Buying Advice Kubota compared to John Deere

crazyal · May 27, 2011

I was planning on buying a NH. Around here they were the cheapest but the local dealer was kind of far away. I kind of got the impression that Deere was going to be too pricey and Kubota was most likely not going to be too much cheaper.

After spending one day driving and sitting on tractors or all brands and models I left with a couple impressions. Some models/ brands just felt more ergonomically right to me. Some of the lower end models, while not poorly finished didn't look as refined as the high end models. I then did a little on-line homework on the models and brands that felt right. Finally I did asked myself the question "how long do I plan on keeping the tractor"?

What's the point in buying a tractor that's close to what you wanted and now you have to live with it for 20 years or more? JD's plastic worried me, I've never had anything plastic last 20 years without fading and cracking. Also I use my tractor on really cold days, even on the coldest of days metal dents. So I made a choice and I have no regrets.

dkostiha · May 31, 2011

I have owned both brands. I prefer the JD for features, durability, dealer support and resale value. Kubota is not a bad tractor, but just not as good as a JD in my humble opinion. Drive both, check out your local dealers, sleep on it and pull the trigger. Life is too short to worry over two good brands.

beppington · May 31, 2011

dkostiha said:
I have owned both brands. I prefer the JD for features, durability, dealer support and resale value. Kubota is not a bad tractor, but just not as good as a JD in my humble opinion. Drive both, check out your local dealers, sleep on it and pull the trigger. Life is too short to worry over two good brands.

Or ... life is too long to be stuck with the "wrong" tractor

sbrown · Jun 1, 2011

I agree with all the other comments about the difference in dealers. I walked in to the JD dealer to look at an SCUT, the salesmen wouldn't even get up to talk to me. In contrast, the Kubota dealer spent a lot of time with me talking about options, what's needed on my property, etc. The entire sales experience was honest and straightforward. To me this shows that Kubota is the better company more interested in treating it's customers well, regardless of the technical merits of orange vs. green.

rScotty · Jun 1, 2011

sbrown said:
I agree with all the other comments about the difference in dealers. I walked in to the JD dealer to look at an SCUT, the salesmen wouldn't even get up to talk to me. In contrast, the Kubota dealer spent a lot of time with me talking about options, what's needed on my property, etc. The entire sales experience was honest and straightforward. To me this shows that Kubota is the better company more interested in treating it's customers well, regardless of the technical merits of orange vs. green.

I keep hearing the same thing: that it was JD's attention to the needs of their customers that made them into a respected world leader. Now I'm hearing more and more that JD has forgotten how they got to the top.....and their chief competitor just might overtake them by simply using the same old strategy.
rScotty

johnrex62 · Jun 1, 2011

I don't know that JD has forgotten their successful strategy. They simply apply it to the market demographic they deem more important. If you walk in to spend $150K they will find someone to work with you. If you only want to spend $25K you will have to wait until they can fit you in between the paying customers.

beppington · Jun 1, 2011

johnrex62 said:
I don't know that JD has forgotten their successful strategy. They simply apply it to the market demographic they deem more important. If you walk in to spend $150K they will find someone to work with you. If you only want to spend $25K you will have to wait until they can fit you in between the paying customers.

Or in between a thrilling game of solitaire.

johnrex62 · Jun 2, 2011

beppington said:
Or in between a thrilling game of solitaire.

Well, you know how much concentration solitaire takes. They probably did not even see you waving your arms or hear you blowing the airhorn to get their attention. I can understand that. Just be patient, you will get serviced someday. :thumbsup:

charleyfarmall · Jun 2, 2011

My experience was different. Three Deere dealers near me immediately came over and asked if I needed help. The Deere dealer near me in TN was also very good about customer attention. I had very good conversations with them about farming and tractor use. All three were probably a little more ag oriented.