JD or Kubota??

estamas142 · Nov 9, 2001

I am going crazy trying to decide between JD 4300 or Kubota 2710. I have VERY steep, long dirt driveway and lots of snow to remove in Western Mass. I will also brush hog trails in 35 acres, till and mow.

Also is FEL , blade or blower best for snow removal and what about chance of skidding down icy driveway.

Thanks

Turfman · Nov 10, 2001

I looked at both; the Deere is a much heavier machine, costs more, too. I visited two Deere dealers here (Utah) and both treated me like I had wet leprosy. The one was too busy selling $3.00 worth of parts to talk to me about the tractor. I asked about factory interest and he said "about 10% maybe they'll do something in the spring." I need a smaller (lighter) tractor than a 4300. I had great, read that no BS, responses from the Kubota dealers here. All three wanted the sale. When I buy late this winter, it'll be a Kubota 27 or 2910.

mswanson · Nov 10, 2001

I believe you are comparing apples and oranges here. I believe the JD is much heavier. You might want to also consider the mid-size NH boomers TC25 - TC33 for a tractor in the size you are considering. To handle slipping on the ice you can look into getting tire chains. www.tirechains.com

Mike Swanson

tanuke01 · Nov 10, 2001

I have a 4300 HST, mfwd,60" MMM, 59" snowblower. It is a tractor not a lawn mower. It weight is almost double the Kubota 2710. I plow snow in some hilly areas and had no problem with sliding. Sure you can use chaines. I had them on my old JD 750. Worked great but they're a bear to remove and/or to put on the tractor. Each chain checks in at around 80#s.
I say buy the 4300 (or a 4400 same size the 4400 has a little more HP and weight).
If you can wait the new 4310/4410 should available before spring.
Deere is making some good inprovements. electric control for the HSTand more HP. or you could probably get a good deal on the 4300 after the 10s come out.

DPR

Boondox · Nov 10, 2001

DPR -- Gotta differ with you on the chains. New England snow is generally pretty wet and heavy, so late in the season we get a lot of ice. Ice on a hill without chains, well, might as well throw a tarp over it and wait for spring!

I use the gnarly Norse ice chains with the inch long spikes on my L3010. Absolutely love em, and with practice am able to mount them quite easily even though they weight in at 115# each. The trick is to make the tractor do the work for you.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

woodstock · Nov 10, 2001

Man, Pete
I thought we got snow in Winterpeg.
Forget the chains sell the tractor and move somewhere warm.

<font color=red>Winnipeg, Manitoba</font color=red>

2001 BX2200 (50 hrs)

Boondox · Nov 10, 2001

We use snow for FEL practice. It's an annual event.

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com

Alan L. · Nov 10, 2001

The 2710 compares more closely with the 4200, and is priced even less than that, and MUCH less than a 4300 I think.

Alan L., TX

tanuke01 · Nov 11, 2001

Pete
I would not let you in my driveway with 1" spikes. They did not teach my tractor how to put on chaines. 230# is a lot to pull around plus, you gotta store them in the summer time. Also what makes the spikes stay pointing down, it would seem the chains would roll and the spikes lay down. The last time I talked about chaines they were ask over $400 for 24".
What do you use to remove the ice?
DPR

Boondox · Nov 11, 2001

Tanuke01 -- The nearest paved road is half a mile downhill, and with the chains on I stay well away from the asphalt. The chains are arranged in a diamond pattern sort of like skidder chains, so the pointy parts always stay put. As for the weight, any additional weight in the winter is a good thing IMO. To mount the chains I lay them out in the driveway and have my wife back over them about 1/4 of the way. I pass a rope thru the rings on the front end and pass it over the tire, with me hanging onto the rope behind the tractor as my wife continues to back up. When the rings touch the ground I pass the leader from the other end of the chain through them and pull it tight before putting the shackles in place. Sounds very involved, but it takes about 10 minutes per tire. Until the snow flies, the chains help me with skidding logs (firewood) and do a good job of aerating the meadow. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif I think I paid about $500 for the pair, but considering how much snow we get they were worth every penny.

Not sure what you mean about removing ice? You mean from the road and driveway? We call it spring thaw. Down in the valley they use salt, but none on the backroads like where we live. The ground is beginning to freeze now, and will thaw again in mid to late April. Till then we drive carefully, and downright defensively when we see an out of state plate.

I see you served in the Corps. Semper fi, brother. I was a corpsman with the Ninth and Second Marines back in the 70s. Best fighting force in the world!

Pete

www.GatewayToVermont.com