Buying Advice John Deere vs Kubota

[rogerls00]

I bought a Kubota L35 with BT900 backhoe, front loader and scraper new in 1999. Never a problem. Use it on my 10 acres and several times as an electrical contractor for underground work. Closest dealer is an hour away and they are super friendly and helpful.

 

[paulfun9]

Like others have suggested I would look at other brands also. I have owned many different brands and the last time I purchased chose a Kioti over the rest. Deere and Kubota were no place close in comparison and my ownership experience so far has been the best of everything ever owned.

 

[milkman]

I'm hooked on Kubota, but if I was looking to buy another tractor, I'd strongly look at the RK line at Rural King, from what I've seen, they offer a lot for the money and powered by Yanmar. The RK37 with cab sure caught my eye.

 

[Oldoak]

I just looked them up. RK tractor specs and prices sure are impressive. A lot of bang for the buck and an 8 Yr limited powertrain warranty.
Along with a new backhoe for only $5,499.

Reliability and operate ergonomics and performance? If they are on par with their competitors, RK may be on to something here. The price of the RK55 Shuttle-shift tractor and loader is about what I paid for my Kubota L4200GST and loader way back in 1997. Hmmmm

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I just looked them up. RK tractor specs and prices sure are impressive. A lot of bang for the buck and an 8 Yr limited powertrain warranty.
Along with a new backhoe for only $5,499.

Reliability and operate ergonomics and performance? If they are on par with their competitors, RK may be on to something here. The price of the RK55 Shuttle-shift tractor and loader is about what I paid for my Kubota L4200GST and loader way back in 1997. Hmmmm

So, if you buy an RK, does the store have a shop attached to it, and what kind of dealer support, an 1-800 number? I've never seen a Rural King store, so I'm just asking. Reminds me of Cabela's attempt to sell tractors. And... one tends to get what one pays for.

 

[Oldoak]

So, if you buy an RK, does the store have a shop attached to it, and what kind of dealer support, an 1-800 number? I've never seen a Rural King store, so I'm just asking. Reminds me of Cabela's attempt to sell tractors. And... one tends to get what one pays for.

Who knows? I don't. RK doesn't have a nationwide presence. That would be a serious drawback to purchasing a RK tractor. :confused3:

I don't think Kubota did either when they first entered the U.S. market place.

Anyone who really know anything about farm tractors knew Cabelas version were not the best. A sporting goods retail store wasn't the place to shop for a quality farm tractor.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Who knows? I don't. RK doesn't have a nationwide presence. That would be a serious drawback to purchasing a RK tractor. :confused3:

I don't think Kubota did either when they first entered the U.S. market place.

Anyone who really know anything about farm tractors knew Cabelas version were not the best. A sporting goods retail store wasn't the place to shop for a quality farm tractor.

Exactly. I'm sure Wal Mart could sell tractors as well...

 

[Jstpssng]

Exactly. I'm sure Wal Mart could sell tractors as well...

Funny, I've never seen ANYONE post about a Northern Tools tractor here.

 

[EddieWalker]

RK doesn't have a nationwide presence. That would be a serious drawback to purchasing a RK tractor.

Anyone who really know anything about farm tractors knew Cabelas version were not the best. A sporting goods retail store wasn't the place to shop for a quality farm tractor.

The RK tractors look like TYM tractors. Wasn't Cabela's also selling TYM tractors and calling them something else? If you buy a TYM tractor, it doesn't really matter where you get it, you can always get parts for it. When Cabela's decided to be bought out, the got rid of their tractor line to make the sale possible, and sold their tractors very cheap!!!

 

[Oldoak]

The RK tractors look like TYM tractors. Wasn't Cabela's also selling TYM tractors and calling them something else? If you buy a TYM tractor, it doesn't really matter where you get it, you can always get parts for it. When Cabela's decided to be bought out, the got rid of their tractor line to make the sale possible, and sold their tractors very cheap!!!

Could be?

Like I originally stated, this is the first I learned about RK tractors and the only official information about them I got from their web-site today. I'm not arguing for or against RK tractors, just that their Specs. and price are impressive if their performance and reliability are on par. :tractor:

 

[Tractorable]

Personally, I wouldn't buy one due to the lack of name recognition and dealer support. However, if they're Korean built tractors with Japanese Yanmar engines, I must admit that they have the potential to be very good machines for a great price.

 

[sideskraft]

Assuming that other posters are correct that TYM makes those RK machines, then the reliability has been established, and their performance is usually at the top of their class. What isn't clear is who will service them. RK stores are not equipped with full tractor service facilities like most established dealers have, and I can't see them paying for full time staff and parts inventories. Unless warranty service can be done by TYM dealers, it seems quite risky. If someone is serious about buying from RK, they should sit down with the store manager and get the full scoop about warranty coverage and parts availability. It wouldn't be a bad idea to post on the TYM forum to see if there might be some RK tractor owners prowling around there.

 

[firebird93]

when i started looking at tractors 20 or so years ago i went the same route. john deere or kubota. after much research i just couldn't justify the price difference for the deere.i even asked the deere dealer why the price for a comparable deere was so much higher. his answer was better trade in value! i settled on the kubota L3400 with fel and 5' brush cutter. i've owned 5 kubotas since. it was a nice little tractor and had great power for its size but it was light. too light for what i was using it for. so i traded for a low hour grand L 3240. another great machine and the grand L was much nicer heavier machine. extendable lift arm on the 3 point was awsome as well as a removable fel but it seemed under powered to me. so i went up to the 3940 grand L which was new. the power to wieght on this machine was well balanced. did everything i asked of it with no problem. i my opinion the best of the three although i did have some minor issues with it. i also during this time had a bx 2200 which i wound up trading for a bx 2350 which i still own. the main issue i've had with the kubotas has been steering cylinders. 3 of the 5 i had to replace the steering cylinders on at relatively low hours. both bxs and the 3940. get it on a hillside and you were constantly have to keep turning the wheel up the hill to keep it straight. and you didn't dare to take your eye off the road or you would be off in a heartbeat. i have now gone up to a mahindra 3550 and havn't looked back other then the bx i am happier with it then any i have ever owned. so don't necessarily go for brand and get more then you think you need. my opinion for what its worth.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Currently, John Deere makes agricultural tractors, combines and engines in China. CNH Industrial produces agricultural tractors, combines, cotton pickers and sugar cane harvesters. And AGCO manufactures agricultural tractors, harvesting machinery, diesel engines and grain-storage equipment. Other major foreign manufacturers—including Claas and Kubota—also have factories in China.

Progressive Farmer – June 216 : Made In China