Apples VS Oranges VS Ford 1910 VS Kubota L2900

[Wacimus]

Morning!

I'm brand new to the tractor world. I have driven a few back when I was young but I didn't really pay attention to what I was driving, just the job at hand. So, the ground this tractor will be working is hilly, somewhat rocky, red dirt ground. I know I need a MFWD or a 4x4 tractor. I have kinda narrowed it down to to a 1985 Ford 1910 4wd with just over 2k hours on it. Or, a 1997 Kubota L2900 with 1500 hours on it. Both have front end loaders, both are diesel, both are in reasonable state of repair.

Tasks: finish mowing (1 Acre), running a scrapper for some lite grading, again about 1.25 acre, and moving downed oak trees/pine trees, as well as general property maintenance.

Budget is sub 8k. Which both tractors come in under. Opinions? Comments?

 

[Agvg]

Suppose parts are much easier to get to the Kubota.

 

[AndyMA]

Suppose parts are much easier to get to the Kubota.

I have a Ford 2120 which is one series newer that a 1910 and some parts are getting hard to come by. The 1910 is a good tractor, but I'd check with a dealer on parts availability.

Andy

 

[RickB]

Kubota built the tractor and is the support chain for it. Shibaura built the 1910 and New Holland is at the end of the support chain for it. Parts availability for the 1910 is poor and will only get worse.

 

[Creamer]

Parts can be a problem but most tractors and homeowners really need very few parts if any for the hours they put on as long as they do not abuse the tractor. I did not have problems getting the front seals for my 1710 three years ago from the New Holland dealer. But those and a seat and a muffler are all that I have needed in the 25 years I have owned it.

To me a more pertinent question would be the tractor configuration, i.e. the type of tires, hydraulics, preference for operator station on and off, etc. I wouldn't be scared of either of these tractors.

 

[Jstpssng]

How have each been treated by the previous owners? Were they stored inside, or were they always out in the elements? That makes a big difference in the condition. Define "reasonable state of repair". Then factor in the price of each, and how reliable that you need it to be. Do you have time to work on it when you need to do something? If in good condition, the price sounds good on each of them. I would have loved to find something like that last year when I was shopping, and they both are good tractors.

 

[Wacimus]

They both have been sitting in storage for about a year now. Previous owners have passed away. Everything works as it should from my limited knowledge. I do have time to work on them. Again, only maintaining 1-ish acre of land. But I think the decision has been made. I have a local Kubota dealer that would make parts a lot easier on me and my sanity. Thanks everyone!

 

[Bigfoot62]

Here's the basic specs from Tractordata.com

TractorData.com Ford 1910 tractor information
TractorData.com Kubota L2900 tractor information

To add to what Rick said, NH is the only dealer support for Ford tractors. And, NH dealers are getting pretty scare around here.

 

[GCTucson]

I just bought an L2900 and had it trailered to a nearby Kubota dealership for an 800 hour PM service so I could have a baseline for future maintenance. It had been stored for several years and used infrequently.

The dealership needed to keep it almost two weeks because they had to order a hydraulic fluid filter from the factory. So next time it's due for a PM Service, I will go in before trailering the tractor and order all the parts needed so they are there when the tractor arrives. That doesn't mean they wouldn't find something else that needs an out-of-stock part, but it might prevent such a long wait time for the parts that are expected to be replaced. I would suggest checking with your service company about parts availability before hauling it in.

You probably already know this, but if you plan to do routine maintenance yourself, there are some great YouTube videos on fluid and filter changes for Kubotas.

 

[TheGoose]

I have a 1910 and can confirm the scarcity of parts.