Compact Cubs vs Kubota

Anonymous Poster · Mar 30, 2002

How many used Cub Cadet 7000 series do you find for sale? Ask the dealer for a few names of people that own a 7000 series Cadet and talk to them and see what they say. Also, how many negative ads do you see posted here in this comment section? From the people I have been talking to everyone that has one intends to keep it a long time. I have been looking at them also and am considering getting one just as soon as I convince myself to part with that much cash. I did a spread sheet analysis with points of Cadet, Kubota, JD, MF, and NH based on information in their sales brochures and the Cadet came out on top.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 31, 2002

What you might want to consider...MTD is now the owner or part owner of Cub Cadet... I can promise you that if not already they will start building them cheaper, to make them more afordable?

Good Luck!

rozett · Mar 31, 2002

I own a Cub 7360 and I love it. It is based on the Mitsubishi tractor and has the Mitsubishi motor. I bought mine (slightly) used with only 90 hours. I found it via Deere's MachineFinder.com from a Deere dealer in Alabama. The local dealer wanted $20K for a new one with FEL and this one cost me $13K plus $1K to ship it to NH.

This is the first compact that I have owned, but I have a lot of seat time. I worked on a fruit farm for 9 years as a kid driving 8N's, a Farmall M, and a Farmall Cub. I also put together a spread sheet comparing others. The Cub always came out on top. Seems that most of the customers for the 7000 series are lawn/landscape contractors. I know that their lawn tractors have a great reputation.

I haven't done much maint. or repair work on it yet, but it is overdue for it's 100 service. I have reviewed the manual while standing at the tractor and it all looks like it will be a breeze. The only problem I've run into so far is that the liquid filed tires didn't have enought anti-freeze. When I had a flat, the repair shop said that the liquid was more like slush. But then, they don't have sub-zero temperatures in Alabama.

Knight9 · Mar 31, 2002

I had a Cub Cadet before my Kubota. I ended up getting rid of it because the local dealer went under and parts/service was going to be impossible. If the dealer network was better in my area I probably would have kept it. It was a 7195 (19 hp diesel hydrostatic) and really was very well built.

The only grief I had with it while I had it was the battery. The factory batteries have a habit of leaking/corroding the battery holder and basically failing. Found reference to it on another board so it appears to be a problem.

Kevin

barticus73 · Apr 7, 2002

Hi all!!! I have a Cub 7272 (27hp) with a cub FEL and just love it. I use it to mow 4-5 acres of grass as well as real farm work. For instance, I'm currently in the middle of tilling 10 acres of previously planted corn field to be reseeded as a pasture. I thought the tiller would be a bit much for the cub but that was not the case at all. I've been really enjoying my time on the little tractor and am sure there will be many more hours to come. Go CUB!!!

Bayrat · Apr 9, 2002

My first "full sized" tractor was a Cub Lo-Boy with a four cyl. gas engine. A great machine for the era. I don't know if the Mits will run as long as the old Yankee ones have, but I looked them over quite seriously for several years and found them to be solid and comfortable. I liked the control placement and the fuel tank in the rear for easy fueling. They are built like a NH and others with castings bolted together, that is why they are bigger and heavier machines as compared to the Kubota. I did not purchase one due to the fact that it was quite a bit more expensive than blue and orange and they were the only Cub dealer near me. Every machine has the potential to be a problem, my TC29 had so many I traded it before the warranty expired. The Kubota I now own has had no mechanical problems. If you intend to keep the machine, I would buy from a good dealer offering a reasonably good deal and not worry so much about the color.

Dave41 · Apr 10, 2002

I'm in the same boat as Opiekanopi. Have about 3 acres to mow and a bunch of light landscaping. Been searching for a compact tractor for the last month or so, with a limited budget. Requirements are ~20HP, 4WD, Hydro & Loader. Plan to use a 60" finish mower for the grass cutting.
In my neck of the woods (Wisconsin), the biggest bang for the buck is the Kubota B7500. Can get a brand new B7500 as described for $12,700. Can't touch a Cub or JD for anywhere near that price. Granted, if I needed a bigger machine, the Cub would have advantages. But for my needs the Kubota seems like the best match. Plan on pulling the trigger this weekend unless someone can convince me otherwise.
Dave

Golfgar4 · Apr 10, 2002

Dave,

What dealer are you talking with? I'm in Wisconsin too, and just wondering how close we were. I'm looking for something a little larger ( + 30 hp) than what you're looking for, but color is not an issue at this time, so I'm considering any and all. Good luck on your decision this weekend! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2002

How long is it taking to do 10 acres?? That sounds like alot of tilling! How big is your tiller?
Ob1

kofronj · Apr 10, 2002

Dave,

I'm in the SE corner of Wisconsin. I got a very nice deal on a Kubota BX2200, equipped with FEL and 60" MMM for $12,100 from Woodstock Power (in Woodstock, IL---just across the border). They were very nice people to work with, and you save the sales tax.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2002

I'm in NE WISC - thanks for the Illinois tip, I bet it'll worth the drive when I get the checkbook filled...

