Century or Kubota

[Anonymous Poster]

Eddie, I agree with P3000. You aren't likely to get any more substantive information than has already been put forth. To me, the Korean built CUTs are a much better value than any of the other brands hands down, and it was only a matter of choosing from those that were available in my area.

I chose Branson. Centurys are not sold here, probably because Branson USA is right down the road, which keeps the freight costs down to nil. If I had to do it all over again, the only thing that might be different is the model number.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

SnowRidge

 

[DavesTractor]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm also concerned about Century being around in 5 years or more. What evidence is there to support this? Is Century selling enough tractors to indicate a growing market share? I've been told Kubota holds 40% of ALL compact tractor sales nation wide. )</font>

Branson sales went up abut 300% from 2001 to 2002, and it appears they will go up 300% this year as well. By May of this year they equaled all of last years sales. While no where close to the volume of the big three, they are certainly gaining. I suspect Century has seen similar growth. It is encouraging to me as a Branson dealer to be working with a company that is growing stronger every day.

 

[JohnMiller3]

In our area, Upstate New York… I’ve never seen any M series out in the field… but they must have them somewhere… ‘cause I considered a M6800 briefly ~ about 3 years ago, so I know they are sold here… /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

On the other hand, it’s no secret that Kubota has had the majority of the Compact Tractors market under 30 hp for the past “many years”… for years, you would only see Kubota orange on landscape trailers, new home sites, back of weekend warrior’s property…

From about 1997 onward… NH Blue Boomers and JD green have come out swinging, scratching and clawing to obtain market share… and from 2000 onward you see a much stronger presence of Mahindra, Kioti, and AGCO Iseki’s, with Branson, Century, TYM, and Chinese taking up the trailing end… (point being… it can be anyone’s market, with so many contenders)

The compact tractor market is <font color="red">HOT</font>… Dealers that had sold large AG since the beginning of time… have seen the market change over to the Compacts… Some of these AG dealers never switched… and are now history… with closed doors… (another point being, the compact market for most is in it's infancy if you only look at the numbers)

Back to where I wasn’t… /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Early last year, at the NY Farm Show, I had the pleasure of talking with one of Kubota’s top reps imported from California… /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif He indicated Kubota had a very large presence in the SW U.S., mainly California in the AG end of the business… He indicated the rest of the country was not as generous for Kubota’s AG market share, and he acknowledged they had a long way to go to make a dent. His new job in our N.E. U.S. area… was to make that dent. (As he was the key person for obtaining the California AG numbers) So… time will tell… /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[_RaT_]

John, my impression from lurking around this forum for the last few years leads me to believe you are absolutley correct. Kubotas presence on the large farm is miniscule at best. Kubotas forte is with the compacts. Here in California, it is quite evident, but obviously not in all regions of the country. With the big farmer's, JD is the undisputed king, hardly arguable. Vineyards seem to prefer the Kubotas, at least, running around the Napa area, a wine producing region near me. I never thought about buying my tractor based on whether it was used by the large or "real" farmers. Heck if that were the case, I'd be sporting a JD, NH/Case or Cat. For some reason, MF has all but disappeared from the landscape. MF was my first tractor experience so I have a little soft spot for the o'l company. Anyway, as usual, your comment was right on target. The competition is getting stiffer and the bonus is better tractors for us all. My L30 is certainly proof of that. Rat... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[_RaT_]

