LS or Kubota

[Reddogs]

Probably don't use a Kubota dealer as a source of information on a competitor.

Got to go with real news of those you trust, dont know what the competitors will come up with...

 

[Cataclysm]

So what's the big deal between the kubota & ls
tractors??
I wonder how many people looked at a kubota
and then purchased a LS tractor for less money
and more options that are standard on the LS
but cost extra on Kubota???

willy

The difference is mostly the dealer network. That is basically accounts for the price difference between brands of tractors.

I looked at Kubota, and others, then spent thousands less buying an LS.

At the time of my purchase (2017) the next closest price was Mahindra at $6k more. Kubota was $10 or $12k more. I can't remember exactly.

Approaching 2,000 hrs on my LS. I would buy again.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

The difference is mostly the dealer network. That is basically accounts for the price difference between brands of tractors.

I looked at Kubota, and others, then spent thousands less buying an LS.

At the time of my purchase (2017) the next closest price was Mahindra at $6k more. Kubota was $10 or $12k more. I can't remember exactly.

Approaching 2,000 hrs on my LS. I would buy again.

The difference is more then just the dealer network but it is a large aspect of it for sure. After analyzing offers from all of them what I discovered is the South Koreans do not compete with Kubota or Deere on soft value. To get more specific about this the differences are: They do not offer any extended warranties, they do not offer any in house financing, they do not offer any in house insurance, they usually do not have any conveniently located dealers and they can slip clauses into their warranties that weaken them significantly.

There is really no price difference between the South Korean tractors and Kubota. It seems like there is when the dealers show you the numbers because they're not including financing costs in the final price like Kubota or Deere does. The only break you get with the Korean tractors is they offer more features for same amount you would pay for a Kubota. Koreans use this same market strategy in the automotive world.

 

[shooterdon]

There is really no price difference between the South Korean tractors and Kubota. It seems like there is when the dealers show you the numbers because they're not including financing costs in the final price like Kubota or Deere does. The only break you get with the Korean tractors is they offer more features for same amount you would pay for a Kubota. Koreans use this same market strategy in the automotive world.

You are incorrect. When I purchased my tractor there was a significant price difference. I would have put up with the arrogant Kubota dealer if the cost had been close.

Maybe things have changed, or my experience is due to regional factors, but there was over an $8000 difference. Too much to ignore. If the difference had been $3000, I would have bought the Kubota.

 

[TimberFarm]

Besides, who wants an Orange colored equipment!

 

[nrosario]

You are incorrect. When I purchased my tractor there was a significant price difference. I would have put up with the arrogant Kubota dealer if the cost had been close.

Maybe things have changed, or my experience is due to regional factors, but there was over an $8000 difference. Too much to ignore. If the difference had been $3000, I would have bought the Kubota.

I can tell you that from recent experience, there was a considerable price vs what-you-get difference.
We are talking about getting an RX instead of an MX.
I understand the advantages that the Kubota brand brings, and I feel I did my best to get one, but in the end, it couldn't ignore the facts.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The difference is more then just the dealer network but it is a large aspect of it for sure. After analyzing offers from all of them what I discovered is the South Koreans do not compete with Kubota or Deere on soft value. To get more specific about this the differences are: They do not offer any extended warranties, they do not offer any in house financing, they do not offer any in house insurance, they usually do not have any conveniently located dealers and they can slip clauses into their warranties that weaken them significantly.

There is really no price difference between the South Korean tractors and Kubota. It seems like there is when the dealers show you the numbers because they're not including financing costs in the final price like Kubota or Deere does. The only break you get with the Korean tractors is they offer more features for same amount you would pay for a Kubota. Koreans use this same market strategy in the automotive world.

Well as far as financing, even when I paid 3.99% financing, I still saved over $6K buying the LS over the same 'package' from Kubota. The starting difference was almost $12 K.

Location and dealer has a big part to play in the equation. When I decided on an LS, I called dealers in 5 different states (knowing that I would be buying from a good distance, it didn't matter what direction I went to get it). I could not believe the difference in pricing from dealer to dealer.

