Buying Advice Buying advice: JD 3039R or Kubota L3901

[Nashville]

Howdy all! I've never owned anything painted orange, but my local JD Dealer (with whom I've done A LOT of business) is offering a pittance for my trade. Kubota is offering closer to market rate. So, I started to JD to pick up a 3039R, and found myself at Kubota kicking tires on an L3901. I've spent years clearing and grooming a heavily forested and neglected ridge top lot. Now I have 4 acres of ZTR (which I have) mowable land. I need the tractor for landscaping, brush maintenance, driveway installation, grading/maintenance, loose material handling, and gardening. Any thoughts from someone with more experience would be most appreciated. I just plan to run a loader, box blade, and garden bedder. I have no other brand dealers within a convenient distance. Thanks in advance!

 

[GManBart]

Well, if Kubota is the only convenient dealer other than Deere, that sort of answers the question. There's nothing wrong with the L3901, and it will do all of the things you mentioned, so it just comes down to how well it fits you, and if you're comfortable with running it.

 

[249DSam]

I owned a 3800, the 3901 replaced this model, and it performed flawlessly and is a very nimble and strong tractor for its size. I traded up to an MX5800 because I needed more PTO power for large bush hog.

Kubota is good stuff. And priced for us mortals. Green paint is too expensive for my blood. Owned JD before and liked it but not worth the extra $$$

 

[k0ua]

Not trying to talk you into the JD ...BUT you are comparing apples to oranges. (some pun intended). The JD has many more features, both included and available at extra cost. I don't know if you wanted HST or gear, but the gear tranny on the JD is a power reverser. A much more user friendly transmission. As for the trade in. I would just look at the cost differential between the two tractors. It doesn't matter a bit what they give you for your present tractor. What matters is the amount of dollars out of your pocket, and if the probably greater cost of the JD is worth it for the greater features. If not, get the 'bota, it is a good tractor too, just not the tractor the JD is. Here is another example, say you were comparing the JD 3038e to the L3901, in this case the JD is not up to the L3901 in specs..

 

[GreenCamo]

As was said, not comparing comparable machines. The 3R Series Deere is a premium machine while the 01 Series Kub is a standard/entry level. Compare the Grand L4060 to the JD 3039R or the JD3038E to the L3901. And was also stated - difference price is what you need to look at, forget what number they are showing for the trade... How much difference for all 4 models is what I would want to see and go from there.