JD or Kubota?

Tom4310 · Jan 7, 2005

All you "electronics" bashers out there need to answer a few questions. Do you still drive an old car with old speedo, manual crank windows, AM radio, no auto-door locks? How about the TV you watch, does it have a remote, maybe HDTV? How about the DVD you watch or do you still use BETAMAX? Listen to CDs or 8 tracks and albums? Now let me see, are you typing your replies on the computer or are you typing on an old manual typewriter???

 John Deere Green 4310 with eHydro trans and loving it.

KiotiJohn · Jan 8, 2005

( All you "electronics" bashers out there need to answer a few questions. Do you still drive an old car with old speedo, manual crank windows, AM radio, no auto-door locks? How about the TV you watch, does it have a remote, maybe HDTV? How about the DVD you watch or do you still use BETAMAX? Listen to CDs or 8 tracks and albums? Now let me see, are you typing your replies on the computer or are you typing on an old manual typewriter??? )
What you've said notwithstanding, I've had all of those things, and have many of the new things, and have had troubles with all of them at some time or another. Is your post designed to insinuate that these things don't break down? That's not realistic at all.
I think what we're saying is: These extra electronic "gimmicks" are not necessary on a tractor, they're nice to have, but tractors do rough hard vibrating work that may lead to expensive problems down the road that can be avoided by not buying them to begin with. There are many things on modern equipement I could do without if given the option, but they come that way, no choice much of the time.
Apparently you've lived a charmed life and never have any electronics breakdowns! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif John

Tom4310 · Jan 8, 2005

Hey if you like older technology, buy a Chinese or Korean tractor. I personally like new technology so I bought the John Deere. It has a hydrostatic transmission and I am confident it will be around as long as my old Kubota was. Old technology isn't cheap either. I spent $500 on a 1979 Kubota B7100 clutch R&R and that was just parts. As far as rough treatment and electronics, I'm not buying your arguement. Rumbling around on fields through pot holes and over rocks isn't any rougher, on a tractor, than driving my new truck up our dirt road. My new truck is packed full of electronics and has survived quite well with worse treatment. It is ok that you like Kioti tractors and I am sure you are very happy with it. Trying to scare off potential John Deere owners with the fear of damaged electronics and high repair costs is not fair nor correct.

CurtC · Jan 8, 2005

( All you "electronics" bashers out there need to answer a few questions.)

Actually, I think not. It's common sense that the electronics are potential failure points, and confirmed to me by the _John Deere_ dealer. I didn't see anyone trying to "scare people away from John Deere", it's just something to consider.

widmn · Jan 8, 2005

Given all this, is the JD 790 or 990 series deemed to be more reliable than the "equivalent" JD 4000 series because of less "frills"???

45V · Jan 8, 2005

Electronics have been in use in heavy construction equipment for years. I don't think you will find a tougher proving ground. I borrowed a Deere 790 loader to move 1500cy of fill last month and was amazed at exactly how much was electronic. The only mechanical operator input was the steering wheel. Everything else was fly by wire. The productivity improvements were impressive. It seemed like the machine was able to anticipate every move and adapt accordingly.

Electronics have swept over the construction industry because they improve performance, safety and uptime. I think it's just a matter of time before even Walmart tractors come with fly by wire! Everything breaks, and there is an anecdote out there to prove or disprove anyones opinion./forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I happen to like mine. They haven't been trouble free, but after using them for a while I wouldn't want a tractor without them.

Personally, I hope conventional stuff stays around for a lot longer. In addition to making equipment more afforadble for those who don't care for the added features, it serves to keep the price of the high tech machines in check.

sneaky_pete · Jan 8, 2005

I have nothing against electronics and modern conveniences, but if you like to do your own mechanic work they sure can make it harder to diagnose and repair. There's something to said for simplicity - I could pretty nearly rebuild the engines on my Indian motorcycles at the side of the road with nothing but a roofing hatchet and a pair of vice grips. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I suspect the same could be said of an old 8N and some other tractors.

cowboydoc · Jan 8, 2005

if you like to do your own mechanic work they sure can make it harder to diagnose and repair 

On the contrary. All of my newer JD equipment has self-diagnostics. I've saved hundreds of hours this way working on equipment. The Ford powerstrokes are this way as well.

Kyle_in_Tex · Jan 10, 2005

( I think what we're saying is: These extra electronic "gimmicks" are not necessary on a tractor, they're nice to have, but tractors do rough hard vibrating work that may lead to expensive problems down the road that can be avoided by not buying them to begin with.
Apparently you've lived a charmed life and never have any electronics breakdowns! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif John )

While I understand your argument, and in principle I do agree that the more complicated things are the harder they can be to repair....On the other hand,

Apparently, your brand does not offer these options???????

It is hard to explain how good these options are until you spend some serious seat time in a machine that has it and compare it to one that doesn't. "Motion match" is a great option that compliments a hydro tranny in ways you can't explain until you actually use it yourself.

rockyridgefarm · Jan 10, 2005

And whether you are a seasoned operator, or a weekend novice, LoadMatch boosts your efficiency with the loader so much, you never want to0 go back...

I guess the folks who are convinced its a sorry setup don't have it, and those that do; love it.