Buying Advice Is JD worth the money

[Ffphil]

I am looking at a 4044R. I really like the tractor and all the ease of use. However I find the lift capacity of the FEL is about 800lbs less than the other units we are looking at. Price quote of $36K. Is it really worth 10k more than a LS, MF, Yanmar or Kabota

 

[sugarloafguy]

Hi,

From a guy who runs Deere all day everyday. No. Check out the New Holland Boomer 46D, offerings from Massey Ferguson, Kioti and Kubota. There are some other options without tons of aluminum and Chinese castings, inflated price structure and average parts support and schematics.


Brian

 

[arits74]

i went from a john deere to a LS and don't regret it.i looked at a 39 hp cab john deere and loader.$36500.ended up with a LS 55 hp cab and loader for $30500.i think john deere quality has went downhill and price has gone up

 

[Maxify55]

Same here in north Florida.

I shopped all the colors and found them all highly over priced and no longer competitive.

I was sold on LS!!

After all the calculations were done with what I would've spent for the bare tractor,
I loaded out over $8K worth of attachments and add-ons (3rd function kit)

 

[goeduck]

I am looking at a 4044R. I really like the tractor and all the ease of use. However I find the lift capacity of the FEL is about 800lbs less than the other units we are looking at. Price quote of $36K. Is it really worth 10k more than a LS, MF, Yanmar or Kabota

No they are not worth that much. Of your brands listed, my order of preference would be

Kubota
Yanmar
LS
MF

All are good brands, so get what you like.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

If you are comparing a non grand kubota to a R series sure they will be quite a bit more. Compare the R series to the Grand L.

That being said I would go Mahindra prob if I was buying new, I bought used and went with JD for both tractor and mower.

For what I paid, I’m very happy with my 05 4320 and my 99 455, both are very good tractors.

I would not own any “E” series JD, just don’t like them and they feel too cheap compared to sticker.

Never looked at LS but NH and Case was the most expensive tractors that I priced when I was looking.

 

[rScotty]

I am looking at a 4044R. I really like the tractor and all the ease of use. However I find the lift capacity of the FEL is about 800lbs less than the other units we are looking at. Price quote of $36K. Is it really worth 10k more than a LS, MF, Yanmar or Kabota

I don't think so, or at least not all the time. For me, a part of what JD is selling is the club you join when you buy green. And I think that's worth something - at least it is for me. I may not always end up buying a John Deere, but I always start by looking at their models. That's because JD is always good, sometimes excellent, and every once in a while they will turn out a model so good that it becomes a classic. JD may not be killing the competition on any one model, but with JD you get the feeling that they are always striving to be the best. I like that attitude. The other brands make some good reliable tractors for the money, but unless they change their tactics I don't think they will ever make a classic.
BTW, are you sure about that lift capacity? There's a lot of different ways to measure lift capacity; make sure it's apples to apples.
rScotty

 

[4570Man]

I'd buy other brands over a JD. I've got seat time and more than just driving around the dealers lot and wasn't impressed.

 

[Ffphil]

Thanks all. FYI I am comparing apples to apples. rScotty I agree with you, like what the club stands for and your statement is spot on. I am comparing 5 models and all very similar. Budget is tight, but not so tight I won't spend a little more for quality. Just don't have the budget to spend money where not needed. Thank you all for you specific input. I'm sure I'll post more in the general area at the end of April when I narrow it down to two or three.

 

[9973720wb19]

I'm on my third JD and have never had a problem...that's good enough for me to stay with JD. Not to say others would be problem free - I think Kubota is a fine brand. I like Kubota RTV over JD, I like New Holland SS over JD. But do prefer JD tractors other others. There's a Mahindra dealer near by; I happen to notice many "new" Mahindra on the lot whereby fenders and hoods are fading and discolored badly from the sun. If you make a living as a farmer and it's all about the bottom line in having something that will do a task sans design style, fun and excitement, than I understanding value shopping. You can run all your errands in a Toyota just as well as a BMW. However, it will be more enjoyable in a BMW.

