JD or Kubota?

halfmoon2 · Jan 6, 2005

I've never been on a message board, so please bear with me...

I've had an older MF135 for 20 years, with bush hog loader, rear blade and mower. It's been a great workhorse, but at age 67 I now need power steering & 4WD.

I'm looking at the Kubota L3400 (quoted $15,900 w/FEL) & the JD 4210 (15,400 w/ FEL). I want the most power and utility in this price range, manual trans, no frills necessary. The loader lift on both models will be a disappoint after my current setup, but I can't spend much more. I live east of Seattle on 20 acres (1/2 forest), and mainly drag trees, build rock walls, grade & clear brush.

Any thoughts? Are JD parts more expensive than Kubota? Do these prices look right? The reviews on this site show much lower prices for the L3400. Thanks.

frank_f15 · Jan 6, 2005

( but at age 67 I now need power steering & 4WD.

)
WELCOME TO THE FORUM! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I can understand where u are comming from, i am 63 but i too needed to move up to something easier to operate. Which tractor seems a better fit for u? That is the only thing that is really important. Green, Blue, Orange, purple. Red and any color in between. Look at them all, and try them all out. what works for me does not necessarily works for you.

frank_f15 · Jan 6, 2005

Forgot to mention /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif do your self a real favor and definetly check out HST , i found it saves a whole bunch on my legs and arms, no clutching, no shifting.

texbaylea · Jan 6, 2005

I am in my early 70's and found that I too needed more help from my tractor. Traded in my old IH444 brute for an L3130HST. It is more money than your budget but what I wanted to emphasise is the HST. Particularly for loader work it can not be beat and sure saves your legs. I understand that the HST is now available on some of the L??00 tractors and I suggest that you check it out.

Vernon

tim250f · Jan 6, 2005

Vernon is right, the L3400 will be offered in HST for 2005. I have the L2800 myself and although I've only accumulated about 4 hours on mine I am more than pleased with it. Be sure to sit on each of them and ask if you can test them before you make your decision. You may also want to look at offerings from New Holland, Kioti, etc...

btolle · Jan 6, 2005

I am 59, have a bad back and a lot of neck problems. Power steering became mandatory for me.

I bought a Kubota B7510HST, smaller than you are looking at but a fine tractor.

I will second what others said, take a serious look at the hydrostatic transmission. Unless all your work is in a forward gear you will really benefit from the HST. Besides the convenience of not having to use a clutch and shifting gears the HST also will provide braking for the tractor. The only time I ever use the brakes on my tractor are when I park it.

HST will give you much better control of your speed. Instead of shifting gears you can just push the pedal a little harder and away you go. It also gives you much more control going downhill.

At least give an HST a try at the dealers and see what you think. The pedals for the HST are one area where the different brands seem to differ. Kubota uses a rocker type pedal, use your toes to go forward, heel to back up. From what I understand JD may have a side by side pedal design but I am not familiar with those.

There are many great tractors out there. Find the brand and model that feels best to you and you will be happy.

If you are clearing brush get a Markham Welding toothbar , best money I spent on my new tractor. It will save you many hours and many trips on and off the tractor. I can use mine to pick up brush and logs that I used to have to load by hand after getting off the tractor. Huge time (and back) saver.

Bill Tolle

CurtC · Jan 7, 2005

I'm having impure thoughts about tractors in this same category. JD 4310 ehydro + 300cx loader vs. Kubota 3130 hst + 723 loader vs. Kioti CK30 w/ 130 loader.

JD and Kubota are priced within a few bucks of each other so far.
Kioti is about 4 grand less.
Capabilities seem to be Kubota > JD > Kioti
JD - electronic everything, some of the load matching stuff sounds pretty nifty, but, electronics fail. I feel the Kubota and Kioti will be more reliable long term.
JD & Kioti are smaller designs, curved loaders, kubota is more standard.
JD - 2 pedal hydro, other rocker.
JD/Kubota both have a quick attach loader bucket system, not available on the Kioti.
Financing deals seem to be JD > Kioti > Kubota

Having run and gone over the kioti extensively, I'd buy it lickety split aside from a couple of things: the loader specs out considerably lighter weight than either the JD or kubota, and also operates noticably slower. Resale is a factor for me, as there's a possibility I may want to sell in 3 years or so, and the kubota / JD both will have considerably higher resale value IMO. And the quick attach loader implements I think is a highly desirable option.

shoppintractors · Jan 7, 2005

JD/Kubota both have a quick attach loader bucket system, not available on the Kioti.

There are two aftermarket companies, that I am aware of, that build a quik-detach bucket for the Kioti CK25/30 KL130 loader. ATI, an advertiser on TBN, is one of companies marketing a quik-detach for the KL130. The other company is Horst welding.

 Resale is a factor for me, as there's a possibility I may want to sell in 3 years or so, and the kubota / JD both will have considerably higher resale value IMO. .

IMO, With Kioti's increasing popularity, from your numbers....being priced $4000 less and figuring prices will continue to creep up over the coming years....you have an excellent opportunity for a positive experience when it comes time to sell. Your looking at a full featured, deluxe model Kioti which should look quite attractive to a potential buyer.

Don

JDGREEN4ME · Jan 7, 2005

The famous "higher resale value" can bite you, especially if you are already looking to sell it in three years. I don't know how big a difference in the loading capacity is so this might be off base but for 4 grand less the Kioti sure sounds like the best deal. I just know from personal experience that "higher resale value" did nothing for me when I went to get rid of my prior tractor that was 2 years old with low hours and in pristine condition. It is tuff to compete with the full warranty and better finance rates when your used tractor value is close to what a new tractor costs.

