Comparison Assume dealer and price are equal, does Kubota beat NH in mid-size (100hp+) segment

[ranchhand84]

I am no expert, but my experience researching for the sub-compact segment led me to buying a Kubota L3901. I got this impression that Kubota was like the Toyota of the tractor world. Quality is decent and price is competitive.

But now I am looking at buying in the mid-size segment (about 100hp). As I come to learn, the product changes a lot across segments. For example, for compact, NH is a complete rebadge of LS. But in the mid-sized segment, the product is more authentically NH.

My Kubota and NH dealers are awesome people; very family oriented. But my general impression right now is that if dealers and price are equal, Kubota is the better choice. I see NH as a good product and it has a visible network of family dealerships with deep ties to agriculture base. But again, all things being equal, Kubota has a better tractor in this market.

Anyone disagree on some objective basis?

 

[LouNY]

All I'll say is compare the number of NH and CIH 100 Hp tractors ( a lot) out in service to the number of Kubotas (not many).

 

[Jchonline]

I am no expert, but my experience researching for the sub-compact segment led me to buying a Kubota L3901. I got this impression that Kubota was like the Toyota of the tractor world. Quality is decent and price is competitive.

But now I am looking at buying in the mid-size segment (about 100hp). As I come to learn, the product changes a lot across segments. For example, for compact, NH is a complete rebadge of LS. But in the mid-sized segment, the product is more authentically NH.

My Kubota and NH dealers are awesome people; very family oriented. But my general impression right now is that if dealers and price are equal, Kubota is the better choice. I see NH as a good product and it has a visible network of family dealerships with deep ties to agriculture base. But again, all things being equal, Kubota has a better tractor in this market.

Anyone disagree on some objective basis?

Kubota started small (SCUT, CUT) and has grown into the higher HP market slowly. Others have been in it awhile like Deere, etc. Personally I would go with a brand that has good market penetration in this HP range. I may be wrong but I dont think Kubota is one of those choices right now.

 

[scaredychicken]

Just my opinion ... my personal tractor experience is limited to 1, and that is a scut - Kubota BX23S, so nothing of the size that you are shopping for. I think Kubota is prime in the smaller tractors, under 50 hp. Likely good with the larger equipment, but I don't think they stand out in that arena.

I'm familiar with Massey, Deere, Ford for the larger units. This is from growing up around farms, particularly at my uncle's farm and operating his equipment. I think those were the primary dealerships in the area, so that is probably a factor in their decision making.

Some of my farmer friends with large operations that require large machines, now have Deutz, Belarus, Claas, and Fendt. This has been an observation in recent years.

 

[mo1]

CNH makes their own tractors and their parent company also makes the engines for their full-sized utility tractors and larger. LS does indeed make CNH's compact tractors. The opposite is basically true for Kubota. They make their own tractors and engines for the subcompact through large utility tractors but their couple of small rowcrop tractors (the M8-181 and M8-201) are made for them by Versatile and use Cummins engines.

100-150 HP tractors are very common around where I am as this is a very common size to run in front of a hay cutter or round baler. Beef cattle and hay are the main agricultural product here, and this area is one of the top areas in the country for it, so I see a lot of hay equipment and tractors to run it. There are a lot of Deeres, Internationals/CaseIHs, and Ford/New Hollands. Everything else is very few and far-between. Massey-Ferguson disappeared from the region by the time they made many tractors of that size, Tenneco bought IH before they made too many Case 100+ HP units, and Kubota didn't make very many 100+ HP tractors until quite recently.

I've only ever personally run one CNH-made machine, a six-cylinder New Holland rowcrop tractor whose current successor is the T6.180. It's a couple sizes larger than their current 100 HP models. It is a good, solid, reliable unit. I have run a Deere in that ~100 HP size you are looking at and it was a good unit too. I haven't done anything with a Kubota other than sit on one for fun in a dealer lot.

 

[5030]

Kubota started small (SCUT, CUT) and has grown into the higher HP market slowly. Others have been in it awhile like Deere, etc. Personally I would go with a brand that has good market penetration in this HP range. I may be wrong but I dont think Kubota is one of those choices right now.

You are but I'll give you a pass anyway....

 

[ranchhand84]

Appreciate all the responses. I'm not sure which direction I will go. Between Kubota and New Holland it probably does not matter. Both are great and the dealer support in my case is as well. But of course I must obsess over such decisions regardless.

 

[oosik]

If I were considering a new tractor in the 100+ HP range - I would be adding Massey Ferguson to the list. Just the impression I've obtained. Watching all the farmers and their larger tractors around these parts.

 

[mikester]

I can't be totally objective. One of my local Kubota dealers is also a NH dealer. I've owned and operated both brands in different sizes. Both brands have their strengths and weaknesses.

My takeaway is K parts seem to be a little more available and in stock locally. If not in stock I can have them in hand within 1-3 days. The same NH parts take a little longer to get in from across the border and cost more. My experience has been 3-10 days.

 

[5030]

Far as I'm concerned NH makes the best hay tools. Far as tractors are concerned, I don't care for them, never have but again, my personal choice. They all do the same tasks.