opine please: L3400 or JD3038e?

[pistolhunter]

Hello everyone! In the market for a new tractor and have quotes for both tractors w/fel, with the Kubota being $300 more. I like the looks of both machines, and would like some opinions (other than the dealer's) on them.

Some of the pros for the JD is that it is hst, and the overall finish looks more refined.


Pros for the Kubota is that it looks to be built a little heavier, folding ROPS, and I like skid steer type bucket removal on the Kubota.

The tractor will be used for small deer plots, and jobs around house. I plan on getting a back hoe attachment later on.


Thanks in advance.

 

[art]

I wouldn't buy a tractor without a quick disconnect loader! When it might come to first time to have the tractor split will save you that money in additional labor costs for the removal of it!

 

[Deerlope]

I don't know much about thr JD but you may want to check to see if transmission housing is cast iron. Maybe someone will chime in on this.

 

[crashz]

I'm in my third year of "shopping around" and with my upcoming wedding, looking at a few more years before replacing the 770. But the new JD economy tractors and the Kubota L series have been on top of my list as well as the CK series from Kioti. I have a reasonable amount of choice, dealers seem equivalent in my area, and prices inline with each other.

Tough choice. I would option all with the loader, HST, and quick connect bucket. Removal of the loader is not an issue for me, as I'd probably never take it off. Could be for you though.

Deere Pros - Style, comfort for my size, PTO power, dual pedal HST
Deere Cons - 2 range Hydro, assume to be some aluminum castings (looks like Al which support speculations, but I haven't proven it myself), JD quick connect bucket

Kubota 3400 Pros - 3 range HST, loader style, reputation, proven, SS Quick connects
Kubota 3400 Cons - rocker pedal HST, uncomfortable, PTO issues, fit and finish, light weight

I have not actually driven the Kioti, so I can't tell if its comfortable or not:
CK 35 Pros - Loader power, SS Quick Connect, Warranty, 3 range HST, style
CK 35 Cons - Rocker pedal HST

You know, I've never sat down and done a pros/cons comparison of these thres tractors. I may be missing a few things, and I need to test drive the Kioti to accurately finish my evaluation, but this seems to be the best way to go about the comparision. In reality, if the Kioti is as comfortable as the Deere, then it will probably be my overall choice. If its as uncomfortable as the Kubota, the playing field will be more of less leveled again.

Good luck and get your butt in the seats and try them out!

 

[wnymudd]

I was in that spot a couple of months ago. I opted for the John Deere 3032e. The things I based my decision on were:

#1 Price was lower for John Deere.
#2 John Deere financing was better at the time.
#3 Split pedal Hydrostatic.
#4 Roomier operator platform. Felt more comfy to me.

Hope it helps.

 

[pistolhunter]

Thanks guys, you have given me a little more to think about.

I do not like the rocker style hst, the split pedal system was more comfortable for me.

Does anyone Know why JD would use cast alum. housing?

I have a little more research to do, but will get my butt in the seat before I buy.

The JD dealer said he would drop by the house and let me try it out for a day or two if I wanted. No other dealer offered this.

 

[mattman]

The JD dealer seems to be trying hard for the sale. A dealer after the sale is important thing to consider.. The JD dealer may be what would help decide for me.

 

[Cocre]

Years back about every part of the cast drive train of a car was iron or steel. When they first tried the aluminum thing it was mostly a disaster, or at least it seemed that way to me. That left a bad taste in the mouth for many in the use of aluminum for drive train parts, but these days most every cast part of the drive train is aluminum. Metallurgy has changed things dramatically. Cars used to go for 60 thousand miles on the cast iron block and start sucking oil, now a 100 thousand on aluminum is just a start.

On my old iron 8N tractor I can hook a 20 ft chain to a stump and take off running, when the slack comes out either the stump moves or the tractor comes to a very quick stop. I do this all day without fear of it breaking in half. This is abusive and one day it may break. With my mostly all aluminum JD 3320 I would never try that, if I did it would probably be a pile of dust, but the Deere is a far superior tractor, with far greater capabilities, and with far greater comfort. If it had R1 tires rather than the R4s it would be perfect.

