Tractor shopping

[whistlepig]

My old B7800 is getting long in the tooth and I am considering a new Kubota. I think the B7800 was too small for what was asked of it. My thoughts is that I should have bought a 40HP tractor instead of a 30HP. Some considerations: I'm getting old and need a nice seat for my old back. Will be used with a Woods 72" RFM and 5' rotary cutter. May or may not buy a loader with it. Maybe 4WD or maybe not.

 

[jyoutz]

My old B7800 is getting long in the tooth and I am considering a new Kubota. I think the B7800 was too small for what was asked of it. My thoughts is that I should have bought a 40HP tractor instead of a 30HP. Some considerations: I'm getting old and need a nice seat for my old back. Will be used with a Woods 72" RFM and 5' rotary cutter. May or may not buy a loader with it. Maybe 4WD or maybe not.

Are those two implements the only thing you plan to use? It doesn’t take much hp yo run those. Also consider that resale of a 2wd compact tractor with no loader is going to be very difficult, if resale matters to you.

 

[whistlepig]

Mainly the 5' rotary cutter and 6' RFM. The B7800 I have now is 4WD with a loader. I really don't need the loader anymore but would am considering a front mounted hydraulic snow plow. 4WD not a necessity.

 

[SDT]

Mainly the 5' rotary cutter and 6' RFM. The B7800 I have now is 4WD with a loader. I really don't need the loader anymore but would am considering a front mounted hydraulic snow plow. 4WD not a necessity.

You will need FWD and tire chains for any serious snow plow work.

As previously mentioned, 2WD Kubotas are few and far between. Local dealer tells me that he has not sold one on about 20 years and it was a special order.

Lots of older 2WD tractors available, e.g., Ford, etc., but I would keep my 7800.

 

[scootr]

4wd is a must have. 4 wd tactors have more front end weight which increases stability even when not engaged plus the obvious increased traction when engaged. If you use it once its worth every penny imho

 

[ptsg]

4wd is a must have. 4 wd tactors have more front end weight which increases stability even when not engaged plus the obvious increased traction when engaged. If you use it once its worth every penny imho

And it has more braking capabilities since all 4 wheels are stopping the tractor with the 4WD engaged compared to just 2 from a 2WD tractor.

 

[whistlepig]

It has some issues right now. This tractor has been well maintained and always garaged. Always did the scheduled maintenance. 1600 hours on it now. Only thing it has been used for is running a 6'RFM and a 5' bush hog. Plus some snow removal with the loader and post hole digger work.

Year before last the splines for the motor to hydro shaft sheared off and the tractor had to be split for $1700.00. Reverse only works half the time. 4WD isn't working, and while in the poll barn yesterday it had puked hydro oil all over the floor. I concerned that it is turning into a money pit. I'm retired now and really don't want to shell out the money for a new tractor and am trying to make a decision.

 

[tradosaurus]

going from a 30 to a 40 hp tractor doesn't seem like a big jump. When I upgraded my tractor I went from the L3301 to the MX5400 and the difference was substantial.

 

[rScotty]

It has some issues right now. This tractor has been well maintained and always garaged. Always did the scheduled maintenance. 1600 hours on it now. Only thing it has been used for is running a 6'RFM and a 5' bush hog. Plus some snow removal with the loader and post hole digger work.

Year before last the splines for the motor to hydro shaft sheared off and the tractor had to be split for $1700.00. Reverse only works half the time. 4WD isn't working, and while in the poll barn yesterday it had puked hydro oil all over the floor. I concerned that it is turning into a money pit. I'm retired now and really don't want to shell out the money for a new tractor and am trying to make a decision.

Sounds like the mechanic that did the split and reassembly missed a few things. That's not the fault of the tractor, but if that is the level of mechanics where you are, it isn't likely to change.

A new tractor will do the chores and save your body for a few decades before it gets that many hours - and new ones are generally more comfortable. In your shoes, I'd probably stay with Kubota and 4wd - as some one said, if you go that route and decided it isn't what you wanted then a Kubota is easy to trade in.

Larger tractors are more comfortable. They have more room & bounce less. You might think about equipping it from the start with an air suspended seat. I've got a genuine Grammer air seat on one tractor, and it is a whole other world of comfort.
rScotty

 

[The Gaul]

Unless you're brand loyal there are also other options out there that might give you more bang for the buck. I do not really have budget restrictions, but I did think that Kubota is overpriced, so I went with a Kioti instead when I was shopping around during the past year. Was able to pick up a 60HP Compact (NS 6010) with cab for 42k$. Rock solid, well equipped and a real pleasure to operate. Going to a machine like that might be a step change for you, as opposed to just shooting for 10HP more on a Kubota (at excessive cost). And hey, it's orange

 

[js5020]

Did a similar thing, priced a Kubota 2601 open station with a loader, bought the same size Kioti with cab, air, heat, and loader for 2 k more.

 

[js5020]

Funny you bring that up as we have had 3 S Korean vehicles over the last 20 yrs. I find them to be a good value and don't even shop the big names anymore.