Dargo · Jan 7, 2005

I've bought more than a couple of each. I've had positive experiences with each make. I currently own a Kubota, but I don't think that I would say that the Kubota is "better" than the JD. I wanted to stay with a somewhat smaller frame (compared to a full sized ag tractor), but I wanted a factory cab with heat and A/C. That took JD out of the picture.

Unfortunately for me, my market area has successfully squashed any attempt so far of anything other than the "big 3" from getting any toe hold in my market. Several have tried over the last decade, but they have all gone under. It sounds like quality is coming up for some of those new comers to the market.

For me, I've enjoyed incredible resale with both JD and Kubota. That even includes when I've traded or sold a tractor after only 2 or 3 years. At least in my neck of the woods, I would have been hung with one of the non-big 3 on resale. With no dealers that will service a tractor, resale takes a huge hit. However, as someone else pointed out, this may be changing.

On the orginal question of JD or Kubota, since I've owned several of each, I think it simply comes down to your personal preference. I've flipped between them several times and likely will continue to do that in the future. I don't think you can miss with either. Good luck!

Kyle_in_Tex · Jan 7, 2005

Because I am in the manufacturing industry, I try to spend my dollars as best as possible towards goods "Made in America". Not trying to start a flame war, I know that most everything is globally sourced, but some are more than others. The underlying content and how much of it is what counts. I looked long and hard at orange too. In the end, my green dealer and "mostly" made in America is what swayed me...Kyle

rockyridgefarm · Jan 7, 2005

Great review, overall!

( JD - electronic everything, some of the load matching stuff sounds pretty nifty, but, electronics fail. I feel the Kubota and Kioti will be more reliable long term)

Huh?

You might feel that way, but in real life, they are almost bulletproof. I won't give mine up!

But not to degrade the orange machines, in any way, - all are fine machines.

btolle · Jan 7, 2005

( JD - electronic everything, some of the load matching stuff sounds pretty nifty, but, electronics fail. I feel the Kubota and Kioti will be more reliable long term)

Huh?

You might feel that way, but in real life, they are almost bulletproof. I won't give mine up!)

I am 59 and I realize that electronics have come a long way in the last few years but I am still leery of having too many of them on a tractor.

One thing I liked about the Kubota B7510 I just bought is it seems to be a model that has been around a while and has less electronics than the newer models. I am thinking this will be the last tractor I will own and I want it to hold up as long as I do.

We had a new central heat/A-C system installed about 18 months ago. The dealer made about 15 service calls replacing parts every time and the heater still would not run for more than 5 minutes without shutting off. They replaced just about every part in the heater including the main control board (a big printed circuit board) and nothing helped. 6 months ago they replaced the entire heating unit with a new one and no more problems. When electronics work they are great but if they fail you cannot fix them yourself and even the "experts" sometimes can't find the problem.

Be sure your dealer is ready to stand behind the tractor no matter what.

Bill Tolle

Varmintmist · Jan 7, 2005

I went through the same thing with a similar price cap and similar uses not long ago. I liked both the Deere and Kub, but I got more bang for the same buck buying Mahindra. More loader than the others, more weight for traction, manual trans with shuttle shift, 4wd and pwr steering, big open operating platform.

Just a thought. You might want to look at a red machine /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif before you get to hung up on greene and orange.

Bob_Skurka · Jan 7, 2005

I think you might want to take a look at the Mahindra 3510 or the Kioti DK35, both are 35hp machines and will compare well to the Kubota 35hp L3400. Both are available as gear machines, which is what you are looking for. But the Mahindra has a HST option as well.

The previously mentioned Kioti CK30 is a nice machine and a great loader, but has less hp and based on your post, it seems like you are in need of a more capable machine than the CK30. I generally discount the resale value issue unless someone really has a reason to push it, you don't seem to so if you hold the tractor for many years I doubt you'd have any reason to worry, regardless of brand. My choice would be based on the dealership and support in my area as well as how my rear end fits in the seat. If I'm not comfortable with the controls then I'm not concentrating on the job that needs to be done. Make sure that no matter which brand you buy, you buy one that you like.

ByronBob · Jan 7, 2005

When I first read your comments I thought HST but the team beat me to it. At your age you deserve HST and color is a personel preference. The quality of all of them are good and buying new your going to get a good warranty anyway.

My tractor is much smaller than what you'd like but as many here have said before it's the service after the sale which really hits home.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 7, 2005

But i wasn't talking about air conditioners.

If someone doesnt want electronics, thats ok,

But to suggest Deere owners are having problems with them is incorrect. And they really are helpful, not just gimmicks.

btolle · Jan 7, 2005

( But i wasn't talking about air conditioners.

If someone doesnt want electronics, thats ok,

But to suggest Deere owners are having problems with them is incorrect. And they really are helpful, not just gimmicks. )

I did not mean to imply that JD owners were having problems with electronics and my reference to the heat/A-C unit was just an example of how electronics can go bad and when they do it can get very complicated to repair.

I just have preference for things I can repair myself without having to have special instruments and tools that can be extremely expensive.

Tractors get more vibration and abuse than most other equipment and that concerns me when it comes to electronics. Just write me off as being one of those old goats who takes a few years to get used to some of this new stuff.

Bill Tolle

jltrent · Jan 7, 2005

I have a JD 5210 and a Kubota M6800 and if I were buying another tractor it would be a Kubota, but both are probably the best makes you can buy.

cowboydoc · Jan 7, 2005

I think you've got it right going with JD or Kubota. Unless you are a good mechanic and can work on your own machine, I don't at my age and I'm sure you don't at your age, then a good dealer with factory trained mechanics, readily available parts, and great factory support would be a must in my book. You aren't going to get that with the off brands like you will with JD.

As far as price it depends on your dealer. I couldn't make a deal on a kubota at all. Deere dealers are way better priced in our area. Look at list price for both units and then see how good of a deal you are getting off of list for each one.