Comparison John Deere v. Kubota - small tractor

[s219]

I'd take the Deere "e" model off the list -- to many downsides, and it's mainly in the lineup for cost reasons. So then compare the Deere R and Kubota L by driving both, paying attention to fit, feel, comfort, etc. Normally, whenever I have test driven tractors, one of them will jump ahead as the better choice for me. Driving/using the machine really helps with the decision.

 

[TheMan419]

For me it was all about the dealer and the price. I ended up with NH because I really liked the dealership. They sell mostly huge farm equipment. They did not even have the tractor I wanted to look at on the lot. They arranged for me to go to another dealer an hour and a half away and test drive one. Then they worked their magic to get a dealer trade for me.

I also looked at JD and Kobota. I just had a bad taste with both of those dealerships.

So for me it was not about the paint color, but about what I thought the service after the sale would be.

Each brand will have a tractor with about the same specs and the same price range as the other.

Of course this being TBN I have to recommend that you spend three times as much as the cost of the tractors you are currently looking at and are a fool if you get anything smaller than the largest tractor ever made.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

The L3301 is a real nice tractor. I like everything about mine and have zero complaints. And when you buy a Kubota you get a Kubota, not an amalgamation of branded parts that cumulatively make a tractor.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

The L3301 is a real nice tractor. I like everything about mine and have zero complaints. And when you buy a Kubota you get a Kubota, not an amalgamation of branded parts that cumulatively make a tractor.

That you can actually see exploded views of amalgamated parts, prices, and availability for online from your home in your underwear if you want. Parts that you can source elsewhere than Deere later on.

I love it when dealers point out superior aspects of their product and inform ME why it would be in MY best interest to buy their product. They don't have to "bash". Just point out things.

I have a deere 4310. It is 14 years old, yes the plastic hood is getting old and cracked. It did not crack the many times I accidentally had branches fall on it, nor did it get dented like a steel hood would have. But I DID leave it outside 90% of it's life because I had no room in the barn. I can go buy all new plastic for maybe $800 so figure an amortized cost of around $60 per year if I replaced it right now, or less if you can park it in the shade. Or I can fiberglass it from underneath and shore it up for about $30.

I would recommend you compare dealerships (behind the counters) as much as anything. Do they stock common parts? How long have they been in business? What is their flat rate hourly charge?

Right now, I would have trouble passing up the 6 year power train warranty on the Deere.

 

[Lilguy]

I have an L2250 gear and a B8200 Hst. both bought new 30 + years ago. B mows grass 70 hrs a year, L does heavy lifting and plowing 1100 ft drive. L sits outside in driveway plugged into battey minder and except for a hydralic pump failure 18 years ago has never skipped a beat. Looks old but come to life and fights the good battle every time.

 

[tk tom]

You should watch the brand comparison videos, they tear each other apart over stupid differences. Differences that are required to set brands apart.... Or else they'd all be the same lol

 

[Steppenwolfe]

It all comes down to just one thing, BUY THE TRACTOR YOU LIKE. It is painfully obvious I like Kubota. I will never buy another brand. Doesn't mean JD, or Mahindra, or NH aren't good tractors. Be happy you have a tractor!

 

[AxleHub]

Just an attempt at humor, wasn't trying to step on your toes.:newhere::laughing:

And it was good humor too . . . sometimes you wonder in these threads if someone dropped a zero in the land quantities lol.

 

[L39matt]

I have a 3901 and I like it a lot. It will be almost identical to the 3301 except for PTO power, I always lose traction before running out of power. I bought a Woods BH80X with a hydraulic thumb to go with it. I have cleared a good bit of brush and small trees, maintained the gravel road and driveway, dug out big rocks and a few big holes, brush hogged a little, and moved around a lot of dirt and gravel. I get a little annoyed with the fact I can only get on and off one side. Also rpms need to be about 3k for a regen which is loud and also a little annoying. It has done almost everything I have asked of it, and done it well. It's major limitations for me are with the backhoe but that would be the same on anything this size. I have almost 100 hours on it and it has regened four times, with zero warranty issues. I did have to tighten a hydraulic fitting on the loader that had a small drip at about 60 hours. Hope this helps and feel free to ask me anything else.

So I just started noticing a puddle forming on the shop floor underneath the tractor. After further inspection I found it is leaking from the split in the transmission. Dropped it off at the dealer today for a warranty service. They said the case needs to be split and resealed. I'm sure this is not a common issue with these tractors but I just got done telling you I've had no issues. The dealer said they will take care of everything and drop it off at my place when it's done. Glad I went with a dealer that I felt would treat me right and not hassle me over stuff like this, looks like it is paying off.

 

[RNStar]

I looked into JD as well as Kubota for my purchase, like so many others here I bought the dealer. For me, and only me, I saved about 4k buying Orange from a dealer about 150miles away vs the one by my house, they were infinitely nicer to deal with and have got themselves a customer for life.
For me the nearest JD dealer was much like the Kubota dealer I didn't like, that mixed with the price was a deal breaker for me