First Tractor...JD vs NH vs Kubota vs Mahindra

[BobG_in_VA]

Hmm... 390,000 beating over 500,000 I think that must be some new math or something? My 52 8n sn is 504580.

8N's were produced from late 1947 thru mid 1952.

The 390,000th 8n was probably made in mid 1951.

Considering the farmall H was made from 39-53.. It's easy to see that it sold / made less units per year than the ford 8n. Now..just compairing number built from 39-53 if we go back to 39 and include 9n / 2n into production with the 8n.. then you get over 800,000 units.. etc.

Not sure where you got fords 'low' production number from..?

Soundguy

I always thought the 8N sold more than 500K myself...I was reading a "history" somewhere here on the net a few days ago and it quoted what I posted...by the way, as you probably know the Super H took over in '53...From '39 to '51, the H didn't really change at all...I think once the 8N "changed" to the side dist in (I think '50), maybe that's the cut off that the author I was reading was looking at...don't know...

 

[AndyMA]

Look at Consumer Reports ratings of Garden Tractors. I know they are not the same thing as diesel tractors, but still Deeres are rated the best, and that says something.

Definately an Apples to Oranges comparison. Deere Garden Tractors sold through Big Box stores definately aren't the best out there.

And Consumer Reports ranking don't seem to carry much merrit anymore.

Andy

 

[AndyMA]

I have always heard that Deere compacts and larger tractors were the best out there (and Kubota doesn't even make really large tractors). From what I have heard, Kubota is 2nd best, with New Holland being 3rd. .

And just who did you hear this from? A Deere owner or dealer. I will make a statement. Deere tractor are no better or worse as a whole than either New Holland or Kubota. And New Noland certainly is not 3rd on the list.

Just remember Case/New Holland is the largest manufacturer- larger than Deere.

Andy

 

[MDM]

Not to mention that Kubota roughly sells 3 CUTs to every 1 CUT sold by Deere. I agree, Kubota, Deere, NH - all are equally reliable, no better/worse.

 

[wolc123]

JD may or may not be the best, certainly they are at or near the top. Dont automatically assume that they are the most expensive when purchased new just because they are when purchased used. A few years ago, I got a JD 4120 for around $500 less than the best price I could find locally on a comparable Kubota GL 4330. To top it off, the JD outspec'd the Kubota in almost every measurable category. I will say, if you stick with JD and Kubota, you are almost guaranteed a top quality product with excellent resale. There is no "big 3" as many think, but there is almost certainly a "big 2". Just look at the average number of viewers on the various brands on this site if you dont believe that. Personally, I would rank NH and Mahindra slightly below these top 2, but well ahead of most others, and I think you will find resale values support this statement. The first tractor I ever ran was a JD ('50 M) but I have not owned another untill the 4120. In between I have had many makes and colors, and while some have been close in quality to the JD's, most of the companies, including Allis, IH, and Ford have gone belly up, partly because they were not quite up to JD's standards. That old '50 M still runs well and has required minimal repairs thru the years, and the 4120 hasn't had a single problem in (3) seasons of tough use.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Look at Consumer Reports ratings of Garden Tractors. I know they are not the same thing as diesel tractors, but still Deeres are rated the best, and that says something.

Or you could flip the page and look at the rattings on their power equipment and find that they where the worst of any manufacturer tested. A full 25% of their product ends up with major mechanical problems. In Deere's defense, they seem to do alright when they are sticking to their in house products that they design, build, etc. The power equipment and some of the economey stuff they are soucing defentialy is not up to par with what they've put out in the past.

most of the companies, including Allis, IH, and Ford have gone belly up, partly because they were not quite up to JD's standards.

Qualtiy was defentialy not the case. Most of those companies went belly up because of poor managment, or because their financial backing changed (Ford -> Fiat). Deere's quality standards don't go very far. They crank out quite alot of substandard stuff. As of late most of their product is comming from other companies, other factories, and is simply painted green. Their biggest asset is not their product. Its their name and they way they've sold themselves to the American public. As a business, they should be commended for that. Its the reason they make the profits they do.

 

[wolc123]

My post was specifically about tractors (not including riding lawn mowers), as for other power equipment, I cant say from personal experience since I have never owned any of it. I can say that JD makes good plows, hay balers, and corn planters however. In fact, the man himself was the one who invented the plow as we know it today. Why does an orange dealer find it necessary to trash JD?. Kubota makes a fine product which should make this ugly practice unnecessary.

 

[Raptor53]

And just who did you hear this from? A Deere owner or dealer. I will make a statement. Deere tractor are no better or worse as a whole than either New Holland or Kubota. And New Noland certainly is not 3rd on the list.

Just remember Case/New Holland is the largest manufacturer- larger than Deere.

Andy

I think it's pretty much common knowledge that John Deere is top-of-the-line when it comes to farm equipment. If you ask the general public what name they think of when it comes to farm equipment, my guess is the vast majority would say John Deere.

John Deere CUTs are built more heavy duty than Kubota or New Holland, and I doubt most would argue that fact. John Deere has better parts availability than Kubota or New Holland, and I doubt most would argue that fact either. And I don't know about all the John Deere CUTs, but the ones I have seen (the 3000 and 4000 series) didn't have that annoying rocker pedal that some of the Kubota and New Holland CUTs have. Also IMO, the ergonomics of the John Deere CUTs were substantially better than Kubota or New Holland CUTs.

I doubt most people would pick a Kubota or New Holland over a John Deere if the price was exactly the same. But anyways, that's just my opinion.

BTW, IMO the quality of Mahindra is equivalent to New Holland.

 

[jackster]

Well as they say...bigger is better (?). Call me crazy, but I've made up my mind on a Kub M6040 DT 4wd....now guys, remind me why I want an FEL. Im not moving hay or large piles of dirt....it's an awfully expensive front end weight. I'm sure I'd find a good use for it if I had it...but right now it's evading me. Well now that I think about it, I did want to move some dirt around to create a backstop for a small firing range.

 

[Soundguy]

Even with the distribuitor location change, the model stayed an 8n... If the author portrayed the N's only making 390k and not listing the entire line under that model number.. his data was plain out inacurate.

soundguy

I always thought the 8N sold more than 500K myself...I was reading a "history" somewhere here on the net a few days ago and it quoted what I posted...by the way, as you probably know the Super H took over in '53...From '39 to '51, the H didn't really change at all...I think once the 8N "changed" to the side dist in (I think '50), maybe that's the cut off that the author I was reading was looking at...don't know...