Pacesetter, most of my tractor experience is with manual (JD 790 type shift) or a shuttle shift. While shuttle shift is a gigantic improvement on the old manuals, after experiencing HST with my L48 Kubota and more recently with my L30's series Kubota, I'm a born again convert, all because MChalkey was the first one to really make me aware of its value. I used Bobcats Skidsteers for years, never really thinking about the drive mechanism. It was fast, quick and easy. Using my L3830 HST for many hours today made me think about posting a thread exclusive to HST. It's not so much that I care what folks decide to purchase for a transmission as much as making them aware of just what the benefits are. Perhaps the greatest value this forum offers is the ability to inform. Prefering HST over any other transmission is not to denegrate them, they all have their strong points, if they did not, manufactuers would be silly to continue producing them. As I mentioned, the instantaneuous response HST offers is a huge factor. For mowing purposes on my property, it comes in extremely handy. My acerage is not as smooth as I would like. When the front wheels hit a rut, bump, dip or other obstacle, it's second nature to back off the speed. The result is instant feedback and a smooth transition or response from the HST. Low branches and a ROPS, no problem, slow to about 1.8 mph, look, and decide if its going to clear or not. The control is just exactly what I need. In a word, HST offers me the control that my International 454, NH 2120 shuttle shift, Kubota L4850 shuttle shift/wet clutch just don't have. It's simply my preference and my many years of experience using various tractors with various transmissions. People who choose to buy alternative drives aren't wrong, some are just misinformed. I hope that when the hard earned dollar is spent, it is done so with plenty of accurate information. Rat...

 

[DavesTractor]

Regarding Kubota's being used by real farmers, here in the orchards of Nothern California we see quite a few Kubotas in the 70+ HP range primarily being used to run large flail mowers. The farmers seem to like them and get good hours out of them. Of course this is not the kind of ground engaging work that many other types of farming requires, but it does give the tractor a good workout.

 

[Pacesetter300]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Your "buck" dosen't "bang" quite as loud as ours. )</font>

Calling 5030 - I'd really like you to expand on your statement.

I'll be the first to admit I'm still learning about all the aspects of tractors and implements. I am totally dumbfounded to understand how 2.5 PTO HP and 200 lbs. weight (5030 Kubota vs. 3045 Century) for ~ $15,000 equates to a "louder bang for the buck" /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Wolbert dealt with another guy on another forum making wild statements regarding Kioti transmissions. That guy wouldn't back up his claims either. This is a GREAT forum. We all learn a lot from each other. I had a great exchange with RaT on this thread and learned a lot from it. I just think if someone is going to make wild slanted statements, they should be prepared to back them up with facts. 5030 is definately guilty the former and is certainly AWOL with the latter.
Pacesetter

 

[5030]

Without going too deep. I'm not referring to brands of tractors or anything concerning tractors/owners/etc. I'm referring to the exchange rate of currency between the U.S. and Canada. Nuff said.

I'm out farming/haying with my "little Kubota". Not too much time for this site right now. Just waiting for the dew to come off so I can turn forage. Want to round bale this afternoon. Will take pictures as usual.

 

[JohnMiller3]

Please Guys... Let not start any flame wars...

(Don't take things personally...!)

Thanks... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[19th_VA]

Hey Eddie,

Welcome to tbynet. Can't believe I missed this discussion (almost). Up front, let me say I own a Branson 3520 and am perfectly satisfied with it, except I want a backhoe! I would add in the price of the implements, like front end loader, before saying the difference in price is $4100. Add in the implements, and your price difference grows. As for long term, if you are all that nervous about it, pay the extra $ and get the Kubota. I considered the same thing and obviously decided in favor of Branson. Kukje has been around since 1968, has been making tractors for John Deere for a long time, and is currently rapidly expanding its share of the world compact market. They make all the major components--engine, drivetrain, frame, save for the yanmar engine for the 45 hp. They just signed a deal to sell engines under the Cummins label. I do not worry about the long term. This company is doing great and is most likely not going anywhere.

I really think you should take a more careful look at your competing dealers. The kubota dealer already gave you some bad information about the # of Century dealers in Texas. Perhaps and innocent mistake, but YOU need to get in there, ask some tough questions and see whose answers you like best. We are all biased in favor of our own tractor brands. When I started looking, I had NO tractor brand because I had NO tractor.

I don't think you would be unhappy with either tractor. It's up to you to decide if the extra $ are worth it.