Buying Advice John Deere compared to Kubota

[hawkeye08]

When I was looking for a tractor, I knew I could not afford new, so scoured CL within 100 miles. I considered a John Deere locally for around $4000, but the 2WD and hours scared me away. I ended up getting my Kubota from CL ad, but it was a local Kubota dealer and they had done the service and knew the history. It is still working well for me.. A few years after I got my Kubota, I was at my brothers place and he had a older John Deere that I had not seen before, yes, it was the one I had considered.. working fine for him.

He says the difference between the Kubota and John Deere is Kubota goes ping ping ping and John Deere growls with power...

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I think they're both great...but it seems like the Kubotas are a bit shy on PTO HP compared the the closest Deere equivalent.

this can very greatly by model. There are several tractors in Deere's E-series (the Indian tractors) that have abysmal PTO HP.

 

[Notforhire]

this can very greatly by model. There are several tractors in Deere's E-series (the Indian tractors) that have abysmal PTO HP.

Out of curiosity I looked up my JD 5055e on Tractor Data;

Engine (gross): 55 hp [41.0 kW]
PTO (claimed): 45 hp [33.6 kW]
PTO (tested): 49.95 hp [37.2 kW]

PTO power (rated PTO speed): 48.43 hp

48 PTO hp on a 55hp machine doesn't seem too bad to me.

Am I missing something?

Bill

 

[ovrszd]

Bill, your numbers look good. You should be pleased.

 

[mbu]

Okay, let's talk color here.... I mean real colors!

When a John Deere gets old its paint fades to a drab green. When a Kubota gets old its paint fades to a pink! :laughing:

Seriously, I have both John Deere and Kubota tractors. For the lighter smaller tractors Kubota seems to take the edge, mainly because of price, but for the larger row crop tractors, John Deere would be my pick hands down! As I understand it, Kubota is now moving into the row crop tractor market so it will be interesting to see how the two compete.

 

[ovrszd]

Okay, let's talk color here.... I mean real colors!

When a John Deere gets old its paint fades to a drab green. When a Kubota gets old its paint fades to a pink! :laughing:

Seriously, I have both John Deere and Kubota tractors. For the lighter smaller tractors Kubota seems to take the edge, mainly because of price, but for the larger row crop tractors, John Deere would be my pick hands down! As I understand it, Kubota is now moving into the row crop tractor market so it will be interesting to see how the two compete.

I've looked at Kubotas 175HP AG tractor. Their attention to details needed on a tractor that size seem good. Cab is first class. I'm anxious to hear reports as they enter the market.

I agree JD is the standard to follow in the 200HP and above market.

 

[kthompson]

This goes back I am sure at least 10 years was talking with at that time a Kubota dealer who said Kubota was trying to get them to sell to the farmer. He said they do not make a true farm tractor, the lift and I think it was the draft on the Kubota just is not suitable for the true farmer. I am sure pulling plows. Now that was 10 plus years ago and Kubota had a M9??? as their biggest tractor then I think. They may have better draft system that anyone now or not. No idea. I have two Kubotas and pleased with them for price with M6800 being the tractor I did most of my small farm work with for several years. Bought a used JD 5525 with about 23 more hp and realize that is about 33% more hp than the M6800 but to me the JD just feels more solid. Course it weight is more and it loves fuel compared to the Kubota. Do know the draft on the M6800 makes the best rough rows you can bed. I learned to not use the draft control, it could not keep the plows steady near as well as the family's 601 Ford, 40 year older gas tractor.

 

[ovrszd]

The only similarity between the AG class Kubotas built today and my M9540 is the orange paint.

 

[beenthere]

Kubota of today is much better than those of yesteryears. IMO

 

[Kubota 2350]

I've owned both, and both were great tractors.
I would buy either again

 

[weavertg14543]

Kubota all day every day. Ive had less problems with kubota than john deere. But i have a john deere 6x4 gator which is great. The mowers not so much. But our kubota is a l3130 so not so much for mowing lawn

 

[SI2305]

OP,

I will give you my two cents. As many here have mentioned, both machines are very capable and you may get a slight discount on the Kubota machines. For me, the purchase came down largely to two ergonomic features. Firstly, I was looking at subcompact tractors and the treadle peddle on the Kubota was awkwardly placed. I stand 6'3" and this positioning meant that my knees were pressed up almost against the steering wheel. For me this was a deal killer. The seat positioning might be different for you, but I still much prefer the Deere twin touch peddle over the Kubota treadle peddle.

