Buying Advice John Deere vs Kubota

[North Woods]

One thing to consider is that the green tractor you grew up around is likely not the same as the green compact utility tractors of today. Just noticed a larger difference in the incentives between green and orange. Green is offering quite a bit back on the 30-50 hp models. Orange is just giving financing incentives. That tells me something about how they view their positions in the market and where they want to be. Not a deal breaker but and indicator for me.

As Code54 just mentioned, check the dealer because that is where you are going to bring it when it breaks.

Good luck out there and let us know how it goes.

 

[Erik M]

I would also recommend that you consider an older machine that has been well maintained and has lots of life left in it, particularly if it won’t be used often or worked hard. I live in a rural area and lots of older machines are available with a bit of looking. Nice thing with older machines is costs are low and the machines are simple compared to newer ones. My JD is almost 40 yrs old and has cost a small fraction of what a new one would have set me back. I have had to do a little maintainence work but nothing extreme and this machine will outlast me. Good for blowing snow, mowing brush, plowing a bit, etc. No microchips or electronics, just a starter and lights.

 

[jtsande]

I've been in a similar situation for some time. Just pulled the trigger on a Kubota 3901. Both are good tractors and both will do anything you ask them to do.

For the compact market, I got the impresssion that Deere really does not put their best foot forward with their compact/economy line. You don't get a Deere motor and the build quality is just not up to par when you think of the legendary John Deere. Yanmar is tried and true, but if I'm buying a Deere I want a Deere motor. I can't buy something based on heritage and pedigree alone and I think Deere tries to coast on their name and reputation with their compact line, even if there is very little Deere blood in those tractors. You can get into a compact Deere for a little cheaper than Kubota, but Kubota makes a more solidly built compact. Thicker front axle, overall heavier machine, etc.

If I was a big time farmer in Nebraska and I needed a tractor for my 5,000 acre grain farm, I'd consider Deere. If I was a hobby farmer (which I am) looking for something under 50 HP, I'd go Kubota every time. Deere just doesn't have their heart in that market, IMO.

 

[Tractorable]

I've been in a similar situation for some time. Just pulled the trigger on a Kubota 3901. Both are good tractors and both will do anything you ask them to do.

For the compact market, I got the impresssion that Deere really does not put their best foot forward with their compact/economy line. You don't get a Deere motor and the build quality is just not up to par when you think of the legendary John Deere. Yanmar is tried and true, but if I'm buying a Deere I want a Deere motor. I can't buy something based on heritage and pedigree alone and I think Deere tries to coast on their name and reputation with their compact line, even if there is very little Deere blood in those tractors. You can get into a compact Deere for a little cheaper than Kubota, but Kubota makes a more solidly built compact. Thicker front axle, overall heavier machine, etc.

If I was a big time farmer in Nebraska and I needed a tractor for my 5,000 acre grain farm, I'd consider Deere. If I was a hobby farmer (which I am) looking for something under 50 HP, I'd go Kubota every time. Deere just doesn't have their heart in that market, IMO.

Well said. John Deere makes great lawn tractors and big ag machines but their heart doesn't seem to be in the compact tractor market. My X590 garden tractor is excellent; I really love it, but their economy line of compact tractors leave much to be desired.

For compact tractors I'd go with Kubota or Yanmar, both Japanese purebreds.

 

[4570Man]

I would also recommend that you consider an older machine that has been well maintained and has lots of life left in it, particularly if it won’t be used often or worked hard. I live in a rural area and lots of older machines are available with a bit of looking. Nice thing with older machines is costs are low and the machines are simple compared to newer ones. My JD is almost 40 yrs old and has cost a small fraction of what a new one would have set me back. I have had to do a little maintainence work but nothing extreme and this machine will outlast me. Good for blowing snow, mowing brush, plowing a bit, etc. No microchips or electronics, just a starter and lights.

I bought a 200 hour GrandL 3240 machine for less money than a new L3901. The grand L is a WAY nicer machine. I’ll take the lightly used equal or less money GrandL over an economy tractor 10/10 times.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Both excellent brands - best to try them both, check out the dealers and then decide what is best for you.

