Just over a week away from a B7800, now a snag...

[Danilo]

Hi Gents;

You guys all know that I had pretty much narrowed my choice down to B7800 up from a BX24 in the landscaping thread I started, well a new development just happened and now I need more advice. I was just over a week away from dropping my check over at the Kubota dealer, when out of the blue this came up.

A buddy of mine knows a guy at a Deere dealership a few hundred miles out of town, however I know very little about Deere's. The guy I spoke to was extremelly knowledgeable and very helpful. I've always been scared of Deere prices but he gave me one that impressed the **** out of me, in fact it's only about a thousand more than the B7800 Kubota. Delivery is no problem either he will do it just for gas money!!!

I asked him to price me out a machine that would be close to the B2630 in features and he advised me that the Deere 2520 is the closest, with a 200cx loader and a 46 backhoe. I'm looking for info on comparing this to the B7800 also with the loader and backhoe. The B has more horses but I think that's about it. Does the Deere have positional control on the 3PH (specs don't say)?

Unfortunately I'm having trouble with detailed specs for the machine, so I'm looking for some input on comparisons good or bad. Please no brand bashing or overly enthusiastic fan boys, I know both of these brands make awesome machines.

I'm hoping for an oranges to oranges comparison, maybe input from guys that actually have these models. I'm leaning green now because the Kubota dealer here scares me. We have a local deere dealer but he does only industrial machine sales now, but he does do maintenance on all deere products. I'm just wondering if these machines are pretty much even for similar tasks.

Thanks

What took you so long. The JD2520 is a fine tractor and as most will agree a good fit for your situation. While the kubota is a great machine as well, you are faced with the decision. I own a BX24, it is fine for me but a bit small for your needs. I too looked at the JD but for me the price was too high. For you, looking at the 7800 vs the 2520 I have to say the JD is a "real" option. It has a position control valve(keeps the rake down while grading). Also, the loader bucket is removable, not to mention you have sizes to choose from. The 46BH will dig harder. You won't have to rev the engine to lift things like on the B7800. Now, the Kubota's loader is more user friendly, like an arm extension. you can lift and dump way easier than the JD. Also, look at where the hoses hook up. The JD has them under the floor where it might get snagged. It really depends is most important to you. Both tractors are great machines. In your case the JD looks to be slightly ahead at this point.

 

[Timber]

This has to be the biggest misconception I have ever read on this board - sorry Timber

I typically never buy Deere attachments because of price (except loader & FEL) and always they fit perfectly on every compact I have owned.

Lots of other misconceptions being passed along in this thread, and its just not worth counter pointing them all...

And I will say again I don't believe the hydrolic specs on the B2630 as being that superior over the Deere 2520. Im also willing to do the pepsi challenge in the tri-state area to put this to bed....any takers?

I can only convey what I was told by several sources. I have never owned a Deer so I don't from experience. I have no reason to disbelieve these people. I am not trashing the Deer either as I have nothing bad to say about it. It was not that long ago I was tractor shopping and that is what I was told even by the Deer dealer so take it for what it is worth

 

[IslandTractor]

The 46BH will dig harder. You won't have to rev the engine to lift things like on the B7800.

Hard to imagine that you'd need to rev the 7800 more than the lower powered 2520. If anything it would be the other way around.

 

[Timber]

Hard to imagine that you'd need to rev the 7800 more than the lower powered 2520. If anything it would be the other way around.

I do everything at just above idle and have never had a problem. I personally love the 4 cylinder because it is so quiet. I understand there is no other real difference between the 3 and 4 cylinder for the same horse power as displacement is the same. But it is Quiet

 

[ducati996]

I can only convey what I was told by several sources. I have never owned a Deer so I don't from experience. I have no reason to disbelieve these people. I am not trashing the Deer either as I have nothing bad to say about it. It was not that long ago I was tractor shopping and that is what I was told even by the Deer dealer so take it for what it is worth

Dont worry Timber Im not trying to hold you accountable for what you heard and I understand where you got the information from - its not a big deal overall in my opinion. I think maybe using an Imatch quick hitch and non-imatch implements that are a few years old, there could be an issue. In that case removing the Imatch hitch and just using the 3pt set up will ensure all fits for the Cat 1 setup, or some other type of simple fix. I have a habor freight quick hitch (best guess its a speedco clone), and I hook up to my Imatch weight box, with no problem. I forgot i have a rear blade and weight box from deere, and they are Imatch compatible.

