Buying Advice John Deere compared to Kubota

[hawkeye08]

When I was looking for a tractor, I knew I could not afford new, so scoured CL within 100 miles. I considered a John Deere locally for around $4000, but the 2WD and hours scared me away. I ended up getting my Kubota from CL ad, but it was a local Kubota dealer and they had done the service and knew the history. It is still working well for me.. A few years after I got my Kubota, I was at my brothers place and he had a older John Deere that I had not seen before, yes, it was the one I had considered.. working fine for him.

He says the difference between the Kubota and John Deere is Kubota goes ping ping ping and John Deere growls with power...

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I think they're both great...but it seems like the Kubotas are a bit shy on PTO HP compared the the closest Deere equivalent.

this can very greatly by model. There are several tractors in Deere's E-series (the Indian tractors) that have abysmal PTO HP.

 

[Notforhire]

this can very greatly by model. There are several tractors in Deere's E-series (the Indian tractors) that have abysmal PTO HP.

Out of curiosity I looked up my JD 5055e on Tractor Data;

Engine (gross): 55 hp [41.0 kW]
PTO (claimed): 45 hp [33.6 kW]
PTO (tested): 49.95 hp [37.2 kW]

PTO power (rated PTO speed): 48.43 hp

48 PTO hp on a 55hp machine doesn't seem too bad to me.

Am I missing something?

Bill

 

[ovrszd]

Bill, your numbers look good. You should be pleased.

 

[mbu]

Okay, let's talk color here.... I mean real colors!

When a John Deere gets old its paint fades to a drab green. When a Kubota gets old its paint fades to a pink! :laughing:

Seriously, I have both John Deere and Kubota tractors. For the lighter smaller tractors Kubota seems to take the edge, mainly because of price, but for the larger row crop tractors, John Deere would be my pick hands down! As I understand it, Kubota is now moving into the row crop tractor market so it will be interesting to see how the two compete.

 

[ovrszd]

Okay, let's talk color here.... I mean real colors!

When a John Deere gets old its paint fades to a drab green. When a Kubota gets old its paint fades to a pink! :laughing:

Seriously, I have both John Deere and Kubota tractors. For the lighter smaller tractors Kubota seems to take the edge, mainly because of price, but for the larger row crop tractors, John Deere would be my pick hands down! As I understand it, Kubota is now moving into the row crop tractor market so it will be interesting to see how the two compete.

I've looked at Kubotas 175HP AG tractor. Their attention to details needed on a tractor that size seem good. Cab is first class. I'm anxious to hear reports as they enter the market.

I agree JD is the standard to follow in the 200HP and above market.

 

[kthompson]

This goes back I am sure at least 10 years was talking with at that time a Kubota dealer who said Kubota was trying to get them to sell to the farmer. He said they do not make a true farm tractor, the lift and I think it was the draft on the Kubota just is not suitable for the true farmer. I am sure pulling plows. Now that was 10 plus years ago and Kubota had a M9??? as their biggest tractor then I think. They may have better draft system that anyone now or not. No idea. I have two Kubotas and pleased with them for price with M6800 being the tractor I did most of my small farm work with for several years. Bought a used JD 5525 with about 23 more hp and realize that is about 33% more hp than the M6800 but to me the JD just feels more solid. Course it weight is more and it loves fuel compared to the Kubota. Do know the draft on the M6800 makes the best rough rows you can bed. I learned to not use the draft control, it could not keep the plows steady near as well as the family's 601 Ford, 40 year older gas tractor.

 

[ovrszd]

The only similarity between the AG class Kubotas built today and my M9540 is the orange paint.

 

[beenthere]

Kubota of today is much better than those of yesteryears. IMO

 

[Kubota 2350]

I've owned both, and both were great tractors.
I would buy either again