Kubota & Deere

[RFB]

Sirs,

I posted this in the JD forum, but then I thought maybe that there might be owners experienced with both makes/models here:

I currently own a Kubota L5030 HSTC, and "Household 6" likes it very much to the point of talking about missing out on all the fun when I am using it.

I am considering a tractor for her, and she likes the size profile of the Kubota B3030 HSDC (cab with hydro trans).

I have zero knowledege regarding John Deere, but in perusing their site, I see a model 3320 that seems like a close comparison to the B3030.

Are there any Deere 3320 owners here that could give me their perspective of the 3320, and a knowledgeable comparison to the B3030? (I am not trolling for a "mine is better" type post.)

Intended use will be light FEL use, front-mount snow blade or blower work, 3 pt rough mowing/brush cutting, maybe some light tilling. All with A/C and heat

Thanks

 

[swines]

I own a 3320 the B3030 is very close - but a little less PTO horsepower.

If you like the Kubota product and if you have a good relationship with the dealer - I'd stick with the Kubota.

A JD feature I like is the LoadMatch. It really makes the tractor work - I was skeptical about a hydrostatic transmission coming from a 12x12 shuttle shift. But, after putting some hours on the tractor using the bucket & pulling some ground equipment - I'm now a believer.

I personally like the 2-pedal transmission control rather than the single peddle - but, that's a personal ergonomics choice - other people like the single better than the dual peddles.

It really comes down to price + dealer combination. You can't go wrong with either product choice.

 

[shane]

Both are good machines. I like the ergonomics of the JD better (seat, joy stick, hydro pedal and operation features). It also helped that the JD dealer in my area was MUCH better to deal with that the Kubota. I do wish JD had valve steem gaurds like Kubota. I got shut down from work one day over a .75 cent piece of rubber broken off.

 

[jcmseven]

I would say the 3320 compares favorably with the Kubota you mention. I have never operated the model of Kubota you name, but have had a 4310, which is a very close predecessor to the 3320. First, I think the low-slung Kubota might be a little more stable than the JD. I personally really like the ergonomics of the compact JD tractors, and their cab tractors are second to none in quality of the cab, etc. The nice thing about JD is they seem to have a little more "oomph" than an equivalent sized machine from Kubota. There are several posts concerning this opinion, but it does seem the case in many instances. I do not know whether loadmatch is responsible, but it is a feature which you or your wife would like and use. I really like the JD I match hitch. It does a nice job of making attachments easy to attach and remove. My only complaint with my 4310 was that I thought it did not have enough power to handle steep hills and long pulls well. I now have a 3720 with which I am very happy. It is a powerhouse. I do know the 3320 has about seven pound-feet more torque than the 4310, and that should be noticeable. I am a JD guy, many on this forum would say so, but I try to be as impartial as possible and I reviewed the features of the Kubota you mention before I responded. To me, the Deere is tough to beat in this machine. There is very little to complain about in them. They have good power, are super comfortable and easy to operate, have reputed powerplants and trannies, and they have the nicest cab compact on the market--bar none. If you are dedicated to Kubota, the differences are probably not enough to jump ship, but if you are truly open, take a strong look at the 3320. I have not met one who has been disappointed yet with one. Also, JD has a reputation of being a lot more expensive than other brands. While I do not think Deere will ever feature cut or price cut to compete with other lines, most dealers are willing to work with customers to get them into a JD machine, so be sure to shop around. There can sometimes be several thousand dollars' difference between dealers.

John M

 

[art]

John, without ever looking at the Kubota's, how do you know they don't have as good of a cab as JD? After all, Kubota put the first cab on a compact and if I'm not mistaken it is a bit quiter yet then the Deere from what different people have told me!

 

[JimParker]

I was looking at open-station versions of both tractors (JD 3320 and Kubota B3030) and went with the JD. I liked the ergonomics better, and the long reach to the FEL control on the Kubota was awkward to me.

I also found the 2-pedal hydro to be easier to operate than the rocker-type. Maybe it's because I drive with the seat all the way back, but I found it really hard to raise my heel enough to be comfortable with my foot actually sitting on the control, and almost impossible to lift my heel high enough to get on the "reverse" position without picking up my entire foot off the floor. That would get very tiring very quickly. I know others love this arrangement, but I just didn't like it at all.

The JD dual-pedal arrangement is much easier to use, and the e-hydro means the pressure required is much reduced. It can be a bit "bouncy" until you a) get used to it or b) adjust the motion-match to a less agressive setting.

 

[art]

Jim the correct way is with your heel or toe on the petal not both. That is a hard way to drive and the Kubota company is changing it's petal system to keep people from doing just that. You must know what it's like when trying to push your foot down on both the forward and reverse petal on your tractor. It's normal that not all systems will work well with everyone but the tredle petal design is the most common used in the industry. Kubota is also offering the electronic control of the hydro on the new L models and I just hope it will be as reliable as they have had in the past although electronics all seem to fail sooner instead of later. I've seen where people do have problems judging the amount of pressure to apply to operate tractor's safely and with any kind of luck this might help someone who is an occasional user feel more comfortable with the controls.

 

[RFB]

Thank you all for the information, and please keep it coming; I always try to make well informed decisions.

I have zero brand loyalty in the absence of optimized quality/value. Although I own a Kubota 5030HSTC, I am not so enamored that I will not consider another make tractor. I must say that I am impressed with JD's sales website videos regarding sound and air infiltration. (One negative (in relative terms) that I see is the JD propietary quick attach system. All of my Kubby stuff uses skidsteer QA.)

