JD vs Kubota... which one??

[L_Nicholson]

Ok guys,

I’ve been lurking for some time now and really appreciate all the helpful info. I need to pull the trigger on a tractor soon though. I own 140 ac in S. Indiana. My land is rolling hills and the primary use of the tractor would be brush hogging, finish mowing. Eventually would like to use a tiller but that is not a necessity this year. Most of the land is farmed by a tenant farmer, 40+ ac is woods and the rest is either pasture that I will let some / most of it go.

I’ve been looking between the JD 4120 HST and the Kubota L4330 HST or L4630 HST.

Here are the quotes:

JD 4120 hst = 21,300.00 (includes rear hydro) (ag tires)
400x Loader =3,675
MX6 Rotary Cutter = 2,200
Buhler 6’ finish mower = 1,500.00
Setup/ pre-delivery 325.00

Kubota L4330 hst with Loader 22,900
Kubota L4630 hst with Loader 24,200

6’ Land pride finish mower = 1,700.00
6’ rotary cutter (hawk line…???) = 1,050.00

Since I’ve never bought or owned a tractor please help!!!
Thanks

 

[AB4D]

In my opinion, I believe that the tractors you are considering are capable of meeting your needs. However, if it was me, I would inquire with your dealer(s) to determine whether you can get a test run of the tractors at your property. If you test run the tractors you might be able to figure out which one is best for you.

Jim

 

[L_Nicholson]

Thanks Jim... I'll look into that.

I mis-quoted the L4330 It's 22,900

Thanks

Lee

 

[DmansPadge]

I just keep looking at the rotary cutter for $2200! Ouch! I think I'd go another route on that.

Good luck!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

An MX6 cutter is a premium heavy duty double walled cutter. They are not cheap cutters. It will last a long time with minimal frame and deck problems. You can always buy something cheaper. JD sells an LX6 model that I'd only recommend if your not planning on knocking over anything bigger than 1 inch in diameter on a continuous basis. It just depends on your needs.
All tractors mentioned will do a good job. Just buy as much HP and torque in the frame size you can afford. If I had your acreage, I'd be looking at a minimum of 50 hp. If your new to tractors, get the hydrostatic.

 

[MarkV]

All mentioned are fine tractors with enough PTO hp for a 6 ft rotary mower. I’d be driving all to see their comfort level and I would be looking closely at the dealers to see who I wanted to work with for years.

What I question is the finish mowing with a tractor that large and heavy. If you have many obstacles the tractor mower combo will be a big package to be zipping around trees. On the other hand if it is all open area you can normally run a larger finish mower than rotary mower with a given amount of PTO hp. Those tractors will be close to 6' wide and there will not be much finish mower past the tires for cutting close to objects. Just something else to think about.

MarkV

 

[L_Nicholson]

Thanks Guys for the opinions and help... keep em coming!

The JD MX6 rotary cutter is expensive but everyone I've talked to has said they are worth the money in the long run. (anymore opinions?)

Not to sound like I've made up my mind but the JD dealer is one that seems really good to deal with. The sales man is the brother to my tenant farmer and he is my next door neighbor. Seem to be real fine people to deal with. But money is money and like many others my money tree doesn’t produce.

Mark, my logic is this: my yard will be (building a house) open with only a couple of trees and only about 1.5 ac in size. So with the finish mower at 1,500.00, I can mow quicker and for less than buying an additional lawn mower and whatever I can't get to or maneuver around I can pick up with my self-propelled mower.

 

[kossetx]

L, You may want to conceder what ag tires of the size that are on those tractors may do to a yard when soft. It may be better to get a small mower for 1500.00 to do the area around your house. I am lucky, I bought turfs on my first tractor, so now I'm looking for an ag machine that won't be in the yard.

 

[L_Nicholson]

kossetx, I was thinking of going to the R4's to curb that problem. you may be right though, I might be trying to get to much out of one machine. I'd hate to spend the money on the finish mower only to discover I'm going to tear up the yard with it.

with the R4's my worry would be with the hills on the property I would have hind site and wish I had stuck with the ag's.
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[rk246]

The price on the Kubota looks better to me, I know JD is a fine machine as well though. The JD was having one problem with their loader, it won't or wouldn't dump and lift at the same time, I don't know if they resolved that or not. I think I would go with the previous recommendation to try them both out on your property, see which you like better, when you spend that much you want to get the right one.

Keep us posted and welcome.

Ryan