Comparison Deere, Deere or Kubota?

[Stevson]

I am going to buy a new tractor with a FEL and would like some help deciding which one. I thought I had it narrowed down to either a JD 4005 or JD 5055D but may also consider a Kubota. Have been to the Deere dealer and have prices but haven't looked at Kubotas yet. I have owned a Massey 35 and currently have an IH Farmall 424. Mostly I use it for brush hogging, some blading and probably what some would call hobby farming. I like the power and size of the 5055. I generally keep a few acres mowed and do quite a bit of "brush" cutting under and around trees and that is why the compact 4005 is a consideration. The FWD on the 4005 also appeals to me because we have some hills. But I have been using the 2-wheelers for years so I'm not sure how much that should be a factor. Any thoughts on these two or comparable models of Kubota would be appreciated.

 

[GManBart]

I'd save myself thousands of dollars, and look at other brands....non-commercial use doesn't warrant the higher prices from what I've seen.

 

[KennyG]

Just my personal opinion, but anything anyone puts on here is just there opinion. :laughing: For anything but row crop farming, I think 4WD is worth a lot. I'd never want to be without it. As far as brands go, get the one you are comfortable on and feel good about owning. Most of us intend on owning the equipment for 10+ years. It's a lot less likely you'll be saying "I could have saved..." than you will end up saying "Man, I could have had a..."

 

[Carl_NH]

Look at the Kubota L4XX or the M5XX series to compare to the 5055D but I agree you would be better served by the 4WD version 5055e in JD or Kubota. (or Kioti, Mahindra, etc)

As Kenny G says, its all our opinions, and $2K over 10-20 years of ownership is "small potatoes" when you consider everything YOU want and are comfortable with owning and operating.

Carl

 

[Rmart30]

in my area a comparable kubota of the same HP/options of a deere was a good bit cheaper. Ive been around kubota engines for years and knew they were well built and long lived. Those factors led me to purchase a Kubota over a deere. Check out a L4600 or MX5100 kubota. 4600 is a large compact and the 5100 steps up to a little heavier drivetrain and a little larger loader... both are almost identical in size. 0% interest for 60 months is also hard to beat.

 

[GManBart]

As Kenny G says, its all our opinions, and $2K over 10-20 years of ownership is "small potatoes" when you consider everything YOU want and are comfortable with owning and operating.

Carl

In the range he's looking at, it's more like $10k for equivalent machines.

 

[Carl_NH]

In the range he's looking at, it's more like $10k for equivalent machines.

So you are stating a comparable 55HP machine from vendor X or Y is $10K less than a John Deere or Kubota similarly equipped? Well that's possible but it would be interesting to hear your actual pricing/buying experience.


I can understand if one is lightly used and low hours but steel is steel, and in a global market its real difficult to make any money being $10K under the others and stick around for the long term.

 

[/pine]

I am going to buy a new tractor with a FEL and would like some help deciding which one. I thought I had it narrowed down to either a JD 4005 or JD 5055D but may also consider a Kubota. Have been to the Deere dealer and have prices but haven't looked at Kubotas yet. I have owned a Massey 35 and currently have an IH Farmall 424. Mostly I use it for brush hogging, some blading and probably what some would call hobby farming. I like the power and size of the 5055. I generally keep a few acres mowed and do quite a bit of "brush" cutting under and around trees and that is why the compact 4005 is a consideration. The FWD on the 4005 also appeals to me because we have some hills. But I have been using the 2-wheelers for years so I'm not sure how much that should be a factor. Any thoughts on these two or comparable models of Kubota would be appreciated.

JMO...but with the experience you've stated this sounds more like a D-versus-K troll bait...(won't be the first time if I'm wrong though...)

 

[GManBart]

So you are stating a comparable 55HP machine from vendor X or Y is $10K less than a John Deere or Kubota similarly equipped? Well that's possible but it would be interesting to hear your actual pricing/buying experience.


I can understand if one is lightly used and low hours but steel is steel, and in a global market its real difficult to make any money being $10K under the others and stick around for the long term.

Sure, I'm happy to share what I worked through at the end of last year (took delivery in early Jan).

It wasn't exactly 55hp, but I priced the general 40-50hp range. My LS (47hp with FWD) was $21,500 delivered for: hydro tranny, FEL with QA, dual rear remotes, rear work light, 7-pin trailer connector, telescoping lift arms and stabilizers. The same tractor, as a Boomer 50, was a few hundred over $30k. A Kioti DK40SE hydro, with all the same basic features was $22,500. A Kubota L4240 with the same basic options was $32,500 (list was higher). I never got a final price on a Deere, but it started higher than the Kubota did (basing off list price), so I didn't pursue it. I talked to Case about the Farmall 55B, and it was in the ballpark of the NH. I didn't talk to a Mahindra dealer because I couldn't find one close by.

The Korean companies seem to be doing to the tractor market what they've done to the auto industry....and years ago we laughed at Hyundai (I don't own a Korean car BTW). :shocked:

 

[Stevson]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought getting a new tractor would be easy and I thought I had done my homework at least with the JD's but the more I look at the options the more complicated it becomes. When I first talked to our local JD dealer I was thinking I wouldn't get the loader but have since changed my mind. He quoted me a "special" price of $16949 for the 5055d and $18149 for the 4005. Those prices were without the loader. So, for $1200 I guess what I'm trying to decide is if the trade off for less HP with the 4005 but FWD is a good choice for my purposes. For $24099 I can add a Frontier 5' rotary cutter and 300cx Loader on the 4005. I haven't asked for any other prices yet so I'm not sure what the package deal will be for the 5055D. Will be going to nearby Kubota dealer tomorrow or Friday.

