Kubota BX or John Deere 2210??

[jaymo]

What are the pros and cons here? I am leaning strongly towards the Kubota- after all:
1. Both tractors are Japanese anyway!!
2.Kubota is $2000 cheaper!
3. I always liked John Deere; that is, until my LX 178 lawn tractor cracked the block when I went to change the oil! (after 11 years). Makes me want to go diesel... AND, the fact that JD appears to find this "business as usual- let's trade in on a new tractor" kind of burns me- I was planning on the 2210 in a year or two, but NOW- maybe a KUBOTA NOW!!

What do you guys think? AND, should I get a front end loader? (5 acres- but a strong back!)

Jaymo strong back /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif <font color="red"> </font>

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Do yourself a HUGE favor, get the Front End Loader!!!

As for the tractors, there are 5 goods ones on the market. Take a look at the Kubota BX, the JD2210, the Massey GC2300, the New Holland TZ and the Case DX. All the tractors are excellent machines each will take up to a 60" mower deck. All have adequate FELs. Kubota & Massy have available back hoes (if you might be so inclined to spend even more). Kubota & Deere have "limited" 3pt hitches so they may not lift some implements completely. All are excellent mowers. I would say that there is no reason to pay $2000 more for any one of them assuming you are comparing apples-to-apples (there are a few models to choose from in some of the lines). If it was me, I would buy from the dealer who treated me the best or I would buy the tractor I liked the best after trying as many of them as I could. With any luck, the tractor you like the best will also be at the dealer you like the best.

 

[Junkman]

buy the front end loader and buy the Deere. I never hear anyone complain about a Deere dealer, but there sure are a lot of complaints about the Kubota dealers wanting too much money for what they sell. Besides, yellow and green is much better looking than orange.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="green"> I never hear anyone complain about a Deere dealer, but there sure are a lot of complaints about the Kubota dealers wanting too much money for what they sell. </font>

Junkman, seems to me either you forgot to put the "smilies" in your post or I had too much wine with dinner and lost all perspective on the post.

 

[MrCJ]

Jaymo,

Listen to Bob! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Not discounting the other comments though.
I am in the same boat and everyone has been giving great advice.
I have been having problems with several dealers (JD, CC, Kubota) the only one who seems to be interested in selling a tractor is NH. I'm sure this is area dependent. The dealers in NE PA must not be hurting in this economy /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I didn't want a loader initially, but have been borrowing a unit with one and it makes one great wheel barrow!
Hope to be able to offer some price quotes for comparison soon.

 

[surfran]

I agree with Bob, look and test all of them. As for the loader, get it now. The tractor will last 20-30 years and even if your back is strong now, will you still want to wheel borrow and dig in 10,20,30 years?

I also came from a JD family but decided on the Kubota as it was more cost effective for me. Both are good units and I didn't have the Massey's around to consider or the TZ's weren't out at the time.

A certain feature or location of a feature may swing your opinion, color of paint, or dealer's demeanor but in the end there are several very satisfied customers of each (and some I'm sure that aren't as well) so decide what YOU like and go with it.

Good luck and we'll be expecting pictures when the stork arrives.

 

[rosey]

Jaymo....I have over 100 hrs on my Bx2200 and am VERY satisfied with it's performance. The loader is a very good investment and has come in handy for projects around my house including snow removal. The only complaint that I have is quality of cut of the mower deck which I understand is common amongst CUT's as compared to lawn tractors...my Deere LX277 lawn tractor that I had previous to the BX had a superior cut ( more manicured look) but as I understand from previous posts it had a 42" deck with 2 blades vs the Bx's 60" 3 blade system which has something to do with it.

 

[aardvark]

I found my Kubota dealer was alot more willing to deal than my John Deere dealer. That's why I bought the Kubota. The local NH dealer wasn't so fantastic, and the Massey dealer didn't have any GC2310's available to look at. The price the JD dealer quoted me on a 2210 with a loader was about the same as a BX23 with a loader and a backhoe. I'd say any of those four machines would have done the job fine on my property, but I bought the Kubota based on price. That $2000 you are quoting is alot of money.

Also, I'd say get the loader. I use the loader about 90% of the time I'm running the tractor, it makes things so easy, I can't imagine not having it now.

 

[Rick_Morrell]

Jaymo:

In my opinion, dealer relationship is everything. For the most part, each company's marketing organization tends to keep the tractors on even footing with one-another (that, and the Japanese tendency to trade designs across companies), so you're going to get a decent tractor no matter which company you settle on. It's the taste you get in your mouth when working with a bad dealer that tends to taint your opinion of that brand (again, in my opinion), so my advice is to find a dealer who treats you like a valued customer and go from there. Good luck!


Rick

 

[BotaGuy]

Am I the minority here??? I have never required ANY follow up service from the dealer. My dealer is excellent, but there are a few good dealers around me. I simply have never had to go back or call for anything. This includes the 2 Kubota CUT's and the commercial ZTR that I have owned. While it's nice to hear people willing to pay for good service, "Overpaying" for the possibility of future good service makes sense in only the smaller dollar amounts...like $100 or so. For $500-700....Sheesh....I wish some of you bought your cars this way. In the car business, I find it humorous people will drive and shop 3 hours away for $100!!!