Deere 5045e vs Kubota L4600/4701

[s219]

As others have mentioned, I think you're getting a bit mixed up with size/HP/weight/etc... The best comparison is to look at the same type of tractor from each brand.

As far as overlap -- I am most familiar with Kubota, and can tell you there are all sorts of overlaps with size, price, weight, HP, etc. For example, the largest B series model has the same HP as the smallest L series model but costs more, since that B is a deluxe model. The B weighs quite a bit less than the L, and has lower lift capacities, lighter frame, and so on. Some buyers like that B because they want a B-class tractor with a lot of nice features. Other buyers like the L because it's bigger and heavier. Budget isn't the factor here, it's really what type/kind/size of tractor you want for that price point and how nicely equipped you want it to be.

When looking at Kubota web pricing by the way, deduct 12-15% to get a typical street price. Not so sure about Deere; when I bought my Deere years ago and shopped for a Deere recently, prices were all over the place. Some dealers were full retail, others were about 8% below.

I have only driven a utility tractor once (was an older Kubota MX model) and my impression is that it was a big heavy brute focused on agricultural use.

In addition to the L3901/4701 (which are the basic L models), you might want to look at the Grand L deluxe models. They are heavier and have many nice features. Price goes up of course, but for many people they are a great choice. If you are hung up on a utility tractor, take a look at the Kubota M/MX models.

 

[Jim Timber]

If I was even remotely concerned about driving on a lawn, I never would've gotten the 5045e. This weight of machine is like driving a pickup with a shorter wheelbase. It's a big machine made for doing big things. The larger CUT's are also big and would be pointless for mowing in suburbia, but might do well for someone with some acreage who wants the money tied up in one rig instead of a high speed rider/z-turn, and then another machine for doing tasks. Or maybe someone with multiple properties who needs to transport it often (my JD tips the scales heavier than you'd want to pull behind a 1/2T with any frequency). The medium size CUT's are very popular for landscapers in the suburbs. They're easier on grass than a skidsteer, and can dig deeper with the compact backhoe's available, and also have more horsepower than the equivalent lift capacity skidsteer - at a much lower cost.

Different strokes for different folks: that's why there's so many variables.

 

[5083Guy]

I found watching the video's of people using their tractors immensely beneficial in helping me decide what to get and what to avoid.

This has the wheels in either max width or close to it.

The 5045/55/65 all share the same engine and rear end. The 5075 has the same engine, but the transmission and rear end are different (bigger). So looking at youtube, you can gleam a bunch of info on if the tractor is sized for your application, and then you'll have to decide if you have enough HP to pull/use the equipment you want to.

I'm using mine as a logging skidder, fork truck, and earth mover. After all of that, I might plant some crops with it. So PTO horsepower and ability to pull a big plow or wide disk was secondary to the ground clearance and lifting capacity. Even with the smallest loader offered, I can pick a 24' 16" red oak (green), and that's pretty much the biggest wood I'd ever handle on my farm. I was also hoping to get a 5055e instead of the 45, but the machine I'm buying came up locally and was just too nice to pass up.

Mast Tractor, Same place we bought our 5083E.