Kubota L5030 or JD 4710?

[RobA]

I am new to utility tractors and to this site. Recently bought 32 acres of which about 20 will be used for horses/pastures. Land needs a lot of work - clearing of trees, minor regrading, some digging, driveway, fences. I need to buy a tractor and am considering something in the 50HP range. Looked at the Kubota L5030 today. Seemed quite capable. Any opinions about how this stacks up to a JD4710 or similar JD? Appreciate any feedback, opinions or ideas. I've budgeted about $25-30,000 to spend on tractor and attachments.

 

[KiotiJohn]

I haven't tried out those models, but I wanted to throw in a thought. After you check those models out, also check out the Kioti DK45, 50 and DK55 models. You may find that you can save a lot of money, and get a lot of standard features that the others charge extra for. The DK55 in particular is a hot item and would stand up good against any competitor. John

 

[Dargo]

I think you will be pleased with either the JD or Kubota units. I drove both and looked all over and under both. I'm convinced that you won't find a better tractor in that hp range. I was actually leaning towards the JD slightly, but I then decided that I wanted a factory cab with A/C and heat. I was told that I would have to step up to the 5XXX series JD to get that. The 5XXX series was simply just a little too large for what I needed.

Of all the people I spoke with who either currently owned, or had owned either of the tractors you are considering, they all seemed to express what a quality unit they were. In either case you have decades worth of track record for each manufacturer, dealerships that seem to all have well stocked parts departments, service departments at the dealerships, and a manufacturer who stands behind their product. Neither tractor is a price leader in that hp tractor, but since those are the two models you are considering, it doesn't sound like you are searching for a bargain basement unit. Either should serve you well and you should get many years of trouble free service from either. Between the two you mentioned, it should come down to simply which tractor and which dealer you prefer. Good luck!

 

[Archdean]

Interesting side note I just loaded a Kubota 5030 HST with FEL on my truck for delivery to a dealer ,, I liked it and the way it handled plus the features it has seems well suited for your application!! Perhaps it will end up being yours!!

Dean

 

[txdon]

Welcome RobA, here is a web page that compares the two.

I got the 5030 and have put 150 hours on it and it still amazes me.

 

[timb]

I think just about every owner of either tractor here on TBN seems pretty happy with their choice, me included. Bear in mind the 4710 is out of production. Unless you're looking used, or have come across a left over on a dealer's lot - you'll be looking at a 4000-Twenty series.

The 4000-Twenties have larger engines (now Deere, not Yanmar) than the 4000-Ten models they replace (they are now basically identical in displacement to the Kubota 5030 - 148 cu in and change), but except for fairly minor updates, the rest of the tractor is essentially similar if not identical to the 4510-4710.

The 4520 matches the 5030 pretty close in power, the Deere is just a tick higher. The top of the line 4720 is actually considerably more powerful than the old 4710, and gains another 5 hp or so over the 4520/5030, both at the engine and the PTO. (50hp PTO). The 4520 is available as a hydro or a power reverser, the 4720 is hydro only.

The Kubota is physically a tad larger (especially wheelbase) and heavier so it may handle heavy implements / trailers a little better. It also has a slightly higher 3-pt hitch lift rating (cat I/II), the Deere is cat I only, although the Deere gets the edge in pure hydraulic volume output. The Deere has a little more altenator output if you're planning on lighting up the south 40 to work at night.

I think the Kubota GST has a dry clutch, the Deere power reverser is a wet clutch pack. The Deere's will likely last longer, the Kubota will be cheaper to replace when/if it becomes necessary.

Three things not available on the Deere that Kubota has - a creeper option (on the GST), draft control on the hitch, and an available factory cab. If any are deal breakers for you, your choice is made.

If you are leaning more toward gear than hydro - I'd also look at the big Boomers in this class. The TC48DA/55DA seem pretty competitive to the Deere/Kubota offerings.

