Kubota owner: help me understand the difference!

[evertith]

Hi.

I currently own a Kubota L2501 with loader. I have 350 hours on it and never had an issue. I now need to upgrade to a larger tractor. I have been comparing the Kubota M7060 with the RK 74. With each similarly spec'd, the M7060 is almost $20,000 more expensive!

Help me understand how there is such a huge price gap. The name and the color orange can't have a $20,000 premium.

 

[jeff9366]

Part of the answer is that Korean manufacturing labor is paid 20% less than Japanese manufacturing labor in $USA terms.

 

[5030]

The other part is service and parts availability. If you have any issue that requires a dealer service, you are SOL unless you want to have the units shipped hundreds of miles, probably on your dime. Stick with a local dealer whatever the price.

 

[bullbreaker]

Also resell value ............................

 

[jmc]

My antennae go up every time I see a first time poster making a point for or against some commercial product.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

The other part is service and parts availability. If you have any issue that requires a dealer service, you are SOL unless you want to have the units shipped hundreds of miles, probably on your dime. Stick with a local dealer whatever the price.

I don't understand this answer...

How do you know his tractor would have to be shipped "hundreds of miles"?? Did I miss something, because I can't tell how far (if any) it would have to be shipped, because RK has mobile trucks to do service/repairs too.

Too many unknows here, to make that statement.

SR

 

[jjp8182]

I'd suggest looking at both in person.

The reason I say that as the RK37 and the Kubota L3560 spec out to be very close to the same, but owning an L3560 (bought before Rural King entered the tractor market) and seeing the RK37 at a local Rural King the physical size difference became readily apparent. Given the physical size is something that affects the size of the implements which can be used, as well as overall stability - a short height and wide/long wheelbase will be more stable than tall height and narrow/short wheelbase (all other things being equal).

So while both are capable tractors specs don't always tell the whole story (and they say nothing about support availability or support longevity). ...and understanding how those specifications are measured (even when to a common published standard) also makes a difference. E.g. 3pt lift capacity (from what I understand) is measured (per standard) with the front of the tractor chained down so it wouldn't take much for a manufacturer to get good numbers that aren't usable in reality, though it does create a fair comparison of the lifting capability of the 3pt hydraulics.

Anyway just my :2cents:

 

[evertith]

I'd suggest looking at both in person.

The reason I say that as the RK37 and the Kubota L3560 spec out to be very close to the same, but owning an L3560 (bought before Rural King entered the tractor market) and seeing the RK37 at a local Rural King the physical size difference became readily apparent. Given the physical size is something that affects the size of the implements which can be used, as well as overall stability - a short height and wide/long wheelbase will be more stable than tall height and narrow/short wheelbase (all other things being equal).

So while both are capable tractors specs don't always tell the whole story (and they say nothing about support availability or support longevity). ...and understanding how those specifications are measured (even when to a common published standard) also makes a difference. E.g. 3pt lift capacity (from what I understand) is measured (per standard) with the front of the tractor chained down so it wouldn't take much for a manufacturer to get good numbers that aren't usable in reality, though it does create a fair comparison of the lifting capability of the 3pt hydraulics.

Anyway just my :2cents:

These are great points. At least on the spec sheet, the RK 74 is a tad bit wider than the Kubota, which is nice. I've had issues with stability using the L2701, as I have a hilly property. I finally widened the stance by switching the wheels to the wide option and that helped greatly. So, wider is definitely better for me.

 

[evertith]

I don't understand this answer...

How do you know his tractor would have to be shipped "hundreds of miles"?? Did I miss something, because I can't tell how far (if any) it would have to be shipped, because RK has mobile trucks to do service/repairs too.

Too many unknows here, to make that statement.

SR

Yeah, my RK dealer is an hour away and the Kubota dealer is 5 minutes down the street. So, RK is definitely the longer drive, but nothing I'm opposed to. I do all of my own maintenance. The only time I would take my tractor to the dealership is under a severe problem requiring warranty repair.

 

[evertith]

Also resell value ............................

That does come into play some for sure.

 

[jjp8182]

These are great points. At least on the spec sheet, the RK 74 is a tad bit wider than the Kubota, which is nice. I've had issues with stability using the L2701, as I have a hilly property. I finally widened the stance by switching the wheels to the wide option and that helped greatly. So, wider is definitely better for me.

The thing I noticed when I looked at both is that the width that Kubota provided was actually the minimum overall width which would imply the rear tires were set to the narrowest. Not clear where the rear wheels were set for the RK74 on the measurement provide by Rural King.

 

[i7win7]

Champaign IL has an RK store, they once sold some brand of Chinese tractor. Later they switched to Foton tractors. I don't think they ever sold. We have JD, NH, Kubota and Case/IH within 10 miles of this store. Have never seen an RK tractor here. Would discourage my friends from buying one until I see if RK is in the market for the long haul.

 

[BrkMstr]

I went out riding the other day, and a guy with a new GoldWing stoped to chat, he told me he really wanted a HD but could not justify the added cost, could not afford it. I laughed a bit and asked if he actually thought my HD was a better bike, he had a lot more power, better factory suspension, better entertainment system, etc etc, he told me he was shocked that I said that, he felt most looked down on the "off brands" - I love the HD's, my choice, but I've got hundreds of thousands of miles on bikes, owned Honda's, Victory's, & Indian's - cost is not set by quality alone - it is also set by market share / demand - we are not always buying the best because we are paying more, we are buying what we want, what fits our need. Kubota is a nice unit, I know I've owned them, but the cost has gone up right along with he demand, Kubota is in business to make money like all the rest, they have worked hard to get on top of the market and the shareholders expect a return for that status - there are a lot of nice tractors out there of equal quality - research, test ride - check out honest reviews - find the one that fits your needs the best..... I don't know a lot about the RK but from what I've read a lot of individuals like them.....

 

[fried1765]

Hi.

I currently own a Kubota L2501 with loader. I have 350 hours on it and never had an issue. I now need to upgrade to a larger tractor. I have been comparing the Kubota M7060 with the RK 74. With each similarly spec'd, the M7060 is almost $20,000 more expensive!

Help me understand how there is such a huge price gap. The name and the color orange can't have a $20,000 premium.

The RK tractors have GREAT price appeal.
RK tractor support, and RK tractor resale value are both BIG issues,..... yet to be determined.
If you do well in Las Vegas,..... then go for the RK.

 

[5030]

I don't gamble and my dealer picks up my tractors if they need to go in which is very rare.

 

[kthompson]

It is interesting how people compare the different brands of tractors and want to hold the two brands are equal in quality, support and features. Yet they would never believe that when comparing auto brands. I don't own either but to say a Suzki and Lexus are equal in product quality and support would be laughed? Don't think any one would be surprise the Lexus is higher in price either.

Before I bought my first tractor about 25 years ago looked at JD, NH, Massey, Case, Long, I know. Price varied but so did a lot about the tractors. Major differences in lift arms, transmissions number of ranges and gears and some were synchronized and others not, weight, even tires, and comfort and easy of operation. When I did my last shopping this spring looked at JD, Kubota, Yanmar, LS, Kioti and Mahrinda. No way do I think all of those brands are equal in their product or support. It would only make sense their price is not the same.
So you must decide if the difference in the tractor or any product is worth the difference in price. You have to read the specs, see the tractor and verify the differences and make note of what brand A has that Brand B does not and ask is that of value to me. But this is not easy for a new buyer for often they have no idea the value of say self cancelling rear remote over standard.

 

[5030]

Only you as the owner really counts because you make the payments. If you buy a turd, you still get to pay for a turd. Simple as that.