 

[ducati996]

HP wise they are similar. There is no real match for the B2630/3030, B7800 size tractor from Kubota.
As already suggested. Taiser needs to go to the dealers and check out what will work best for him.

I think price wise and performance wise the B2630 and JD 2520 are near perfect - the 7800 has more power but not in hydrolics or weight over the 2520

Kubota B-Series prices

 

[Timber]

Dont worry Timber Im not trying to hold you accountable for what you heard and I understand where you got the information from - its not a big deal overall in my opinion. I think maybe using an Imatch quick hitch and non-imatch implements that are a few years old, there could be an issue. In that case removing the Imatch hitch and just using the 3pt set up will ensure all fits for the Cat 1 setup, or some other type of simple fix. I have a habor freight quick hitch (best guess its a speedco clone), and I hook up to my Imatch weight box, with no problem. I forgot i have a rear blade and weight box from deere, and they are Imatch compatible.

LOL none taken, Buying a tractor is a big deal for all of us. When your dropping 20 grand you want the best fit. Even after all my research I still didn't set up my tractor the way I would do it now LOL but I know I got the right tractor

 

[ducati996]

Hard to imagine that you'd need to rev the 7800 more than the lower powered 2520. If anything it would be the other way around.

It might be because the flow is rated faster and the engine is rated at 2650 RPM for the 2520, compared to 2900 RPM for the 7800....I have full flow for the BH for all my needs below 1800 RPM, loader work is the same. Just a thought.

 

[Toolguy]

If price is the only factor, a B2630 Kubota will out perform a JD2520. It is just a bigger, more capable machine. The slight advantage that the 2520 has in horsepower and hydraulic output is offset by the fact that the Kubota loader and 3PTH have more capacity than the JD. Nobody complains that the Kubota hydraulics are lacking so the JD advantage is irrelevant. A 3 speed trans is an advantage over a 2 speed. Higher ground clearance, bigger tires... advantage Kubota. Two pedal HST vs. treadle...personal choice. Brakes on the left side... Advantage, JD. It all depends on what is important to YOU, the guy that is trading his hard earned dollars for a tool-toy(?) that will make work easier, more fun? Either one will do the job. Just try to make a decision that you will be happy with for many years. You can't go wrong with either. Nothing wrong with a B7800, just lack of postion control, which is only important if you do a lot of 3PTH work.

I was for many years, and still am a JD fan. I have had JD garden tractors for 25 years. I still have a JD 318. My brother, who makes his living doing landscaping, is a Kubota man. When I was tractor shopping I looked at both. At the time a Kubota B3030 seemed like the best choice for me. I have no regrets. If JD had a comparable model at a comparable price I would probably have a green tractor instead of orange. I consider them both to be equal in quality and value. It just depends on what best suits your needs.

 

[AB4D]

This is not accurate either. The John Deere 3120 is more closer to the GL3130. Same basic size and power. The B3030 is quite a bit less in weight. Nothing is exactly a like but the 3000 series Deeres compete against the L30's head on.

According to information provided by Kubota on their on-line comparison charts, the John Deere 3120 is closest for comparison to the B7800/B3030 and the JD 2520 compares to the Kubota 2630. The GL3130 compares more to the John Deere 3320, the L2800 compares to the JD 790, and the L3400 compares to the JD 3203. I don't think that weight should be the only factor involved in comparing tractors and I don't believe that Kubota uses weight as the only factor when comparing their products to other makes.

However, I agree with most posters that both Kubota and JD make fine tractors which either should serve you well, but ultimately you should spend some time with both tractors and see which one YOU think is best for your needs.

Jim