Help me decide

[txhawg]

I found this site and love it. I have been lurking for a few weeks now, learning alot along the way.

I am going to buy a CUT, and I have it narrowed down to either a JD 4310 4WD ePowerReverser and 430 FEL, or a Kubota L3130 4WD with DT tranny and FEL. Both seem similar in price, reputation and specs to me of course being the ignorant novice I am.

I know I can't be the only one who has been faced with this decision, so I want to ask those that did why they chose green over orange, or vice-versa. What was the deciding factor?

I have about 12 acres in East Texas that now has a log cabin on it. the rest of the land is pretty densly wooded, and slightly hilly (relative to Texas). I will be using the tractor to maintain my 300' driveway, clear some portions of the land for pasture, clean the fenceline, and remove dead trees. Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Which loader is on the Kub? If it is their top loader, it bests the 430...

Can you get the 300CX loader for the Deere? It is a significant improvenent...

Which one feels better?

Is one dealer better?

Bottom line, both are great machines...

 

[creeper]

I like the 4310! You should spend some time on the seat and see wich one fits you better. Location of controls,levers, pedals etc.I think John Deere sits at the top when it comes to Quality and last a lifetime.If the price is close then don't be afraid to pick on both tractors,you will find something you like better on one over the other.Good Luck!

 

[txhawg]

The dealor I talked to says the 300 CX loader is not available yet. He also said the 3000 TWenty's won't be out till September? Anyway, I think the loader on the Kubota was the 513. I know it wasn't the top loader. Because they are so close, I am leaning green just so I don't have to listen to the crap my in-laws would give me for buying Kubota

 

[rockyridgefarm]

No offense, but look at the recent deliveries of 4310s here on tbn, they have 300 series loaders on them. I have spoken to several dealers and Deere's site, both agree that 3000 series will be available Feb or March. (possibly at significantly higher price at introduction than a 10 series....)

BUT, the 4310 is a great machine. THe 430 is a great loader. You would be happy either way...

The 20 series does have incremental improvements, and any are better than any old orange machine!! (just kidding OrangePeople!)

 

[txhawg]

No offense taken, thanks for the info! Now I have to worry about the integrity of my dealer.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

It might just be that he is trying to "play it safe" not promising something new till it really is there. It might be just as bad if he talked you up on a machine he couldnt deliver, when he can sell what he has.

I might like to get a 3000, but could easliy stay with my 4310, either way i will be happy.

 

[dmp437]

For me it was the dealer(s) and the legendary parts network. Around me Orange has one dealer and he's a dork. The only way to get waited on is to hide behind a display and club a saleman as he walks by. With Deere I have three dealers within 20 miles that sell CUT's. With those odds you can't lose.
About the same time I was tuning up an old John Deere JBA pull type disc and needed some disc scrapers. A call to the dealer got me three of them off a shelf in a JD warehouse. The info on the ticket said they were last produced in 1941.
Then of course there's resale. I'm in a strongly Ag area and if it's not green <font color="green">(Deere) </font> or red <font color="red"> (Case) </font> then it's sellable only at a deep discount. School districts and units of government buy either Deere or Fiat (New Holland) as the people in charge of deciding are either farmers or related somehow to farmers.
So Deere it was and I have been very pleased.