Buying Advice Kubota vs John Deere (sub)Compact tractor comparisons

[Nanook]

I am looking to buy a TLB. I will also need a post hole digger, reverse tiller, pto generator, and, eventually, a finish mower of some sort. I have been looking at the Kubota B2920, B3320HSD, and B3300SU. I've received lots of great advise and suggestions. I am still not sure which I will buy. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

Now, I am thinking that I should compare John Deere offerings, since they are both in the same market, and both have 0% financing. I don't believe I have any other dealers in the area which market serious competition in this relatively small tractor market. (Buying used a non-issue, IMO, since tractors don't depreciate that much, and used would either require a lot of cash or a loan at much more than 0%. That being said, I would like to find a used post hole digger and reverse roto-tiller. I'm sure they are out there, and I am sure they are considerably cheaper when used. And, my usage is not going to be extremely heavy for these implements.) I have not yet visited a JD dealer, but I went to their web site. I have not been totally successful at figuring out an apples-to-apples comparison, but I am sure the dealer can provide that. But, I did price out a 2032R and 3033R, which seem to me to be roughly equivalent to the Kubota tractors that I mentioned. However, they seem to be much more expensive. Of course, I am just comparing MSRP. I know that Kubota offers a pretty decent discount to MSRP depending on the dealer and their inventory, etc. I am sure the same situation exists for JD. But, since JD seems to start at a much higher point, at least from my limited research, they are either a lot more expensive, or they offer a better discount to the buyer.

I have known several people who owned Kubotas and they were very happy. I have never known anyone that owned a JD. That is probably because the Kubota dealers are closer. But, does anyone have any advise as far as Kubota vs JD? I would like at least 23 to 25 pto hp, and I do not want something with a cab since that will never fit in my garage.

 

[s219]

If anyone here tells you one is universally better than the other, they are either inexperienced or defending their brand. I own both, and shop both. My new big tractor is a Kubota, but I wouldn't rule out another Deere in the future.

When shopping prioritize features, dealer support, and how the tractor feels to you. Let price be a factor, but not the primary one. You may find you prefer to spend a little more for one model/brand or the other.

When I bought my B2920, I had been looking at the Deere 1026R and 2520 (at the time). The Kubota B was just a better fit of features and value that time. When I got my L recently, it was mainly because the local Deere dealer didn't have anything in that size/price range to even consider, plus I got a good trade-in deal at Kubota.

None of that will stop me from shopping Deere again. I like them both. For that matter, there are some very good other brands out there too. I just wouldn't get hung up on brand or price. Shop around, test drive, and the right tractor will pretty much jump out at you!

 

[murphy1244]

:stirthepot:I think they both suck.

 

[GManBart]

A Kioti CK30HST will run rings around any of the machines mentioned other than the 3033R and cost less...they have two dealers pretty close to you....one looks to be about 5mi.

A Mahindra Max 28XL would also be right there as far as performance.

My advice would be to check them out before signing on the dotted line for anything.

 

[arlen4720]

:stirthepot:I think they both suck.

Jesus drives a John Deere. In fact, it is a well apportioned 6125R.

 

[DT86]

Jesus drives a John Deere. In fact, it is a well apportioned 6125R.

Pictures or it didn't happen.

 

[94BULLITT]

The Kubotas in the size you are looking at have a 3 range hydro were the Deere has a 2 range.

The JD's will have position control and the Kubotas will have a 1/4 inching valve.

I would figure out which one you like the best then find the best price on. Don't save $500 on a tractor that you will never be happy with.

A Kioti CK30HST will run rings around any of the machines mentioned other than the 3033R and cost less...they have two dealers pretty close to you....one looks to be about 5mi.

A Mahindra Max 28XL would also be right there as far as performance.

My advice would be to check them out before signing on the dotted line for anything.

Yeah but that is only because the hydro pedal will stick and you won't be able to get it stopped:laughing:

 

[GManBart]

Yeah but that is only because the hydro pedal will stick and you won't be able to get it stopped:laughing:

Who stops?

 

[Cherokee140]

I actually have been pricing both the B Kubota and the JD 2032R. Both with a loader/backhoe/belly mower. I was told by the JD dealers (more then 1) that getting the backhoe off requires tools....as in crawling under the machine taking off bolts. That was the deal breaker for me. The drive over deck is only the 62" and not the 72" as well.

The prices on both machines came to only a few thousand of each other. And I felt that if I really wanted the JD I could push the dealer a little harder and could get real close to the Kubota price.

I only got to sit on them at a pretty big farm show in KC not too long ago, and actually liked how the JD sat better....the seat was just a little better to me. I also liked the MF 1700 series machines, but they felt a little taller to me. Case had a nice one as well, but the folks there did not want to give me the time of day....they were too busy talking to each other about golf.

 

[kcflhrc]

I guess the best advice I could offer is to not rule out any brand. Take your time and try out as many as you can. The 0% financing for 5 years is hard to beat with the Kubota and JD. I'm sure GManBart will be along here soon to tell me I don't have enough experience to comment on the subject, but oh well, that's my 2 cents anyway. Good Luck

 

[CobyRupert]

Jesus drives a John Deere. In fact, it is a well apportioned 6125R.

That's great!

