Ever notice which brand?

[RPM]

In the SE corner of PA it seems that most of the contractors use compact JD's. It has been rare for me to see a Kubota. In fact, the one of the local Kubota dealerships changed hands in the last few years because it couldn't make a go of it.

If I hadn't had extensive experience of the reliability of the Kubota mini-excavator / backhoes then I probably would have gone JD myself. I'm telling everyone I can what a great tractor they make ...

Plus the local JD dealer was so darn arrogant. They didn't even bat an eye when I said I was also looking at Kubota. Talk about not needing the business.

 

[Jag]

Just this past weekend I went by Arkansas largest rental company's local yard to pick up an compressor a friend rented. We were putting a new front deck on his country house. All tractor equipment in the yard was orange. They had still in the yard 2-B21's, an L35TLB, and 4-L's from L4xxx to L2xxx for mowing and general tractor work. But the thing got me was the mini-excavators and one big actuated 4wd loader. I had not seen a Kubota like it. It came with loader forks, and a quick attach bucket 2-3 yard.. The guy there said that if you do any loading the is the best working machine they had ever seen.. I really beleive that it say something when the rental business is all Kubota..

 

[rbargeron]

I'm an admitted Kubota fan - have been since the early '80s.

Back then, Kubota was tring to penetrate the US market so they offered more features for less money, model-for-model than Deere (Yanmar at the time) or Ford. Their build quality was exceptional - gear housings were painted inside, shaft splines were near-zero-clearance fit, gear heat treatment and finishing were first-class, and no oil leaks anywhere ever. The engines had already become legendary for quality worldwide (no accident so many other manufacturers of equip. use Kubota diesels.) Over the next few years, Kubota was successful in establishing a significant share of the small tractor market. And they seem to be keeping it.

But, at the risk of getting flamed, I'll put forward an idea about the "new kid on the block". If there is a general economic downturn in the US, dealers will be looking harder for a price leader - and they'll find Kioti. They're doing exactly what Kubota did in 1982. And they're taking advantage of the typical US consumers' inattention to detail - some people already think the two brands are the same (based on colors and fancy curved-glass cabs).

If you think Kioti isn't a factor - take a good look at the front axle of their new 50 hp 4wd - it has a double-shear king pin drive, made like the earlier Kubota front axles before they were cheapened for the grand L-10's. To me Kioti appears very serious about quality - not like all the rest of the "tractor kit" offerings showing up in tool catalogs.

Stay tuned. Kubota is at the top of the pile now, but if they get complacent they'll be overtaken - may already be happening.

Long post - still only worth 2 cents.

 

[looch]

When I started to consider trading in my old Kubota for something larger, I checked the JD's out first. I called the dealer and he said that he would give me between 800.00 and 1200.00 CDN for my 1981 B5100E. After I stopped laughing I told him "thank you very much" and that was that. I called the Kubota dealer who wouldn't give me a value for my tractor over the phone (I respect that). He insisted on coming to my house to look at it (30+ miles). 3500.00 was what he offered. He then drove me to the dealership to look at a B7500 he had on the lot, then he drove me back to my house! I believe that if either company made an inferior product, they would not be in business very long. I'm sure JD has advantages over Kubota and vice versa. There's New Holland to consider also (no dealer near me). Point is that this sale (because I did actually buy the B7500) was made because the salesman seemed genuinely interested in having me as a customer, and I took this a an indication of what I might expect in future service. (Also that this dealer will probably be around for quite some time).

 

[jdfan12]

...ever notice which tractor owners feel the most need to bash other brands?

...ever notice that some people once they decide on a particular brand, immediately feel a need to declare all other brands inferior in order to make them feel better about the decision that they made?

 

[JATO_RaT]

."..ever notice that some people once they decide on a particular brand, immediately feel a need to declare all other brands inferior in order to make them feel better about the decision that they made?"



