1 tractor rest of forever -- what brand?

[livemusic]

I would guess that Kubota is the most popular compact tractor these days. Thinking that it and John Deere are 1 and 2? So, I have a Mahindra but I might sell it in order to get exactly what I need in a tractor. Primary needs are pasture clipping 7 acres and use in a 50-acre woodlot for managing trees and trails. Was thinking that JD or Kubota would provide...

- parts availability
- dependable
- design
- performance
- ease of maintenance
- resale ability down the way
- plenty of dealers

If you could find exactly what you want in a tractor, what brand would you buy? Being as dependable as possible, easiest to maintain, parts availability and ability to resell down the way are very important in this discussion. Easiest to maintain probably No.1 because I am age 70 and do maintenance and repairs that I can but I am not the type that relishes tinkering, lol, plus, I work alone mostly. Buying used would be great if one is found but not averse to buying new if have to. Should be my last tractor.

Doesn't have to be JD or Kubota but that's my thinking.

TIA!

 

[Hay Dude]

JD & Kubota make great compacts, but I’d take a look at Massey Ferguson before you sign on the dotted line.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

DEPENDS, what size are we talking about, because NO one brand makes the best in all sizes!

SR

 

[scootr]

I'm in a similar situation and use. I chose a MX5200 Kubota. Is it my last tractor? IDK but it does everything I need and could last my lifetime easily.

 

[EddieWalker]

If you want brand new, then ease of working on it is going to be a problem. 2012 was the last year of tractors being easy to work on. Maybe 2013 with certain models, but that's hit or miss.

When I was buying brand new, I wanted the most HP I could get with a cab tractor, and not have DEF fluid. I felt that Massey Ferguson had everything I wanted. If I wanted a smaller tractor, I was impressed with Yanmar.

I have an older JD 5065E that is very simple to work on and I can buy parts for it online. I love buying online and not having to drive to the dealer, then waiting for them to come in, and then driving to the dealer to get them.

I believe there are also a lot of sources to buy Kubota parts online too. I'm not sure about all the other brands, but I would check before buying anything.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I would guess that Kubota is the most popular compact tractor these days. Thinking that it and John Deere are 1 and 2? So, I have a Mahindra but I might sell it in order to get exactly what I need in a tractor. Primary needs are pasture clipping 7 acres and use in a 50-acre woodlot for managing trees and trails. Was thinking that JD or Kubota would provide...

- parts availability
- dependable
- design
- performance
- ease of maintenance
- resale ability down the way
- plenty of dealers

If you could find exactly what you want in a tractor, what brand would you buy? Being as dependable as possible, easiest to maintain, parts availability and ability to resell down the way are very important in this discussion. Easiest to maintain probably No.1 because I am age 70 and do maintenance and repairs that I can but I am not the type that relishes tinkering, lol, plus, I work alone mostly. Buying used would be great if one is found but not averse to buying new if have to. Should be my last tractor.

Doesn't have to be JD or Kubota but that's my thinking.

TIA!

Go to every dealer that is within a comfortable driving range for you. Then start looking at those makes and models. All the various manufacturers make a good tractor these days. Check out the dealers to get a feeling for them. Based on that feeling, then consider a unit that they can provide you. Get a tractor that is comfortable for you. They are not all the same and what feels good for one person does not mean that it will feel good to you.

Good luck with your search.

 

[big bubba]

OP: also keep in mind when test driving @ dealer...a spin around the dealer's lot is a poor simulation of field conditions. sometimes compacts suddenly dwarf in size & hp once you get it home & on the field.

 

[scootr]

Go to every dealer that is within a comfortable driving range for you. Then start looking at those makes and models. All the various manufacturers make a good tractor these days. Check out the dealers to get a feeling for them. Based on that feeling, then consider a unit that they can provide you. Get a tractor that is comfortable for you. They are not all the same and what feels good for one person does not mean that it will feel good to you.