If you can make that into a t-shirt or bumper sticker for the red states, I think you could make a fortune. I'd buy the t-shirt with a picture. (of course you would have an I-H, Kubota, & Massey versions too)

Only found these so far

 

[GManBart]

I guess the best advice I could offer is to not rule out any brand. Take your time and try out as many as you can. The 0% financing for 5 years is hard to beat with the Kubota and JD. I'm sure GManBart will be along here soon to tell me I don't have enough experience to comment on the subject, but oh well, that's my 2 cents anyway. Good Luck

Nope. Anybody who's just purchased their first tractor is qualified to make that comment :thumbsup:

 

[TSO]

Just a suggestion, but don't get too hung up on 0 % financing. Free money is never free ... that's why their "cash price" will be less than the financed price.

If you like the idea of Orange or Green 0% for 60... you might like the Red (Mahindra) 0% for 84. However, if you take that option, they also hide the money in the deal, and you'll pay for it regardless.

I'm just saying, if 0% is what's keeping you stuck only between big Orange & big Green, you might be able to expand your view once you come to terms with what "free" money really is.

 

[kcflhrc]

Cash price and financed price was exactly the same at the JD dealer. Mahindra doesn't hide it, their dealers are straight up with you. Add $2k to the price for 0% for 84.

 

[TSO]

Cash price and financed price was exactly the same at the JD dealer. Mahindra doesn't hide it, their dealers are straight up with you. Add $2k to the price for 0% for 84.

Exactly ... built in, hidden or not, it's there.

And, I'm not saying you're not telling the truth, but I doubt the dealer was being completely honest with you if he was giving you the same price for cash and financing. He's in it to make money. I could be wrong of course, and JD might be one of the only companies in the world that does it ... but in all of my experiences, cash is king, and will always fetch a better price than financing.

 

[murphy1244]

JD prices are the same, that's why you pay more regardless.

 

[polarred21]

When I compared a BX ($700 off for cash) to a 1026 ($0 off for cash). Yes the money is hidden so it matters on the "out the door" price. There are more fees for financing than cash.

When going to the dealers such as JD, put the saleman on the spot and ask him why you should buy that tractor instead of the Kubota and visa versa.

 

[94BULLITT]

Exactly ... built in, hidden or not, it's there.

And, I'm not saying you're not telling the truth, but I doubt the dealer was being completely honest with you if he was giving you the same price for cash and financing. He's in it to make money. I could be wrong of course, and JD might be one of the only companies in the world that does it ... but in all of my experiences, cash is king, and will always fetch a better price than financing.

Where could you have fiance the tractor especially a bigger one for the what the cash rebate is? The financing may not be free but it is a good deal if you can't pay cash for it.

 

[TSO]

Where could you have fiance the tractor especially a bigger one for the what the cash rebate is? The financing may not be free but it is a good deal if you can't pay cash for it.

I don't think you can. Most of us, myself included, can't just drop down cash to buy these tractors, and we have to use financing instead. My point is, people get so enamored with 0% financing, and they forget to realize that it's not free money. In many cases, it's actually more beneficial to take the higher interest, longer payment terms, using the rebates to get a lower price, then try to pay off the loan a little earlier than the term limit. That way, you get the lowest possible finance price, and you have a lower monthly payment, and if you do it right you save in the end.

Bottom line, you will pay for 0% one way or another. 0% is not free money.

 

[jimpen]

I'm a first time tractor buyer so take some of this with a grain of salt. But I did do research before buying and killed several MTD pieces of crap before getting mine.

I am looking to buy a TLB. I will also need a post hole digger, reverse tiller, pto generator, and, eventually, a finish mower of some sort.

You requirements:
-- post hole digger: Assuming you aren't putting fences in all the time these can be rented for about $30-$50 a day. If you are industrious you can probably get them all dug in a day or two, even if you put the posts in slightly later.

-- reverse tiller: Again a rentable item. But the uses depends on size and intent. If you need to plant the garden in the spring do you really need to own one year round.

A lot of 3PH attachments can be found second-hand cheap, rented or bought outright for under $1K. You need to figure the trade offs in use.

-- pto generator: I was looking at this over the winter. I found that the cost to buy a high KW pto generator was almost the same cost as buying a smaller gas generator that allowed me to still use my tractor for things like plowing out the driveway.

-- a finish mower of some sort: It sounds like you'll need a bush hog for the initial pass. Another rental item. My dealer loaned me a bush hog for a weekend for free to get the grass/brush down. Now my MMM does the job fairly well.

So buying a CUT/SCUT with just a MMM or rear finish mower -- go get a ZTR. The utility is easily added to by at least getting the FEL. I would suggest considering a backhoe as an option as well. That is an expensive add on that can be financed in the original purchase. Where getting it later can be harder to do.

Looking at the map, Buckingham, Pa appears to be relatively close to Allentown (50 miles). There is a Mahindra dealer there. They should have a 0% for 60/72 financing deal as well. I went with a Max25 FEL/MMM/BH. I'm mowing 4 rough acres, it's done well in the snow, dug a nice burn pit and pulls out the rail road tie fence posts the prior owner left. It's even pulled my car to the end of the driveway in the snow a few times.

So before you spend money and get locked in -- take a look at all the options, and requirements and decide. You can probably hit the local dealers for their attachment rental prices.