Trying to decide Kubota BX25 or 1025R

[nikerret]

I appreciate all the compliments I've received on the reviews and my observations. It was difficult for me to make a decision. It took over two years from when I started looking at tractors. It all began when I wanted to get a riding mower and put a blade on it. I found out I needed a "garden tractor" and that lead to "spend a bit more to get a lot more". I knew very little about tractors and had to have the first couple salesmen show me how to do EVERYTHING after I got it started. For reference, I was more comfortable, faster, on a motorcycle, than I was on a subcompact tractor.

I came into this with no bias as I didn't have any previous experience. I didn't know any of the terminology beyond the obvious; engine, hood, key, tire, wheel....I knew those, but anything tractor specific, I had to look up. I grew up in suburbia, with a family that didn't fix their own things. Where I live now, I know a lot of people with tractors, but most of what's around here is 100 hp and up and I know nothing about those.

 

[hurricanoday]

yes Nikerret and everyone else, thanks for the input pics and all the great information. I still haven't made up my mind, but I did take the wife out and we actually drove and played with both tractors.

Is the 1025r really in the same class as the bx25? While we didn't go dig any holes or anything, the deere definitely felt bigger. I also do like how the loader comes off the deere and I think the seat was better. Felt a little more roomie for a 6ft 300lb round guy.

I think my wife and I both agree that if money wasn't a factor we would go with the deere 100% A lot of it has to do with it being a "deere" but I just think I do like the little differences BUT I don't think it is 5k worth better tractor. (just from my limited reading and driving around the parking lot) Like I said I don't have any real world stats/jobs to compare them. The Kubota did seem a more "sporty" if that makes sense?? While the deere just feels like a "tractor" not really sure if that is a plus or minus. Whether it is more capable than the Kubota I don't know and doubt it is.

Sucks in life (at least in mine) money is a big factor. Not only is the tractor more but the implements are quite a bit more also. One good thing is the deere dealer says he is "buying" the 72 month 0% financing so if I do go deere that would ease the sting a little. I got a quote, but didn't want to negotiate right then but 25k is a lot and no way I am paying 500+ for setup and delivery while the kubota dealer who is way farther away offering free delivery with full diesel and 2 hour setup and "training" ( I really am a tractor noob) While I'm sure it isn't free it is included in the price somewhere from kubota.

Last thing is I didn't think I wanted a canopy but it sure was nice sitting on the deere driving around covered. Sucked getting off the 1025r to let the wife drive around to have the sun beating me in the face. :confused2:

You guys are not helping :cool2: help haha, Thanks again everyone. Keep the input coming.

 

[nightdevil]

Couple of things I noticed since my decision.
The JD FEL removal process is neat but don't factor it in as I've only taken mine off once and that was just to try it.

The JD does seem to be a little larger than the BX, when I brought mine home it was noticeably larger than my riding mower compared to the BX. If anything I wish JD was a little lower/wider.

Maybe you should flip a coin.

I seriously planned and sought to buy a kubota but another forum member was trying to do a group buy for a JD. Turned out I got a better deal with a dealer about 120 miles away. Definitely worth it.

 

[TripleR]

No doubt it is a difficult decision and none of us can make it any easier and it doesn't even come down to the money for some of us. I no longer use SCUTs, they are used by my wife, kids and grand kids. When we bought the 1025R for another property, I brought it up here for everyone to see how they liked it to determine whether to keep it or the BX2660. The 1025R went to the other property and we kept the 8 year old BX2660 here. We had tried the same thing with our previously owned JD2305. :confused3:

 

[Grandad4]

Is the 1025r really in the same class as the bx25? While we didn't go dig any holes or anything, the deere definitely felt bigger. I also do like how the loader comes off the deere and I think the seat was better. Felt a little more roomie for a 6ft 300lb round guy.

