JD/Kubota better quality than LS/ TYM, etc?

[npalen]

Mahindra Tractors - Wikipedia

 

[nrosario]

I had and seen good success with the Korean and Japanese made Mahindra.
Can't say the same for the India made models.

That being said, I have to say that JD, Kubota and some MF models, they offer better quality products than the rest.***Talking tractors 60hp and below.
In terms of attachments and implements integration they are way ahead of the rest.
And when we talk about ergonomics and quality in their components they still better than the rest.
But I have to exclude JD 5E series and Massey Ferguson 2600 series.

I have seen some people having relatively success with the 5E series deer, but they are not even close to the 5M or 5R, and pricing reflects that.

But we can never rule out LS, Kioti, TYM and the rest...

When I was looking for tractors I had my mind set between the B2601 and B2650, but then I found a Max 26xl with Loader and BH for an incredible price.
That's how I got my Max, but is that the tractor I really want "No", will I ever get the Kubota... well that depends on the circumstances and how much cash I have in my pocket at the decision making moment.

You see, besides some small jobs here and there, I can't say I live off my tractor, for that reason I can't justify paying premium for the brand I like and want.

Try every tractor if you can, buy the dealer and make an informed decision.

 

[dodge man]

Some of the John Deere compacts are made in India. Jusayin.

That might have been true at one time, now not so much. Tractor Time With Tim had a couple of good videos where he toured the JD factory and it is surprising how much is made in the USA.

 

[Jchonline]

I agree with Jeff and others here. Your arent going to get objective feedback from individuals. Do as Jeff says, figure out the specs you need first and factor in dealers. Then start looking (demos, visiting dealers, etc). A few will stand out. Then consider parts/service/ and likelihood that company will be in business in 15 years. Hopefully you arrive at a choice.

 

[Egon]

Maybe just drive around and see what those folks making a living with their tractor are sitting on.

 

[nards444]

Just remember a lot of John Deere parts on smaller tractors are made in China, and Kubota has some outsourced parts as well. With that being said I looked at everything. Kubota and JD did seem to have more quality in fit and function at the initial eye test. Now with that being said some of the others did spec out better or the same. But you have to talk cost, is buying orange or green worth the xtra cost, even though I bought orange I would say probably not.

 

[uphere]

I agree – quality is subjective and based on opinions … something everyone on this forum has (not necessarily a bad thing). I’ve had a couple of IHC, a Massey, an Allis, and three LS tractors … and my opinion is based on this small sample size. My LS tractors over the last 15 years have been as good as the others. Now my dealer has been good to me which does help – but I also don’t make a living on my tractor anymore. In fact I only have one LS now but I’m retired and lease my farm out to “real farmers”. So I only bush hog, split wood, and move snow primarily (which one could argue any brand could do) which the LS does just fine! ��

 

[Dave588]

This kind of threads can always be controversial and prone to arguments without getting any real conclusions.

I wouldn't necessarily put one brand over the other. Quality wise, I would say the Koreans will easily par up with the Japanese and are all up around the same level, even though some people can find that hard to believe.

The main difference is the extra you pay in the big two brands. Most of that you're paying the brand and the rest you are paying a lot for extras that are standard in the Korean brands. Korean brands also have a margin to have lower prices since they don't spend as much in advertisements as the others.

Depends on what part of country you are in. The mahindra and massey in Mass were higher than the kubota or deere. I used tractorhouse as a pricing reference.

 

[tjkadar]

I've owned Kubota, John Deere, and Massey Ferguson. Almost every manufacturer can build a good machine. By the same token, they all can make a dud now and then. It'll almost always come back to dealer support for whatever you buy. That is the reason I went from green to red. John Deere screwed me over. Meanwhile, Massey Ferguson went above and beyond to help me out. Now we have orange and red on the farm. I still like green tractors, but not how they conduct their business.

 

[GreenWannabe]

When I went tractor shopping 8 years ago, I figured I had only one chance to buy a tractor, so it had to be right the first time. I first researched all the models online and by reading brochures, and decided on the features which were most important to me: hydrostatic drive, cab with air conditioning, loader, and rear remotes. I also decided what implements I wanted to use, with mowing 12 acres being by far the most expected use. Next, I asked questions on a different tractor forum, where I had some people whose advice I felt I could trust. The most valuable advice I received was to go one size larger rotary mower than I wanted, which dictated one frame size larger tractor than I had been considering. Then I started looking at all the tractor brands represented within 100 mies of my home, and narrowed my search to three brands, Kubota, Kioti, and MF, based on how they fit me and my expectations. I originally thought I wanted John Deere, but discovered that every cab I entered, I bumped my head on the way in and out, even in much larger tractors, so decided it was a no go for me

I next put together a list of the tractor features I wanted, along with the implements I wanted to buy as a package, and shopped that to my cllosest dealers for each brand on my short list. I actually liked the Kubota and MF a little bit better, but could not justify buying them at a $10,000 premium. I wound up with my Kioti DK45SECH with a matching loader, and it has exceeded my expectations in every respect. Yes, there have been a few minor issues and annoyances, but I would expect that with any tractor.

My biggest issue has been the distance to the dealer, plus the fact that my dealer dropped Kioti. But both Kubota dealers near me sold out to a large chain as well. My new Kioti dealer is over 100 miles away, but will pick up and deliver the tractor, although for a price of about $120 per round trip. On the plus side, he does deliver excellent service, and seems to be well enough established to last.

This has been rambling, but I hope it adds some perspective to the discussion. Good luck and happy hunting!