Can the Japanese or Indians build better tractors?

Cavjock22 · Mar 3, 2017

A few have answered the question.. I'm not trying to debate the Mfg and politics behind it. I had a simple question.. Are the tractors coming out of Japan built for kubota any better or worse than the Indian Mfg'ed Deere tractors. And yes I understand that the manufactures have to find the cheaper route to get tractors built therefore they contract out and overseas. Caterpillar, like Kubota and John Deere does the same thing. Caterpillar does own the facilities overseas where their tractors are built though. I cannot comment on Kubota or Deere in that regard.They have Backhoes built in England but put together in Waco Texas. They have some dozers built in France but sold here in the US. All of the manufactures have bean counters sitting in cubicles trying to figure out how to keep a leg up on the competition and reduce expenses while trying to continue to provide quality.

sawtooth · Mar 4, 2017

There is no question about it. Kubota currently makes the best quality tractors in the world period when it comes to just quality control and quality of the finished good. Now this doesn't address many other factors that people sometimes prefer like machine weight, rear lift capacity etc. Only of product quality and overall reliability. No one else can compare. However, I don't personally own one as I've always preferred the heavier built machines with higher ratings etc. The Japanese probably build on average the highest quality of most all products manufactured in the world. When comparing automobiles and overall quality they typically rank in the top in most all categories for reliability. However, they are made very light when compared to their European counterparts and many American vehicles. Same for tractors as well.

hillwood · Mar 4, 2017

What about Yanmar? I have been looking at the new YT 3 series. Yanmar builds for Deere also.

sawtooth · Mar 4, 2017

Yes great equipment as well from what I'm told. A friend of mine has a 2005 John Deere 990 made by Yanmar and it's been bullet proof. Never had a thing wrong with it. Just change oil and go. Again a light tractor but if you don't need the extra weight then they are a great product.

mike69440 · Mar 4, 2017

sawtooth said:
There is no question about it. Kubota currently makes the best quality tractors in the world period when it comes to just quality control and quality of the finished good. Now this doesn't address many other factors that people sometimes prefer like machine weight, rear lift capacity etc. Only of product quality and overall reliability. No one else can compare. However, I don't personally own one as I've always preferred the heavier built machines with higher ratings etc. The Japanese probably build on average the highest quality of most all products manufactured in the world. When comparing automobiles and overall quality they typically rank in the top in most all categories for reliability. However, they are made very light when compared to their European counterparts and many American vehicles. Same for tractors as well.

Sure true a good examle is my Subie Forester compared to my wife's Chevy Equinox. Same basic class but Chevy weighs about 900 lbs than the Subaru.

Most Kubotas are light, but the metal is put where it's needed. Japan generally builds nice products.