Deere reliability?

[varmint]

Before I come across as a Kubota-owning jerk, let me say that I am serious here: After enjoying the TBN for 5 or 6 months, I have formed the impression that a lot more Deere owners have posted questions/complaints about their tractors than have Kubota owners. (those are the two makes I mostly look at) I am wondering if they really are less reliable, or if there are simply more of them, and problem rates are about the same, or what's going on? Do Kubota owners suffer silently? Opinons, please.

 

[rancar]

I've owned my JD 4710 for slightly over a year now. I have about 67 hours on this unit. Except for a couple minor warranty problems that came up that the dealer quickly addressed free of charge, I've been very pleased with the quality and performance of the 4710. I have no regrets buying this tractor nor do I wish I looked at the orange or blue machines before I made my purchase (which I never seriously considered anyway).

This is my third JD tractor. I've owned two other smaller JD lawn tractors (JD 111 and JD 425). I ran the JD 111 for 15 years with no problems whatsoever. I sold it after I had upgraded to the 425. I have 750 hours on the 425 since owning it in 1995.....again, I've experienced no problems with the 425 lawn tractor. Overall, my experience with John Deere has been very satisfying and I will likely keep buying John Deere for the rest of my life. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

...Bob

 

[Boondox]

Varmint -- I was very interested in the JD 4300 when I was tractor shopping, but it was a new model and was having a share of quality issues at the time. Timing drove my choice of a Kubota L3010, but had the timing been different I would be driving green now and would have been very happy about it.

To JD's credit, they made good on all defects in that new model, and judging from the few 4x10 complaints they learned a valuable lesson about testing of new models. I'd feel very comfortable buying any of the major brands these days.

Pete

 

[_RaT_]

"I have about 67 hours on this unit"

Bob, you have to use your tractor more. Your warranty will expire before it's even broken in. I've had mine for a little over a month and have more hours then that. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I looked at every tractor available within a reasonable driving distance to me. That pretty much left it too JD, NH and of course, Kubota. Fortunately, I have nearby dealers that sell JD/Kubota and NH/Kubota. It was a great way to make a comparison and I <font color="#666666"> highly </font> recommend you try all brands prior to purchase. Being brand blind is in my opinion, the only way to go. According to my JD/Kubota dealer, the JD 4X00 series did have some issues with the transmissions. Hydrostatic transmission problems and manual shifting forks made out of aluminum that when forced hard enough were bending. That coupled with the 4300's aluminum cast axle housing where the aways attach, created problems for some users. I believe many of these issues have been examined and redone on the 4X10 series tractors. Other then the yellow seat, they are great little tractors. I tried the JD 4310, 4410, and 4610 all HST as well as the NH TC35D and 40D, prior to my purchase. Best of luck, Rat...

 

[rancar]

<font color="blue"> Bob, you have to use your tractor more. I've had mine for a little over a month and have more hours then that </font>

How I wish RaT....problem is other more pressing work responsibilities and continuing home renovation work keep interfering with seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif But, I do squeeze in a few hours here and there when I can.

...Bob

 

[cowboydoc]

This has been brought up in the past. There are even a couple of posts where everyone who had any brand tractor was invited to post their results. The results were that there were no more people who posted problems with one over the other.

 

[GreenMtnMan]

When I was tractor shopping I spoke with a guy out here in Oregon who deals exclusively in used Kubota and JD tractors. He told me that both brands were equivalent in terms of reliability.

 

[frankv]

Varmint,

I've been reading everything I can here the past month in hopes of becoming more educated before I make the plunge and purchase my tractor and I've noticed the same thing.

From what I've read JD isn't selling more tractors than Kubota, but it appears more JD owners post about issues. (Kubota owners can't be sufferring silently...are they?) I've seen this kind of comment a few times..

"Except for a couple minor warranty problems that came up that the dealer quickly addressed free of charge"

What's that mean? It's ok that the tractor had issues and you where inconvenienced after dropping gobs of cash if the dealer takes care of it? My assumption is that if there is a warranty issue either dealer will resolve it, but, I don't want any issues with a $20K tractor. Am I naive?

I wanna like the green tractors. I loved the feel driving them (4110, 4115, 4210) but the electronic controls, cheap feeling control levers, and the plastic may scare me away.

Naturally the blue/green/orange tractor owners stand behind their chosen manufacturer, but being one who owns neither I am stuck in indecision.

 

[Bob_S]

So far so good on my 4310. Not a single problem outside of a few drops of oil on the garage floor. No drips since my 50 hour service /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. One big reason I baught JD is that I have owned a JD 185 garden tractor for over 13 years and the only thing I had to fix was a worn out drivers seat! I think you will find most all tractors will provide you with good reliably. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My assumption is that if there is a warranty issue either dealer will resolve it, but, I don't want any issues with a $20K tractor. Am I naive?
)</font>

I don't know if your naive or not. I know I'm in the same basic situation that you are. I haven't purchased yet, but plan to do so within the next year. I, too, have no color preference at this point. But I fully expect that there will be some minor problems with whatever I buy. Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I'd rather be pessimistic than thoroughly irritated. And if I experience no problems at all, which many people have, I will be very pleasantly surprised!

This is why I believe it is critical to have a relationship with a quality dealer within striking distance. I may be willing to accept that there will be minor problems, but those problems had better be remedied post haste ! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif