JD 2320/2520 vs. Kubota B7800

[cerescobra]

I thought the blade configurations were odd also. The Deere is a frame mounted 54" blade with an upcost of around $1250. Supposedly it has a quick attachment that makes it a short time attachment. The Kubota is a FEL boom mounted 60" Curtis blade and the dealer has to weld an attachment to the boom for it. His "in stock" blade, etc. costs $1700 and if ordered new, it would be more like $2500. Both would have hydraulic angle and lift adjustments at these prices. I don't like the narrow blade on the Deere and don't like the higher cost of the blade on the Kubota.

Chuck

[toddler]

To make that math work, the price of the front blade on the Kubota is several grand more than the JD.

Is it at all possible that you can put a blade on the JD FEL using a QA system, and that you can't do that on a 2920? Seems like that'd be the only way to have the front blade cost 3k more than the Deere front blade.

Todd

Laughing . . . you posted while I typed. But the math still doesn't work out.

There's no "Build my bota" feature on the website for the B's, but the front blade on an L is ~1800 and also triggers adding a quick attach feature for $1400. So it adds a LOT to the price, like 3200 dollars. However, based on the 2920 starting out around 2k less, and your prices being only a few hundred apart, I'm still confused. Did I read wrong? Was the 2920 only $200 less? (oh, 1k less . . . )

Todd

[MessickFarmEqu]

Thats weird that they are pricing you a QA curtis blade for the Kubota. Thats not normal... Kubota sells the same blade that Deere is using, but painted orange and probably cheaper. Its a surprisingly heavy 60" blade, runs about $1200 for the blade and $800 for the quick attach frame. (I don't have my book in front of me). The curtis rig is a great way to go a blade.. we do it alot on bigger tractors. Its probably overkill on this size machine.

[toddler]

Well, if I go to build a deere then for the 2520, the 54" front blade is $480, the quick hitch and hydraulic lift is $609, and the required angling kit is $165.

$1254 pre discount. So at $2000, either the Kubota prices are higher, or it's a much heavier duty front blade system.

Todd

[art]

With these tractors being new I can't say as to the stoutness of the Kubota subframe but normally it is very rugged as it also carries the snowblower and broom attachments.

[ChuckinNH]

The Kubota QC front subframe is very stout! Remember that you are talking about a 54" QC front blade on the Deere, and apparently have been talking about an FEL mounted blade on the Kubota. Both a 60", and a 72" heavy front blade are available for the Kubota, and are built considerably stronger than the one for the Deere. I really like both tractors, but the front attachments for the Kubota are really in a different class altogether! The QC front blade, and 47" snowblower for the Deere are narrower than the tractor, especially when angled, and were designed for, and are still used on their garden tractors.

[cerescobra]

To make the math work, I'll give you more specifics about the packages and you can then tell me what a crummy deal i'm being offered

John Deere 2520 with FEL & 62" MMM = $18,400. 54" frame mounted QA blade with hydraulic controls = $1200-$1254 (depending on dealer). One dealer has also offered a 60" boom mounted Frontier blade with hyd. control for $1549 as an option to the frame mounted blade. Total package (with $200 discount for purchasing 2 implements) = $19,500-$19,749.

Kubota 2920 with FEL & 60" MMM = $17,195. 60" boom mounted Curtis blade with hyd. control = $1700. Total package = $18,895.

One Deere dealer is heavily promoting the superior quick attach FEL on Green vs. Orange.

Those are the numbers. I was unaware that I could get a cost competitive frame mounted blade on the Kubota. I think my local dealer is making me a deal on what he has in stock.

Any opinions on the merits of the frame mounted blade vs. boom mounted? I want something wider than 54", which I can apparently get with the Kubota in a frame mount. I can get 60" boom mounted with either.

Chuck

[ChuckinNH]

All the tractors you are considering are great units! Weight wise, the Kubota B2630 is a closer match for the 2520 than the B2920. It is available with a Kubota QC for the Fel, but I think that only Kubota pallet forks are available for that. There is a bigger variety of attachments available for the JD fel QC. The B2620 is cheaper than the B2920, and will run 4' implements just fine in that size tractor. The added hp is nice if you live at altitude, or want extra oomph for a chipper, or something. The Kubota front frame mounted QC is nice, and is easy to install for the B20, and B30 series. A 60" blade is available for the B20 series, and a 60", or 72" is available for the B30 series. Prices tend to be area specific, so I can't comment too much on them. Dealer service, and attitude is important.

Some folks have mentioned that the fel mounted blades can be finicky about dump angle, etc., and some others have mentioned that it is difficult to use a frame mounted front blade in float mode on gravel, or grass. Your mileage may vary. Both can unload the front end, and make steering more difficult, and that perhaps may make steering brakes more useful. With the Kubota you need to use your left foot on the go pedal, or use the cruise, with the Deere you need to use your left foot on the brakes........ pay your nickel, take your choice.
I wouldn't like either a front blade, or snowblower that was narrower than the tractor. Some folks have built extensions on both that work.
I think the attachments for the Kubota are better matched to the tractors than the Deere ones are. I like the QC fel pin system on the Deere's a lot, and like the position control, and steering brakes on the left. Seems we can't get everything on any tractor.

Enjoy!

[toddler]

Normally I think I come to all comparisons with a Kubota bias, because when I looked at the B2710, deere had nothing to compete with it, and looking at the Grand L verses the 3x20's, I much prefer the stability of the Grand L's.

BUT, in this case, those are two super comparable tractors, you know the shortcomings of the deere 3pt hitch and wheel clearance, you know the Kubota brake pedals (which I don't mind at all) and that their FEL is a bit harder to remove. . .

Your prices, well, if the Kubota MMM is a $2450 option, then the price is equal to what Carver has on their website. And with the deere, I think they can probably do a touch better. Go to the deere website, build your 2520, and ask for a quote from a nearby dealer you haven't gone to. No harm in price hunting a little and it may save you a few hundred bucks.

But either way, they're both awsome tractors, and you've done your research, so there is no wrong choice. Let us know what you decide.

Todd

[toddler]

One final thought, and sorry for two post in a row, couldn't edit my last one.

On my B2710 I could lock up the MMM and use a rear 3pt hitch impliment. Rarely did it, but love the option when I did. On another thread a while back it said you couldn't lock up the MMM on a 2520, but you could get sepparate lift controls for the MMM and 3pt hitch. I'd look into that if you think you'll want to use a rear 3pt impliment, even for a brief time, w/o taking off the MMM.

Todd