johndeere 2520 vs kubota 2630/3030

[KiotiJohn]

To my mind you can do all that you want to do with 20-30 HP. With 4 wheel drive you don't really need anything larger. 25HP is probably just right. I get by great for all my projects with my Kioti CK20 which is rated at 21HP, so 25 would do you fine, I'm sure.

I'd go with the Kubota myself in the choices you've given us, but before you do, check out the Kioti CK25. It has the telescoping hitch arms and stabilizers, and comes with the loader valve and joystick included. It is often a money saver in many regions, and also has more weight than the Kubotas light frame. The extra weight makes a big difference when using ground-engaging implements as you would use for roads and motocross track.

John

 

[KiotiJohn]

To my mind you can do all that you want to do with 20-30 HP. With 4 wheel drive you don't really need anything larger. 25HP is probably just right. I get by great for all my projects with my Kioti CK20 which is rated at 21HP, so 25 would do you fine, I'm sure.

I'd go with the Kubota myself in the choices you've given us, but before you do, check out the Kioti CK25. It has the telescoping hitch arms and stabilizers, and comes with the loader valve and joystick included. It is often a money saver in many regions, and also has more weight than the Kubotas light frame. The extra weight makes a big difference when using ground-engaging implements as you would use for roads and motocross track.

John

 

[jbrumberg]

theking:
Welcome to TBN! I hate to complicate your life , but there are a lot of CUT's in the market place that can meet your needs. I am partial to blue (NH) and have a NH TC29DA, but based on your stated needs I believe you will want to consider a tractor that is heavy for ground engaging attachments and FEL work, has higher power and capacity loader (add ballast box, BB, or heavy attachment for balance), 4WD (weight your tires), and has sufficient ground clearance. Rather than get caught up in specification/capacity comparisons which are highly inconsistent- get some "seat time" on the tractors you are interested in and compare tractor layout, "bells/whistles", and tractor and dealership "feel". Good luck on your research and purchase! We at TBN are more than willing to help you spend your money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Jay

 

[jbrumberg]

theking:
Welcome to TBN! I hate to complicate your life , but there are a lot of CUT's in the market place that can meet your needs. I am partial to blue (NH) and have a NH TC29DA, but based on your stated needs I believe you will want to consider a tractor that is heavy for ground engaging attachments and FEL work, has higher power and capacity loader (add ballast box, BB, or heavy attachment for balance), 4WD (weight your tires), and has sufficient ground clearance. Rather than get caught up in specification/capacity comparisons which are highly inconsistent- get some "seat time" on the tractors you are interested in and compare tractor layout, "bells/whistles", and tractor and dealership "feel". Good luck on your research and purchase! We at TBN are more than willing to help you spend your money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Jay

 

[Toolguy]

I bought a B3030 w/FEL and MMM last fall. I looked at JD and NH then as I have always had a JD Garden Tractor. We had a lot of JD and Ford tractors and implements on the farm when I was a kid so I grew up with both brands and am very familiar with tractors and such. I was not looking for a particular "Brand Name" tractor, I was looking for a tractor to do the work I need to do. I found that Kubota offered a tractor that JD nor anyone else seemed to offer. The B2630 & B3030 are unique in that they powerful tractors in lightweight frames. That does not mean they are not strong, just that they don't weigh as much as the others in the same HP class. This is good for lawn and light yard work. At the same time they can be weighted down to do anything that the Horsepower will allow. They are very versatile in that respect. I decided that I did not need or want the extra built in weight of the other tractors since I wanted it mostly for mowing lawn but wanted it to be capable of anything I threw at it. So far, I am convinced I made the right choice. I have done all of my dirt moving projects, snow removal and landscaping chores as well as mowing the lawn and it has done them better than I ever hoped for.

Now this spring JD introduced the 2520. I was very curious to see how it compared to my B3030 since it was not available when I made my purchase. After looking it over and comparing specs I believe it is not even close. The B2630/B3030 beat it in any comparison I have done. Better ground clearance, Better hydraulics, Better FEL, more features like adjustable 3PTh arms, telescoping sway bars, a flatter platform and less plastic. There's more, but what I mentioned is enough to make me feel good about my choice.

Now for your uses you might want something larger than a B2630/B3030. However if you do decide to buy one I have no doubt that it will meet your needs.

Good Luck.

