Cub/Yanmar SC2400 or Kubota BX2660?

[tractorshopper]

Looking for some knowledgable folks to lend some advice. Have been looking at both of these machines and think I'm leaning toward the Cub/Yanmar right now, but have never owned a tractor myself, only used other's a little. Kubota model has more HP at the PTO, but I like some of the features of the Cub better. Have 7.5 hilly acres to maintain now and my lawnmower is inadequate for the chores. Plan to use it with MMM, FEL, and bush hog, and till a 50'X70' garden each year. Some regrading and drainage fixes, tree cleanup and removal, etc.

Any advice before making such a large purchase would be greatly appreciated. I don't know enough to really even know what should be most important to me in this decision. Thanks!

 

[Hozen]

Honestly, the machines are so close you really can't go wrong with either of them. The Kubota 2660 has a little more power and the 2400 has two hydraulic pumps. I looked pretty heavily at the Kubota before I got my 2400 and the specs are "close". I was looking at the 2360 and not the 2660, but essentially they are the same tractor with a minor hp difference.

I could get the cub much cheaper (though, I'm told its going up in 2010) and the closest dealer (not where I bought from) for parts is closer than the kubota dealer. Here are some points I looked at when I was shopping around (cub cadet 2400 vs Kubota 2660)...

Engine HP: 24 vs 25.5
PTO HP: 16.5 vs 19
Hydraulic pump output: 7.2(double pump) vs 6.3 (single pump)
3pt lift capacity @ 24" behind: 661 vs 670

The loaders are real similar in spec as well:
Lift hieght at pins: 71" vs 71.3"
Lift capacity at pin, max hieght: 700 vs 745
Lift capacity at 500mm forward, max height: 550 vs 518

As you can see, it's a pretty close race. Double hydraulic pumps are a real nice to have feature. Though, the Kubota does have more power. I suppose that is the price you pay. The loaders are real similar in spec as well. What is odd is that the Kubota wins the capacity battle at the pins, but loses 500mm forward of the pins. So, I'd argue the loader on the cub is better engineered. Even so, they are so close in spec, it shouldn't sway you one way or the other.

I'd say, think about what is important to you. Try and drive them if you can. The newer BX Kubota "60 series" models apparently don't have the issue with the jittery start and stop as it pertains to the HST. I wasn't able to test drive a Kubota BX, but I've used my neighbors B7610 and it's real nice. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a Kubota. On the other hand, I actually purchased a Cub Cadet 2400. Really, it's my opinion (can't back it up) that cub cadet has nothing in these tractors and they are pretty much 100% Yanmar. My wifes uncle has a John Deere 2305 and, while similar, I like my 2400 better if for no other reason than the much shorter turning radius. Plus, I've always been an IH man and have trouble latching on to anything green

Good luck.

 

[Undercover]

How much $$$ for each?
-------------------
CC 3235
CC 1872
IH Cub 782

 

[tractorshopper]

Cub/Yanmar with MMM, Loader and Tiller is ~$15,000. Kubota with same stuff is ~$17,000. Or was is 14k and 16k. Can't remember exactly and don't have my price quote sheets here with me. Anyway I know it was $2k difference between the two. I had also priced a trailer in and with/without scrape, several options, but in each case the Kubota was ~$2k higher.

 

[savageactor7]

imo Cub/Yanmar has been corrupted by MTD parasite gypsy engineers that spend their days reworking mechanics to fail earlier ...

...after buying out all the great brand names and eliminating any quality difference. They expect us to buy a tractor every 3 years like the auto industry of the '70 did.

You'd be be wise to avoid 'em.

 

[VinceSMTA]

I think that Hozen has hit the nail on the head, you can't go wrong with either. I am not sure if Savage has seen the new Yanmars but I completely disagree with his assertions. I have had zero problems with my 2400 and it has been great...over 185 hrs. When I was looking at the sub compacts I compared the Cub Yanmar and John Deere. It turns out that the Cub Yanmars were essentially the same as the Deere, I would say that Yanmar had a lot more influence on the 2400 than Cub did. From what I know about the Kubota tractor I think that you would be happy with that also. So it comes down to price and most importantly dealer support. Good luck, you'll be happy either way.

