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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Kubota vs John Deere

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Beamer

10-23-2005 22:32:04




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I now own a ford 3600 tractor with a bucket and scraper box. It's getting old and wanted to get a newer one. It is rated at 40hp and is a work horse. I'm looking at this years Kubota and John Deere rental returns. Which brand would give me the most for my money and hold its value? John Deere has had a good reputation in the past but I'm not sure about today. A lot more Kubota's dealers around. Any help is appreciated.

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Luke S

10-25-2005 10:07:38




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I have a Kubota M4700, a BX2200, and a ZD21 and wouldn't trade them for anything. Also have a JD 4600 and just got rid of a 5210. I joke about the Kuboata's that we check the oil once a year whether they need it or not. They start below zero with no block heaters, and they do stuff that tractors larger than them shouldn't do. Never turned a wrench on a Kubota as long as we've had them, except to change fluids and filters. The JD's on the other hand are hard to start in the winter even with a block heater. The loader on the 4600 can be rocked back and forth 4" just by grabing ahold of the side and shaking it. busted a plastic hood on both the 4600 and the 5210. With the Kubota I used to run a 5x5 round baler until I got my big Oliver 1955. It has 42pto hp and ran a baler that called for 60pto hp. I think Deere still makes some good bigger tractors but on the smaller one's from my experience Kubota has em wooped. Kubota has been coming on pretty strong in the larger one's to though, the new M125 I have been looking at looks just as good as anything Deere makes and can be had for about $20,000 less than a deere. I know if I was in a predicament that my life depended on I would choose the Kubota over the Deere.

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Luke S

10-25-2005 10:18:32




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Luke S, 10-25-2005 10:07:38  
Sorry, I just checked a little closer, and for a 125pto hp Kubota with 4x4, cab, and loader, you can own one for just under $50k, a deere is near $90k!!! Heck, you could almost have 2 Kubota's for one Deere.



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Joe MD

10-25-2005 07:33:36




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
John Deere is offereing 0% financing for 2 years right now on the 3020 and 4020.

Not sure if that would change anything though.



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Beamer

10-25-2005 01:05:02




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I would like to thank everyone for all of the great comments. The comments helped me decide on a Kubota. I do think the JD looks like a heavier built tractor that does cost a little more. The kubota does look like it is easier to handle. Hard to tell though just driving it around the sales lot. The L3400 and L3430 gst models is what I looking at. They don"t have as much power as my Ford 3600, but they do have 4 wheel drive which I was hoping would help. With wet ground from the winter rains I can"t really use the tractor off the pavement. I was hoping the 4wd would help with this also. My Ford tractor was poorly taken care of by the previous owners. I"ve spent a lot of time fixing it up as needed. Lately it seems to be breaking down more then I care to work on it. The gst transmission will be a lot easier to handle then my Ford non-synro mesh transmission. I can get these Kubota model"s from a dealer after
one rental season marked down from new price with a full warranty as new. Any additional comments would be appreciated. Thanks.

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FredWi

10-25-2005 04:30:43




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-25-2005 01:05:02  
I replace a Ford 600 series with a Kubota L3130 a
couple years ago and have not regretted it one
bit. Don't need tirer chains no more for plowing
snow. Really a nice tractor to operate.



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colekicker

10-24-2005 22:49:20




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 Keep what you have!!!Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I think you would be hard pressed to convince me that the newer Kubota or Deere is gonna compare to the 3600 Ford. Your Ford just has more raw power. Look for aftermarket parts. You could almost put together another 3600 with parts available aftermarket. This keeps the regular parts prices down. Plus, look at the resale. If you have done normal maintenance on your 3600, it will probably bring what you paid for it. It won't lose its value. Of the smaller tractors, it is kind like the 3020 and 4020 Deeres. They will still bring top dollar if they have been taken care of. My 2 pennys are keep what you have. In the long run you would lose money on the Kubota or the JD and still be able to keep the 3600 running for the price difference.

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tortmort

10-24-2005 19:06:12




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I know it was not part of your post, but the Mahindra tractors seem to be the best deal.



