John Deere and Yanmar

[Rob-D]

The seat and mower lift are two of the complaints I have on my JD 2305. I have on occasion hauled my Kubota to our other farm where we have the 2305 so I won't have to use it.

That goes both ways. My nephew came over and used my Deere after using his friends Kubota. He said the Deere was tighter, easier to use and a much better overall tractor.
Personally I prefer the Deere HST and reverse set up much more than the Kubota and I think the fit and finish is better too.

 

[TripleR]

That goes both ways. My nephew came over and used my Deere after using his friends Kubota. He said the Deere was tighter, easier to use and a much better overall tractor.
Personally I prefer the Deere HST and reverse set up much more than the Kubota and I think the fit and finish is better too.

Yeah, I have said before my preference for the Kubota is mostly a personal one as I bought my Kubota after owning the JD for a little over a year and was going to replace my BX2200. I replaced a JD425 with the 2305, so I was use to the HST operation. In using the 2305, I find the seat to be uncomfortable to me though my wife has no problem; sets too low in the back. I have also been unable to get use to the brake on the left and really don't like the flimsy feel of the throttle or FEL control, but have not yet had a problem with them. I have mentioned the height control has never worked properly and that has been mentioned by other 2305 owners.

When I brought the Kubota home my wife hated the HST controls until she used it and now loves it.

Maybe my Kubota is unique, but I challenge anyone to crawl onto, around and under both machines, 2305 and 2660, and show me any superiority in JD quality. One thing that impressed me is that the deck belt on the Kubota is roughly twice the width of the JD, but I have had good service out of both, so whether the thicker belt is significant or not I can't say.

Something I have noticed is that for a while Kubota replaced some metal body parts with plastic, but after complaints returned to more metal. Both tractors use too much plastic for me.

In the end my preference for Kubotas is based on what fits me and my needs best and not due to lack of quality in JD and I can only speak about these two models as I may very well prefer a JD in a different size. I guess that is why there is more than one company.

 

[litework]

...Wasn't it Ford and BF Goodrich with Ford putting tires on SUVs that were failing?

You wanted "facts" and I gave you facts.

No, it wasn't and no, you didn't.

 

[rScotty]

Not sure how the tire diameter debate relates to the JD and Yanmar discussion. But here's hoping that JD can match Yanmar's engines. That's not going to be easy. Yanmar can make a pretty good claim for legendary reliability too.

BTW, for 4wd and tranny stress the critical tire parameter is "rolling circumference"....not diameter. Matching diameters only gets it in the ballpark. For that matter, I'm not convinced that measuring the diameter of unmounted tires tells much about the size they will be when mounted on rims, inflated, loaded, and run in. Does anyone know more about that?
rScotty

 

[TripleR]

Not sure how the tire diameter debate relates to the JD and Yanmar discussion. But here's hoping that JD can match Yanmar's engines. That's not going to be easy. Yanmar can make a pretty good claim for legendary reliability too.

BTW, for 4wd and tranny stress the critical tire parameter is "rolling circumference"....not diameter. Matching diameters only gets it in the ballpark. For that matter, I'm not convinced that measuring the diameter of unmounted tires tells much about the size they will be when mounted on rims, inflated, loaded, and run in. Does anyone know more about that?
rScotty

Kind of at a loss on the relationship too, but when I went to buy new tires for my Case, I was unable to find matching tires from the same manufacturer no matter where I went or who I tallked too. I was told that the tire companies simply could not keep up with the demand in my size tire. Now that was three months ago and maybe things have changed. I did check several dealers and all had matching tires, so either they got priority or bought ahead of time or all of the tire companies are using their production facilities to manufacture the more commonly used large AG tires.

I am nnot really sure how much if anything you can tell about the quality of engines/transmissions and such based on tires. A good dealership will take the time during setup to make sure tires match while a poor one won't much care one way or the other no matter what the brand.

 

[Rob-D]

No, it wasn't and no, you didn't.

I posted this before (#47) but here it is again.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/146256-measure-your-tires-your-bx.html

Here's the BF Goodrich recall:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/results.cfm

"Results : 1 | All records displayed
Brand Name: BFGOODRICH Tire Line / Tire Size: LAND TERRAIN / P235/75R15
Production Dates: FEB 29, 2004 - AUG 19, 2004
Manufacturer: MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: FEB 03, 2005
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 05T002000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: TIRES
Potential Number of Units Affected: 41797

Check to Request Research. Submit below."

 

[Rob-D]

I am nnot really sure how much if anything you can tell about the quality of engines/transmissions and such based on tires. A good dealership will take the time during setup to make sure tires match while a poor one won't much care one way or the other no matter what the brand.

It shows quality control. Skimp on one spec good chance there are other specs out.
The dealer in question went through all the tires and couldn't find a good set. The guys bucket was noticeably lower on one side, who watched that thing come off the line? Hellen Keller?

 

[Cyclone Jake]

I posted this before (#47) but here it is again.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/146256-measure-your-tires-your-bx.html

Here's the BF Goodrich recall:

Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) Server Error

"Results : 1 | All records displayed
Brand Name: BFGOODRICH Tire Line / Tire Size: LAND TERRAIN / P235/75R15
Production Dates: FEB 29, 2004 - AUG 19, 2004
Manufacturer: MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: FEB 03, 2005
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 05T002000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: TIRES
Potential Number of Units Affected: 41797

Check to Request Research. Submit below."

BFG might have had a recall, but it was the Ford Explorer and FIRESTONE tires that were failing.