 

[Toolguy]

I bought a B3030 w/FEL and MMM last fall. I looked at JD and NH then as I have always had a JD Garden Tractor. We had a lot of JD and Ford tractors and implements on the farm when I was a kid so I grew up with both brands and am very familiar with tractors and such. I was not looking for a particular "Brand Name" tractor, I was looking for a tractor to do the work I need to do. I found that Kubota offered a tractor that JD nor anyone else seemed to offer. The B2630 & B3030 are unique in that they powerful tractors in lightweight frames. That does not mean they are not strong, just that they don't weigh as much as the others in the same HP class. This is good for lawn and light yard work. At the same time they can be weighted down to do anything that the Horsepower will allow. They are very versatile in that respect. I decided that I did not need or want the extra built in weight of the other tractors since I wanted it mostly for mowing lawn but wanted it to be capable of anything I threw at it. So far, I am convinced I made the right choice. I have done all of my dirt moving projects, snow removal and landscaping chores as well as mowing the lawn and it has done them better than I ever hoped for.

Now this spring JD introduced the 2520. I was very curious to see how it compared to my B3030 since it was not available when I made my purchase. After looking it over and comparing specs I believe it is not even close. The B2630/B3030 beat it in any comparison I have done. Better ground clearance, Better hydraulics, Better FEL, more features like adjustable 3PTh arms, telescoping sway bars, a flatter platform and less plastic. There's more, but what I mentioned is enough to make me feel good about my choice.

Now for your uses you might want something larger than a B2630/B3030. However if you do decide to buy one I have no doubt that it will meet your needs.

Good Luck.

 

[texasjohn]

I've got a Kubota 5030 and have owned 2 tractors previously, thus thought I knew how to quickly change implements on a 3PH.

A friend has a John Deere and we needed to pull a trailer, thus needed to drop the 3PH shredder. Took the two of us 30 minutes to unhook and later reattach the shredder...

That JD neither had telescoping links nor pinned swaybars like my Kubota has. This necessitated endless adjustments with the hydraulics, and banging around, and blocking up the attachment..and detaching chains.. I don't even want to remember the event...... all I could think about at the time was that with my Kubota I'd have dropped one implement and attached another in 3-5 minutes without breaking a sweat.

So, my opinion, I'd go with the Kubota soley because of telescoping links and pinned swaybars. Anything else is gravy... like cheaper, etc...

My recommendation... go to each dealer and by yourself, hook up and detach a shredder. Do this twice for each tractor... I mean, pull away from the implement and back up again... Then, make your own decision regarding these features.

The point is that the telescoping links and pinned swaybars are FAR more forgiving of a somewhat misaligned tractor and implement. And, remember that your experiment is likely under ideal conditions on a flat parking lot... In my case, the event was held in an uneven field of grass.

 

[texasjohn]

I've got a Kubota 5030 and have owned 2 tractors previously, thus thought I knew how to quickly change implements on a 3PH.

A friend has a John Deere and we needed to pull a trailer, thus needed to drop the 3PH shredder. Took the two of us 30 minutes to unhook and later reattach the shredder...

That JD neither had telescoping links nor pinned swaybars like my Kubota has. This necessitated endless adjustments with the hydraulics, and banging around, and blocking up the attachment..and detaching chains.. I don't even want to remember the event...... all I could think about at the time was that with my Kubota I'd have dropped one implement and attached another in 3-5 minutes without breaking a sweat.

So, my opinion, I'd go with the Kubota soley because of telescoping links and pinned swaybars. Anything else is gravy... like cheaper, etc...

My recommendation... go to each dealer and by yourself, hook up and detach a shredder. Do this twice for each tractor... I mean, pull away from the implement and back up again... Then, make your own decision regarding these features.

The point is that the telescoping links and pinned swaybars are FAR more forgiving of a somewhat misaligned tractor and implement. And, remember that your experiment is likely under ideal conditions on a flat parking lot... In my case, the event was held in an uneven field of grass.

 

[theking]

Yeah, I've been thinking that the 3030 would be the right tractor for me. The neighbor at my property has a bigger one if I need help on a job here or there, I just don't want to rely on him. I appreciate everyones help with my decision. It makes me feel a lot better knowing I'm not just wasting the kids college money....just kidding!

 

[theking]

Yeah, I've been thinking that the 3030 would be the right tractor for me. The neighbor at my property has a bigger one if I need help on a job here or there, I just don't want to rely on him. I appreciate everyones help with my decision. It makes me feel a lot better knowing I'm not just wasting the kids college money....just kidding!