Good luck with your search.

Good point. Some of these tractors are not meant for large people. Not sure how you stack up physically but I can tell that the Kubota tractor is built for a smaller framed/sized person than most resulting in some ergonomic compromise. Common to see keys bent over by the operators knee if he is 6 ft tall and gannon and gear/speed controls feel like they are in your side pockets.

 

[IXLR8]

Most all make a decent tractor nowadays. I think the key is the dealer. When I was shopping for a tractor, the local JD dealer was slicker than a scummy lawyer, the Kubota offerings in the size I wanted did not fit me ergonomically. I ended up with a Kioti, it has treated me well. Although after 11 years it looks like I am going to have to put a new battery in it and rebuild the loader cylinders. They don't lift as much as they once did. I am a little nervous as since I have moved, the nearest Kioti dealer is over 4 hrs away.

 

[Torvy]

Your local situation is really important.

Our nearest JD dealer is worthless. The Kubota, a little less so. Part of it is they rest on their laurels because so many people think they are better. Customer service is non-existent for small operations.

Remember, the high prices you pay up front are going to apply to parts and repairs, too. That's great if money isn't an issue.

If everything, except tractor features and quality were equal, I would get Yanmar. Their biggest HP is 59, so that may not work.

 

[Coffee drinker]

Your local situation is really important.

Our nearest JD dealer is worthless. The Kubota, a little less so. Part of it is they rest on their laurels because so many people think they are better. Customer service is non-existent for small operations.

Remember, the high prices you pay up front are going to apply to parts and repairs, too. That's great if money isn't an issue.

If everything, except tractor features and quality were equal, I would get Yanmar. Their biggest HP is 59, so that may not work.

All you said is true, but in mine experience JD uses way less parts.

 

[Torvy]

Anecdotal evidence is useless to someone else. There is no statistical evidence that JD breaks more or less than anyone else.

 

[big bubba]

Anecdotal evidence is useless to someone else. There is no statistical evidence that JD breaks more or less than anyone else.

completely agree

 

[5030]

My only comment is... Nothing lasts forever and that includes not only tractors but you as well....

 

[EdwardL]

Note that all tractors (and all motor vehicles too), share parts and have assemblies engineered by different companies. I have a Minhandra compact, it works, with no problems. But I found the backhoe was engineered by John Deere, and most of the tractor is the same as another brand.

 

[Rdrcr]

JD & Kubota make great compacts, but I’d take a look at Massey Ferguson before you sign on the dotted line.

Agreed.

I’d also seriously consider Yanmar, Kioti and TYM (because I like Branson)

Mike

 

[ultrarunner]

If I had to put money on it which of my tractors has the best shot at longevity it would be my restored 1953 Ford Jubilee.

I have others that are older but lack certain features…

Anything needed is available and this is not necessarily true for more modern iron.

The biggest bugaboo is when it comes to emission components that are often very specialized and once dropped they are either super expensive or plain not available… and this doesn’t include any programming that might be needed.

 

[5030]

Said before and will say once again, I will never own any T4-5 compliant tractor and I'll leave it at that. The more complex they become, the more chance of failure.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

If keeping it forever, why would resale even be a consideration?

I'd pick one that would never need an emissions or ECU repair. Those can be 25% of the value of the tractor new. They also have enough electronics to make a dealer tool to read fault codes, a necessity.

Currently I'm looking for a 100hp Farmall for tillage, brush hogging and planting. Id probably keep my little tier 4 loader though.

 

[5030]

Never said there was statistical evidence, I just said in "mine experience". Who else has a tractor with 17090 hours and no major breakdown? Having said that, I wouldn't expect that from a newer model.

I actually know of someone that has a JD 4020 with close to that many hours on it with no major issues, just normal maintenance. Personally speaking, I think he is extremely lucky or baby's it constantly. I do know that all it does is pull around loaded and empty vegetable hampers, he's a truck farmer here.