Comparison Another Kubota vs. Deere Quandary
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rScotty
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"milemarker211 wrote: .....when I get a call from a john deere salesman asking if i'd seen the youtube video of the deere 3025E versus the Kubota L2501 [also HST]. Needless to say, I also get a price quote from him which very nearly matches that of the L2501. So of course I watch the video, which I realize is slanted toward the john deere point of view, but which makes some good points that seem to be in its favor. So, now I'm in a quandary but will itemize some comparisons and ask you guys what your thoughts are and which you would go with. [Btw, I'm buying tractor and FEL only and w. rear-filled tires]"
Reading through that list of good points for both tractors from the video, I'm sort of surprised that it was sent out to you by Deere. Given the kind of use you seem to envisage, JD's response seems to be slanted towards favoring Kubota!! Either I'm imagining things or several of the other posters thought so too.
I mean...does it really make sense to talk about composite construction when the competition is using steel?
Both Deere and Kubota make darn good machines and you won't go wrong either way. We've got an old John Deere, a new John Deere, and one Kubota. All of them are keepers. Like a lot of old timers I grew up favoring JD, and ten years ago was on my way to buy a another JD when I stopped by the Kubota dealer just because I'd never looked at them..... and ended up buying the Kubota M59. FWIW, for your use I'd go Kubota - for the extra gearing if nothing else.
good luck,
rScotty
Reading through that list of good points for both tractors from the video, I'm sort of surprised that it was sent out to you by Deere. Given the kind of use you seem to envisage, JD's response seems to be slanted towards favoring Kubota!! Either I'm imagining things or several of the other posters thought so too.
I mean...does it really make sense to talk about composite construction when the competition is using steel?
Both Deere and Kubota make darn good machines and you won't go wrong either way. We've got an old John Deere, a new John Deere, and one Kubota. All of them are keepers. Like a lot of old timers I grew up favoring JD, and ten years ago was on my way to buy a another JD when I stopped by the Kubota dealer just because I'd never looked at them..... and ended up buying the Kubota M59. FWIW, for your use I'd go Kubota - for the extra gearing if nothing else.
good luck,
rScotty
mike69440
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2 speed hydro is for putting around a yard. Kubota is a light tractor, If you take out 400 Lbs, watch out on a windy day, it may tip over.
TheMadOne
Platinum Member
JD is pushing the "composite" (plastic, call a spade a spade) angle as a feature for a while now. Supposedly the hood can stand up to more abuse without getting beat up. The clear solution is to not drop cr@p on your hood, but that seems to have escaped them somehow.
s219
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To me, if you test drive/compare both tractors, it would be very hard to choose the Deere. My wife's family has a 3 series E model and it's been a fine tractor, but my Kubota L3200 (near twin of the L2501) is unquestionably better all the way around. All of this seems obvious to me when I compare and operate the two tractor's, and it wouldn't even be a close call if I was shopping them both.
rScotty
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"Regarding SSQA question from another contributor, the Kubota loader complies but the deere has a separate method for removing the loader, tho there's probably an adapter available that will allow for SSQA, but that's one more headache and expense."
Are you saying that JD still has that unique bucket mount from decades past? Kubota's SSQA (and most of the rest of the world) all use a universal quick mount that will attach to anything that will fit onto a skidsteer machine. That's a whole world of options.
JD's used to have an odd bucket mount SSQA that required an adapter to use different FEL buckets. I haven't looked at their compacts for a few years now, but thought that was changed. If there is an adapter necessary and you go Deere, be sure to get the JD dealer to include it as part of the package - hopefully for gratis.
Another thing that I like to include in any deal is a shop manual for that specific model. Maybe even a promise of copies of any periodic updates. Dealers usually get those manuals at very good prices and they are expensive otherwise.
Yes, JD has always used a different type of hydraulic system (closed vs open) than most other tractors. In practice you probably won't notice much - if any - difference. Theoretically it is a point for JD - mostly in that the JD power steering should react steer more positve and quickly at very low rpm. But nothing is free; JD's hydraulics are more sophisticated and expensive as a result. I prefer the simpler style myself on any 20 to 100 hp tractor. For mowing or for a big excavator I'd prefer the JD hydraulic system.
Like most have said, both JD & Kubota are top of the line machines.
rScotty
Are you saying that JD still has that unique bucket mount from decades past? Kubota's SSQA (and most of the rest of the world) all use a universal quick mount that will attach to anything that will fit onto a skidsteer machine. That's a whole world of options.
JD's used to have an odd bucket mount SSQA that required an adapter to use different FEL buckets. I haven't looked at their compacts for a few years now, but thought that was changed. If there is an adapter necessary and you go Deere, be sure to get the JD dealer to include it as part of the package - hopefully for gratis.
Another thing that I like to include in any deal is a shop manual for that specific model. Maybe even a promise of copies of any periodic updates. Dealers usually get those manuals at very good prices and they are expensive otherwise.
Yes, JD has always used a different type of hydraulic system (closed vs open) than most other tractors. In practice you probably won't notice much - if any - difference. Theoretically it is a point for JD - mostly in that the JD power steering should react steer more positve and quickly at very low rpm. But nothing is free; JD's hydraulics are more sophisticated and expensive as a result. I prefer the simpler style myself on any 20 to 100 hp tractor. For mowing or for a big excavator I'd prefer the JD hydraulic system.
Like most have said, both JD & Kubota are top of the line machines.
rScotty
There's some sales blarney behind that claim. These two tractors have the same displacement engines (100 cu. in.), but the Kubota runs at a lower rated rpm (2,200), than the Yanmar in the Deere (2,400). The claim would be true if you were comparing subcompacts, where the baby Kubota famously needs to be revved, but it's a bogus claim with this or any other Kubota L model. Have to observe, though, that all of these modern diesel + hydraulic tractors, regardless of brand, are made to run with adequate hydraulic flow. Putt-putting around at idle is not healthy for any of them.
I'm partial to Kubota, having owned two of them for a long time (12+ years for each), with essentially no repairs and total reliability, but think there's a strong case to be made that the L2501 would be the more productive machine, owing to the 3 range HST, the removable loader and the greater weight. But your personal preference should prevail, not mine. If you just plain favor the green one, the dealer or the deal he offers, by all means follow your own instincts. The JD is a fine machine that would serve you well.
MF283
Platinum Member
I'd get on both tractors & run them both to see which one fit's, feels easier to operate. If i'm not mistaken, the Deere has a faster speed even with the 2 speed tranny, over the 3 speed Bota.
I'm a Deere guy myself, have run a few Kubotas on another farm in the past, my conclusion, they're both tractors.
Ronnie
I'm a Deere guy myself, have run a few Kubotas on another farm in the past, my conclusion, they're both tractors.
Ronnie
Musdalen
Gold Member
Didn't take me an hour of owning my Deere before I had cr@p on my hood - literally horse cr@p and gravel. **** happens, especially when learning the controls for the first time, but it will happen again, I'm sure.
I'm pretty happy with the composite parts. They don't scrape up when I push a shovel or chainsaw up on the platform with me either.
None of this really figured in my choosing green over orange last month when I got mine, but I much prefer the operation of the Deere over the Kubota. Just more intuitive or whatever for me and the whole machine seems better put together (though that's very subjective).