 

[VinceSMTA]

I forgot to mention that I had a not so good experience with a Cub Cadet 5000 series, so I was a little nervous when I purchased the 2400 but they are not even comparable...I would recommend a Cub Yanmar for anyone.

 

[Hozen]

How much $$$ for each?
-------------------
CC 3235
CC 1872
IH Cub 782

I got my 2400 for 12,500 (tractor, FEL, MMM). I never got a final number from Kubota, but everytime I asked for a price (once at the dealer, once at the farm science review), it was around 15k.

I agree with savageactor7 that the newer mowers cub has put out are not as well made as the older versions. Though, you have to go way back to get a quality cub cadet (as in, IH). I have a 2000 series (circa 1995) on loan from my dad which is no longer needed with my new 2400. It's still running good and I have no complaints, but after 15 years, it's just getting worn out. The engine is great, the hydro is great... the deck needs an overhaul, but isn't rusted or anything... and, the deck lift no longer works. I think the real issue is that it seems cub and JD have started to make super low models to sell at lowes and home depot and, well, they suck big time. If you actually pay for the higher dollar models and keep up the maintenance, I'm sure they can last a long time too.

My 2400, on the other hand, seems to be made well. I can't comment on total life as I've just got it this year. Only time will tell if I made a good purchase. For now, I'm happy I saved the couple grand and got the Cub over the Kubota.

 

[msb1766]

When I was looking at tractors I looked at the BX25 and the SC2450 both are TLB.
I went with the SC2450, I like the shift from high to low range, the BX25 does not, I like where the loader control is on the fender area, BX25 is on the loader have to keep your arm up to operate loader. The SC2450 seamed to have more floor space and more room to operate the backhoe. Its what feels comfortable to you. My brother has a Kubota 2230 it is a nice machine I have used it in the past so I went to look at Kubotas but i just liked the feel of the SC2450 better.

 

[gtrippleb]

I'm not sure about the kubota, but one thing I didn't think about until after I purchased the sc2400, was that the loader just has one cylinder on it and it is mounted in an underneath fashion. I didn't think about how this would affect the loading/unloading position until I went to unload the gravel in my 16ft landscape trailer with 12 inch sides. When I went to put the bucket down into the trailer, I had to watch that I didn't take out the hydraulic hose/connection. If this cylinder was mounted on top, you would gain a couple of inches in situations like this. Also, if you were lifting your bucket over a fence, like when I was dumping gravel into a kennel, I had to watch again that I didn't take out the hydraulic fitting. My kennel sides are around 6ft tall and I didn't feel like driving up to the gate and unloading the gravel when I could just dump it over the fence.

Don't get me wrong, I love my sc2400 for the above mentioned items, the loader control is on the fender so you can be in a relaxed position when using the loader. I just wish they would have gone with a two cylinder design like the JD 200cx/x loaders with the cylinders on the top. This would allow an easy quick change option along with greater height capabilities. I realize that the lift capacity isn't that much but it would still be nice to have a few more inches if need be. One other thing that I don't like on sc2400, is the position of the rear axle filter. I haven't gotten around to it, but I'll be making a guard for it as I'm always careful where I drive as I don't won't to hit it.

One nice thing about the sc2400, is that the tranny is liquid cooled, not sure on the kubota. Another thing that I like, is the easy access from both sides of the machine. Some of the subcompacts have the fell controls in the way so it's kind of hard to climb onto the machine from either side.

I bought my sc2400 back in Sep. and have put about 11 hours on it. I paid 12,100.00 which included the fell and a woods 35 series post-hole digger with a 9 inch auger. I think it's the 35 series anyway. I was looking at the JD 2305/20 at the time and Cub had 60 months 0% interest where as JD didn't. So I thought I couldn't pass up the deal. I don't know much about the kubota so I can't offer any info on it.

Like mentioned before, take some time learning as much as you can about the machines and what you want to do with them. I think either one will more than likely fill your needs just fine.