Bashing

[TheChamp]

Ok, guys, I need your input. I was out Tractor Hunting today, visited 2 JD Dealers, 1 Kubota Dealer, and 1 New Holland Dealer. I'm comparing the JD4100 vs BX2200 vs TC21D. I'll have a bunch of questions on specifics later (after I review the specs and brochures 100 times!) For now, wanted to get opinions on a few points that one of the JD dealers claims about the BX2200. He says that:

* The BX is 12-15 year old technology.
* They are seriously lacking in their safety features.
* The ROPS is useless, and doesn't meet North American safety standards.
* The BX2200 does not have safety features such as having to be on the machine before it is started, or the PTO is engaged.
* The Category 1 hitch is not a "true" Category 1 hitch, compared to the JD4100.
* Deere has more HP than advertised, because they always under-rate the published horsepower.
* The Yanmar engine is far superior to the Kubota engine.
* The JD4100 has a much better and more useful FEL than the BX2200.
* That the 4100 is built in the USA. (Their literature says the 4200-4700 are built in Georgia, and I thought I saw on another post that the 4100 is a green Yanmar - funny how the JD salespeople don't mention that!)

I found that the JD guys sit there and mostly bash Kubota, rather than telling me the virtures of their machine. That has happened at 2 of the 3 JD Dealers near me.

I'm also interested in seeing the X400/X500 series of tractors from JD, since they feel that the JD4100 is far superior to the BX line from Kubota, and a better comparison will be between the X500series and teh BX2200.

So, what do you guys/gals think? Are the JD Dealers blowing smoke, or is there something more to it?

TheChamp.

 

[thumperjb]

As for my 2 cents, I smell smoke

John Deere makes a fine tractor, as does Kubota, but if the
dealer can't sell it on it's own merits I would look for another dealer.

 

[webbmeister]

Amen!

 

[Bird]

I agree with the other guys; I'd sure stay away from those Deere dealers.

 

[MikePA]

The JD dealer should have also added, "I don't have any tractor comparable to the BX2200." The BX2200 is in a class by itself at least until next year when JD is rumored to be bringing out a subcompact tractor.

As the others have replied, I'd eliminate these JD dealers, not the JD tractors, from consideration. If this is how the management of the dealership trains the sales staff, I would be suspect of everything else.

What did the NH dealers have to say?

Also, how do you want to use the tractor? That'll determine which model to get.

 

[JJT]

Interesting re. the Yanmar engine being better than the Kubota. I understand JD approached Kubota years ago to have them produce diesels for their small tractors, Kubota said no and JD went with Yanmar. I heard this from a JD salesman. JD makes a great machine, I'd avoid this dealership at all cost.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...I understand JD approached Kubota years ago to have them produce diesels for their small tractors, Kubota said no and JD went with Yanmar. I heard this from a JD salesman...</font color=blue>

A manufacturer's golden rule... you never obtain any components from a competitor..., I'd discount that story as fabrication... /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>you never obtain any components from a competitor</font color=blue>

I don't think I quite understand, John. Does that mean John Deere considers Kubota as a competitor, but doesn't consider Yanmar as one? And aren't there some other tractors using Kubota engines?/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>...Does that mean John Deere considers Kubota as a competitor, but doesn't consider Yanmar as one? And aren't there some other tractors using Kubota engines?...</font color=blue>

If you notice, Yanmar no longer sells tractors in the US..., John Deere's relabeled and painted green Zetor tractors are not sold in the US... the same holds true for Iseki (AGCO) and Shibaura (New Holland) branded tractors not being sold in the US... nor will you see any oversea's manufacturer selling a Kubota engine based compact tractor in the US directly (they are being sold currently in small numbers by importers only...), these units are similar to grey market Kubota's, Yanmar's, Iseki's, etc...

 

[MossRoad]

Sounds like most of the posts I have read here before. Someone turned off to a brand by a bad dealer.

Champ, get all of the facts and figures for yourself. Take the time do drive all of them and put them through your own tests. See which one fits your demands. I think you'll find that the tractors of all brands are great and it is some of the dealers that are inferior.

If it's any consolation, I looked at the same three units you looked at plus the Cub 7205. They were all great. Now, here's the monkey wrench, (don't cringe everybody)I'm ordering a Power-Trac PT425 next week /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

<font color=green> MossRoad </font color=green>