Kubota vs Deere 30+hp

Idaho10ac · Aug 11, 2005

I have been spending much quality time researching tractor options, but haven't seen my scenario. Now I finally joined the club, please help. I have never been a tractor owner. I live in the mountains of Idaho in McCall where I purchased 10ac of nearly flat property. I "need" a tractor to do as much site work as I can (backfill, driveway and landscaping). I am building a house next spring, but need the tractor now to be able to move timbers around while I work on my timber frame this winter. I will also be blowing much snow for myself and the church parking lot down the road. I have narrowed it down to Kubota and Deere, both have reputable dealers who have been very responsive in Boise 100mi away. My neighbors both have JD one a new 3520 and the other a 4400. They are very willing to share the implements of which they have most. The models I am considering are the L3400 and the JD 3320. The prices I have been quoted with loader and HST or eHydro are $16,900 and $19,500 respectively. My wife is uncomfortable spending too much over $20,000 and I would like to keep her happy. With that background my issues are this: From talking to local tractor owners I need the 30hp to really do service to blowing snow effectively as we get a lot. Are there other models less than $20k that I should consider? Are the prices right? Are quick connects universal so I can use neighbors JD implements if I go Kubota? Does the L3400 lack features that I will miss? The JD dealer tells me I will pay more for his tractors, is it worth it? Should I try to get a deal on a blower when I purchase the tractor or is there a better aftermarket brand I should consider? Also there is no tax on the JD as they are just over the border in OR. Thank you for any and all comments.

Dargo · Aug 11, 2005

Have you gone and driven both the Kubota and John Deere hydro tractors? I have a L5030HSTC right now. However, I much prefer the two pedals for the hydro control on the John Deere tractors. Each seem to have trade offs. The JD has a larger fuel tank, is turbo charged, and is a pretty green color. The Kubota generally has a stronger 3 pt. hitch and slightly more lift capacity on the loader.

I don't think you can go wrong with either tractor. From owning several of each over the years, I'd also give the edge to JD on customer support as well. All in all, they are very close competitors and you will be amazed when you place each brochure side by side and compare stats. They are very close. I suppose it will boil down to which you like better. I really do like the JD hydro control system better, and I like their "load match" system as well. Good luck!

Oh yes, one other thing I should mention. I saw where you said that your JD dealer said that you will pay more for his tractor. I think that is relative. Since I've owned several new JD products, I can tell you that I've very rarely ever lost money on one, if ever. They hold tremendous resale value. So, you pay more up front for the quality, but later you get more back out of it because others are willing to pay more for the quality. Even though you can see that I'm sort of leaning towards JD (yes, I do own a Kubota), I will admit that I've had the same luck on resale with my Kubota tractors and the one New Holland I bought new.

You'll know you've "got it bad" when you start dreaming about your new tractor. Buy the one in your dreams. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Good luck!

Idaho10ac · Aug 11, 2005

I have driven my neighbors JD 3520 and he has all the bells and whistles; loadmatch, can lock the back wheels if he gets into trouble, etc. I am going to the Kubota dealer next week to try the L3400. JD has also told me that their controls are much better positioned. Is this true and is it a problem with KUbota?

Bob_Skurka · Aug 11, 2005

You are comparing a fully featured JD to an economy verison Kubota. The L3400 is one of their basic models, it is a fine tractor, and a good value, nice weight and power in a medium size package. If you want to make a more fair comparison you might want to look at a Kubota L3430, but you will find the price climbs with the features. The L3430 will carry the far more capable 723 loader, and the 3pt capacity will easily outlift the L3400's capacities.

To directly answer your questions about controls being better positioned, I think some of the new JD designs are far and away the best designed tractors in the industry, easily as good as the New Hollands and better than any other in terms of ergonomics. However, the reality is you can get used ot any set of controls.

N80 · Aug 12, 2005

Since you list 30 'plus' HP, I'd also mention the Kubota L4400. The major drawback for you is that it is a basic geared tractor. The benefit is that you get 45 hp and 4wd for the same price, or lower, than an HST model. I got mine for $18,500 with the loader. It is comparable to a JD 990. It is an 'economy' tractor but has all the features I need. If you can't or don't want to drive a geared model then it wouldn't meet your needs, but if you don't mind geared then from my research it is the tractor with the most hp for the dollar that I could find.

BillG_in_TX · Aug 12, 2005

Jeremy,

Your neighbor with the 3520 has a turbo. The 3320 is non-turbo, which will lose about 3% of its available HP for every 1000 feet of altitude. At 5000 feet, you're looking at a 15% reduction. Look for the other discussions regarding loss of HP at altitude, and the comparison of the 3x20 series in the JD Buying forum.

Here's a discussion on the prices and capabilities of the JD 3x20 series. It looks like the 3320 has 25.5 PTO HP (which is where you need to look for snowblower use), which would drop to about 22 HP at 5000 feet. The 3520 has 30 PTO HP at either sea level or a mile high.

The L4400 that N80 recommended would generate about 32 PTO HP at your altitude, while the L3400 HST would only have about 23 PTO HP.

