rwhiterfi
New member
Just sold my JD 850 gear and purchased a new Kubota, did some extensive research comparison between the JD and Kubota before making my decision, just wanted to share some of my observations. Actually I checked on NH also, but they were priced way out of the same range as the JD and Kub. I priced and compared a Kubota L3200 HST to a JD 3032E, and here are some things that helped me choose the orange:
1. Physical size and tire size, Kubota won.
2. 3 range HST (Kubota) vs. 2 range.
3. Quick detach loader (Kubota) vs. quick detach bucket only (JD)
4. FEL bucket lift height, Kubota was almost a foot higher.
5. Top speed (Kubota was almost 2mph faster)
6. Electronic fuel guage vs. in tank.
7. Kubota has cruise control for HST.
8. The biggest thing for me, was the JD body was almost entirely plastic, compared to metal on the Kubota, which had only a short section over the inst panel. The JD hood, fenders, and even the floorboard and step were all plastic. No wonder the weight difference! And what will the plastic look like in a few years of being out in the sunlight, or being scratched? You sure can't re-paint it!
The only thing that I actually liked better on the JD was the two pedal HST control, vs. the single, rocker pedal on the Kubota. I have seen many posts on here and other places of folks complaining about the jerky 3PH on the Kubota, and mine did that the first time I used it, but it has a valve control between the seat and floorboard to adjust the 3PH speed, I screwed that in a couple of turns and fixed it just like that.
And I actually ended up buying a L3400, they are closing those out, so I was able to pick up a 34 hp tractor instead of the 32 hp for $1000 less money. I paid 16k for the L3400 (dealer cost, or so they said) with a LA524 FEL. I added a remote hydraulic for 750 more. I have only had the tractor for about a month, but I am very, very pleased with it so far.
1. Physical size and tire size, Kubota won.
2. 3 range HST (Kubota) vs. 2 range.
3. Quick detach loader (Kubota) vs. quick detach bucket only (JD)
4. FEL bucket lift height, Kubota was almost a foot higher.
5. Top speed (Kubota was almost 2mph faster)
6. Electronic fuel guage vs. in tank.
7. Kubota has cruise control for HST.
8. The biggest thing for me, was the JD body was almost entirely plastic, compared to metal on the Kubota, which had only a short section over the inst panel. The JD hood, fenders, and even the floorboard and step were all plastic. No wonder the weight difference! And what will the plastic look like in a few years of being out in the sunlight, or being scratched? You sure can't re-paint it!
The only thing that I actually liked better on the JD was the two pedal HST control, vs. the single, rocker pedal on the Kubota. I have seen many posts on here and other places of folks complaining about the jerky 3PH on the Kubota, and mine did that the first time I used it, but it has a valve control between the seat and floorboard to adjust the 3PH speed, I screwed that in a couple of turns and fixed it just like that.
And I actually ended up buying a L3400, they are closing those out, so I was able to pick up a 34 hp tractor instead of the 32 hp for $1000 less money. I paid 16k for the L3400 (dealer cost, or so they said) with a LA524 FEL. I added a remote hydraulic for 750 more. I have only had the tractor for about a month, but I am very, very pleased with it so far.
Last edited:
