Help Deere or Kubota?

[TexasHorn]

I am putting in a small vineyard (12 acres). Soil condistion are sandy loam and no real rocks to speak about, Open clean fields with no hills. I have narrowed it down to a John Deere 3120 or the Kubota L3400. I need 4 wheel and Hydrostat. Lift capacity is better on the Deere but I am not sure if that is all that much. This these tractore are in my price range and seem to be the most popular tractor brands as well as most supported in Central Texas, Any opinions are welcome.
Michael in Texas

[rickmacheske]

I have the 'bota L3400 and love it. Drive both and see which you like the best. I don't think you could go wrong with either.

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I think the deere has a few more bells and whistles but the Kubota is cheaper. Test ride both checking ergonomics and such. Research the features of each. Here is a good place to do it. Compare dealers. Price is not the most important thing if you have any issues down the road. Bottom line, you'll probably be happy with either. Just so happens I have a great dealer who sells green.

[browns40]

Hi TexasHorn,

Sounds like you're looking at horsepower range or $$$ mostly for comparison?

More fair comparison would be Kubota L3130 to the 3120..........OR..............the Deere 3203 to the L3400.

At least those are the "intentions" manufacturers have in designing the tractors.

L3400 and 3203 are "economy" lines with less features, esp. hydraulic capacity...

3x20 and L3x30 are "flagship" mid-size lines, that are intended to be more able and user-friendly... heavier, greater hydraulic capacity, more ergonomics/comfort in design.

If pricing is similar, then you would be getting more machine in the 3120 than the L3400... little less horsepower, but more weight to use the horsepower you have.

I have a 3320 and love it... a joy to operate!

[rockyridgefarm]

Here we go again!!

I have a Deere and love it. And I think ergonomics are a huge thing, largely in Deere's favor. I also really like the plastic fenders and hood. They take brutal abuse and still look new.

But as to lift capacities, Deere seems to be using numbers which may at first blush appear to be stronger than the Kubota numbers because there are differant yardsticks. Always be sure that you are comparing apples to apples on those specs. Usually they are very close.

The specs that get less attention can also be very important. Bucket rollback angle for carrying heaping loads, for example.

The 3120 has LoadMatch. If you haven't really experienced it, you have no idea how great it is. It lets you work the tractor really hard with the computer taking care of the fine tuning to keep the engine from lugging. I wouldn't give it up for just about anything.

All in all they are both great machines, though. Especially if you realize that one is a 'budget' machine the other is 'deluxe'

[Bob_Skurka]

Originally Posted by rockyridgefarm

I think ergonomics are a huge thing, largely in Deere's favor.

I have a NH and a Kubota (love them both) and have used a few JDs. The JD 3120, in my opinion, clearly outclasses the budget Kubota L3400. The 3120 has far better ergonomics, but they are all in the little things that you may not notice on a 10 minute test drive.

Originally Posted by rockyridgefarm

I also really like the plastic fenders and hood. They take brutal abuse and still look new.

DITTO. The plastic hood and fenders are great.

Originally Posted by rockyridgefarm

But as to lift capacities, Deere seems to be using numbers which may at first blush appear to be stronger than the Kubota numbers because there are differant yardsticks. Always be sure that you are comparing apples to apples on those specs.

As Mike points out, you have to compare the SAME specs. Loader specs are more confusing than any other set of specs on the tractor. If you need the most possible capacity then you have to be VERY careful about which specs you compare. There are 3 common measurement points. . . 'Bucket Center' -or- '19.5"/500mm Forward of the Pivot Point' -or- 'Pivot Point.'

If JD is measuring from the "pivot point" then you have to measure the Kubota from the "pivot point." You have to realize that the farther forward from the pivot points you go, the lower the capacity. The capacity drops by roughly 30% if you measure at the '500mm/19.5 inch point' versus measuring it at the 'pivot point.' Measuring from the same point is critical.