JD 4320 vs Kubota L5030HST

chapmx · Aug 16, 2005

Thanks for all the helpful advice. After reading the other post Kubota L5030 or JD 4710 and reviewing the advice given here it looks like I really cannot go wrong with either of these choices unless I get a lemon (sorry Dargo for your luck on that). I will be using the tractor for a lot of brush hog work on very rough ground so I do have a little concern about the comments related to the Kubota foot pedal. I will definitely try to get a real world test of the 5030 unit before purchase...

I am planning on getting to the JD dealer this week and will most likely visit the Kubota dealer again to setup test sessions and gather as much info as possible about the dealer's service etc.. I am thinking since both tractors seem up to the task it will probably come down to the dealer I am most comfortable with (and price of course will play a part but I will try to give more weight to dealer and test drives).

As a newbie, I guess my biggest concern is that I select the "right" tractor for the job (see original post Need advice on tractor purchase (long message) for description of my planned use). If anyone has any opinions on whether I am in the ball park of matching up my needs with my choices please feel free to chime in!/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Final note: As a software developer I spend alot of hours in different tech forums on the web (as contrib and user) and bar none, this has been one of the most helpful and pleasent forums I have seen! The Honda tag line "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" should be changed to "You meet the nicest people on a TRACTOR".

Thanks.

Tim

rockyridgefarm · Aug 16, 2005

I love my Deere. I really prefer the two pedal setup on their hydro. But I can't see how their hydro setup is any different on rough ground. You do get better at handling the bouncing when using the pedals, and cruise is the best way to solve it. That said, maybe Deere's set/resume type cruise really helps, but I don't see that as a deal breaker. Not like LoadMatch. I'm not giving that up!

slowzuki · Aug 16, 2005

Dargo I know you have had a lot of trouble with your dealer. Here in Canada the local rep gets a cut of each machine sold, I just mention that as he is not really independant here.

2" a minute is absolutely unacceptable. Any new machine in their lot should be able to demonstrate this fact. On a 30 year old 10,000 hour unit that would be normal, not brand new.

They can test it quite quickly with a couple of plugs by raising the loader with one cylinder blocked off. If it still falls on each cylinder individually it is likely the valve block.

The hydro jerkiness has been brought up by one other person and it was a problem with the pilot circuit adjustment that reduces the pedal effort.

I would not recommend your dealer to anyone and likely would sell the tractor once it is repaired and find a better dealer.

The TNT is off the remote I believe? remotes can be hit and miss, the valves aren't as good quality. The pair of internationals we use, one has a remote that will hold a load, the other drops it quickly. This is fun with the haybine when going down the road!

The ones on my 5030 hold well although the haybine will lower about 1" per hour. It is a single acting cylinder so I can see the other port is not leaking oil.

( Give me more posts I can print out to take to my Kubota regional service manager who is telling me that what I have "is the nature of the beast". Perhaps I got a machine that just so happened to have several issues (except the T&T, it is just junk), but Kubota is giving me zero help, and trying to simply get me to go away like they have on the well documented and well known issues with the RTV I have.

Maybe I've been too nice of a guy. Perhaps this Friday it's time to use the "Chef Ramsey" approach, and tell them that they are full of ****, and to fix my ****** tractor and stop the ******** of telling me that they all have these problems. Who in the **** would buy a tractor that has the **** loader drop about 2" per minute?! The T&T leaks off completely in just over an hour, and they tell me that is normal since I have quick couplers for it. ********!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Have they not noticed how the loaders are attached?!

Please post more success stories that I can print out and shove in the uncooperative Kubota rep's face. Yeah, I'm a little hot! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif )

rockyridgefarm · Aug 16, 2005

Kubota has a reputation of being so trouble free and bulletproof, that it might be part of the problem... They don't have much experience resolving problems that some of the more trouble prone brands are experts at!

Dargo · Aug 16, 2005

( But I can't see how their hydro setup is any different on rough ground. )

The real difference is that on rough ground with a Kubota, you are not just letting off of the hydro on bumps, but also slamming it into reverse; since it is one pedal. I drove a Deere 4720 eHydro on rough ground and noticed a huge difference.

