Buying Advice Kubota or John Deere, and should I pay attention to hp?

[marcusmiller360]

I'm going to be buying either a Kubota Grand L40 or JD 4-series. It gets brutally hot and humid in Missouri summers, so I'm looking for a tractor with a cab and air conditioning, and I'd use it for mowing the yard, clearing some brush and building a pistol and rifle range in the back 30. Also, I'm putting in a fence so an auger is in the works (probably next year though).

My question is how much power should I be buying, they offer engines on both up to 60hp it looks like, and should I pay any attention to the brands? Or just go with the best deal?

 

[crazyal]

I have a grand L 4240 and I love the HST+ system. It'll just be a matter of time before the other brands catch up. That being said either brand will serve you well. Sit in the cab of each one and let how it feels be the deciding factor. Plus ask the dealer all about the HST+ system and have him show you how it works.

Some of the Deere tractors have plastic fenders, it could be a plus or a detractor depending on how you feel. Plastic cracks while metal dents and rusts. I like metal because everything I own, like ATVs, the plastic tends to brittle after a number of years. If kept in a garage it probably doesn't matter.

As for hp, I would say you'll want about 40hp. The ac will rob a little engine hp in the summer and I would want a mower that was at least 6' so you'll cover the wheelbase.

I think you would be better off with a ballast box vs wheel weights/ filling the tires if your land is pretty flat. For loader work (building a range) you'll want weight on the back, loader work is where the HST+ really shines. But your lawn will thank you for being able to remove it. The draw backs to a ballast box is that you can't have it on and use other 3pt attachments. An auger will not benefit from the extra weight. I built one out of a 55 gallon drum filled with cement.

 

[charleyfarmall]

The grand L and the 4x20 series are very nice tractors and either will do for you. They are both in the same price ball park. Drive both, and pick the dealer/ tractor combination that works best for you.

In the end the dealer may be more important than $1000 dollars or the color of the paint.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much what crazyal and charleyfarmall said, go try both and get the one that fits you the best. I don't believe there is a difference in overall quality between the two.

My preference would be a 40HP or above and really like the power of my L5030 HSTC.

I live in SE MO and can sure understand the MO heat issue, our last two tractors bought are cabbed units.

 

[dsgsr]

I've owned JD's for 14-yrs now. In Dec. 2011 I bought an M59 Kubota, Because JD does not offer a TLB in that class and thats what I needed. I have just completed the 50-hr service on the Kubota. I can speak with experience and say the JD's are better Quality. I really Like the attributes of the Kubota, 12' hoe, more digging power, heavier lifting capacity with loader and 3-pth than the largest JD, the 110 TLB. But if JD had a TLB to compare with the M59, I'm sure it would be better quality. JMHO.


David