Comparison Kubota VS Yanmar

[paulfun9]

Looking for some input from the Tractor gurus.
Quick overview - it has come down to two tractors. Will be used in the woods, moving dirt, snow, compost gravel, clearing and winching logs, bush hogging and general work on 30 acres.
The two I have quotes on are the following; Kubota L4060HST (all in $42,400) and Yanmar LX4500 ($42,600) - both with loader, grapple and 5 inch hydro chipper - other various bells and whistles. Will use buddy's bush hog, winch and 6 ft. rototiller.
Would greatly appreciate thoughts on pricing and comparison. Located in central Maine.
Thanks in advance!!!!!!

Which tractor do you like the best and why?
Does one have more options?
Does one have steel fenders and hood the other plastic? Which do you prefer? Does it matter?
Which is best suited to your needs? Lift/HP/weight ECT, ECT.
What options does each one have? are they all standard or are they added on? List them and compare which one has the things you want/need?
Which are you most comfortable on or has the controls placed better for your build weight and height?
WHat are some of the things you don't like about them? Can you overlook something on one if it has other things you like better but don't matter as much? A good example for me would be a single HST pedal compared to a dual pedal arrangement being something that is very hard to overlook but a loader handle that isn't quite as good or as comfortable as the next tractor could be overlooked if everything else was right.
Have you gotten prices for the same machines from other dealerships to compare ( especially since I feel most folks don't think the Yanmar should be priced as high as the Kubota in this comparison)
Have you compared them to any other brands for comparison?
Like some of the others here I have owned a few Yanmar built John Deere machines and have been for the most part very pleased. I have also owned Kubota and for the most part been very pleased. This is not to say that I haven't had problems or repairs with them as I have had with both but I wouldn't be afraid to buy any of them again but I would not favor one brand over the other but rather base it on the actual merits of the new machine rather than a name brand or just price. Its a balance and if the price is too high the machine isn't worth it, if its not comfortable its not worth it at any price, if it cant do the work I need or its too light its not worth it, if its a decent machine and can do all the work needed but its priced higher than several other good machines that can do the work its not worth it!

Making a choice on a new tractor today can be a hard decision as there are so many good ones out there Take your time and carefully evaluate everything before you decide>

 

[woolyAcres]

Could that Kubota be a Tier IV engine? What about the Yanmar? Although not a huge consideration, if Kubota is the latest Tier IV, and the Yanmar is not, I'd put a small check mark in the Yanmar column. Ergonomics and personal comfort are probably more important.

 

[DK35vince]

What was it originally purchased for? Unless you know that you can't say it didn't hold its value.

Doesn't that apply for all brands/models.
Exactly my point on resale.

 

[DavesTractor]

I'm a fan of Yanmar quality, but there is no comparison between Yanmar and Kubota in the USA regarding strength of dealer network, parts network, name recognition, etc. I've always wondered why they only sell a relative handful of units a year. Back in the 70's or 80's (bad memory) they started selling direct in the USA, then halted that about the time they started building most of the small JD compacts. In the late 90's when JD started building some of their own compacts, Yanmar again approached the USA market, this time with Cub Cadet. This wasn't a real success, so they once again started selling direct. So it has been a roller coaster ride as far as USA distribution. Dealers do not like being on that sort of ride, so many are reluctant to take on the brand, despite it's high quality. That and the fact that the brand is poorly recognized by the average Joe, yet is expensive.

If the Yanmar is a Tier III, that would be a big plus, but if it is, it ought to be less money as it will be a "new" tractor, but probably produced a year or two back. You might ask for a build date, because I may be wrong.

 

[TnAndy]

I'm a fan of Yanmar quality, but there is no comparison between Yanmar and Kubota in the USA regarding strength of dealer network, parts network, name recognition, etc. I've always wondered why they only sell a relative handful of units a year. Back in the 70's or 80's (bad memory) they started selling direct in the USA, then halted that about the time they started building most of the small JD compacts. In the late 90's when JD started building some of their own compacts, Yanmar again approached the USA market, this time with Cub Cadet. This wasn't a real success, so they once again started selling direct. So it has been a roller coaster ride as far as USA distribution. Dealers do not like being on that sort of ride, so many are reluctant to take on the brand, despite it's high quality.

I know Yanmar was selling them under their own name in 1983, because I bought my very first tractor from a local dealer, a YM220D. (22hp, no FEL) I beat that one to death and it kept taking it. Finally sold it in 1998 when I went to a New Holland 1925 (33hp) with a front end loader...it wasn't NEAR the tractor the Yanmar was in terms of quality and ability to take my abuse....but the FEL was a vast improvement over not having one. I would have switched to a larger Yanmar at the time IF I could have found them available.

When I finally beat the NH nearly into scrap metal, Yanmar was being carried by my local NH dealer, and I didn't think twice about going with the 2012 LX410. Pretty good tractor, could be a GREAT TRACTOR if they would re-engineer a few things (see my threads in New Yanmar forum), but still so far above NH CUTs it isn't even funny.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Last year I traded in my 2003 Kubota L 2500dt. It had all of 295 hours on it. The dealer gave me 10k based on three pictures. He sold it in two days for 12k. When I expressed my astonishment he told me virtually any used Kubota flies off of the lot at full value because of the great demand for them. What I find ridiculous, is the assertion this isn't true.

 

[DK35vince]

Last year I traded in my 2003 Kubota L 2500dt. It had all of 295 hours on it. The dealer gave me 10k based on three pictures. He sold it in two days for 12k. When I expressed my astonishment he told me virtually any used Kubota flies off of the lot at full value because of the great demand for them. What I find ridiculous, is the assertion this isn't true.