JDfan, well said, you have a very good point that crosses all the colors and is no more exclusive to the numerous Kubota owners then the New Holland, John Deere or other manufacturers owners. I have none of the colors mentioned here and have been on this forum back when it was kubota.com. I do believe most folks here offer up legitimate reasons for their views. There are however those that bash. Do understand the difference between bashing and opinions concerning experiences be they dealer problems, parts problems, or issues concerning the tractor directly, it is easy for the owners of those brands being criticized to regard it as bashing.
I have been considering either a JD 4700 or Kubota L4610. There are reasons I have not included the TC 45 from New Holland. Should I point those out, New Holland folks will think I'm bashing. If I point out the one major problem I have with the JD 4700, you will think I'm bashing. There is one thing I wish Kubota would have done with the L4610, Kubota folks may think I'm being to picky. I know that by not illustrating them here, I have people thinking "whats wrong with the NH" or "what is it that you have a problem with concerning the JD 4700". While I do agree with you about a few folks being to brand conscious and the need to have their ego's validated through this forum, most people here catch on quickly and offer informitive opinions. I am glad you brought the subject up as it does allow us to rethink about how we post. The last thing I want to do is make someone who has worked hard and taken pride in what they chose for a tractor, to make him/her feel bad. Rat...

 

[RPM]

Jag,

Those mini-excavators are a blast to operate. I have put many hours in using one. You would be amazed at what you can get done with that little backhoe in tight spaces.

That's why I'm such a big advocate of a backhoe for the BX ... but that's another thread.

 

[JATO_RaT]

rbargeron, I was interested in your comments. I went looking for Kioti and found a weatlh of information at riverasmachinery.com. From what I could tell, Kioti has a way to go to make a comparable product to any of the 3 popular brands here. Why a front axle would have a "double shear king pin drive" is beyond me. Admittedly, I'm clueless as to what it is, but I can't stand shear pins. I noticed many things about the Kioti I did not find modern. No hydrostatic transmission, steering rods in front where I will bend them. Low hydraulic pump capacities for the HP. Low horsepower for the displacement. I suppose the list could go on and like wise, there could be some great attributes as well that a picture and specs don't show. The L4610 I am looking at has got a different front axle then the L4310, I'm understanding it to be for the increased loader capacity. My L4850 has a front axle that up to this point has done nothing to make me wish for anything different. Now if you want to talk about axles having a more important or significant contribution, mention planetary gear sets like that found on the John Deeres. Its hard to beat a planetary drive. You probably won't have to worry about breaking one of these. Some of the Kubotas use this drive as well, does Kioti? What are the loaders built like. Up to this point, I haven't found a more durable one then Kubota makes. Kubota has continued to change the loaders for the better. The L4610 has a loader that will go on and off faster then perhaps even the much touted JD mount system. You can buy it with the ATI attachment so that it will accept all of the Bobcat implements including the best made 4N1 available. I can't comment on the NH, but can only guess the near "arch" design is working well as no one is posting that they are bending theirs. Please feel free to respond and straighten me out where Ive gone astray, especially on this front axle thing. As I have mentioned, I will be replacing my International Harvestor before long and welcome all the information I can get. Rat....

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Near as I've been able to tell, they all have good points and bad points. (Some more good than bad and others more bad than good.) I think you buy what you can get the best deal on, from the dealer that you will want working on your toys, and worry about color later.

Kioti is a moot point for me as there are no dealers within 75 miles, but I got 5 Green, 5 blue and 2 orange dealers within 50 miles, and 1 of each within 20 miles. BUT, I would be interested in hearing more about the Kiotis, although from what I'm seeing here, I think a comparable package from 'Bota would be priced about the same. Kiotis big advantage seems to be in package pricing. Tractor, FEL, mower and trailer in one package.

I did a quick survey. Around here, the feed stores are running blue (lots of lifting), the nursery has orange (lots of pulling), and the Golf Course has green (maybe its camo?) /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

SHF

 

[HR_Mutt]

Rat
You've obviously been doing your research, I'm mildly curious what the one thing is that you wish Kubota would of done differently on the L4610/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
regards
Mutt