 

[Notforhire]

The 5D is utility size, a much larger heavier tractor than the 4005. With a 553 loader the difference in lift cap. is quite a bit. I just went through the, do I really need 4WD thing myself. I have had a few CUTS, and for me I just found them too compact, and light weight. In the past I have undersized equipment in an attempt to save money, and been unhappy with the results each time. It's a personal thing. I need the lift cap. much more than the maneuverability, of the CUT. I was able to find a 5055E w/553 rental return with 30hrs for about $25,000. I felt I was getting a lot of bang for the buck, compaired to other machines in that price range.
You seem to know what your needs are. I would suggest taking your time and look around.

Best, Bill

 

[foundryman]

I know I'm not in the size of these tractors yet, but another thing you have to consider is service and parts. I own a Deere right now, and have looked at other models including Kubota, Koti, New Holland, etc. I have always grown up a JD fan but have come to realize they come with a higher price tag. I read a lot of good things about Kubotas and can find used tractors for really good prices. What keeps me with a Deere, besides my lifelong dedication to them, is that I have a dealership 3 mins from my house. I go in, order a part, and it's there the next day. The closest Kubota or small tractor dealership for these other brands is 45-60+ mins away from me. The extra cost of a Deere is justified to me because I can easily get parts and dont have to travel out of my way to get them. Something to think about!

 

[jenkinsph]

Thanks for all the replies. I thought getting a new tractor would be easy and I thought I had done my homework at least with the JD's but the more I look at the options the more complicated it becomes. When I first talked to our local JD dealer I was thinking I wouldn't get the loader but have since changed my mind. He quoted me a "special" price of $16949 for the 5055d and $18149 for the 4005. Those prices were without the loader. So, for $1200 I guess what I'm trying to decide is if the trade off for less HP with the 4005 but FWD is a good choice for my purposes. For $24099 I can add a Frontier 5' rotary cutter and 300cx Loader on the 4005. I haven't asked for any other prices yet so I'm not sure what the package deal will be for the 5055D. Will be going to nearby Kubota dealer tomorrow or Friday.

I think you will find the 4005 to be a much smaller lighter tractor than you are used to. While it might be a little better mowing around the trees it won't be better at any of the higher tractive needs you might have. I would give more consideration to the 5055D and preference to the 5055E if the package prices will fit your budget. I would also consider a similarly equipped Kubota package too but I am more familiar with the Deere offerings. Rereading this thread I would suggest you get with your dealer and get the package pricing for the various models to better aid in making a decision.

 

[GreenWannabe]

So you are stating a comparable 55HP machine from vendor X or Y is $10K less than a John Deere or Kubota similarly equipped? Well that's possible but it would be interesting to hear your actual pricing/buying experience.

I was in the market last year for a 45 hp fully featured compact tractor last year, with a cab. HST, two rear remotes, loader, brush hog, tiller, loader forks, toothbar, etc. I looked at almost everything out there, and fianally narrowed my short list to Kubota Grand L 40 series, Massey Ferguson 1600 series, and Kioti DE45SE. The quotes for the Kubota and Massey in my area were almost exactly $10K more than the Kioti, which had a free loader deal at the time. Given the difference, it was a no-brainer. And yes, I compared equivalent configurations and equal quality implements - very much apples to apples - and all good dealers as well.

 

[rjwerth]

A Deere 4520 was $8000 more than a Kubota 5240 and $16000 more than my DK50SE when I was looking.

So you are stating a comparable 55HP machine from vendor X or Y is $10K less than a John Deere or Kubota similarly equipped? Well that's possible but it would be interesting to hear your actual pricing/buying experience.

I can understand if one is lightly used and low hours but steel is steel, and in a global market its real difficult to make any money being $10K under the others and stick around for the long term.

 

[Carl_NH]

A Deere 4520 was $8000 more than a Kubota 5240 and $16000 more than my DK50SE when I was looking.

Well, guys all I can say is wow, I am surprised that there is that much variance between suppliers. I know some "new" dealers will be aggressive to win business, and others have a high volume maybe more buying power and lower margins.

I imagine the bigger dealer of JD Kubota get sales and traffic based on name/reputation so is less likely to match or lower their price. It appears Kioti are like the Hyundai/Equs brand and Kubota/JD is like the Lexus/Cadillac..

 

[BuilderML]

I am bias on this but i would take a look at the new Yanmars.:confused3:

 

[GreenWannabe]

I think it partly depends on how entrenched the dealer is (how long they've been in business) and how hungry he is. Many times prices are different depending on the location. I would suggest going to all the dealers within reasonable distance, trying out the tractors which are about the right size and features, deciding which ones fit best as to purpose and operation (how they fit you), and which dealers seem best. Then start getting quotes and narrowing down the list, making sure that all the needed/wanted features are included. Results could be surprising.

In my case, I had to drive a loop of about 150 miles to try out most tractors, because the local dealers didn't have any cabbbed models in stock. I was very surprised by the results, as some I thought I wanted didn't fit, and one I just knew wouldn't fit made it to the short list.

 

[jenkinsph]

A Deere 4520 was $8000 more than a Kubota 5240 and $16000 more than my DK50SE when I was looking.

Wow so did you buy a Kioto DK50SE cab for $18,000 to $20,000? That would be a good price.:thumbsup:

 

[rjwerth]

Wow so did you buy a Kioto DK50SE cab for $18,000 to $20,000? That would be a good price.:thumbsup:

No. $28500 was the base price.