a little more I can get the 1026 or BX2660 and I'm very confident those would plow / snowblow with no problem ever. However, the snowblower for the SCUT is more expensive than for the x series.

 

[jenkinsph]

jwenzler,
I would go with the x748 if it were me given the choices as I feel it would not have a problem with the driveway plowing or snowblowing. Having the x749 I can tell you the hdap tires are great for your uses, easy on the lawn and grip well in the snow too. Mowing my own lawn I can run full speed which is about 8.5 mph on the x749 which should be the same for the x728 and x748. Both of the mowers you list with the 7 iron 60" deck should do a good job and can be equipped with a rear hitch and pto IF you later think you need them. My concern would be that moving from a ztr to a garden tractor would you feel it is slower when mowing? Do you have any idea fow fast your ground speed is on your current mower in actual use?

In summary I think all of the models you mention will work very well for the driveway clearing, I would wan't to make sure the mowing is up to your expectations.

 

[94BULLITT]

I don't think you would go wrong with any of those machines. One thing I don't like about the X728 is it has a gas motor I believe. For turning a blower a diesel would do a better job. I believe a sub compact may hold it's value better over the long haul.

 

[jenkinsph]

I don't think you would go wrong with any of those machines. One thing I don't like about the X728 is it has a gas motor I believe. For turning a blower a diesel would do a better job. I believe a sub compact may hold it's value better over the long haul.

The x728 is a gas mower, I prefer a diesel too. For mowing at high speeds the mower deck can be quite a load too if the grass is thick so a diesel would still be my preference. You may very well be right about trading a subcompact later would have a higher resale. My concern though would be which would be the best choice for mowing coming from a ztr. While the x749 will definitely out manuever the others mentioned it seems everyone wants the 7 iron deck which isn't available with the aws models. Hard to know without a direct comparison but an x749 with a 62" deck might be a good way to go if the lawn is smooth. I am using the MC519 cart and blower with my mower now and it does a great job for me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

So the final pricing from the dealers is in and I still can't decide what is the best tractor for my needs.

Kubota BX2660 with 60" deck and 60" front blade is $15200.
Deere 1026r with 60" deck and 54" front blade is $15778.
Deere x728 with 60" deck and 54" front blade is $12785.

So, over $3k more for a SCUT, but I'm sure it would hold that value more if I would want to trade or sell.

Why dont you price the B series Kubotas. They are not any higher priced than the BX and give better ground clearance. My son in law recently bought a 2920 with a 60" MM mower for about the same as you are pricing with the BX series. I have driven it and it handles nicely and fits in a standard garage door with ROPS up. I think it would handle a snow blade much better than the X series JD or the BX Kubotas

 

[KYDan]

I have a JD 757 that I use to mow about 10 acres in total. I also use it to mow a dam on the place that is very steep. When I used to mow it with a tractor and rotary mower I would mow it up and down for safety, but the Z-turn mows it safely across the face. I would never opt for a tractor mower over a zero turn for lawn mowing. I am a Kubota and a John Deere fan, I have both. However, a single purpose machine will out perform any multi-purpose machine, de rerum natura, (the nature of things) applies to this. See if your Kubota and John Deere dealers will let you test drive the machines you are considering and then make your decision before you plunk down your money. One of my good friends has a joint dealership and he is the one that convinced me to get a zero turn. He brought one out and demonstrated it for me and let me try it out. I bought it on the spot after using it.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

So the final pricing from the dealers is in and I still can't decide what is the best tractor for my needs.

Kubota BX2660 with 60" deck and 60" front blade is $15200.
Deere 1026r with 60" deck and 54" front blade is $15778.
Deere x728 with 60" deck and 54" front blade is $12785.

So, over $3k more for a SCUT, but I'm sure it would hold that value more if I would want to trade or sell.

you are aware, that the BX2660 is the top end BX tractor. You can buy a BX1860 at the same price point as an x728 and its much more tractor with resale value thats worlds better. (there is no worse resale than a garden tractor)

 

[94BULLITT]

I have a BX2360. It has plenty of power for mowing.

Why dont you price the B series Kubotas. They are not any higher priced than the BX and give better ground clearance. My son in law recently bought a 2920 with a 60" MM mower for about the same as you are pricing with the BX series. I have driven it and it handles nicely and fits in a standard garage door with ROPS up. I think it would handle a snow blade much better than the X series JD or the BX Kubotas

He is also getting a front blade for that price.

 

[Don87]

you are aware, that the BX2660 is the top end BX tractor. You can buy a BX1860 at the same price point as an x728 and its much more tractor with resale value thats worlds better. (there is no worse resale than a garden tractor)

I agree. If he wants a Subcompact with FEL, the 1860 will do everything he needs now, and in the future.

 

[94BULLITT]

I agree. If he wants a Subcompact with FEL, the 1860 will do everything he needs now, and in the future.

It will but the 2360 is worth the upgrade. More PTO power, larger tires, and a larger front axle. It probably would turn a blower a hair blower better. You can also get a 60'' deck on the 2360, 54" is the largest for the 1860.