I would also recommend that you consider an older machine that has been well maintained and has lots of life left in it, particularly if it won’t be used often or worked hard. I live in a rural area and lots of older machines are available with a bit of looking. Nice thing with older machines is costs are low and the machines are simple compared to newer ones. My JD is almost 40 yrs old and has cost a small fraction of what a new one would have set me back. I have had to do a little maintainence work but nothing extreme and this machine will outlast me. Good for blowing snow, mowing brush, plowing a bit, etc. No microchips or electronics, just a starter and lights.

Best 2 answers above.

I've been in a similar situation for some time. Just pulled the trigger on a Kubota 3901. Both are good tractors and both will do anything you ask them to do.

For the compact market, I got the impresssion that Deere really does not put their best foot forward with their compact/economy line. You don't get a Deere motor and the build quality is just not up to par when you think of the legendary John Deere. Yanmar is tried and true, but if I'm buying a Deere I want a Deere motor. I can't buy something based on heritage and pedigree alone and I think Deere tries to coast on their name and reputation with their compact line, even if there is very little Deere blood in those tractors. You can get into a compact Deere for a little cheaper than Kubota, but Kubota makes a more solidly built compact. Thicker front axle, overall heavier machine, etc.

If I was a big time farmer in Nebraska and I needed a tractor for my 5,000 acre grain farm, I'd consider Deere. If I was a hobby farmer (which I am) looking for something under 50 HP, I'd go Kubota every time. Deere just doesn't have their heart in that market, IMO.

(Now to start a war because I need the daily post count to go up) Deere picked Yanmar a long time ago to supply engines and small tractors because Yanmar engines are some of the very, very best. Deere does make tractors with their engines in them but many don't want to pay a premium.

I say, research your closest dealers. See what they charge for labor, look at their parts department. With a Deere, you can see exploded views online and order parts from home while wearing only underwear.

JDParts: Homepage

 

[deminin]

When we retired to the country...15+ years ago, I went tractor shopping. I settled on the Kubota...and got it, plus a loader, and several implements for not much more than the cost of the basic JD tractor. It has served me well all these years with little more than routine maintenance and care. I keep it indoors in my workshop, keep it fairly clean and do all the maintenance more frequently than the manual calls for. I did have a bearing go bad in the front axle a few years ago, and after rebuilding that, I switched to 80w90 lube in the axle...rather than the Super UDT...and have had no further troubles.

 

[DK35vince]

With a Deere, you can see exploded views online and order parts from home while wearing only underwear.

I think you can do that with most any brand today.
I can see exploded views for parts for my Polaris side by side, Kawasaki street bike, Hustler zero turn, Kioti tractor, Ect,. and order any parts online from home.

 

[jtsande]

(Now to start a war because I need the daily post count to go up) Deere picked Yanmar a long time ago to supply engines and small tractors because Yanmar engines are some of the very, very best. Deere does make tractors with their engines in them but many don't want to pay a premium.

I say, research your closest dealers. See what they charge for labor, look at their parts department. With a Deere, you can see exploded views online and order parts from home while wearing only underwear.

JDParts: Homepage

There will be no bloodshed today. I've got absolutely nothing against Yanmar, or Deere for using their motors. They've been serving Deere well for decades and if they enable Deere to get into the market at a price point that makes sense for consumers then nobody can fault them for that. Just me, on a personal level, if I'm buying a product from an American institution, I want at least the motor to purebred American. I realize that is a lot to ask (and perhaps unrealistic) in today's globalized economy, but for right or for wrong I'm sticking to it.

At the end of the day, as a buyer one needs to prioritize their must-haves and preferences and go with what makes the most sense from a financial and logistical standpoint. Anything from a reputable brand is going to perform.

 

[ovrszd]

Best 2 answers above.



(Now to start a war because I need the daily post count to go up) Deere picked Yanmar a long time ago to supply engines and small tractors because Yanmar engines are some of the very, very best. Deere does make tractors with their engines in them but many don't want to pay a premium.

I say, research your closest dealers. See what they charge for labor, look at their parts department. With a Deere, you can see exploded views online and order parts from home while wearing only underwear.

JDParts: Homepage

My SCUT JD mowing tractors have had Yanmar diesels for 30-ish years or so. Their 3cyl inline engines are top of the line.