How Can Kubota Survive the JD 4010 Onslaught?

Boondox · Aug 14, 2001

I'm with you on this one, Glenmac. I really liked the JD4300 and the local dealer who sold them. Add to that TBN awarding it the tractor of the year and I was just about there. But two things stopped me. One was the cost of the tractor and replacement parts. The other was the number of owner complaints I read here and on CTB. I didn't go to the effort of quantifying the posts, but saw many more for Deere than for Kubota or NH. I was simply unwilling to have any shop time on a brand new tractor.

www.GatewayToVermont.com

cowboydoc · Aug 14, 2001

Glenn,
While I certainly wouldn't even dream about the effort you've gone to I can say that there have been alot of complaints with NH, Kubota, etc. that I've read as well both here, heard from people, etc. The things that you mention on the board are minor fixes. This happens almost all the time with a new design whether it be autos, motorcycles, etc. I certainly am not saying that the 4000 series didn't have some problems to be worked out but none of these things made the tractor a lemon so to speak. They were things that were covered under the warranty and worked out. As far as the scuffing goes I really wish that I had a picture of what it was. IMHO ONLY I think it was way overblown. The scuffing that I personally saw with them was minimal but that's my opinion. But again Deere did fix it.

You certainly do your research but like you've said there is no real data to go by to compare and without it yes you have to go by what you have. All I was saying is that I really think that the whole issue has been way overblown. Were there some problems with some tractors? Yes. Were they taken care of? Yes. Is it to the extent that Deere produced an inferior or unreliable product? No.

You know you always hear about the bad first. But there are a number of people like myself who have not had one bit of trouble with their 4000 series and think it's a great machine. The reason I said user problem is that I would have rather had the other axle. For what I do I need more traction. The new axle has less traction than the old one because of the decreased limited slip potential so as not to be scuffing. The old one would spin lock both tires up. That's what I mean by user, it depends on your application whether or not the axle was a real problem.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by cowboydoc on 08/14/01 08:06 AM (server time).</FONT></P>

glennmac · Aug 16, 2001

Well, drdeere posted the marketing bulletin today on the 4010 series. Appears to be all true and more, with electronic wizardry controlling the entire operating system and hydro. If this stuff all works, Kubota could be left in the technological dust. However, if it all starts breaking and malfunctioning like the 4000 series introduction, it will be warranty claim city for Deere and they will be left in the dust.

I'll seriously look at a 4410.

Hillbilly · Aug 16, 2001

Cowboy Doc,
You could not have stated that front axle issue any better"a user problem" I wish in a way John Deere offered the option of both axles,because I think my old style axle is a heavier and tougher looking design than the new one,not to mention the limited slip changes.

Anonymous Poster · Sep 8, 2001

kubota builds their own tractors

fuzzmental · Sep 8, 2001

glennmac -

Where can I find the marketing bulletin? Is it posted on their web site? I couldn't find it but then again I might not have been looking in the right place.................