I think my wife and I both agree that if money wasn't a factor we would go with the deere 100% A lot of it has to do with it being a "deere" but I just think I do like the little differences BUT I don't think it is 5k worth better tractor. (just from my limited reading and driving around the parking lot) Like I said I don't have any real world stats/jobs to compare them. The Kubota did seem a more "sporty" if that makes sense?? While the deere just feels like a "tractor" not really sure if that is a plus or minus. Whether it is more capable than the Kubota I don't know and doubt it is.

Mechanically and operationally, the 1025R and the BX are virtual twins. Engines are nearly the same, aside from the Deere having a Yanmar engine vs. the Kubota engine in the Kubota tractor (no tradeoff there: Yanmar and Kubota are arguably two of the finest small diesels made). Same hydraulic capacity. Same basic tractor weight. Same tires. The Deere has a couple inches longer wheelbase and is a couple inches wider... maybe why your "eyeball impression" tells you the Deere is "bigger".

If you put them to work side-by-side, the amount of actual work they would accomplish and the tasks they could perform would be pretty much the same. That would also be true in ordinary, day-to-day use. Whichever one you bought, there's really no chore you'd encounter where you'd think, "Gee, if only I had bought that other tractor, I could get this done."

As between Deere and Kubota, those are both fine companies that are dedicated to making fine equipment. Can't go wrong either way.

So it comes down to which one you like best, which presents the best value and whether you prefer the dealer for one or the other. I would only offer this advice: This is a tool, not a status symbol or fashion statement. As such, the functionality each offers should be the main consideration. There are differences, with pros and cons to each choice. The more refined loader controls mentioned by Nikerret, for example, favor the Kubota. So does a smaller footprint. Likewise, the well-designed ergonomics and the 3 point position control are advantages for the Deere.

Good luck choosing, and let us see pictures, whichever one you choose!

 

[bcp]

If you can't decide which you like more, then it really doesn't matter. To me, the price difference would buy lots of nice implements.


Analysis paralysis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Analysis paralysis or paralysis by analysis is the state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. A decision can be treated as over-complicated, with too many detailed options, so that a choice is never made, rather than try something and change if a major problem arises. A person might be seeking the optimal or "perfect" solution upfront, and fear making any decision which could lead to erroneous results, while on the way to a better solution.

 

[varmint]

Don't know about the 1025, but when I was last shopping about 3 years ago, the smaller Deere's had aluminum rear ends, which made no sense to me, and still doesn't. I would check into that, and see what others have experienced and/or said about it. Kubotas work for me, but had I first bought a Deere, perhaps I would be pushing those? A lot of folks really have high opinions of the BX 25, though. I can't picture spending $5K more for a similar Deere.

 

[sixdogs]

I don't think I'm biased but I guess we all are to a degree. I have seen the BX25 and was surprised at what it would do and how well it was built. It would be my choice even if money were not an issue. Whatever you buy, we'll be happy for you and hope you post pictures so we can be admire it.

 

[nikerret]

The JD FEL removal process is neat but don't factor it in as I've only taken mine off once and that was just to try it.

I have a completely different experience. My BH comes off around 8 times out of ten I use the tractor, in summer (a lot of mowing), and probably 7 times out of ten, in winter (just a guess, I bought it Dec 31, 2015). The FEL probably comes off 7 times out of ten, in summer, and 1 time out of ten, in winter (again, guessing, but I don't know what I'd use the tractor for w/o the FEL, in winter). Some of those times, like today, I've left the BH on just for rear ballast and in case I got stuck when I mowed the hunting spot.

These numbers are all just to give you an idea. If you really need the correct numbers, I can look them up. I write down every time the tractor is used and what I do with it.

 

[nikerret]

If money was no object, I would have REALLY had a tough decision. Money was pretty much my tie breaker. I didn't list all the factors in my decision as a lot were relevant to me, only. Even with the personal needs/wants and my location, the scores were **** close.

Stay tuned for pictures of today's project: Mowing the hunting spot and moving concrete steps to a buddy's house.