john deere BH46 vs. Kubota BH65

[hizoot]

I have finally narrowed my choice down to either the JD 2520 or Kubota 2620/30. I just need some input on what ya'll have experienced or read about these backhoes. which one is stronger and more reliable. I do like the way the kubota has the swiveling seat,instead of carring around an additional one...just seems more integrated. The one thing about the Kubota 2620, it doesnt have positioning control, but 1/4" valve ,and would have to step up to the 2630 to get it. I like the deeres larger size,weight,and bigger wheels. But its backhoe just doesnt look very strong.....arrghh Why cant I find one with all the coons up a tree?

I will welcome any and all input
Thanks,
Randy

 

[BethesdaEC]

I have finally narrowed my choice down to either the JD 2520 or Kubota 2620/30. I just need some input on what ya'll have experienced or read about these backhoes. which one is stronger and more reliable. I do like the way the kubota has the swiveling seat,instead of carring around an additional one...just seems more integrated. The one thing about the Kubota 2620, it doesnt have positioning control, but 1/4" valve ,and would have to step up to the 2630 to get it. I like the deeres larger size,weight,and bigger wheels. But its backhoe just doesnt look very strong.....arrghh Why cant I find one with all the coons up a tree?

I will welcome any and all input
Thanks,
Randy

I found the Kubota seat design very awkward, you have to release the seat bring it half way up, turn and make sure you don't smash your hand on the ROPS (figured that out the hard way) then raise it the rest of the way. The the John Deere you just push one seat out of the way and drop the other into position. Seems much easier when you are digging and reposition constantly. Looking at the specs, they have the same digging depth and bucket force, but the Kubota has an advantage on the dipper force, but the Kubota does not state that there specs are per SAE which may be a little suspect. The position control and extra weight are also very nice on the Deere.

 

[hizoot]

Thanks...I really didnt think of it that way. That would be a pain to do that. From what I've read, John Deere seems more conservative in their ratings too.
Besides...my wife likes the green.....says it wont stand out like an eyesore in the yard

 

[BethesdaEC]

Thanks...I really didnt think of it that way. That would be a pain to do that. From what I've read, John Deere seems more conservative in their ratings too.
Besides...my wife likes the green.....says it wont stand out like an eyesore in the yard

My wife had some input on the purchase decision, she preferred green over orange for aesthetic reasons. Beyond that she didn't really care.

 

[Ford tractor]

If equipment color is the deciding factor, the capabilities,cost,reliablity,etc of each must be pretty close. Get what you like best.

 

[BethesdaEC]

If equipment color is the deciding factor, the capabilities,cost,reliablity,etc of each must be pretty close. Get what you like best.

I was just lucky that my wife's aesthetics happened to line up with my preferred tractor.

 

[Ford tractor]

I was just lucky that my wife's aesthetics happened to line up with my preferred tractor.

If not tractor paint is pretty cheap...:laughing:

 

[art]

Just took in jd with that hoe and the customer really likes the simple single seat on the Kubota B-2620 compared to what he had!

Also noted that the Kubota hoe was tighter to the tractor allowing more strength in the hoe and faster.

He also appreciated where Kubota put the grease fittings for the backhoe when he had realized he had two broken on the bucket area of the trade-in deere unit.

His biggest rave was the fact of the the three range transmission feels so much more powerful then the two range when he's digging and climbing hills he doesn't have to keep going to the low range all the time and just uses the middle range for most everything.

He's had no issues over the hitch with use of his box scraper other then it took a couple of times to get used to it for the differences.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I notice a big difference in traveling with a single seat backhoe. The machine is a lot shorter and does not bounce as much with the hoe tighter to the frame. I'll 2nd what art said about a 3 range gear box, this size tractor really benifits from that low end.

 

[BethesdaEC]

I notice a big difference in traveling with a single seat backhoe. The machine is a lot shorter and does not bounce as much with the hoe tighter to the frame. I'll 2nd what art said about a 3 range gear box, this size tractor really benifits from that low end.

I disagree on this shortness aspect. In order to turn the Kubota the seat rotates and then slides to the back 10 inches or so. The John Deere does not have two seats back to back, but rather two seats that occupy the same space at different times, one facing forward and one facing backward. Two different solutions to the same problem.