Secondly, I personally like a hydraulic control that is attached to the tractor and not the loader. I think that the floor mount (or better yet, fender mount) loader controls make for a more natural feeling for the loader control. In addition, it makes right-side exiting much easier. The loader stick pointing out from the loader post intrudes into right side space. Further, when I bush hog, I like to use the loader to push down the weeds ahead of me. I am constantly adjusting the loader height and position as I mow over some uneven terrain. On a loader mount control, I can not rest my hand on the control or else the loader would always be pointed up at the sky. Note though, that much of what I say about the Kubotas also applies to the Deere economy series.

Bering in the market for a new tractor myself, I find these two features--twin touch peddle and the fender mount loader controls to be a must.

Best of luck on your decision,

SI2305

 

[ultrarunner]

I kind of like the treadle over the Deere separate pedals...

With the treadle, I always know where I am and it could just be me but more than a few times I pushed both forward and reverse pedals on my Deere 110

The L3800 Deere seems comfortable enough for my 6'4" and I agree the Deere 110 with the creeper feature is the cat's meow for backhoe work.

 

[RalphVa]

I went with a JD 4010 at the time because Kubota didn't seem to have an equivalent, e.g. 18 hp that was a bit higher up (Kubota had BX with cooling fan underneath). JD dealer was also much closer.

Should have switched to Kubota when I replaced the 660, 9 year 4010 with a JD 1025R lemon. Finally went and looked at a Kubota when I replaced the 1025R with a 2025R less than 2 years later.

So far, absolutely no problems with the 2025R but only about 2 years (like the 4010 had no problems those first 2 years), unlike gobs of problems with the 1025R.

Kubota has a dealership in town now, just as close as the JD dealership. Kubotas don't seem to require replacement of the hydraulic fluid after 50 hours. Does that tell you that maybe they have a better build technique? Cars don't need this now.

Ralph

 

[AKfish]

I went with a JD 4010 at the time because Kubota didn't seem to have an equivalent, e.g. 18 hp that was a bit higher up (Kubota had BX with cooling fan underneath). JD dealer was also much closer.

Should have switched to Kubota when I replaced the 660, 9 year 4010 with a JD 1025R lemon. Finally went and looked at a Kubota when I replaced the 1025R with a 2025R less than 2 years later.

So far, absolutely no problems with the 2025R but only about 2 years (like the 4010 had no problems those first 2 years), unlike gobs of problems with the 1025R.

Kubota has a dealership in town now, just as close as the JD dealership. Kubotas don't seem to require replacement of the hydraulic fluid after 50 hours. Does that tell you that maybe they have a better build technique? Cars don't need this now.

Ralph

Ralph, did you have an inordinate number of problems with your 4010? Or just decide to upgrade on years?

Unlike the rest of the country, there aren't very many dealers up here, period. So, all the dealers give you the "take it or leave it" treatment.

Consequently, my 4 tractor purchases have all been Lower 48 buys. Kubota has been "dollar for dollar" with JD. No break there.

Basic reasons for sticking with Deere has been service - repair and warranty - and parts. In Alaska, Deere has Kubota and New Holland (only brands available) whipped, there - hands down!

 

[kcflhrc]

Well, my first and only tractor is a John Deere and I couldn't be happier with my choice.

 

[Jamming]

My grandpa had john deere and my uncle's had john deere so i was already propositioned to buy a john deere. But my aptitude made me do months of research. Differnce i found from many tractors i looked at in the 30hp range was ergonomics and overall construction. Easyier maintenance value of parts and dealer support. John deere was the best choice. I am proud to own a green machine but gave all other's a good look. I know in 10 or 20 years i can get support and parts. Good luck.

 

[goeduck]

Both are excellent tractors but my slight preference is Kubota.

 

[goeduck]

Duplicate

 

[RalphVa]

Ralph, did you have an inordinate number of problems with your 4010? Or just decide to upgrade on years?

Unlike the rest of the country, there aren't very many dealers up here, period. So, all the dealers give you the "take it or leave it" treatment.

Consequently, my 4 tractor purchases have all been Lower 48 buys. Kubota has been "dollar for dollar" with JD. No break there.

Basic reasons for sticking with Deere has been service - repair and warranty - and parts. In Alaska, Deere has Kubota and New Holland (only brands available) whipped, there - hands down!

The U joint right off the engine shaft of the 4010 disentegrated at 660 hours and 9 years. Broke both turnbuckles on it because I'd not tightened them tight enough. Had some troubles with the turf front tires with the FEL. Otherwise, I loved the 4010. Think that U joint disentegrated because you have to rev the 4010 a bit high to keep it from stalling when engaging the bush hog. Can engage the bush hog at idle on the 2025R, and the 1025R had a very gentle (that the 2025 should have) engagement of the PTO.

Ralph