Idaho10ac · Aug 12, 2005

I talked to the JD rep today and he is bringing a 3320 up for me to try next week. When I test drive a tractor how can I work it to find out what it's limits are? I'm having a hard time telling between different tractors how it will perform when I'm blowing waist deep snow, but I need the tractor before the snow flies. I understand now that there is a lot of difference between the single hydraulic pump on the L3400 and the duel or independent on the LGrand or 3320 series. My main issue is price and getting the most bang for the buck that will still meet most of my needs. I'm not willing to pay for my dream machine with extra power that I might need 10% of the time. How much tractor do I really need.

btolle · Aug 12, 2005

( My main issue is price and getting the most bang for the buck that will still meet most of my needs. I'm not willing to pay for my dream machine with extra power that I might need 10% of the time. How much tractor do I really need. )

I disagree with your price statement. I doubt it is true, if it were you would not be looking at JD and Kubota, you would be looking for a cheaper deal. I see some tractors with the same HP as my B7510 advertised for a lot less than I paid for the 7510.

The problem is neither of the dealers has shown you why you should pay $XXX for their tractor. It is sad that there are so few salespeople left in the world. Lots of order-takers out there, very few professional salespeople.

Given that, you will have to "sell yourself" on which tractor you want.

Go to the dealers lot on the weekend when they are closed and sit on them for a while. Play with the controls so you get the feel of where everything is. Look at other models on each lot and see if there is anything that catches your eye as far as small features that you like.

Then drive both of them, hopefully both dealers will drop one off for you to try. It would really be great if both dealers dropped them off at the same time so you could park them next to each other and drive each one 2 or 3 times in quick succession to get a fair comparison.

It might be helpful if you carry a piece of paper and pen with you and write down your comments about each immediately after driving each. Don't wait until hours later to make notes, you will forget which tractor had which feature that you like or disliked.

Sadly, you are going to have to do the salesmans job ourself, but you have made a good start by posting on this forum.

If you really feel that either would be good then the tie breaker might be that you have 2 neighbors who have JD's. Depending on their personalities they may be more likely to help a fellow JD owner than a Kubota owner.

BTW, you might ask both those neighbors about their buying experience and ask them why they bought their particular brand and model. Many times a satisfied customer is the best salesman. And an unhappy customer can be a dealers worst enemy.

I think you are on the right track, just hang in there until something "feels right". If nothing feels like the right tractor then keep searching until you find the right one.

BTW, sounds like the JD dealer is trying to get your business if he is willing to bring one for you to try out. That speaks well of him.

Bill Tolle

MessickFarmEqu · Aug 13, 2005

The 3320 is in the same price range as the Grand L30 tractors are. If you feel the L3400 is not enough for you I'd suggest taking a look. Spec wise the L-30's usualy squash Deere by a pretty good margin - especialy on the loader.

One thing to watch for - there has been a long thread running in the Deere forum about the lack of the multiple functions on the loader joystick. They switched to a cheap valve, Kubota uses a good one on every tractor including the L3400. Once you get used to using a loader this is a huge advantage.

My guess is if you get out on an L3400 you'll but it. I think its just about the most power for your money right now.

fastpat · Aug 13, 2005

( I have been spending much quality time researching tractor options, but haven't seen my scenario. Now I finally joined the club, please help. I have never been a tractor owner. I live in the mountains of Idaho in McCall where I purchased 10ac of nearly flat property. I "need" a tractor to do as much site work as I can (backfill, driveway and landscaping). I am building a house next spring, but need the tractor now to be able to move timbers around while I work on my timber frame this winter. I will also be blowing much snow for myself and the church parking lot down the road. I have narrowed it down to Kubota and Deere, both have reputable dealers who have been very responsive in Boise 100mi away. My neighbors both have JD one a new 3520 and the other a 4400. They are very willing to share the implements of which they have most. The models I am considering are the L3400 and the JD 3320. The prices I have been quoted with loader and HST or eHydro are $16,900 and $19,500 respectively. My wife is uncomfortable spending too much over $20,000 and I would like to keep her happy. With that background my issues are this: From talking to local tractor owners I need the 30hp to really do service to blowing snow effectively as we get a lot. Are there other models less than $20k that I should consider? Are the prices right? Are quick connects universal so I can use neighbors JD implements if I go Kubota? Does the L3400 lack features that I will miss? The JD dealer tells me I will pay more for his tractors, is it worth it? Should I try to get a deal on a blower when I purchase the tractor or is there a better aftermarket brand I should consider? Also there is no tax on the JD as they are just over the border in OR. Thank you for any and all comments. )

I don't own a tractor yet, but do have several other vehicles including a turbocharged diesel. No matter which brand of tractor you purchase, at the altitude you will be operating one at, don't consider one without a turbocharged engine. As someone else pointed out, you'll be hamstrung at that altitude with a normally aspirated tractor, and on hot summer days it will be worse.

You'll want a JD 3520 or the equivalent in another brand.

Pat