 

[Dargo]

Very nice comparison timb! Your explanation of the slight differences shows how I was easily torn between the two. And, the one option the Deere didn't have that was a deal breaker for me was the factory cab. It's good that you pointed out the Boomer as well. My JD dealer is also a NH dealer. It's just that I happened to buy one NH many years ago (right when they changed from being Fords) and that unit turned out to be a lemon. The dealer and NH were actually great and bought the tractor back. I think it bothers the dealer more than it bothers me. I realize that any company is going to have a lemon. Heck, the only new Toyota I bought was bought back by Toyota under the IN Lemon Law! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Anyway, my dealer seems hesitant to show me the NH units still because of that one problem many years ago.

 

[RobA]

KiotiJohn: I did consider looking at the Kioti tractors but the nearest dealer is not too close. Kubota and JD dealers are only 25 and 10 miles away and have a good presence in the area. Local service and parts are important to me.

Dargo: The cab is not that important to me. Although it is a nice feature I’m not sure it is worth the money in my case.

Txdon: the comparison you referenced was one of the main reasons I compared the L5030 to the JD 4710. Aslo, it seems like the difference between Japanese and American tractor selections is similar to the automobile market. American cars come in a dizzying amount of configurations while the Japanese offer maybe 3 or 4 versions of one car model. Japanese way cuts down costs.

Timb: You are correct in saying the L5030 does have a dry clutch. Is that something I should worry about?

I used the L5030/4710 comparison since that is what came up in the Kubota literature. I didn’t realize that the 4710 is out of production. I went to the Deere website and did some checking on the 4520. I looked at the list prices and they seemed a bit higher than Kubota’s. I realize that these are list prices but I looked up a 4520 with eHydro, industrial tires, 400X loader, ballast box and a 73-inch materials bucket. It came to $33,678. Not sure what the average dealer would sell it for.

However, I stopped by the Kubota dealer yesterday and after discussing things for almost an hour I asked him for a “rough price” on the L5030. I told him I would worry about firm prices later. The L5030HST-F with a LA583 FEL, SSL quick coupler and a 72-inch HD bucket it would be around $26,500. If the L5030 and the JD 4520 are close in function and features seems like the Kubota is a better deal unless the Deere dealer came down by 15+%.

Kubota dealer also had a used L4630HST-F with same FEL/bucket and a Land Pride RCR2672 72-inch rotary cuter, 300 hours for “around” $21,500. I am not inclined to buy used. I already have the money budgeted for a new one and not sure I want to inherit someone else’s problems. On the other hand – a penny saved….

 

[timb]

I wouldn't worry too much on the dry clutch. That approach has been around forever, and when it does come time for replacement -the parts should be (relatively) cheap and a good shade tree mechanic can change one. The wet clutch design should last a lot longer but looks like it could take quite a bit more technician's time to replace and I'll bet the parts run a lot more.

Also - if you are looking at hydro versions - I'm not sure that either one has a clutch, that may only apply to the GST or PRT gear tranny models?

Pricing wise - seems like most folks can get close to a 15% discount (or more) from the Deere dealers - varies depending on region. That would put you around $28-$29K. Doesn't look like there are any additional rebates or incentives right now. Deere's prices climbed a bit with the 4000-Twenties. As I recall I paid right around $28K-28.5K for my 4710 (gear) with loader, HD bucket, toothbar, several tractor options and medium-duty (MX6) mower.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I went to the Deere website and did some checking on the 4520. I looked at the list prices and they seemed a bit higher than Kubota’s. I realize that these are list prices but I looked up a 4520 with eHydro, industrial tires, 400X loader, ballast box and a 73-inch materials bucket. It came to $33,678. Not sure what the average dealer would sell it for.
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Not sure where you live but my dealer's 4520 price is almost exactly what your Kubota got quoted at.

When it comes to a ballast box, I'd recommend spending your money on a heavy box blade instead. Only if you need to manuever in tight spots would I recommend the ballast box.