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KENT

10-24-2005 18:42:16




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I HAD A DEERE 4610 WITH A DEERE LOADER THAT WAS A PLEASURE TO DRIVE, BUT IT HAD---PLASTIC FENDERS, HOOD,ENGINE COVERS, ETC---WIRES FOR ALL THE ELECTRONICS HANGING EVERYWHERE---POOR HYDRAULICS DUE TO LEAK DOWN WHICH WERE OK ACCORDING TO FACTORY SPECS---I WANTED THIS TO BE THE LAST TRACTOR I WOULD EVER BUY, BUT WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE, I COULD SEE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE SO I TRADED IT FOR A KUBOTA L4630 WHICH IS THE SAME SPEC FOR SPEC, BUT IS BUILT FOR THE LONG HAUL--THIS WAS A YEAR & A HALF AGO AND I HAVE HAD NO REGRETS

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CARL GREY

10-24-2005 17:19:27




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I AM A JD FAN BUT LAST YEAR WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO BUYING A SMALL TRACTOR THE KUBOTA WAS THE CHOICE. THE KUBOTA DOES NOT HAVE ALL THE SPACE AGE MATERIAL THAT HE JD HAS [ PLASTIC & FIBERGLASS ] THE 3 POINT WILL STAY UP WITH A HEAVY LOAD ON IT [JD PEOPLE SAID IT IS NORMAL FOR THEIR'S TO LEAK DOWN] NOT AS MUCH ELETRONICS AND BEST OF ALL MADE COMPLETELY BY ONE COMPANY NOT A BUNCH OF COMPENTS SOURCE BY OUTSIDE VENDORS THAT ARE BOLTED TO A FRAME. GREAT KUBOTA FINACING HELPS OUT ALSO

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Jim+bobb

10-24-2005 16:07:41




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
The models you are interested in would be more important. The local dealer that can provide support for your proposed tractor is important as well.



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Robert in W. Mi.

10-24-2005 12:42:52




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I don't think in this case it's fair to generalize so much. To me i'd rather compare individial "models" rather than the name on the hood..

Robert



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OliverGuy

10-24-2005 12:42:20




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I sometimes hate to say it, but at our business we have had five Kubota's. They run great, have great resale and that works well for us by letting us move up in HP each time. We're now up to a 5030 Hydro and it is so easy to drive. We don't have any vehicles or any other over seas tractors but this one. I haven't used a John Deere much except my old A, so I can't comment on those. Shop around on your price and you never know. I found ours 10% less than another dealer. A couple grand is a couple grand. A close and well respected dealer is also important in the equation.

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Dave_Id

10-24-2005 12:21:47




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
Kubota, hands down.. I owned one for a number of years, and they are really built tough... except for the manifold, but that may have been my fault, I wasn't watching close enough and took it off by a low branch working in the woods.. and then I crushed the grill skidding logs, but that may have been my fault too...



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Jerry/MT

10-24-2005 10:30:06




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I remember some of Kubota's early attemps at entering the US market with compact tractors. Final drive gear cases made out of stampings! But they, like all the Far Eastern manufacturers have a long term view of the market and today their equipment appears to be competitive with anything out there. And it will only get better, so look out Deere, etc!!!
I don't have any axe to grind over any of your choices and that's mainly because I haven't looked at buying anything reasonably new. The newer tractors are a lot harder to work on because of the electronics in them, from the fuel controls to the hitch controls, etc. They are also said to be more reliable and require less maintenaance, just like our modern cars. Your old 3600 can be worked on by an average mechanic with the tools that are in the average shop without a suite of expensive, electronic, diagnosic analyzers. Don't know your financial situation but you ought to consider life cycle costs as well as initial cost and certainly the cost of ownership includes maintenance. And remember that all these manufacturer make a great deal of money selling parts. It's a big profit center for them. (I'm not saying that's bad, that just the way it is.)
I guess I'd look into what it would cost to "zero time " that old 3600,and include that in the data before I'd make a decision. But then I am partial to these old machines. Good luck whatever choice you make!