That's great, but it doesn't prove the resale value is better than other brands

 

[Garandman]

Bought my Kubota from MB Tractor (Maine based). They did a good job.

Bought a new one because the used models were selling for their new prices. Works for me. But Yanmar is a quality brand. I'd look at how you like the controls, loader specs etc.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Bought my Kubota from MB Tractor (Maine based). They did a good job.

Bought a new one because the used models were selling for their new prices. Works for me. But Yanmar is a quality brand. I'd look at how you like the controls, loader specs etc.

This is beside the point but unfortunately NH has to claim MB. I've met the owner and he lives arround here. Also, I think he just expanded into Mass too.

 

[s219]

If the Yanmar is a Tier III, that would be a big plus, but if it is, it ought to be less money as it will be a "new" tractor, but probably produced a year or two back. You might ask for a build date, because I may be wrong.

I would think a tractor dealer like yourself would know that it would have to be Tier 4 Interim if anything -- Tier 3 was only for 75+ HP tractors.

 

[dsgsr]

To get back on the OP's subject. Look at all the equipment Yanmar sell's, they have been in the equipment biz as long as Kubota. I have operated both Kubota and Yanmar excavators and Yanmars are better over all hands down. Too qualify myself, I had a small construction/Landscaping biz for 15-yrs.

David

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I think he's looking for a CUT not an Excavator. (different dealer network and production lines for Yanmar as far as I can tell.

 

[Katahdin]

I have had a Yanmar 4500 since the summer of 2012 and am very happy with it. It is a Tier III engine without the Tier IV emission doo-dads.

Neighbors or friends who know Kubota or John Deere and have stopped by to see my Yanmar have been impressed with it.

I think I paid $25,500 cash price for a stock model with only the loader (no Remotes). If you can pay cash, or find another way to finance it, you may be in a better position to dicker on price.

Here's a few Yanmar LX clips to watch while you're trying to decide what you want to buy.

PTO Snowblower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY8jlwvUacw

Bush Hogging Up A Hill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpXCTpHhi3M

Wood Chipper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqKp4qfgx4M

Snow Plowing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XH58nyeGXM

 

[RollingsFarms]

That's great, but it doesn't prove the resale value is better than other brands

I think it depends on your area. We don't have a Kioti or LS dealer anywhere close to me and I know if I tried to sell a tractor by one of those brands of likely have to sell it for thousands less than a Kubota or Deere.

 

[Bota4me]

I think it depends on your area. We don't have a Kioti or LS dealer anywhere close to me and I know if I tried to sell a tractor by one of those brands of likely have to sell it for thousands less than a Kubota or Deere.

agreed, before this site i never even heard of ls and no yanmar dealers around here so a Kubota or a Deere is a better resale around here. I for one wouldnt buy a tractor brand that was not popular with the masses. That being said im sure they are great tractors

 

[DavesTractor]

I would think a tractor dealer like yourself would know that it would have to be Tier 4 Interim if anything -- Tier 3 was only for 75+ HP tractors.

I think you will find that Tier III went in effect for >50HP tractors in 2008. And that seems pertinent as we are speaking of units that are almost that size. I'm not an expert in the Tiers, so I will defer to you if you are. They did get phased in over time and by HP ranges as you implied.

The point I was trying to make was that there is some bonus in buying a Yanmar without the latest and greatest smog equipped engine. A non computerized, non DPF Yanmar engine will run about forever with no problems as long as it is not overheated or abused. I do not sell Yanmar, but I when looking at a piece of industrial equipment (forklifts, excavator, skid steers), I consider it a bonus if it has a Yanmar diesel.

 

[merlynr]

I have an S185 Bobcat that I bought used and I think the Kubota engine in
it is a plus.

 

[woolyAcres]

I have an S185 Bobcat that I bought used and I think the Kubota engine in
it is a plus.

If that's a used machine, is it likely it has the same Tier IV engine as the Kubota tractor the OP is considering?

I think the point here is simpler Tier III vs less well known Tier IV.

 

[prs]

I have one of those JDs built by Yanmar that has now 34 hard working seasons on its clock and it ain't gonna resell at all, not fer luv ner munny.

prs

 

[Raised on a Deere]

The Yanmars you are discussing are direct injection engines where as the Kubotas are not. Indirect is cheaper, and slightly less efficient. Durability would be about equal except for what ever the builder puts into it to make it more or less. The Yanmar engines are definitely top stuff. Just passing that along. Not interested in educating the public on all the quibbles about direct injection. Just letting folks who know not miss out on this fact about Yanmar engines. I learned this on the trail of coming to understand my perkins, (great engine) on the Dexta, then on my dodge commins trucks as the years went by. When I started shopping for a new tractor after 20 years out of the market, I was a bit surprised that John Deere which still had my heart strings, and then Kubota which won my heart strings for a while, did not have direct injection. That indirect stuff went out with Old Navistar ford diesels I thought.

By accident I stumbled into a test drive of the Yanmar I now own and I instantly said nice tractor but was still on my way to buy a LS or Kubota but while haggling over price I got to researching the Yanmars and in particular the engine story played out. I decided I was not going to pass up such a well engineered tractor because of poor marketing. I don't buy color.

The engine is sweat, those planetary gears in the rear drive are strong and quiet, the loader is awesome. And I believe I saved a bunch of money because poor marketing was making an orphan out of it.

But I don't believe there are going to be many if any more orphans. Yanmar has a new line of tractors, with a world changer transmission in the line up( hydrostats will become a thing of the past except for lawn mowers) and won't be cheap.