A dealer in Utah, was at least 25% higher than the dealer in Colorado.... and there was a dealer in Oklahoma that was 10% less than the dealer in Colorado. Then the Texas dealer was another 8% lower than the one in Oklahoma! All said, the Texas dealer was almost $9000 less than the one in Utah!

I have heard of people finding the LS dealers in their particular area were just "a little less" than the competing K or JD dealers..... I think that was solely the LS dealer making more profit ....

 

[charles todd]

One place for LS is their US headquarters, Battleboro, NC. It's a little over 1/2hr from my house.

So Kubota is casting engine blocks, molding plastic dashes, glass, in Gainesville, GA?

Sicily Island, Louisiana​

This is where most LS tractors are final assembled. Tires and wheels are domestic. They are mounted and installed as part of assembly process. Also some LS tractors are shipped without loaders attached. The loaders are installed in Sicily Island as well. At least this was the case in 2013 for the larger tractors. They wouldn't fit in containers with the tires/wheels/loader installed from South Korea.

Another fun fact. LS ships tractor from distribution center (Sicily Island, LA and North Carolina) in van trailers. Not open flatbeds.

CT

 

[charles todd]

Everyone knows that the best tractors are BLUE ! And have 12 speeds and a clutch!
You guys are funny!

Mine has 20 speeds... and a clutch!

P7010C Transmission

CT

 

[Torvy]

The difference is more then just the dealer network but it is a large aspect of it for sure. After analyzing offers from all of them what I discovered is the South Koreans do not compete with Kubota or Deere on soft value. To get more specific about this the differences are: They do not offer any extended warranties, they do not offer any in house financing, they do not offer any in house insurance, they usually do not have any conveniently located dealers and they can slip clauses into their warranties that weaken them significantly.

There is really no price difference between the South Korean tractors and Kubota. It seems like there is when the dealers show you the numbers because they're not including financing costs in the final price like Kubota or Deere does. The only break you get with the Korean tractors is they offer more features for same amount you would pay for a Kubota. Koreans use this same market strategy in the automotive world.

Sorry, brother, my math and yours do not match. To get like-for-like equipment, the Kubota exceeds Branson/TYM, LS and Kioti/Bobcat. They beat Deere all day long.

As for extended warranties, those are how companies make more money, same as the odds favor the house in Vegas. I prefer financing through my CU, or paying cash. All else being equal, 0% is a good deal, but by the time I get the features added in, the numbers no longer make sense.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

You are incorrect. When I purchased my tractor there was a significant price difference. I would have put up with the arrogant Kubota dealer if the cost had been close.

Maybe things have changed, or my experience is due to regional factors, but there was over an $8000 difference. Too much to ignore. If the difference had been $3000, I would have bought the Kubota.

Well as far as financing, even when I paid 3.99% financing, I still saved over $6K buying the LS over the same 'package' from Kubota. The starting difference was almost $12 K.

Location and dealer has a big part to play in the equation. When I decided on an LS, I called dealers in 5 different states (knowing that I would be buying from a good distance, it didn't matter what direction I went to get it). I could not believe the difference in pricing from dealer to dealer.

A dealer in Utah, was at least 25% higher than the dealer in Colorado.... and there was a dealer in Oklahoma that was 10% less than the dealer in Colorado. Then the Texas dealer was another 8% lower than the one in Oklahoma! All said, the Texas dealer was almost $9000 less than the one in Utah!

I have heard of people finding the LS dealers in their particular area were just "a little less" than the competing K or JD dealers..... I think that was solely the LS dealer making more profit ....

I will take you guys at your word. In my neck of the woods I didn't see any bargains like that but then again everything is jacked up right now. Correct me if I'm wrong but you guys purchased your tractors pre pandemic?

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

Sorry, brother, my math and yours do not match. To get like-for-like equipment, the Kubota exceeds Branson/TYM, LS and Kioti/Bobcat.

How much of a difference are you seeing out there between Kubota and the Korean brands Torvy?

They beat Deere all day long.

Everybody beats Deere

I prefer financing through my CU

CU rates around here have shot up by a lot the last couple of weeks. What kind of rates are you seeing out there?

 

[charles todd]

Usually 0% financing has the interest rolled into the purchase price. Nothing is free.

