Buying Advice Deere 1026R...can't go wrong

[zippogeek]

I bought my 1026R new in October 2011 and have just 12 hours on it. Price: ~$12,600 with the H120 loader. I live outside Buffalo NY on 1.5 acres. As always, I got a straight deal on the price and my trade (X520 lawn tractor) from Bill at Zahm & Matson in North Collins. If you're in the market for a JD and you live in WNY, I highly recommend Z&M.

Like another reviewer, I too had a transaxle leak shortly after delivery. Z&M picked the tractor up quickly and kept it for a few days. Since then there have been no problems. Excellent service after the sale.

LIKES:

-Idiot proof H120 loader; no need to dismount tractor
-Ergonomic seating position for a big man like me
-Intuitive controls; everything easy to reach
-Excellent ride characteristics
-Big, super comfy seat w/folding armrests
-More horsepower than I'll ever need for my small estate (25/18 PTO)
-Excellent build quality top to bottom; feels like a Deere
-Butter smooth hydrostatic transmission
-Nice toolbox (included)
-Yanmar runs great; neighbor heard it from across the street and said, "Sounds like 3 cylinders!"
-All service points easily accessible
-Great operator's manual (one volume, not separate engine and chassis manuals)
-Massive cup holder and storage bin
-Slick styling

DISLIKES (minor!):

-Placement of the fuel shutoff. Wearing boots, I unintentionally close the valve with my right foot. It should be rotated 90 degrees to face the front of the machine.

-As others have observed, an extra inch of ground clearance would be nice.

-Lack of 4WD indicator on the dash.

In a nutshell...this is a beautiful rig that's well worth the extra coin over the 1023E. A thousand bucks more gets you work lights, front brush guard and a fistfull of extra HP. Go for it...it's a Deere.

 

[KennyG]

Welcome.

But you need to learn ... we demand pictures. :laughing:

 

[TripleR]

The 1026 is an impressive little tractor; glad it is working out for you.

 

[Martian]

"Idiot proof loader" :laughing::laughing::laughing:

The 1026r is an amazing little machine though. Glade to see you like it:thumbsup:

And yes, a picture is a requirement!

 

[zippogeek]

Welcome.

But you need to learn ... we demand pictures. :laughing:

Man, I forgot my manners! :ashamed:

 

[zippogeek]

"Idiot proof loader" :laughing::laughing::laughing:

You can make it idiot-proof, but then along comes a better idiot...

 

[eagle107]

You can make it idiot-proof, but then along comes a better idiot...

I do not know. I still think you should have got the Kubota! It seems like a much better tractor!

Next time post it in the John Deere forum. I guess I have to tell you everything....

 

[devildog1]

Nice looking tractor best of luck.
DevilDog

 

[zippogeek]

I do not know. I still think you should have got the Kubota! It seems like a much better tractor!

Next time post it in the John Deere forum. I guess I have to tell you everything....

NO COMMENT :laughing:

 

[Martian]

You can make it idiot-proof, but then along comes a better idiot...

There always seems to be that one that breaks the thing that just can't be broken!

Beautiful tractor by the way!!

 

[BethesdaEC]

I do not know. I still think you should have got the Kubota! It seems like a much better tractor!

Next time post it in the John Deere forum. I guess I have to tell you everything....

Sorry, Kubota is off there game on this one. The JD has a proper transmission cooler instead of the break me with a stick fan and it also has position control.

 

[Martian]

Sorry, Kubota is off there game on this one. The JD has a proper transmission cooler instead of the break me with a stick fan and it also has position control.

Not to mention the Auto-connect MMM and loader, iMatch, better seat... I usually think they are neck and neck, but the Deere series is newer, therefore more new innovations. Kubota will catch up in the future, but buying a subcompact right now, JD is the way to go.

 

[BethesdaEC]

Not to mention the Auto-connect MMM and loader, iMatch, better seat... I usually think they are neck and neck, but the Deere series is newer, therefore more new innovations. Kubota will catch up in the future, but buying a subcompact right now, JD is the way to go.

The backhoe looks a lot easier to attach too and it also has an independent PTO instead of a live PTO.

 

[two_bit_score]

Man, I forgot my manners! :ashamed:

Nice tractor and trailer!

 

[XSKIER]

Zippo,

How did you get to $12,600?

Was it 1026r + h120 + 53" bucket + NY sales tax - x520 trade in = $12,600?

Or was it $12,600 - x520?

Just curious, mine was quite a bit more than that, and the salesman was quite uncomfortable looking after the haggling.

 

[eagle107]

Sorry, Kubota is off there game on this one. The JD has a proper transmission cooler instead of the break me with a stick fan and it also has position control.

Tongue and check comment of course. I was with him when he bought it. We both felt the JD 1026R was superior.

 

[Grandad4]

Sorry, Kubota is off there game on this one. The JD has a proper transmission cooler instead of the break me with a stick fan and it also has position control.

Mighty nice improvements. If you ever doubted these companies pay attention to what customers are saying, both praise and gripes, all you have to do is look at these improvements. Although I like the orange brand, being a long time owner and all, Deere has raised the bar in the subcompact category and if I were shopping today, it would be hard to walk away from that green one.

I wouldn't expect Kubota to sit back and let JD have the advantage for very long, though. Too much at stake. I appreciate having several well-managed outfits competing for the business. We get better products that way.

 

[zippogeek]

I appreciate having several well-managed outfits competing for the business. We get better products that way.

Amen and amen! :thumbsup:

 

[zippogeek]

Zippo,

How did you get to $12,600?

Was it 1026r + h120 + 53" bucket + NY sales tax - x520 trade in = $12,600?

Or was it $12,600 - x520?

Just curious, mine was quite a bit more than that, and the salesman was quite uncomfortable looking after the haggling.

I don't have my invoice handy, but that sounds just about right!

 

[Martian]

I wouldn't expect Kubota to sit back and let JD have the advantage for very long, though. Too much at stake. I appreciate having several well-managed outfits competing for the business. We get better products that way.

100% agree, it won't be long until were in the reverse of today, where JD has an outdated product with a brand new BX series lineup that is better than the JD. But the great thing is, then JD will one up them again later, so the only person who wins is...... US:thumbsup: