JD & Kubota Utility Tractor Comparison

Haoleguy · Apr 11, 2005

Newbie here. I would appreciate any thoughts on the following tractor-BH-FEL choices that I'm looking at from JD & Kubota. My property, new to me, is 42 acres of older farmland with overgrown pasture(6ac), young timber forests(16ac), and wetland(20ac) that is a rear lot 1000ft from the road. The land is relatively flat with a total elevation change of 20ft with no precipitous drops. My plans are to clear the 6ac pasture first and will involve removal of brush, briar, and small trees. Also required is digging out stones and stumps. Now to the chase I'm comparing Kubota's M5700 and JD's 5325 both as 4WD and hydroshuttle(Kubota)/Powrreverser(JD). Since in my area these models are not stocked it is difficult to drive these 2 and compare their features. My friend has the Kubota which is used for the same purposes I intend to use the tractor for but I read positives for JDs torque at lower rpms, ergonomics, and easier implement removal. Both seem excellent. Any thoughts out there that I should consider in this comparison?...Many thanks!

Bird · Apr 11, 2005

Welcome to Tractorbynet. Now I'm not personally very familiar with either of the two tractors you're considering, but with what little I do know about them, I don't think you can go wrong either way. It's a shame there aren't dealers nearby with those models because I think the best thing you could do it sit on and drive each, then buy the one you like best. If you can't do that, but want to order one of those tractors, then I'd visit the Kubota dealer and the Deere dealer and buy from the dealer I liked best or the one who offered the best price.

SkyPup · Apr 12, 2005

I am not familiar with those two tractors either, however for TLB combo work you should be looking at Kubota L39 or L48 and the JD110 in the 40-50HP 7,000+ pounds vicinity. These are more "Construction-Utility" related tractors than CUTs but have more powerful FEL's and BH's than most CUTs.

I do have a new TLB L39 Kubota with 70+ hours on it and it is a stout workhorse for sure.

A grapple FEL bucket or at least a bucket toothbar would be well advised, a heavy backblade, also a BH thumb would be in order.

MessickFarmEqu · Apr 12, 2005

I don't have any specific experience on these, but at the last new holland training meeting they had a 5000 series Deere up on ramps and pointed out that the drive shaft was only 1", while both NH and Kubota use 2". I was shocked by that... these things aren't lawn tractors!

froggy · Apr 12, 2005

Sounds like the "bean counters" are at it again!

BigEddy · Apr 12, 2005

Don't get to excited about that - depends on what speed it is turning at. If it is turning double the speed, it has to carry half the torque and can easily be less diameter. Material makes a huge difference as well. Let's see what the failure record looks like before we criticize the engineers.

Wesdor · Apr 12, 2005

I am not familiar with either model you mention, but my brother and I have a Kubota and Deere. (L3400 and 4310). I think if you talk to either of us, we would say we are both happy with our purchase.

The Deere tends to be a bit more ergonomically designed, but they are both "workhorses". When we looked at purchasing, I could purchase the Deere for about $1,000 higher. I got the 300CX FEL with quicktach. He couldn't get a dealer to give him that kind of a price and went with the Kubuta.

I hope someone can give you "seat time" information since buying a model without driving it poses a big problem to me.

After doing all of your research, I think it will come down to price. I prefer to buy local, but having said that, my 4310 has a Yanmar engine and was only assembled in Georgia. But the green does look more local since I live within 10 miles of Deere headquarters.

Mark4510 · Apr 12, 2005

I am not mechanically inclined so its important that I have a service provider that I can rely on. Having said that, I would recommend that you go with the dealer that has the best service department. I think both tractor brands are good and I would not have a problem with a new Kubota.

I do like the layout of the JD a lot more and I find, when I am spending lots of hours in the tractor, that this makes a huge difference. All the levers are where they should be, they work as they should and they simply make sense to me. I have used a friends Kubota and, while its a great machine, it just does not fit me. I am sure I could get used to it but the JD really just seems right.

You cant go too far wrong eithe way.
Mark

Haoleguy · Apr 12, 2005

Thanks to all who have posted thus far. Being in SE Connecticut not many Kubota and JD dealers have these tractors at their dealerships. The JD dealership has been the most responsive thus far with good information, price quotes, and regional availability. They also have a solid repair facility and extended hours when compared to the other dealers I have been to. The JD dealer has only sold two 5025 series this year but based on the posts above about Deere ergonomics I will ask the dealer to link me to those 2 sales so that I can see for myself...if they're willing. Thanks again!

burnetma · Apr 12, 2005

First off, welcome aboard.

I agree with every post above and want to emphasize the importance of seat time.

I spent nearly 3 years researching tractors while I waited for the funding to buy what I thought I wanted. In December, I got the go ahead to buy my new tractor and I KNEW which one I wanted! Yep, I was going to buy a NH TNA75.

Fortunately, I decided that I should make an effort to drive both the NH and the runner up JD 5320. So during the last 4 months, I have test driven nearly every make and model of utility tractor from CaseIH, NH, MF, AGCO, CAT & JD. With each test drive, I learned more about the tractor than I did during my 3 years of research prior. I probably logged 2000 miles going between all of the dealers, but it was worth the effort! I found the perfect tractor for me at the right price. I recommend you do the same.

Now for your specific needs...

I am not sure that you NEED a utility tractor or if a large CUT would do the job. In the John Deere, you should consider the 5005 series models unless you really want the PowerReveser. In order to save money, you should try to locate a left-over 5020 series (worked for me).

I have no informed comment on the Kubota. I never seriously considered them in my equation. The controls and lay-out was too odd for me and the cost was the same or more than JD and NH. Just no interest in orange equipment in the utility tractor size.

Good luck and have fun!