 

[Rdrcr]

I’m always fascinated with the alternative Orange value argument. I like Kioti tractors (I’ve operated a couple…and will very likely be developing a turbo kit for the CK) and certainly cross-shopped them during both of my tractor buying experiences.
However, in both cases (in my area), they were virtually the same price as Kubota. Price being equal, I chose Kubota.

Mike

 

[tradosaurus]

I’m always fascinated with the alternative Orange value argument. I like Kioti tractors (I’ve operated a couple…and will very likely be developing a turbo kit for the CK) and certainly cross-shopped them during both of my tractor buying experiences.
However, in both cases (in my area), they were virtually the same price as Kubota. Price being equal, I chose Kubota.

Mike

Prices have changed since I last tractor shopped in early 2021. Back then it seemed most tractor brands were within a few thousand $$.
Of course I was able to use 20% NHCA discount through Kubota.

Don't know what the prices for equivalent tractors across all brands are running.

 

[tradosaurus]

Here too. I went from sitting on new Kubotas to buying a new Kioti.

For a given class/frame/engine, the Kioti edged or dominated the Kubota & Deere in nearly every category.

The price was nice, but my primary criteria was getting the most machine I could fit in my garage and through my barn breezeways. For it’s footprint, the Kioti was the stoutest and strongest. I paid cash. Price wasn’t a factor.

Following my research, I seemed to me Kioti is a rapidly emerging brand, while Kubota has peaked and Deere is sliding… as it pertains to compact tractors.

Twenty years ago, the passenger car world had established brands Ford/Mercury/Chevrolet/Pontiac/Oldsmobile… while Hyundai/KIA were just getting established. Currently the legacy brand passenger cars are all but dead, and Hyundai/KIA are prevalent.

Compact tractors might have a similar trajectory.

I watch a lot of car repair channels and I wouldn't touch a Korean vehicle. I know people with Korean vehicles and generally poor reliability.
Buy once, cry once.
Don't know if that's true for tractor brands.

 

[tradosaurus]

A Hyundai can’t be any worse than a Audi or BMW to wrench on.

I see a lot more clapped out Hyundais Elantras still running around than Dodge Darts or Chevy Cobalts.

I was addressing the Kia/Hyundai comment. Wouldn't touch a newer Nissan or German vehicle
The only ICE car I would buy is a Toyota, Mazda or Honda in that order.
Only ICE truck I would buy is a Ford with 5.0 L, Ford diesel, or Chevy in that order but would buy an extended warranty if bought new.

 

[Rdrcr]

I have a Kia!

It’s a 2023 so, as far as reliability goes, it’s too early to tell. But, so far, so good.
This is my first Kia (and Korean vehicle), but I’ve owned over 30 vehicles from various makes and models, from economical, luxury, muscle and sports cars.

Mike

 

[mcmxi]

Kubota has a very good track record for just about every aspect of ownership. I have no doubt that there are more than a few other brands making good products, but for me there's only one choice and it's the original orange. I looked closely at Kioti before I bought the M6060 but the lack of a proper dealership up here along with an odd cheapness of the product in terms of materials, fit and finish sent me back to what I know.

https://www.kubotausa.com/media-center/2022/02/24/farmers-and-ranchers-have-spoken-kubota-named-top-tractor-brand-for-durability-and-customer-experience

I have around 1,000 hours in Kubotas that I've owned, not a lot, but enough over the last 8 years to see what's in front of me. I've had or have a BX, MX6000HST, MX6000HSTC and an M6060 without a single problem. The fact that one of the best dealerships in the country is only 3 miles from my house helps too.

At the end of the day, most people end up being satisfied with what they have unless something breaks or malfunctions. It's only through comparison that you know what you're missing, or how good what you have is.

 

[DK35vince]

My previous tractor was a John Deere 850.
My dad has a Kubota L3000 and an L4600 HST that I have used multiple times.
Are any of those better made or more reliable than my Kioti DK 35 ?
You would have to show me where, I'm not seeing it.
I've owned my Kioti DK 35 for 23 years and 2500 hours, its been great.
Never been back to the dealer and still working like new.

 

[mcmxi]

My previous tractor was a John Deere 850.
My dad has a Kubota L3000 and an L4600 HST that I have used multiple times.
Are any of those better made or more reliable than my Kioti DK 35 ?
You would have to show me where, I'm not seeing it.
I've owned my Kioti DK 35 for 23 years and 2500 hours, its been great.
Never been back to the dealer and still working like new.

There are lots of good tractors out there. All I said is that Kubota has proven to be one of the most reliable brands available with a huge dealer network. Kubota shows up year after year as being a very solid and well-proven product, and tend to sell a lot more units than some other manufacturers. They also keep their value too given their well-established reliability and overall quality.

I'm not typically lucky, so having owned four Kubotas, five including a generator, and not having any problems is compelling to me. Just my opinion based on my experience and lots of corroborating information on the internet.

https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/equipment/article/2022/01/03/tractor-owners-choose-favorite