Granted I think there are problems with my 5030 hydro, but I now see that a single pedal is flat out a poor design. From what I understand New Holland used to use a single pedal but dropped it for the problems I am explaining. It seems to be a good concept, but it just doesn't work in reality.

Hopefully they can get my 5030 fixed. If I have to dump the tractor after only having it 7 months or so (and a good 1/4 of that time it has been in the shop), I'll feel obligated to give all of my facts to all considering a Kubota Hydro. I think they should have my FEL problems fixed, but I now sincerely regret going with the hydro 5030. I'd positively not go with the Kubota hydro again unless they change the setup. It seems that the transmission is strong enough, but the operation of it is simply bad.

It's pretty bad that I'm seriously considering the purchase of a brand new JD 4720 cab model as soon as they come out just to get away from the pathetic hydro control on the Kubota. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Okay, I'll also admit that I've never had such poor service as well. The dealer tells me that he is doing all that Kubota lists to do, and Kubota tells me that it is normal. I'm the monkey in the middle with well over 30K of my money at issue. So far, I can unequivocally state that Kubota corporate does not stand by their customers.

I try to be fair, so if Kubota by chance does decide to change course and fix my tractor after 7 months of constant problems, I will post that as well. So far, my experience with Kubota corporation does not live up to what I was lead to believe to expect. The one thing that I know won't change is my rather strong opinion that Kubota should not even offer T&T setups. Hey their price is high, but the quality is exceptionally poor. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Thanks for the ideas slowzuki!

Why doesn't Yamaha or Honda have tractors!? I've ridden my Yamaha Rhino much harder than anything I own, and it has never been the shop for anything. I've owned several Honda's as well, and I've never had one of those in a shop either. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif Figures! Heck, I'd even love to see a Toyota tractor. I've read that they make an awesome diesel engine.

Kyle_in_Tex · Aug 16, 2005

Here's my two cents on the hydro pedals to a newbie.

You can get used to either but I prefer JD's 2 pedal for two reasons.

1)Your heel rests on the non-moving platform and this helps beginners in the bumps.

2)One Wheel braking. If the 5030 is like the smaller grande L series, the brakes are on the same side (right foot) as the hydro pedal. This makes it very difficult to perform an age old tractor manuever where you stomp on one brake or the other to "pivot" turn about the braked rear wheel.

There are many satifisfied 5030 owners around this board. TxDon, 5030 and many others. I know they can give valuable opinions and info.

I think the joystick position is more comfortable for me on the JD.

Either machine will do a good job I feel. Have fun looking and test driving.

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 16, 2005

I sell tractors with both the single and duel pedal setups. Its all personal preference. I actualy like the single pedal better, I have a hard time backing up while pushing forward. You can get used to anything after about an hour in the seat.

Dargo · Aug 16, 2005

( You can get used to anything after about an hour in the seat. )

Oh yeah, try mine! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Er, tractor that is, off road. I probably have just over 2000 hours on tractors of all sorts and I can't come close to operating it in a smooth manner without cruise control. There again, I have this inkling that mine has some issues. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Unless you listen to Kubota...okay, I'll quit. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

txdon · Aug 16, 2005

Dargo, Put my name on the list to tell your Kubota dealer he better shape up or ship out! My 5030 Hydro pedal is perfect, not jerky. The loader may go down 1/2" in 30 minutes with the engine off. I know I used it to hold post while I build. I do not have piloted check valves on my Gearmore cylinders and they do move about a 1/2 per 30 minutes of operation. I Love my L5030HST. Sorry to hear about your problems.

GeneD14 · Aug 16, 2005

( Okay, I'll also admit that I've never had such poor service as well. The dealer tells me that he is doing all that Kubota lists to do, and Kubota tells me that it is normal. I'm the monkey in the middle with well over 30K of my money at issue. So far, I can unequivocally state that Kubota corporate does not stand by their customers. )

Dargo,
Would you buy from your dealer again? I was considering buying my next tractor from them but now I'm concerned. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif