Buying Advice John Deere compared to Kubota

[rarvesen]

I'm new to tractors. How come you choose John Deere over Kubota? I'm not trying to start a war like Ford vs. Chevy, I honestly don't know very much and I'm trying to learn more. I have heard that Kubota is as good as John Deere but around 10% cheaper for the equivalent tractor, I'm not sure if that is true or not. In my area, I have Kubota and John Deere dealers and both have good reputations.

 

[Markcuda]

Who has the better reputation?

 

[rarvesen]

Who has the better reputation?

Thanks, that is a good question, but hard to quantify, since I have only spoken to a small number of people that have dealt with each dealer. But I plan to look into this more. Are you saying that the tractors are pretty equivalent, and it comes down to the dealer?

 

[bp fick]

You will find them to both be an extremely desirable and top drawer tractor. There are differences in the way the controls work and you might see if you have a preference, if any. Most folks don't know what they don't know.

Then, see if there is a price difference in comparable tractors and see if that difference turns you off one and on to the other. Just be really sure you are comparing apples to apples.

Finally, spend some time at both dealerships. Watch the parts counter person and see if you can take a peak, or arrange for a quick tour of the repair facility. This will also help you see which dealership you might prefer.

 

[ovrszd]

This oughtta get interesting.

I prefer to own both.

 

[Wacky]

I noticed you don't have MF in the mix. Dealers not nearby? Or, is it just MF is in the TOP class all by itself?:laughing:

 

[unbidden]

I'm new to tractors but did visit Kubota, Massey and Mahindra dealerships. I was also going to go to JD but after speaking with the local K dealer I was sold on their commitment to the consumer {me }So I guess the moral of this story is find a few tractors that meet your needs and budget, then purchase the dealer.

 

[ultrarunner]

I was in the same situation a few years ago and was leaning towards Deere.

My problem was I literally couldn't get the time of day from the 3 Deere Dealers I visited.

The secretary at one apologized because I had called ahead... she said it was Harvest time and she was the only one there... at another, only the parts man was there.

When I'm planning a spending a large amount of money (To Me) it would go a long way to be at least able to get information.

The Kubota Dealer was a little farther away and had lots of small tractors on the lot... the Deere Dealers didn't stock subcompacts and anything would have to be ordered.

A few years prior, I had bought a CAT D3 from a Deere Industrial Equipment Dealer and part of the reason is the salesman was very helpful and wanted to make the deal even when I told him I was only at the looking stage.

The reality is there are several Manufacturers with the right product... in my case, it came down to the local Dealer...

 

[rarvesen]

I noticed you don't have MF in the mix. Dealers not nearby?

That is correct, no dealers in the immediate area, the closest would be around 120 miles.

 

[JDGreenGrass]

People are very happy with both brands. Few are dissappointed.

It really comes down to you shopping around and sitting on the different tractors that appeal to you. Test drive whenever possible.

Some of the things you should consider is horsepower, weight of the tractor, hydro or gear transmission, features and ergonomics. For example, is the loader easily taken off the tractor or not.?? Are you good with a clutch.?? What are the tasks you will be performing...mowing or haying.?? Snowblowing.?? Moving a lot of gravel or field work.?? On and on and on....

Get serious in your mind about what sort of tasks you are going to ask of the tractor. This will point you to the size and features of the tractor that best fits you.

Oh, and don't get sucked in to thinking Kubota is 10% less than Deere. Find out for yourself. It could be the other way around. Some will say Kioti is better than Kubota and less $$$$$.

Find out for yourself....you may up buying a Mahindra.??

And, as stated above...be sure to compare tractors that are comparable. It can get confusing so take your time and study the specs. Have the dealer point out the different lines of each brand.

Lots of good tractors out there and Kubota and Deere aren't the only ones.

Best of luck in your search.

 

[BethesdaEC]

Kubotas are fine machines but there are several key features that are missing when compared to a JD.
- Position control for the three point hitch, you can raise the implement and drop it back to exact same level without the experimentation of a quarter inching value.
- Weight, JD tend to be heavier which means a lot to a tractor where weight is everything.
- Turning brakes are opposite the hydro pedals so you can easily use one foot for the hydro and force turn with the left or right brake using the other foot.
- Separate side by side forward and reverse hydro pedals vs. the treadle.

Also compare these:
- Size of alternator. You may want to add lights and these can draw a lot of power.
- Quick attach loader buckets. Makes it easy to attach pallet forks.
- Hydro pump capacity (in gallons per minute).
- Number of gears (Kubota wins here, they typically have 3 vs. 2). The medium gear is good for mowing, but I don't mow with this tractor so it's not a biggie for me.

 

[The Tractor Guy 22]

I've rented Kubota before, and my neighbor has one that I have operated. In my opinion the Green and Orange are very close overall in the compact utility tractor category. It is more of a decision based on buying a product designed from US engineers or Asian engineers. The Kubota and JD start going there separate ways when you get to the TLB category- which is a different topic.

 

[troutsqueezer]

It is more of a decision based on buying a product designed from US engineers or Asian engineers.

How are you gonna know that? The company I work for has a large R&D facility in California but most of the engineers come from India, Japan and China. The US doesn't crank out engineers anymore, everybody wants to be on American Idol.

 

[BethesdaEC]

How are you gonna know that? The company I work for has a large R&D facility in California but most of the engineers come from India, Japan and China. The US doesn't crank out engineers anymore, everybody wants to be on American Idol.

They are living and working in the US economy and are probably trying to naturalize just the same way your ancestors did (assuming you are not American Indian). Beats sending the high end white collar jobs overseas and there are still quite a few American born engineers.

 

[TripleR]

Kubotas are fine machines but there are several key features that are missing when compared to a JD.
- Position control for the three point hitch, you can raise the implement and drop it back to exact same level without the experimentation of a quarter inching value.
- Weight, JD tend to be heavier which means a lot to a tractor where weight is everything.
- Turning brakes are opposite the hydro pedals so you can easily use one foot for the hydro and force turn with the left or right brake using the other foot.
- Separate side by side forward and reverse hydro pedals vs. the treadle.

Also compare these:
- Size of alternator. You may want to add lights and these can draw a lot of power.
- Quick attach loader buckets. Makes it easy to attach pallet forks.
- Hydro pump capacity (in gallons per minute).
- Number of gears (Kubota wins here, they typically have 3 vs. 2). The medium gear is good for mowing, but I don't mow with this tractor so it's not a biggie for me.

Overall pretty good information, but many of the Kubotas have position control except in the BX and some B Series tractors.

Are you sure that model for model John Deeres are heavier than Kubota or just certain models? Weight is not important to me as I can add that, harder to take it away.

As to the twin pedals, we have a John Deere as well as Kubota and we prefer the HST controls on the Kubota, so I am not sure this twin pedal arrangement would be seen as an advantage over the Kubota. Perhaps I misinterpreted your post though and apologize if I did.

Good point on quick attach loaders, but aren't the ones on John Deere proprietary while Kubota will take SSQA implements? Not sure, just asking.

I also seem to remember some John Deeres do not have a quick attach FEL or for some this is an option?

Overall though I agree both make excellent tractors and it just depends on which fits you best.

 

[BethesdaEC]

Overall pretty good information, but many of the Kubotas have position control except in the BX and some B Series tractors.

Are you sure that model for model John Deeres are heavier than Kubota or just certain models? Weight is not important to me as I can add that, harder to take it away.

As to the twin pedals, we have a John Deere as well as Kubota and we prefer the HST controls on the Kubota, so I am not sure this twin pedal arrangement would be seen as an advantage over the Kubota. Perhaps I misinterpreted your post though and apologize if I did.

Good point on quick attach loaders, but aren't the ones on John Deere proprietary while Kubota will take SSQA implements? Not sure, just asking.

I also seem to remember some John Deeres do not have a quick attach FEL or for some this is an option?

Overall though I agree both make excellent tractors and it just depends on which fits you best.

I am guessing that this guy is probably looking at a SCUT or CUT, in my case I was comparing the Kubota B series to the JD 2000 series. I settled on a JD2520 after everything was said and done.

 

[The Tractor Guy 22]

I hear ya there, John deere at least TRYS to hire US engineers though,
This is off there website
"What attracts a new engineer to John Deere?...Weæ±*e a global company, and assignments often include working with engineers in other countries such as Brazil, Germany, China, India, Australia, Spain and many more."

 

[ctlguy]

my cent and.5 there are three reasons to choose a color;

dealer
dealer
dealer


One statement from above relating to the dealer had no one around to help because it was harvest season. I think that is a real problem for large product line mfg's like Deere, Massey, agco,etc I think they have been slow as far as being properly staffed to handle ag and consumer products. The Kubota only, or mahindra only dealers have a substantial smaller product line and are already set up to handle the consumer business since they don't have equipment like combines, corn shoppers, etc. I know this is changing for the big mfg dealer groups as they start to realize what they are missing out on but is a valid point. And some of them won't get it until it is too late, ask your dealer "do you have dedicated compact equipment people" or are they all ag sales people that will push you over to get to the large farmer. Good Luck

 

[TripleR]

I am guessing that this guy is probably looking at a SCUT or CUT, in my case I was comparing the Kubota B series to the JD 2000 series. I settled on a JD2520 after everything was said and done.

Thanks, that narrows it down. In the B Series, the B2630 and B3030 offer those features, but not the B2320, 2620 or 2920. The Bxx30 Series also cost more though.

I really like the new JD SCUTs that are coming out.

 

[dkostiha]

I have owned both and both brands make good some good rigs. My experience is that JD will hold it's value better, at least in my part of Texas anyway. Test drive both brands, there are some differences in user controls. Having dealer support after the sale is critical. They will be your best friend or the goat depending upon them being a good or bad dealer. I have seen both in both brands.

Your user preferences after operating the tractors or your comfort level with dealers should help you make the right choice in your area. Good luck.