Decided to go with Kubota.

[ArtVandelay]

After going to the Kubota dealership and seeing the quality of their CUTs, I decided to get a Kubota instead of a John Deere. Deere CUTs are very nice also, but IMO it seemed that the Kubota CUTs were put together a little better with more heavy duty parts. Also, from what I have heard, Kubota's reliability it supposed to be a little better than John Deere.

I am not trying to knock John Deere, because for big agricutural tractors they are probably still the best (because it seems that Kubota doesn't make those), but IMO, for CUTs it seems that Kubota has the upper hand.

Opinions?

 

[Builder]

After going to the Kubota dealership and seeing the quality of their CUTs, I decided to get a Kubota instead of a John Deere. Deere CUTs are very nice also, but IMO it seemed that the Kubota CUTs were put together a little better with more heavy duty parts. Also, from what I have heard, Kubota's reliability it supposed to be a little better than John Deere.

I am not trying to knock John Deere, because for big agricutural tractors they are probably still the best (because it seems that Kubota doesn't make those), but IMO, for CUTs it seems that Kubota has the upper hand.

Opinions?

I think they're both excellent choices, but it's funny that you thought Kubotas were put together better, because I think Deeres usually run considerably heavier between competitive models. Especially in bigger models.

I think if they were both priced the same and had the same features I'd buy a Deere to keep more Americans employed, but I've owned 3 Kubotas and they're tough to beat.

 

[Bird]

Art, are you a Kubota dealer trying to drum up business? We really don't need any more color wars, and I don't see any information in your profile. Both Kubota and John Deere are fine machines. As to which one is better quality, or better put together . . . well, is the Chevrolet or Ford pickup put together better. Whether you're talking about tractors, or pickups, you're looking at personal opinion more than fact. So I thought we all knew which tractor is best.

The one you LIKE best is the best one.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Congrats on your choice, though I find the reasoning a bit funny since I made the exact opposite conclusion after at least as long a buying process. Oh well, this whole process is very subjective, and without a doubt both companies make good products.

FYI, Kubota makes ag tractors up to 125hp (kind of entry level row-crop size) and those seem to be well engineered and made, but no one seems to actually use them. Beyond that pretty much everything is from JD, AGCO, or CASE (IH and NH).

 

[ArtVandelay]

One of the reasons I am saying that the Kubota seemed a bit more heavy duty is because it seemed like the Deeres had a lot more plastic. Also, IMO, the FEL arms looked more heavy duty and better designed on the Kubota CUTs. But again, this is just my opinion. I am sure the Deere CUTs are excellent aswell.

 

[LarryRB]

I believe the "Art" that you are referring to is Art White of White equipment in upper New York state,, This guys last name, at least as signed, is Vandelay.

 

[jbrumberg]

ArtVandelay:

I am curious as to what model Kubota you bought. Jay

 

[Kubotasrking]

After going to the Kubota dealership and seeing the quality of their CUTs, I decided to get a Kubota instead of a John Deere. Deere CUTs are very nice also, but IMO it seemed that the Kubota CUTs were put together a little better with more heavy duty parts. Also, from what I have heard, Kubota's reliability it supposed to be a little better than John Deere.

I am not trying to knock John Deere, because for big agricutural tractors they are probably still the best (because it seems that Kubota doesn't make those), but IMO, for CUTs it seems that Kubota has the upper hand.

Opinions?

My experience was/is the JD's were typically a little heavier-duty than the Kubotas. In my area, they just happened to be about $4K more/machine...made the decision a lot easier.

Congrats on the purchase, some may argue shades (orange, blue, green)...but most would agree that life's a whole lot better with some color.

 

[ArtVandelay]

ArtVandelay:

I am curious as to what model Kubota you bought. Jay

Haven't purchased one yet.

 

[john_bud]

Interesting...


When I bought, the equivalent JD was the 4300. It spec'ed out close to the L3410 both with HST. Some numbers fell green and some fell orange, but pretty close overall. The one green number that fell on the JD side was the price. About $4000 higher. Basically, I got the kubota tractor and loader with R4's for the price of the JD 4300 only with ag tires (no FEL).

Glad you bought a machine that you like. Some folks actually prefer the plastic fender as they can take a beating and not dent. Scratches still have the same color and they won't rust. My Kubota is 7 years old and there is no rust on the metal, but there are some dents and scratches. A couple spots where my heal has worn the paint off too. Still a good machine for my uses.

jb

 

[broncosfan]

Ah you folks know good ole ArtVandelay from Vandelay industries dont ya

 

[Superduper]

My experience parallels several others. When I went CUT hunting, I gave all brands equal consideration, but Deere seemed to be clearly heavier duty than the Kubota. The B3030 was the one I gave serious consideration to in comparing with the JD3120 but the B3030 costed the same or more. The specs. appears to corroborate the perception that the 3120 was a more robust machine in that even though they are considered comparable, the Deere weighed in at 700lbs more. Same money, more machine, the decision for me was easy. The hood and the fenders may be made of a plastic material but it's metal where it counts! Besides, being a vette guy, I had no problem with plastic or fiberglass. My H2, with the huge flip over hood was to my suprise also made of a similar type of plastic. I can tell you that the H2 hood takes a beating when offroading. Plastic material, if kept painted, performs very well and never rusts.

 

[ArtVandelay]

The weight difference between most Kubotas and Deere of similar PTO and specs are pretty close, so that makes little difference. But IMO, when I looked at the two brands of tractors in person, it seemed obvious to me that the Kubota was put together a little better. My guess is that most CUT buyers feel the same, and that's why Kubota are the #1 selling brand of CUTs in America.

