I looked at both tractors and found both to be EXCELLENT. The Kubota was quieter as you mentioned. The fit and finish on both was excellent. My only reservation about the JD's new models was a concern over reliability in the "automated or electronic" tractor. The PlaySkool like buttons concern me. If I use this plastic switch to engage my PTO, what are the chances down the road I'll be replacing it or trying to find out why the solenoid won't work. The same goes for much of the motion controls. If the switches and rocker buttons (which are exposed to the rain or washing), what are the chances of problems? Probably pretty good because the very same button for the PTO engagement is also on my JD 510 ZTR mower. While the button has been OK (you pull it to engage the blade), the safety lockout switch can go bad or needs a pretty close adjustment to ensure the magnetic clutch for the blade will engage. That is controlled by 2 relays, one of which is controlled by yet another switch under the seat the other for clutch release and finally a magnetic clutch. Electrical problems scare me. The wiring on the JD 510 looks complicted enough for having such a simple amount of electrical componets. Even a simple problem like a bad switch invites me to call the dealer to either pick it up for repair or I whip out the DMM and start checking connections, resistances, defective switches, bad relays or simply bad connections. The less that are there, in my experience, the better. Now, that still does not mean the new JD's will even be prone to this, its just been my experince be it autos and trucks or equipment that electrical problems always creep up and I very much dislike them. Both are nice tractors as are the New Holland Booms and the various others. Half the joy of buying a new tractor is finding out who, what, why and finally when your getting it. Whats the other half you ask, figuring out how to pay for it! Best wishes in your search for jubilation, AceKool