Bought LS P7010C in 2014. Used my bank, commercial loan, like 5%. Still came in about $10,000 cheaper than a Kubota M7040 cab with loader. LS has 3 remotes. Kubota was about $1000 per remote, dealer installed. None of the Kubota's had factory installed remotes. LS P7010C A/C was stronger than the Kubota as well.

CT

 

[Torvy]

How much of a difference are you seeing out there between Kubota and the Korean brands Torvy?

Everybody beats Deere

CU rates around here have shot up by a lot the last couple of weeks. What kind of rates are you seeing out there?

I am comparing like for like as much as possible.

L4760HST is $8867 more than T494H (after 20% horse discount). Even if my interest rate was 10% it would be about $1500-2000 cheaper. Worst rate I would take is about 3.99. More than that and I would pay cash. (Cash discount is only $1400 w/Kubota) The only way Kubota makes sense is if I had bad credit and had to buy a tractor to put food on the table. I'd pay a little more as Kubota has the nearest dealer, but even price neutral there are a few minor options I prefer on the TYM. (Rear lever for 3pt hitch, for example).

I have about 1-2 months to pull the trigger.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

The only way Kubota makes sense is if I had bad credit and had to buy a tractor to put food on the table.

But then Kubota wouldn't finance you if you had bad credit. They are very discriminating when it comes to financing. It seems they only want people with a 730 or higher credit score.

 

[Torvy]

Usually 0% financing has the interest rolled into the purchase price. Nothing is free.

I agree nothing is free, but the 0% is spread out to all buyers. If I was going to pay for orange or green paint, I would 100% take the 0%.

Example: Kubota offers 0% for 60 months on L4760. Cash discount is $1400. 'Regular' financing is 2.49% for 60 mo. That comes out to $2354.87 in interest with the cash discount that makes the 0% deal worth about $954.87 over 5 years.

 

[Torvy]

But then Kubota wouldn't finance you if you had bad credit. They are very discriminating when it comes to financing. It seems they only want people with a 730 or higher credit score.

That is the other reason they can offer 0%. It attracts people like me with 800+. It balances the risk portfolio against the lower credit that gets charged >0%. If you want the Kubota, take the 0%. For me, the math doesn't work out as the price difference is too great.

 

[Jstpssng]

Think you could please PM me which dealer that was, and if you would, expand on your thoughts?

I'm not going to name the dealer, it's been a while since I dealt with him. Back when he ran a transmission shop I took my Dakota in for a 90K mile service and to have a tranny cooler installed. After dropping the pan he came out with a sad look on his face, holding my drain plug.
"See these filings? These trucks are notorious for bad overdrives. You need a transmission job, NOW. Otherwise you may not make it home." I told him to put it back together and took it home. I then drove it two more years, sold it with 198K miles on it and delivered it to the buyer.

A friend's son bought a Montana there. A few months later the bolts on one side of the front end sheared off, leaving the bolts broken off in the housing and ruining the axle. He had it fixed under warranty but the repair took more time than Montana allowed for, so my friend had to write a check for well over $1000 to get the tractor back.

Perhaps that last is normal but I still don't trust him, and as is often said on these pages; the dealer is more important than the manufacturer.

 

[jyoutz]

You are incorrect. When I purchased my tractor there was a significant price difference. I would have put up with the arrogant Kubota dealer if the cost had been close.

Maybe things have changed, or my experience is due to regional factors, but there was over an $8000 difference. Too much to ignore. If the difference had been $3000, I would have bought the Kubota.

Those soft values that Cahaba Valley Farm mentioned do have a monetary value. Whether you think it’s worth it is another issue.

 

[jyoutz]

I agree nothing is free, but the 0% is spread out to all buyers. If I was going to pay for orange or green paint, I would 100% take the 0%.

Example: Kubota offers 0% for 60 months on L4760. Cash discount is $1400. 'Regular' financing is 2.49% for 60 mo. That comes out to $2354.87 in interest with the cash discount that makes the 0% deal worth about $954.87 over 5 years.

I’m surprised that the cash discount was $1400. I was only offered $500 for cash discount, so I took the 0%.