Which of these tractors Kubota or New Holland?

[TripleR]

A lot of Kubotas are bought by weekend warriors who don't use their tractors up to their full potential. They are also light, so they aren't punished as much as some others. Both of these may lead to fewer issues. I'm not bashing Kubota, they may in fact have fewer issues and probably do have a more refined manufacturing and QA process. They are lighter and by specs and my test drives (doesn't tell you much) I find will give less, $ for $ than many other brands in capabilities, specs and features. Celebrate the OP's choice and new tractor, he's going to love it and let's hope it treats him well.

Oh come on Ken, that's certainly not unique to Kubota owners. You paint a pretty skewed image of us Kubota owners.

Kinda does sound like you are bashing Kubotas...

The "weight" issue has been beaten to death. You won't find an Ag tractor in my area without weights hanging off them; are the John Deere 8000 and 9000 Series "built too light"?

I can add weight, but I can't take it away from a stock tractor.

 

[kiotiken]

Oh come on Ken, that's certainly not unique to Kubota owners. You paint a pretty skewed image of us Kubota owners.

Kinda does sound like you are bashing Kubotas...

The "weight" issue has been beaten to death. You won't find an Ag tractor in my area without weights hanging off them; are the John Deere 8000 and 9000 Series "built too light"?

I can add weight, but I can't take it away from a stock tractor.

No, I'm not bashing Kubota. The comment after the OP has announced he'd bought a new tractor did rub me the wrong way, I'll assume it was posted without having read the OP's decision.

Kubota owns the market for SCUT and a good chunk of the CUT market as well. SCUTs are used for mowing lawns and less intensive work. Does that help explain why they have fewer problems as was posted, I don't know, but it was not meant to bash Kubota.

 

[TripleR]

No, I'm not bashing Kubota. The comment after the OP has announced he'd bought a new tractor did rub me the wrong way, I'll assume it was posted without having read the OP's decision.

Kubota owns the market for SCUT and a good chunk of the CUT market as well. SCUTs are used for mowing lawns and less intensive work. Does that help explain why they have fewer problems as was posted, I don't know, but it was not meant to bash Kubota.

For someone not bashing Kubotas, I had trouble squaring it with this statement.

"They are lighter and by specs and my test drives (doesn't tell you much) I find will give less, $ for $ than many other brands in capabilities, specs and features."

If you say you aren't bashing then I will take you at your word.

I have considered all of the top brands of SCUT/CUT and own/owned several different brands and I can't say one brand across the board is better than the others.

We own a BX2660 and John Deere 2305 and much prefer the BX; however I have recommended the JD1026R over the BX.

There are some model Kubotas I don't care for and some I do; same with John Deere, Kioti, Massey Ferguson, New Holland etc.

 

[kiotiken]

For someone not bashing Kubotas, I had trouble squaring it with this statement.

"They are lighter and by specs and my test drives (doesn't tell you much) I find will give less, $ for $ than many other brands in capabilities, specs and features."

Maybe I didn't say it very well, but I do stand by what I said, but I don't consider it bashing Kubota. I would say the exact same thing for JD by the way. Both Kubota and JD may be excellent tractors but I don't think I'll get much of an argument that they're a little more expensive. Most people shop for a tractor with a rough dollar amount in mind and look at what tractors are available. In that case, it usually pretty easy to find a tractor that will be heavier, more capable and have more standard features for a given price.

To take this to the car world, it's easy to find a more powerful better equipped Kia or Hyundai then Honda or Toyota for the same price, that doesn't make the Kia or Hyundai better, or make the Honda or Toyota bad and it's not bashing either. If you want to shop Accura (Honda) or Lexus (Toyota), you'll easily outdo the Kia or Hyundai.

I'm sure you've heard me give this example before, but when I returned to the Kubota dealership I bought my first tractor from and asked about tractors and told him I'd been looking at a Kioti CK30, he tried to compare it to a B2900 (I believe that's the model). Well, there's no way a B line Kubota that weights 35% less with less lift all round and very few standard features should be compared to the CK30, unless you're trying to match price. IMHO, the CK30 falls somewhere between the Standard L and the Grand L lines (in the same hp range), and either are far more expensive.

If you are willing and able to spend the money, you can get a Kubota that is as capable or more capable with as many or more features than any other SCUT or CUT on the market. They are VERY nice tractors, I think my statement about the price is hard to argue though.

 

[creekbend]

I have never advocated or recommended one make or model of tractor vs another make or model of tractor. Everyone has different needs, tastes or requirements relating to the tractor that they finally purchase. Before I bought my tractor, I researched, test drove, and asked many of my neighbors in regards to questions. After about a year of comparing all the aspects involved in making my decision, I finally purchased a new Kubota L4400 in June 2011. I am completely satisfied with my choice and decision. Best wishes to you and I sincerely hope that you find the make and model that best suits your needs in all aspects.

 

[LMan1967]

YIKES! nice catch, and my bad. and you are correct i was describing shuttle shift.

Regardless of that, your post had excellent info on what's important ergonomically when selecting a tractor. Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[doall]

I have a New Holland 3040 and love it. My next door neighbor has a kubota Mx 5100 and I love it too. Just Take care of it and treat it right-and it should last you a lifetime. But I bet(just like the rest of us) You will want to trade up, before it wears out. Good choice, (as the Kubota would have been also). Have fun and be careful.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Art makes a fair point though, that its "politically correct" on TBN to say that all brands are the same when it comes to reliability, and at best your allowed to split hairs when it comes to parts support. He and I both are involved in good sized shops, we'd both tell you that all tractors are not created equal. You can't point that out here without offending someone.

 

[kiotiken]

Art makes a fair point though, that its "politically correct" on TBN to say that all brands are the same when it comes to reliability, and at best your allowed to split hairs when it comes to parts support. He and I both are involved in good sized shops, we'd both tell you that all tractors are not created equal. You can't point that out here without offending someone.

You may be right, and it's too bad, that's what TBN should be all about and I'd actually love to hear what the differences really are. As a consumer, I see specs and price. When I test drive them, they all feel great, but I wouldn't expect less from any new machine.

Unfortunately, as dealers, you guys will always be seen to be even more biased than the run of the mill TBN'er. I would love to hear your opinions about what the strengths and weakness of each brand are and why some are so much more expensive than others (although I agree with RRR that the gap is closing).

I will not be offended if you can point out a dozen areas that Kioti is weak, it may help me in the future. Likewise, I'd like to hear the same about other brands. I may come across as fairly biased from time to time, and I probably am, but I am open to any and every brand at some point.

Finally, I'm sorry to have been involved in hijacking the thread. OP, how is the new tractor working out?

 

[Fordiesel69]

Total rain here so it has been in the garage. Got most of it waxed with 885 and just need to do the mower now. Worked like a champ just need to improve my driving / turning skills with the big 72" rear mower. Haha not very big compared to the 204" the school district uses.

Even though the transaction is done I still feel compelled to keep comparing and hovering over specs.