Kubota B7800 vs John Deere 2320

[MessickFarmEqu]

All good infomation in this thread. I cant really comment on the deere as i dont know much about that model. Position control is one of those things that you dont know what you are missing if you have never used or had it.

Really though, probably about 1/10 people actually use a 3pt implement where this actually matters. Most people just use the 3pt for a brush hog and maybe a rear blade, unless your doing grading or somthing there is little need for a position control 3pt.

 

[tonybada]

I will be doing some grading as I had some land cleared recently (about 1 acre) and it needs small stumps and roots removed and fine grading done for planting grass. Both tractors weigh about the same (100lb difference) I like the fact the B7800 has the power (maybe more) of a JD2520 but costs the same as a JD2320. I do like the position control of the JD though. I probably don't need the extra hp right now, but who knows what my future needs may be. I am going to try and get a demo on both and maybe that will help make me decide.

I will probably get a tiller , does position control help with this as well?

The only other implements I would get for now is a BB and maybe a landscape rake.

If I could only get a JD2520 with maybe a few hours on it for a great deal that would be the way I would go.

 

[JPinnell]

I bought a B7800 April '07.

I directly compared these 2 models when I was buying. The dealer offered both Bota and JD although the JD Ag Line was obviously their bread and butter. I had an idea of "size" needed for my place and a budget cap of $20K for tractor, mower, and loader. I'd had a 6' ZTR and really wanted to stay with that size of a deck since I mow over 5 acres with the rest being woods. With all the obstacles I wanted a MMM deck as about 1.5 acres is semi wooded and the remaining 3.5 acres is open. A BX or 2305 could have worked except for ground clearance and sacrificing deck size. I chose the B7800 as it seemed "beefy" and offered the 72" driver over deck. The extra hp didn't hurt it either. I've been very happy with it's 35 hrs of service so far although I've had a few minor issues.

You really need to decide what tasks you have. I'm about 75% mowing - 20% landscaping - and 5% snow removal.

3pt Hitch features - Position Control wasn't that important to me since I'd be doing very little blading and no field plowing etc. I solved the cheaper linkage problems by adding a quick hitch from Harbor Freight. I leave it on all the time. My most used 3pt implement is the 600lb concrete filled drum for ballast.

I did really like the sloped hood and quick attach loader buckets available with the 2320 and the 200CX combo, but the $1000 price diff, extra HP, and bigger deck sold me on the B7800.

 

[BCNU]

You may want to look at a B2630 Kubota. I purchased mine last year for $16500. with front end loader and loaded rear tires. It has posistion control and 3 range transmisson, telescoping links, pinned sway bars and telescoping steering wheel. It is also really good on fuel. Good luck in your decision!

 

[tonybada]

I bought a B7800 April '07.

I directly compared these 2 models when I was buying. The dealer offered both Bota and JD although the JD Ag Line was obviously their bread and butter. I had an idea of "size" needed for my place and a budget cap of $20K for tractor, mower, and loader. I'd had a 6' ZTR and really wanted to stay with that size of a deck since I mow over 5 acres with the rest being woods. With all the obstacles I wanted a MMM deck as about 1.5 acres is semi wooded and the remaining 3.5 acres is open. A BX or 2305 could have worked except for ground clearance and sacrificing deck size. I chose the B7800 as it seemed "beefy" and offered the 72" driver over deck. The extra hp didn't hurt it either. I've been very happy with it's 35 hrs of service so far although I've had a few minor issues.

You really need to decide what tasks you have. I'm about 75% mowing - 20% landscaping - and 5% snow removal.

3pt Hitch features - Position Control wasn't that important to me since I'd be doing very little blading and no field plowing etc. I solved the cheaper linkage problems by adding a quick hitch from Harbor Freight. I leave it on all the time. My most used 3pt implement is the 600lb concrete filled drum for ballast.

I did really like the sloped hood and quick attach loader buckets available with the 2320 and the 200CX combo, but the $1000 price diff, extra HP, and bigger deck sold me on the B7800.

I won't be doing any mowing with the tractor (as of now) I have a cub cadet that is almost new for that. My main tasks will be landscaping (grading, tilling , some fel work) nothing too heavy that the 2320 couldn't handle. It just comes down to which one I like better and if I choose the 2320 I hope I don't regret not having the extra hp later on for some future project, but from what most people are saying the 2320 will do everything the B7800 will do just a little slower which I can live with.

 

[art]

Tillers have skid shoes which you let them down too.

I normally skip a few ranges of the Kubota line up because of driveability. I highly reommend the BX line as you can get a 60 inch deck and good working small tools for the average home owner.

My next step up is the larger B-series chassis for the larger attachments available like the 72 inch deck but the largest advantage is the three range transmission. The typical two range give you up to about four miles an hour and then you have road gear. The three range actually gives you low for grunt, and the middle range for the bulk of work and then your road speed. When the middle range you can throttle down and save some fuel between point A and B.

Everyone buys for different reasons, just my take of the big picture.

 

[ducati996]

I will be doing some grading as I had some land cleared recently (about 1 acre) and it needs small stumps and roots removed and fine grading done for planting grass. Both tractors weigh about the same (100lb difference) I like the fact the B7800 has the power (maybe more) of a JD2520 but costs the same as a JD2320. I do like the position control of the JD though. I probably don't need the extra hp right now, but who knows what my future needs may be. I am going to try and get a demo on both and maybe that will help make me decide.

I will probably get a tiller , does position control help with this as well?

The only other implements I would get for now is a BB and maybe a landscape rake.

If I could only get a JD2520 with maybe a few hours on it for a great deal that would be the way I would go.

Did you price out the B2630/B3030 series yet? as I recall there was a small jump in price over the 7800, however pricing was dead on with Deere 2520.
Im not saying get the Deere 2520, but what ever you choose make sure it has postion control. The price is close enough between Colors that its something worth getting based on the work you said you would do. Its a PIA without it for that type of work...do it right once with no regrets

 

[EdC]

tonybada

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said "It just comes down to which one I like better". Ergonomics are just as important as horsepower when the tractors are matched this closely.

There have been a very few times when I wished I had more power but they are easily counted on one hand. Both units are tough, strong machines. I liked the two pedal system for the HST on the JD better than the treadle on the 'bota. You may be the exact opposite.

One thing that does surprise me. Here in eastern WA the 7800 was almost 2k more than the 2320 when I was comparing prices last winter. If I remember right it was within about $100 of the 2520.

Try them both out and get the one that fits you and your needs better

 

[bandit67]

Tony,

I've used a rear blade, landscape rake, and tiller, all for dirt work, with my last machine that did not have Position Control, and swore I'd never do without PC again. Yes, I wished I had the PC even when tilling.

However, it appears that Kubota includes a neat little feature on the non-Position Control B7800 - an adjustable stop (bolt and clamp) mounted on the 3pt lever housing that you can set when doing dirt work. IF I were to get a non-position control machine, I think that would have to be a required feature, whether included by the manufacturer, or one that I put together myself.

Either way, a set 'return-to' position would be EXTREMELY helpful when doing various 3pt dirt moving projects.

 

[b33b]

Local JD had the 2320 with a sale price of 15,199 with 20CX loader and the JD QA bucket. Sales person there was another 300 discount and the 2520 was 2K more. Not sure how good the prices are but they are to run through October unless Deere ends it sooner. So the B7800 is priced between these two.

I like the size but want more PTO HP, the attachment section discussion of the BX62 chipper is making me rethink the 4" chipper route.