I am relatively new to tractordom, and have been impressed with the ruggedness of my 5030; it is used more for FEL work than ground engagement, and the new one (3320 v. 3030) I am considering will also share the same distribution of duties.

Speak on tractor wizards!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I must say that I am impressed with JD's sales website videos regarding sound and air infiltration.

Pretty well everything they show in those videos is up for debate. Deere has been known to modify their own, or competitors equipment when doing these kind of comparisons.

 

[turbo36]

Pretty well everything they show in those videos is up for debate. Deere has been known to modify their own, or competitors equipment when doing these kind of comparisons.

You really need to give the Deere "Bashing" a break, it's getting pretty old.

 

[RFB]

Mr. Messick,

That is good information to know, since those videos were instrumental in getting me to think "other than orange".

I live in Deere country, and am one of the few around that can say "orange you glad". Nonetheless, I still need to perform due diligence in my pre-purchase evaluations and i thank you for the input.

 

[art]

I was looking at open-station versions of both tractors (JD 3320 and Kubota B3030) and went with the JD. I liked the ergonomics better, and the long reach to the FEL control on the Kubota was awkward to me.

When working with Kubota they offer two types of loader controls. One off the right hand side of the dash by the rest of your engine controls and normally the way you are headed while using the loader or by the seat on the right. It's unfortunate that you didn't know that it was available in a position that would make you more comfortable.

 

[jcmseven]

Art,

You pose a good question. Because I have not operated one does not mean I have not SEEN one. In our area, John Deere equipment probably ranks third in units sold behind Kubota and Massey. My experience is based primarily by my neighbors, many of whom have Kubotas and several of whom have the Kubota cab tractors. They seem to like them and I have checked out several. The ergonomics and finish of the Kubota cabs is not quite to the standards of the JD cab to my untrained eye. I know that JD sought to raise the bar on the compact cab machines, and I think they have done so. This DOES NOT mean that Kubota does not make a very nice cab tractor, simply that they have a little work to do in my "corner-of-the-world opinion" to equal the finish and comfort of the JD cab. Also, please note that I am not dissuading our poster from getting a Kubota, merely that JD offers a very nice cab option in his desired machine. As with any purchase, I advise him to go to the dealer with his wife and both drive and operate the machines in question. I would suggest even seeing if the dealer would give them the option of trying one out on their property to see which feels better.

John M

 

[swines]

(One negative (in relative terms) that I see is the JD propietary quick attach system. All of my Kubby stuff uses skidsteer QA.)

The JD CUT tractors have a standard Category 1, 3-point hitch - that's hardly "proprietary." If you're referring to the JD Imatch system, that also is not proprietary as it complies with ANSI / ASAE S278.7 (also, ISO 11001, 780.3 and 8759-2) - and like systems are available from a number of manufacturers including Speeco, and Land Pride.

If you're using a 3-point to skid steer adapter on your Kubota - that should work on a JD. If you're referencing the FEL - JD has an adapter for the 300CX series loaders that will adapt skid steer implements to the loader.

 

[DAP]

Sirs,

...

Are there any Deere 3320 owners here that could give me their perspective of the 3320, and a knowledgeable comparison to the B3030? (I am not trolling for a "mine is better" type post.)

...

Thanks

It appears you're going to get it anyway ...

 

[RFB]

Swines,

Yes, I was referring to FEL skidsteer attachment, which is (as far as I know) the standard attachment system on my 5030. From what I read on the JD site, they quote the word "proprietary" regarding their FEL attachment system. The point I was trying to make was a small one regarding one more/less hoop to jump through if I have one green and one orange.

Doug,

I am glad I was not drinking coffee when I read your post

 

[daTeacha]

I would strongly suggest letting the future operator of the new machine drive them back to back, no car driving in between, although you could drive her from dealer to dealer. I have been in stationary models of both orange and green tractors and will say the green seemed more car like, to the point that I wondered about durability of the seat cover fabric.

There's the visibility factor to consider. Have her sit in the tractor cab with loader mounted and then walk around the thing. Compare where the sight lines hit your body in front, sides and back of the tractor. Compare height -- I found Kubota's tend to have shorter ROPS than Deeres, but didn't look that closely at cabs since I don't need one in the woods. Overall height was a factor to me since I have close clearance into the barn where the tractor is normally parked. The DX clears it by about 2 inches with the ROPS up.

 

[swines]

Swines,

Yes, I was referring to FEL skidsteer attachment, which is (as far as I know) the standard attachment system on my 5030. From what I read on the JD site, they quote the word "proprietary" regarding their FEL attachment system. The point I was trying to make was a small one regarding one more/less hoop to jump through if I have one green and one orange.

Doug,

I am glad I was not drinking coffee when I read your post

It's only proprietary in that the FEL-to-skid steer adapter is designed to mate with the 300CX FEL arms (pin + hook) - the skid steer side of the adapter is non-proprietary (fits standard skid steer attachments).

I would think your current Kubota FEL-to-skid steer adapter is equally as proprietary (designed to fit Kubota FEL systems and adapt them to skid steer attachments). However if this will fit the FEL on the new Kubota you're considering - that certainly would save you some $$.

I was drinking coffee - home roasted Rwanda Migongo Bourbon...mmmmmm...tasty...