 

[sloeffle]

In my area of the country John Deere equipment will bring a higher resale value over all other brands. Every farmer knows JD, Case, NH, and Kubota. Most don't have the time nor do to care to research other brands. I have a 22 year old JD 770 that I have had for 13 years and it is worth a few thousand less than what I paid for it.

 

[Thomas]

You have reason to doubt time to look about,those extra coins are just as good in your pocket than any dealer,I say go w/your gut feelings.

 

[bigtiller]

If price is your first concern, a Deere tractor may not be in your future. But when the sticker shock wears off after several months, you'll be glad you went with JD.

Well, most of us are anyway.

 

[KennyG]

I'm surprised at the $10K difference. That would push me to other options as well. When I bought (much smaller 2 series), JD price was not much different than equivalent Kubota or New Holland. I didn't consider options like Mahindra. I'm too old and financially secure to go that route.

 

[goeduck]

. There's a Mahindra dealer near by; I happen to notice many "new" Mahindra on the lot whereby fenders and hoods are fading and discolored badly from the sun. If you make a living as a farmer and it's all about the bottom line in having something that will do a task sans design style, fun and excitement, than I understanding value shopping. You can run all your errands in a Toyota just as well as a BMW. However, it will be more enjoyable in a BMW.

Red paint fades faster than most others, it has to do with the wavelength and UV absorption. Orange paint is similar. All this negative talk about expensive green paint is for a reason :laughing:

 

[Erik M]

The JD dealer is only 4 miles from my place and other dealers are much further so I looked for a Deere but decided the new machines cost too much for what I want to spend and bought a 1981 JD 1840 (2440 equiv) that had been completely rebuilt for $12K including a 7 snowblower. I have picked up a few items from the dealer and it is nice to be able to readily get parts for a machine almost 40 yrs old. That money wouldn稚 have bought a new JD ride-on mower so I guess I am just cheap. I am happy with the tractor though and the support from the dealer has been excellent.

 

[DK35vince]

It wouldn't be worth more to me.
My previous tractor was a John Deere 850 and it was good.
17 years ago (2001) I was looking to replace it with a new tractor in the 30-35 HP range.
But I just felt the Kioti DK offered a lot more for the $$ at the time (vs the JD 790, 4300 and 4400) and went with a Kioti DK 35.
My Kioti DK 35 has been awesome the past 17 years (2100+ hours). Love it.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

455 got a Ruegg Cat 1 3pt, Revised Reverse Pedal (reverse speed goes from 2.8mph to over 5mph) and I bent the discharge shoot back today.

I’m happy with my 4320 and 455.

I think parts are a bit high sometimes but they have a big enough following that guys make better aftermarket parts.

Reverse pedal is made by a guy in Orville Ohio, Ruegg is in Navarre Ohio and makes a 3pt about twice as heavy as Deere’s plus it’s $300 cheaper.

Both my machines where bought used. 4320 had 830 hours, 455 had 1200 hours. Both had a high sticker price, resale was a fraction of new price, that being said I will be a old man (27 now) by the time I wear both out.

I also sold a 1989 318 recently, bought it to make money, paid $1400 for it, put $120 and sold it for $2500 with a rear blade that I had $250 in, so made over $700 on a 28 year old JD garden tractor.



Not all JDs are home runs and last but they have a strong dealer network, very large following and they sell well off reputation.

That being said the “E” tractors seem to be more problematic with failures.

 

[Sawworcs]

I am looking at a 4044R. I really like the tractor and all the ease of use. However I find the lift capacity of the FEL is about 800lbs less than the other units we are looking at. Price quote of $36K. Is it really worth 10k more than a LS, MF, Yanmar or Kabota

JD makes great products but in my opinion there is a lot of better tractors out there for less money.
I went for Kioti and have no regrets.

 

[rekees4300]

I am looking at a 4044R. I really like the tractor and all the ease of use. However I find the lift capacity of the FEL is about 800lbs less than the other units we are looking at. Price quote of $36K. Is it really worth 10k more than a LS, MF, Yanmar or Kabota

I've had a JD4300 for 16 years. Have been very pleased with it. Nevertheless you will have to pay a premium for the name. On the other hand how much is it worth to have a JD dealer near you? For me it was worth the premium.