I understand that some people are loyal to Deere because it's an American brand, the company has been around longer, or whatever reason. Just like some people refuse to buy Japanese cars even though it's been proven, time after time, by virtually every consumer magazine that they are better than American cars. To each his own.

If somebody likes Deere CUTs better, that's fine, but I personally like Kubota CUTs better

 

[Builder]

The weight difference between most Kubotas and Deere of similar PTO and specs are pretty close, so that makes little difference. But IMO, when I looked at the two brands of tractors in person, it seemed obvious to me that the Kubota was put together a little better. My guess is that most CUT buyers feel the same, and that's why Kubota are the #1 selling brand of CUTs in America.

I understand that some people are loyal to Deere because it's an American brand, the company has been around longer, or whatever reason. Just like some people refuse to buy Japanese cars even though it's been proven, time after time, by virtually every consumer magazine that they are better than American cars. To each his own.

If somebody likes Deere CUTs better, that's fine, but I personally like Kubota CUTs better

Well, I can tell you right now I'm comparing a used Kubota M4900 to a used CASE CX50 and the CASE weighs about 30% more! Both are 50HP utility tractors.

I know it's hard to believe, but some tractors weigh a heck of a lot more than others. Deeres & CASE/IH usually weigh consideraby more.

It can be an advantage or a disadvantage. The disadvantage woul be sinking into soft ground, causing more damage or trailering (requiring a heavier trailer & bigger truck to pull)

The advantage would be it should be tougher, take more abuse, resist tipping with a FEL, more stable, heavier rears, axles, etc.

As far as American vs Japanese, I'd say Kubota & Deere have similar quality standards. Deere has a much larger parts & service network. That does add to purchase price cost, but when something finally breaks, Deere is superior to Kubota. I've owned both and Kubota can be real tough for parts.

I waited about a week for a front axle bearing for an L-35. Never waited more than 24hr for a Deere or CASE part.

 

[Z-Michigan]

The weight difference between most Kubotas and Deere of similar PTO and specs are pretty close, so that makes little difference. But IMO, when I looked at the two brands of tractors in person, it seemed obvious to me that the Kubota was put together a little better. My guess is that most CUT buyers feel the same, and that's why Kubota are the #1 selling brand of CUTs in America.

I understand that some people are loyal to Deere because it's an American brand, the company has been around longer, or whatever reason. Just like some people refuse to buy Japanese cars even though it's been proven, time after time, by virtually every consumer magazine that they are better than American cars. To each his own.

If somebody likes Deere CUTs better, that's fine, but I personally like Kubota CUTs better

Given that this is all out of the blue and you were looking closely at Deere until just a few days ago, I get the impression that you are passionately "team oriented" and once you have picked a "team" you will not look at anything else or listen to any contradictory information. Whatever, enjoy whatever you get. I am posting this at all because I feel like you were asking for and receiving lots of objective, useful tractor information until you started this thread, and then this thread seems to have been started as an orange vs. green flame war type thread, which is particularly odd for someone who hasn't even bought the orange brand yet.

 

[BlacknTan]

I'm kinda new, bought my first tractor last year (Kubota) on the strength of recommendations from other owners..
I can't figure why this should start a flame war!
I read mostly to learn. Consequently, I read the Kubota forums, JD forums, and NH forums. Others also..
All seem to be high quality machines with some breakdowns, and owners that love them all.
Brand loyalty is great, and can promote what should be, good natured ribbing. But, I believe that the quality level of most of these CUT's is so close as to be inconsequential..

But, We all know Kubota's are the best!

See what I mean????????

 

[rico304]

Given that this is all out of the blue and you were looking closely at Deere until just a few days ago, I get the impression that you are passionately "team oriented" and once you have picked a "team" you will not look at anything else or listen to any contradictory information. Whatever, enjoy whatever you get. I am posting this at all because I feel like you were asking for and receiving lots of objective, useful tractor information until you started this thread, and then this thread seems to have been started as an orange vs. green flame war type thread, which is particularly odd for someone who hasn't even bought the orange brand yet.

Couldn't have said it better Z

 

[DK35vince]

I believe that the quality level of most of these CUT's is so close as to be inconsequential..

Thats right.. There are many very good brands of compact tractors avalible today. Why get stuck on only one brand.
It doesn't matter to me what brand the tractor is. If it well made, works good, its reliable and parts are avalible I like it..

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Yawn.

 

[machmeter62]

My experience parallels several others. When I went CUT hunting, I gave all brands equal consideration, but Deere seemed to be clearly heavier duty than the Kubota. The B3030 was the one I gave serious consideration to in comparing with the JD3120 but the B3030 costed the same or more. The specs. appears to corroborate the perception that the 3120 was a more robust machine in that even though they are considered comparable, the Deere weighed in at 700lbs more. Same money, more machine, the decision for me was easy. The hood and the fenders may be made of a plastic material but it's metal where it counts! Besides, being a vette guy, I had no problem with plastic or fiberglass. My H2, with the huge flip over hood was to my suprise also made of a similar type of plastic. I can tell you that the H2 hood takes a beating when offroading. Plastic material, if kept painted, performs very well and never rusts.

If weight is a factor, you probably made the correct choice; but all metals don't have equal strength, if they come from recycled sources with impurities. Also, remember weight can be added, but difficult to remove. Kubota also gives the owner an option for mowing purposes in that category of tractor (B series), to reduce the compaction on the lawns.etc. I have both, so I'm not color blind; just pointing out that strength/ weight ratio may not be a factor.