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Jerry/MT

10-24-2005 10:30:01




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I remember some of Kubota's early attemps at entering the US market with compact tractors. Final drive gear cases made out of stampings! But they, like all the Far Eastern manufacturers have a long term view of the market and today their equipment appears to be competitive with anything out there. And it will only get better, so look out Deere, etc!!!
I don't have any axe to grind over any of your choices and that's mainly because I haven't looked at buying anything reasonably new. The newer tractors are a lot harder to work on because of the electronics in them, from the fuel controls to the hitch controls, etc. They are also said to be more reliable and require less maintenaance, just like our modern cars. Your old 3600 can be worked on by an average mechanic with the tools that are in the average shop without a suite of expensive, electronic, diagnosic analyzers. Don't know your financial situation but you ought to consider life cycle costs as well as initial cost and certainly the cost of ownership includes maintenance. And remember that all these manufacturer make a great deal of money selling parts. It's a big profit center for them. (I'm not saying that's bad, that just the way it is.)
I guess I'd look into what it would cost to "zero time " that old 3600,and include that in the data before I'd make a decision. But then I am partial to these old machines. Good luck whatever choice you make!

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DelMN

10-24-2005 09:15:14




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
Kubota--the resale is also great, try finding a used one that doesn't have a lot of use.



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pbutler

10-24-2005 07:55:21




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I am a dyed in the wool John Deere man-green underwear and all-have been all my life. Generally against anything but american made-but then even the Deere's aren't anymore.

However I have two neighbors each who bought tractors about that size.

I hate to admit it but I like the Kubota better-just seemed a little heavier built. Both are new so they both ran excellent-I would rather have either one than my older machines but dollar for dollar I like the nasty orange colored thing better.

If you are going to keep it 4-5 years probably will get better resale from the Deere-if you are like me and keep them till they die then Kubota would be my choice.

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cj3b_jeep

10-24-2005 07:25:57




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I"ve driven both and looked at each extensively and have friends that have comparable tractors, one a Deere, one a Kubota. The Deere"s are great units and run and perform well. The Kubotas are equal. Both would last you a lifetime of use.
It then comes down to price, reliability and value for the money. I feel when you buy a new Deere of that size, you"re paying more for the name than anything. The Kubotas are a bit cheaper. The Deere"s use Yanmar engines, which seem to be pretty decent, but if I wanted a Yanmar, I"d buy one. Kubota builds their own engines, transmisions...everything. For my money, I"d go with the Kubota.

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RustyFarmall

10-24-2005 06:45:29




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
The Kubotas are a very well built tractor and are quickly gaining a reputation of being dependable and trouble free. As you mentioned, the number of Kubota dealers is growing at a rapid pace, which tells me that there must be a lot of value for the money spent or the dealers would not be risking their reputations by selling them. I will admit that I laughed at the little orange tractors when I first became aware of them, but after being around several and actually installing some equipment on a couple of them I will have to admit that my tune has changed considerably. There is a lot of good heavy iron in these tractors and evidently a lot of solid engineering. In my book the Kubota wins.

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glenshoe

10-24-2005 06:13:54




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
I agree with CLW but wanted to add that I own both a Kubota and a John Deere and I'm happiest with the JD. It has better, faster hydraulics and is built a little heavier. At this point I'm thinking of trading in my Kubota on another JD even though I like the way the Kubota handles better than the JD. HTH, Glenn



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CLW

10-23-2005 22:50:32




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Beamer, 10-23-2005 22:32:04  
Beamer, I think I would go with the lowest hour, cleanest and best taken care of. Both are good. Kubota should cost less, Deere will more than likely bring more when you sell. Have you looked at new ones? If the price is not to much different than rental you may sleep better at night. Some rentals are used by folks that don't care how they treat someones elses equipment.
CLW



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jfp

10-24-2005 05:32:54




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to CLW, 10-23-2005 22:50:32  
CLW, I think you said it all in good order.



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Ken Macfarlane

10-24-2005 10:17:59




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to jfp, 10-24-2005 05:32:54  
Both respectable names in that category. Each have some quicky models or some limited problems but on the whole should be reliable.



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lumpy

10-24-2005 15:56:00




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 Re: Kubota vs John Deere in reply to Ken Macfarlane, 10-24-2005 10:17:59  
In the spring of 1998 I bought a Kubota L3300 GST. I bought a loader for it and a Woods RD7200 ( 6ft. ) finish mower. I could mow 2.5 acres of 4" tall grass and use about 3 qrts. of diesel. Thats right, less than a gallon every time I mowed. My dad didn't believe me until he did the mowing for a month. I owned it for 3 yrs. and all I did was change the oil and filters. Buy the Kubota.



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