Kubota BX or John Deere 2210??

jaymo · Oct 22, 2004

What are the pros and cons here? I am leaning strongly towards the Kubota- after all:
1. Both tractors are Japanese anyway!!
2.Kubota is $2000 cheaper!
3. I always liked John Deere; that is, until my LX 178 lawn tractor cracked the block when I went to change the oil! (after 11 years). Makes me want to go diesel... AND, the fact that JD appears to find this "business as usual- let's trade in on a new tractor" kind of burns me- I was planning on the 2210 in a year or two, but NOW- maybe a KUBOTA NOW!!

What do you guys think? AND, should I get a front end loader? (5 acres- but a strong back!)

Jaymo strong back /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif <font color="red"> </font>

Bob_Skurka · Oct 22, 2004

Do yourself a HUGE favor, get the Front End Loader!!!

As for the tractors, there are 5 goods ones on the market. Take a look at the Kubota BX, the JD2210, the Massey GC2300, the New Holland TZ and the Case DX. All the tractors are excellent machines each will take up to a 60" mower deck. All have adequate FELs. Kubota & Massy have available back hoes (if you might be so inclined to spend even more). Kubota & Deere have "limited" 3pt hitches so they may not lift some implements completely. All are excellent mowers. I would say that there is no reason to pay $2000 more for any one of them assuming you are comparing apples-to-apples (there are a few models to choose from in some of the lines). If it was me, I would buy from the dealer who treated me the best or I would buy the tractor I liked the best after trying as many of them as I could. With any luck, the tractor you like the best will also be at the dealer you like the best.

Junkman · Oct 22, 2004

buy the front end loader and buy the Deere. I never hear anyone complain about a Deere dealer, but there sure are a lot of complaints about the Kubota dealers wanting too much money for what they sell. Besides, yellow and green is much better looking than orange.

Bob_Skurka · Oct 22, 2004

<font color="green"> I never hear anyone complain about a Deere dealer, but there sure are a lot of complaints about the Kubota dealers wanting too much money for what they sell. </font>

Junkman, seems to me either you forgot to put the "smilies" in your post or I had too much wine with dinner and lost all perspective on the post.

MrCJ · Oct 23, 2004

Jaymo,

Listen to Bob! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Not discounting the other comments though.
I am in the same boat and everyone has been giving great advice.
I have been having problems with several dealers (JD, CC, Kubota) the only one who seems to be interested in selling a tractor is NH. I'm sure this is area dependent. The dealers in NE PA must not be hurting in this economy /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I didn't want a loader initially, but have been borrowing a unit with one and it makes one great wheel barrow!
Hope to be able to offer some price quotes for comparison soon.

surfran · Oct 23, 2004

I agree with Bob, look and test all of them. As for the loader, get it now. The tractor will last 20-30 years and even if your back is strong now, will you still want to wheel borrow and dig in 10,20,30 years?

I also came from a JD family but decided on the Kubota as it was more cost effective for me. Both are good units and I didn't have the Massey's around to consider or the TZ's weren't out at the time.

A certain feature or location of a feature may swing your opinion, color of paint, or dealer's demeanor but in the end there are several very satisfied customers of each (and some I'm sure that aren't as well) so decide what YOU like and go with it.

Good luck and we'll be expecting pictures when the stork arrives.

rosey · Oct 23, 2004

Jaymo....I have over 100 hrs on my Bx2200 and am VERY satisfied with it's performance. The loader is a very good investment and has come in handy for projects around my house including snow removal. The only complaint that I have is quality of cut of the mower deck which I understand is common amongst CUT's as compared to lawn tractors...my Deere LX277 lawn tractor that I had previous to the BX had a superior cut ( more manicured look) but as I understand from previous posts it had a 42" deck with 2 blades vs the Bx's 60" 3 blade system which has something to do with it.

aardvark · Oct 23, 2004

I found my Kubota dealer was alot more willing to deal than my John Deere dealer. That's why I bought the Kubota. The local NH dealer wasn't so fantastic, and the Massey dealer didn't have any GC2310's available to look at. The price the JD dealer quoted me on a 2210 with a loader was about the same as a BX23 with a loader and a backhoe. I'd say any of those four machines would have done the job fine on my property, but I bought the Kubota based on price. That $2000 you are quoting is alot of money.

Also, I'd say get the loader. I use the loader about 90% of the time I'm running the tractor, it makes things so easy, I can't imagine not having it now.

Rick_Morrell · Oct 23, 2004

Jaymo:

In my opinion, dealer relationship is everything. For the most part, each company's marketing organization tends to keep the tractors on even footing with one-another (that, and the Japanese tendency to trade designs across companies), so you're going to get a decent tractor no matter which company you settle on. It's the taste you get in your mouth when working with a bad dealer that tends to taint your opinion of that brand (again, in my opinion), so my advice is to find a dealer who treats you like a valued customer and go from there. Good luck!

