Hook
Bronze Member
If you've been following my "saga" recently, you know that I have now narrowed down my choices of tractors to the Kubota B2910 & the JD 4200. Well, today I went & rode them both again & climbed in & out of the seat a bunch of times. I am clearly zeroing in on a decision. Here's how I see the 2 competitors stacking up for me ... you might be surprised as you read ...
PRICE
The quoted prices I received from the dealers have the Kubota costing $800 less (with the same implements). In addition, the Kubota dealer has made it clear that he can drop the price a little more. The JD dealer told me today that he had already given me their rock-bottom price.
So I'm assuming that I can squeeze another $500 out of the Kubota dealer, making the JD $1,300 more than the Kubota. Now, I'm all for saving $13,00 whenever I can, but given the size of this purchase, this is not enough money to make the difference. Nonetheless, the Kubota gets the win in this category.
Winner: Kubota B2910
POWER
The Kubota has more gross horsepower than the JD (30 vs 26.3), but the PTO horsepower is virtually identical (22 vs. 21.5). On the other hand, the JD has more hydraulic power. But, since much of my work will be mowing & moving snow, I give the nod to the Kubota B2910.
Winner: Kubota B2910
DEALERS
Both of the dealers are very nice & the people there were very helpful. The Kubota dealer is about 7 miles from where we'll be living & the JD dealer is about 27 miles away. The Kubota dealer has an enormous, professional-looking service department. The JD dealer has an average-looking service department. Furthermore, the Kubota dealer said that they like to do repeairs at the customer's location whenever possible. The JD dealer likes to bring the tractor to the shop whenever possible.
Winner: Kubota B2910
Winner: JD 4200
[Now things get interesting ...]
ERGONOMICS
The primary reason I wanted to drive both tractors was to double check the ergonomics & the ride. After today it is cloear to me that the JD is much better fit for my body type. I felt as if I had lots more room, especially for my feet (due to the platform design). While I don't care for the placement of the JD gear range selector, the pedals are in a much better place, as far as I'm concerned. The Kubota felt cramped after I had driven the JD.
Winner: JD 4200
RIDE
I really felt that there was no contest here. The ride of the JD was FAR superior to the Kubota. It just felt much smoother & soild & was much less noisy. This may seem like a minor issue, but I actually climbed off of the Kubota thinking that it felt kind of tinny & unsubstantial.
BOTTOM LINE
Right now I have to admit that I'm leaning strongly to the JD 4200, despite the price, power & dealer differences. I feel like I would have a hard time ignoring he better ergnonomics (for me) & the superior ride & substantial feel of the JD.
Comments?
Hook
PRICE
The quoted prices I received from the dealers have the Kubota costing $800 less (with the same implements). In addition, the Kubota dealer has made it clear that he can drop the price a little more. The JD dealer told me today that he had already given me their rock-bottom price.
So I'm assuming that I can squeeze another $500 out of the Kubota dealer, making the JD $1,300 more than the Kubota. Now, I'm all for saving $13,00 whenever I can, but given the size of this purchase, this is not enough money to make the difference. Nonetheless, the Kubota gets the win in this category.
Winner: Kubota B2910
POWER
The Kubota has more gross horsepower than the JD (30 vs 26.3), but the PTO horsepower is virtually identical (22 vs. 21.5). On the other hand, the JD has more hydraulic power. But, since much of my work will be mowing & moving snow, I give the nod to the Kubota B2910.
Winner: Kubota B2910
DEALERS
Both of the dealers are very nice & the people there were very helpful. The Kubota dealer is about 7 miles from where we'll be living & the JD dealer is about 27 miles away. The Kubota dealer has an enormous, professional-looking service department. The JD dealer has an average-looking service department. Furthermore, the Kubota dealer said that they like to do repeairs at the customer's location whenever possible. The JD dealer likes to bring the tractor to the shop whenever possible.
Winner: Kubota B2910
Winner: JD 4200
[Now things get interesting ...]
ERGONOMICS
The primary reason I wanted to drive both tractors was to double check the ergonomics & the ride. After today it is cloear to me that the JD is much better fit for my body type. I felt as if I had lots more room, especially for my feet (due to the platform design). While I don't care for the placement of the JD gear range selector, the pedals are in a much better place, as far as I'm concerned. The Kubota felt cramped after I had driven the JD.
Winner: JD 4200
RIDE
I really felt that there was no contest here. The ride of the JD was FAR superior to the Kubota. It just felt much smoother & soild & was much less noisy. This may seem like a minor issue, but I actually climbed off of the Kubota thinking that it felt kind of tinny & unsubstantial.
BOTTOM LINE
Right now I have to admit that I'm leaning strongly to the JD 4200, despite the price, power & dealer differences. I feel like I would have a hard time ignoring he better ergnonomics (for me) & the superior ride & substantial feel of the JD.
Comments?
Hook