Ford Explorer Rollover

 

[litework]

BFG might have had a recall, but it was the Ford Explorer and FIRESTONE tires that were failing.

Ford Explorer Rollover

Yep. Those are the "facts." The truth is in the details, and when the details are omitted or are simply wrong, the statement isn't factual.

 

[TripleR]

It shows quality control. Skimp on one spec good chance there are other specs out.
The dealer in question went through all the tires and couldn't find a good set. The guys bucket was noticeably lower on one side, who watched that thing come off the line? Hellen Keller?

All I know is that I have owned two Kubotas with absolutely no problems including tires.

I could easily sat three trips to the JD dealer with deck lift problems and it still isn't fixed is indicative of poor quality control, but anecdotal evidence doesn't prove much.

Having owned more than one of each, I just do not buy it.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I could easily sat three trips to the JD dealer with deck lift problems and it still isn't fixed is indicative of poor quality control, but anecdotal evidence doesn't prove much.

I dunno what model tractor your referring too, but I know my 3520 did not leave the factory with any deck lift provisions...meaning anything related to poor deck lift for me would probably be indicative of poor dealer support/service...

 

[TripleR]

I dunno what model tractor your referring too, but I know my 3520 did not leave the factory with any deck lift provisions...meaning anything related to poor deck lift for me would probably be indicative of poor dealer support/service...

It is the 2305 and I made the point about poor dealer prep in an earlier post.

From reading posts from other 2305 owners, the 3-pt hookup does not work well as a MMM deck lift, so many dealers like mine hook it into the FEL hydraulic system which can cause some inconvenience when using a FEL; don't have one on mine.

One 2305 owner posted modificaions including welding done by his dealer which "fixed" his; don't know how to find it now, but had copied it for my dealer.

Like I have said previously, I won't judge a whole company based on experiences with one or two models. I have owned four John Deeres and two Kubotas and I will look at both brands and maybe a couple more before I buy my next tractor in a few years.

My original point was that many things referred to as "quality control" issues are the result of poor dealer setup no matter the brand.

 

[TripleR]

It is the 2305 and I made the point about poor dealer prep in an earlier post.

From reading posts from other 2305 owners, the 3-pt hookup does not work well as a MMM deck lift, so many dealers like mine hook it into the FEL hydraulic system which can cause some inconvenience when using a FEL; don't have one on mine.

One 2305 owner posted modificaions including welding done by his dealer which "fixed" his; don't know how to find it now, but had copied it for my dealer.

Like I have said previously, I won't judge a whole company based on experiences with one or two models. I have owned four John Deeres and two Kubotas and I will look at both brands and maybe a couple more before I buy my next tractor in a few years.

My original point was that many things referred to as "quality control" issues are the result of poor dealer setup no matter the brand.

Here is the thread: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-owning-operating/150274-2305-mmm-worth.html

 

[rScotty]

....... I may very well prefer a JD in a different size. I guess that is why there is more than one company.

I have to wonder if Yanmar will ever decide to market their own tractors in the US again now that they aren't working with JD any longer. Yanmar's innnovation is among the best in the world, and they didn't license their nifty new engines or their proven powershift transmissions to either JD or CC. The range of products Yanmar makes is staggering: a full range of tractors, harvesters, industrial engines, construction machinery, marine equipment, large ship engines, high tech electonics, and all of it typical top Japanese quality.
I wonder why they sell all over the world - including some products in the US - but not tractors.
rScotty

 

[litework]

I wonder why they sell all over the world - including some products in the US - but not tractors.
rScotty

I'm sure their business venture with John Deere was quite lucrative and there may have even been some no compete verbiage in the agreement.

 

[Rob-D]

Yep. Those are the "facts." The truth is in the details, and when the details are omitted or are simply wrong, the statement isn't factual.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/146256-measure-your-tires-your-bx.html

This was the facts I was relaying too!

 

[Rob-D]

I have to wonder if Yanmar will ever decide to market their own tractors in the US again now that they aren't working with JD any longer. Yanmar's innnovation is among the best in the world, and they didn't license their nifty new engines or their proven powershift transmissions to either JD or CC. The range of products Yanmar makes is staggering: a full range of tractors, harvesters, industrial engines, construction machinery, marine equipment, large ship engines, high tech electonics, and all of it typical top Japanese quality.
I wonder why they sell all over the world - including some products in the US - but not tractors.
rScotty

I have a Yanmar three point log splitter someone gave me that is excellent.

 

[Engine_Tech]

Yanmar won't sell tractors in the US as they have not support structure, i.e. dealers. Yanmars are a good product, and thus would not be the cheapest around. If you are buying a low cost tractor you might put up with subpar dealers. But not if it's at a competetive or premium price as I'd expect Yanmars to be.

I really doubt JD pulls the plug with Yanmar. To me, it's advantagious to both to keep with the current business model. Yanmar gets to sell lots of engines to JD (and other customers), and JD saves money by not having to produce a small (and overall low volume) engine on their own. JD runs Yanmars ranging from @ 20hp up to 66 hp, at least 4 or 5 engine families across the Lawn, Golf, and Compact lines. I just don't see JD getting into that.

 

[Rob-D]

Either do I especially since they have so few problems. If the engines were failing it would make more sense.

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Kubota guys, I'm not trying to tee you off. If you love your tractors, hey great, hopefully that's why you bought them.

 

[JayC]

I've been following this thread since the start. To me, this is not unlike the rumors that run around saying Dodge and Cummins are gonna split. It would be extremely disadvantageous for Deere and Yanmar to split. It's hard to replace top notch.