Rick

BotaGuy · Oct 23, 2004

Am I the minority here??? I have never required ANY follow up service from the dealer. My dealer is excellent, but there are a few good dealers around me. I simply have never had to go back or call for anything. This includes the 2 Kubota CUT's and the commercial ZTR that I have owned. While it's nice to hear people willing to pay for good service, "Overpaying" for the possibility of future good service makes sense in only the smaller dollar amounts...like $100 or so. For $500-700....Sheesh....I wish some of you bought your cars this way. In the car business, I find it humorous people will drive and shop 3 hours away for $100!!!

BRIGUY · Oct 23, 2004

BotaGuy,
I totally understand what you are saying about automobile sales. I used to work for Dodge dealers (left the biz in '95). I was in Upstate NY for a few years then in Florida. It always drives me crazy that dealers up here will not stock trucks with optional limited slip differentials. The dealers I know say that people will go buy the truck 100 miles away to save 50 bucks. Therefore, an open rear end makes the truck 250$ less. Yet go to Texas (no snow) and almost every truck on the lot has limited slip.

44trxfun · Oct 23, 2004

I agree with much of what has already been said here. Not so much about which tractor, but what's important to consider in the purchase. One thing I would emphasize is to really think about reasonably foreseeable future kinds of tasks you might want to do.

I have the MF GC2300. Great tractor, given its limitations (be realistic about those). However, one thing I didn't think enough about before I bought was 3PH jobs--clearing snow with backblade; leveling ground and driveway with boxblade, etc. On mine, 3PH lever adjustment can interfere with treddle peddle operation (they just line up a little awkward for simultaneous operation). Position control is a nice feature to have. Maybe even top & tilt or equivalent. And right now, more and more, I'm wishing I had gotten something with a backhoe (or that capability). Mine doesn't have it.

If I were you, I would definately get the FEL now. You'll find plenty of uses for it. And think hard about what you'll be doing around your place for the next few years. At least consider which of those jobs you'd want to do yourself with this tractor (as opposed to those you might rent something or contract out to accomplish).

Good luck with your purchase!

jaymo · Oct 24, 2004

Gosh, thanks for all the info guys! I know now I will definitely get the FEL at the outset- and, I hadn't really considered the New Holland... have a dealer pretty close, too. I'll check that out as well.

When I buy, I'll let you all know what I get, and how much I like it!

Jaymo

jaymo · Oct 24, 2004

Oh, yes- I also talked with Hoye tractor about their Yanmar grey tractors... they sound good- any info in this regard?

Jaymo

Bob_Skurka · Oct 24, 2004

Just for comparisions sake, it is pretty hard to compare any of the grey market tractors to the Kubota BX, the Deere 2210, the NH TZ or the Massey GC sub-cuts. The greys are going to be primitive (but very capable) compared to any of the above 3 machines. The greys will be gear, taller in frame, etc. The sub-cuts are simply in a different class of machine and are designed for different purposes. For mowing I'd say the the sub-cuts are a far better alternative for a bunch of reasons.

jaymo · Oct 24, 2004

Thanks! Since I'll be mowing about 3 acres regularly, along with additional trails, and tilling, and snow removal, I guess the "sub cuts" are for me...

What exactly is a "sub cut"? javascript:void(0)A cut down frame?

Jaymo

aardvark · Oct 24, 2004

Sub Compact Utility Tractor - SubCUT

Malvern · Oct 25, 2004

Jaymo,

Just about everyone agrees, you can't go wrong with any of the major brands of CUT's. I went through the same thing you are several months ago. I purchased my 2210 to cut 3-4 acres of grass, maintain 1500 ft of drive way, horse barn duties etc. You will be amazed how these little things run. To this day, It puts huge grins on my face just thinking up things to do with it. I can't wait until it snows.

Malvern /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

btolle · Oct 25, 2004

In East Texas lots of folks mow lots of acres. I wanted to look at the JD for comparison to the BX2230. The local JD dealer did not have one. Said he had 2 this year, sold 1 and another JD dealer took the other one. The Kubota dealer has about a dozen BX's on his lot.

Makes me wonder why the JD dealer won't even stock them.

Bill Tolle

thcri · Oct 25, 2004

1st. Get the loader, you will be sorry if you don't.
2nd. Check out the other brands and get a feel for the others
3rd. Go with one of the dealers you like the best.

I don't care what you get, it is no good without a good dealer to support it. Unless you plan on doing all the mechanical work the dealer is the most important thing.

murph