Anonymous Poster · Apr 10, 2002

GolfGar -

Dealer in Dale has good prices when you get to dealing, his "first trip to the lot prices" sound high.

Dealer in Seymor is close on prices, was willing to transport my tractor for delivery and any needed service for the first yr at no charge (I'm in Kaukauna). Don't know how far he'd go.

Dave41 · Apr 10, 2002

Golfgar, I'm located in Burlington (S.E. WI). The dealer I called was A.A. Anderson in Harvard, IL. Very helpful. When I asked about sales tax, they said I would pay WI tax.
For grins, I took Kofronj's advise and called Woodstock Power. They quoted me $12,450 for an identically equipped B7500 Hydro, but NO sales tax. I guess it really pays to shop around. Thanks for the tip kofronj.

Golfgar4 · Apr 11, 2002

"Don't know how far he'd go."

Thanks for the tip. I got a feeling that I'm just a little too far for him to consider it. I'm in Janesville.

"For grins, I took Kofronj's advise and called Woodstock Power."

Thanks, Dave. I got that dealer recommendation too. I haven't had a chance to call or visit Woodstock yet. I think I'll be able to visit soon, though. Wifey spent a lot of time in that area when she was growing up, so she's always talking about going back to see what it's like now. All I need to do is let her think it's her idea to go down for a visit! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Roy_N · Apr 11, 2002

Actually, Cub Cadet has been wholly owned by MTD for about 10 years. MTD acquired the assets of the International Harvester Cub Cadet line when IH went bankrupt. The assets of the larger tractor line of IH went to another company. In order to maintain brand identity and price premium MTD didn't put their name on the product until two years ago. Supposedly the Cub Cadet line is made on separate production line or maybe a separate factory from the other MTD brands. The first I believe as the Cub Cadet parts are not interchangeable with the other MTD brands. The latter might be true but doesn't make a lot of financial sense. As you may know MTD is the company that also produces the Murray, White, and Yardman brand products.

I spoke with a former Cub Cadet compact tractor dealer (he now just sells their lawn and garden tractor line) who also sells Kubota. His opinion is that Cub Cadet designed their implements in such a way that they bolted to the engine, as opposed to a frame mount. All the stress was transferred to the engine block and not to the frame. Under some circumstances this caused serious problems (stripped bolts in the engine block) and he wasn't real happy about the long term reliabilty, that's why he dropped the line.

Roy

kofronj · Apr 11, 2002

Hey Dave,

We're neighbors. I'm in Brighton, WI---off of county JB. I was just up at Burlington at TSC ordering a KK XB box blade last weekend. And we always join the Burlington Pool---it's getting to be that time of year.

I'm glad that Woodstock was able to accomodate you. It's interesting on the sales tax issue---Burris in Waukegan was going to charge me sales tax as well (WI tax). I bought my last car in IL, and they don't collect sales tax on the purchase (of course, you're responsible for that when you register it).

Jim

rozett · Apr 11, 2002

That's an interesting comment from the former dealer.... but for the life of me, I don't understand it. Are you sure he wasn't talking about the riding mowers? I own a CC7360 and I can not think of an implement that bolts on other than the FEL, which is definitely bolted to the frame. It has a standard 3-pt (actually, best lift capacity in the industry) for the majority of implements.

Roy_N · Apr 11, 2002

Rozett,

At the time I was at the Kubota/Cub Cadet dealer getting a quote on a Kubota and asked about the CC compacts in casual conversation. He clearly said that something was bolted to the engine that was odd for a compact tractor. I got the distinct impression that it was an implement, or perhaps it was the way the engine was attached to the frame. Either way, he found this during a major repair to the tractor and he didn't like the way it was assembled. Since I was making casual conversation, and seeing he carried their lawn and garden tractors but not their compacts and I was shopping for one, I wanted his opinion but I didn't pay real close attention. Of course, his problem could have been limited to a older model long since discontinued. But I felt it was an interesting comment since it came from a dealer and worth sharing. If I stop by again I'll try to get details.

Roy

barticus73 · Apr 15, 2002

Well, I only till when its dry out but I have done about 7 acres in a matter of a few days doing it for 2 to 3 hours at a clip. Not too bad for the results you get. I dont think you could get a better pasture bed from anything else. Very Very flat!! By the way its a 60 in King Kutter II tiller.

Later

RocketJSquirrel · Apr 16, 2002

Sales tax collections across state lines is not very consistent. In order to gain a selling advantage, some dealers ignore the fact that they are supposed to collect the tax for the neighboring state in most cases. Then they get audited by the neighboring state under a reciprocity agreement with the dealer's home state. And guess what, they're in big trouble. In any event, it's usually the dealer and not the buyer that's in trouble. The buyer technically owes the tax, but in the state's mind the dealer is the responsible party. Other dealers are often the tipsters that turn in the dealer who's not collecting the tax.