So if you are going to snatch things around, buy an 8N, otherwise buy what functionally and financially meets your needs.

 

[LD1]

The thw tractors you mentioned spec out nearly identical as does the CK35 that crashz mentioned.

They are roughly the same HP and size.

I will also mention that the three tractors mentioned have nearly identical loader specs. The CK35 is NOT stronger.

Lift @ pins for the 3 are 1186 JD, 1142 KUB, 1155 KIOTI
Breakout Force 1704 @ pins for JD, 1858 @500mm forward for KUB, and 2050 @ pins for KIOTI. The total lift height is only 84" for the JD though while the kubota and kioti are 95.3 and 92.5. So the loaders are nearly identical.

There is also a large weight difference in these tractors to. 2100lbs for JD 2600lbs for kubota, and 3100lbs for kioti. Given that i have a 3400, and it takes a good amount of ballast to be stable when doing FEL work, I would be concerned that the JD is too light.

The kubota also has a larger fuel tank, 9gal compared to 6.4. It has larger fron tires 7-16 to 7-14. It has a locking rear diff. The JD also has a turbo to make the power where the kubota doesnt, which is more that could go wrong.

I'd go for the kubota, especially if there are some concerns about the JD being made of cast aluminum.

 

[deere5105]

One vote for the Deere. My dealer experience alone weighs heavily on that. I bought my 5105 used but absolutely love it. It is always a pleasure to go into the dealership to pick up maintenance parts and to get any questions answered. I know some will say some of the parts are not made in the USA, but it is still an american company with parts made to Deere specs. If they are that closely matched I would also encourage the support of american made products and businesses.

 

[Hematite]

One vote for the Deere. My dealer experience alone weighs heavily on that. I bought my 5105 used but absolutely love it. It is always a pleasure to go into the dealership to pick up maintenance parts and to get any questions answered. I know some will say some of the parts are not made in the USA, but it is still an american company with parts made to Deere specs. If they are that closely matched I would also encourage the support of american made products and businesses.

+1 and it's not uncomfortable with PTO issues. Reread crashz's post. His comparison says a lot.

 

[canoetrpr]

My personal opinion is that any PTO issues with the L3400 are overblown. The model is a very basic old design. All tractors and models have some issue or another.

I don't think I'd pick a 2 range HST over 3 range. I have used all three ranges.

All these companies are multinational corporations. I guess if you buy the nostalgia about Deere being American and it makes you feel better then that is good for you. What Deere does do much better than the others is marketing. Don't get me wrong. I also think they make great products, but they out market the competition by a mile. I have a Kubota L3400 - have only ever had a Kubota. My two boys 5 and 2 sit on it every chance they get. Yet if you ask them which is their favourite tractor - it is GREEN. They've got JD toys and a JD video which they got from some promotional thing and they love GREEN. JD takes the cake when it comes to marketing.

They factor that I would weigh heaviest in your decision is comfort / ergonomics. If you are uncomfortable for whatever reason - no matter how good the tractor is otherwise - don't buy it. I don't find the treadle pedal uncomfortable and I can see why it might feel odd until you get used to it... but seating position and operating comfort is paramount. I'm a Kubota guy but all the makers make pretty good tractors and I'd recommend you put ergonomics very high on your list.

I'd say having a good dealer network nearby is important to me. You can only tell so much about the dealer you purchase from unless you have word of mouth experiencess from friends, when it comes time to service. I do all the service myself so having a dealer (not the one I purchased from) on the way to work with a couple very good guy at the parts counter works out very well for me. You don't know when one or other dealer might close. Case in point - my selling dealer SUCKED. Of course I didn't realize this until well after I signed on the dotted line. Since then he is no longer a Kubota dealer. It is nice that there are more than enough dealers for me to chose from for parts - and should anything happen that I can't take care of - for service.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[pistolhunter]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.