Buying Advice Kubota vs JD...newbie with 80 acres

[TSO]

Because I love my JD 2355 and it is a solid tractor and my $$$ stays in America. It doesn't go to Japan. I just don't like some small things and wanted to ask someone who has had considerable seat time in one if they had similar issues. That's all. I like lots about the JD. I like that the 4wd is engaged mechanically, not with a switch that will fail. I like the fact that you can change to economy pto from inside the cab. I like the fact that it weighs more. I like the fact that the dealer has MANY larger tractors and deals with farmers, not just casual homeowner users. The kubota dealer has only just now got a couple of bigger tractors on the lot. I am not sure the kubota dealer is set up to work on the tractor if I need it (I need to ask that question), etc. If the JD had the same setup inside as my 2355, I'd have bought it already. I am just trying to weigh my options. I've never bought a new tractor. I have always made due with the older tractors I have. This tractor is going to be a big deal for me. It will replace 3 (my JD 2355 I use for baling and cutting hay, my MF 265 I use for loader work, and my NH TC30 I use for smaller work) and I will be spending a LOT of time in it. John Deere is a proven brand. I guess Kubota is too, but I have no experience with them.

Uh oh! Your TC30 was made in Japan by Shibaura! Unless you got it for free, looks like you've already been sending money there.

 

[calhoun9001]

Yessir, a cab model. That A-B-C shifter thing is right down on the right and seemed a pain in the balls to use. Also, the tractor bounced around quite a bit while I was driving it. Of course there was no loader on it and and not sure if they had fluid in the tires. The bouncing should stop. I LOVE my 2355, but it has air conditioning problems. Were they able to fix your A/C issue? I am going to go back and drive the JD and Kubota again. Man! How do you like that grapple?! I am wanting to get a grapple for logs etc.

For my uses I don't find myself changing ranges all the time. Most of my work is done in b, on the road I'm in c. Only time I use a is with the tiller. Never really thought of it as bad placement. Your stopped when your changing ranges anyway. I agree they do bounce around a bit. Mine much smoother if I have something on the 3 point. You definitely want air seat. This is my first 50 series tractor, it was a big adjustment from 4320. I love the grapple, for moving logs and brush it amazing. I Added the true 3 function to loader so the control is on the joy stick, really nice when doing grapple work. I've said this before, but the instructor seat was huge factor for me, have 2 young boys.

 

[downslope]

Have you given much thought to the flexibility you will be losing in going from 3 tractors down to only one which is larger than anything you have currently? Will you be taking the loader on/off for some tasks? Will the big tractor fit into the spaces for the small jobs that the TC is doing? I am often tempted to get rid of some of the old stuff but won't do it if I'm still using for certain tasks. Sometimes I like to leave a sprayer on one tractor, different tillage tools, planter, etc on others.

Because I love my JD 2355 and it is a solid tractor and my $$$ stays in America. It doesn't go to Japan. I just don't like some small things and wanted to ask someone who has had considerable seat time in one if they had similar issues. That's all. I like lots about the JD. I like that the 4wd is engaged mechanically, not with a switch that will fail. I like the fact that you can change to economy pto from inside the cab. I like the fact that it weighs more. I like the fact that the dealer has MANY larger tractors and deals with farmers, not just casual homeowner users. The kubota dealer has only just now got a couple of bigger tractors on the lot. I am not sure the kubota dealer is set up to work on the tractor if I need it (I need to ask that question), etc. If the JD had the same setup inside as my 2355, I'd have bought it already. I am just trying to weigh my options. I've never bought a new tractor. I have always made due with the older tractors I have. This tractor is going to be a big deal for me. It will replace 3 (my JD 2355 I use for baling and cutting hay, my MF 265 I use for loader work, and my NH TC30 I use for smaller work) and I will be spending a LOT of time in it. John Deere is a proven brand. I guess Kubota is too, but I have no experience with them.

 

[Jd5203]

I have a 2012 John Deere 5083e which is the basically the same as the 5085e, just the hand throttle is on the dash. The joystick is definitely not cheesy and is locate in the perfect position. The gear and range levers are logically placed so they don't get in the way. Even though it is the economy model it is definitely better than any tractor I've driven. Heres some pictures of mine to show you what it can do with no problems as the economy model. The bales weigh about 1,000 lbs a piece and had two on even without the baler with no problems but the tires do have fluid in them so that helps. In my opinion the John Deere is worth the money, all the other tractors I've used which include 4 New Hollands, 3 Kubotas and 2 Massey Fergusons have been in the shop more than any of my tractors have. The new holland was at the dealer 5 times in 12 hours of use, each dealer is 1 1/2 hours away. The John Deere dealer we bought the tractor came out on a 4 hour one way trip just to do a recall which was to just take two bolts out, nothing electrical or mechanical failure.

Mr. Calhoun9001,

I am looking at the 5085e vs the M8560. What are your thoughts on the range selector in the JD? I am not a big guy (5'9" 160#) and that things seems like it is in my way. Right there rubbing or banging on my knee. Also, the joystick for the loader seems very cheesy to me. Actually, most stuff in the JD felt "economy". There are things I liked, but I'm truly torn. I got in the Kubota and nothing stood out to me as annoying or cheesy. I just got in and went. It seems like it is set up more like my JD 2355 which I love (and will be trading in). Now that you have had it awhile, how do you like it? Can anyone else offer me a reason to by JD? Trust me. I WANT to buy JD. However, there are things I like about the owner, dealership, and tractor at the Kubota. First, it's about 10 minutes away. And he has a JD dealership about an hour away. He and I were talking and he said that the e-series JDs are economy, the m-series are the upper end models, and that the kubota m-series is probably somewhere in between. That seemed to be my take too. My big fear in going with Kubota is that parts won't be available when I need them and that there is too much emissions crap on the tractor to make maintaining it a PITA. I would appreciate any input you all have.

Thanks,

rvb

 

[rvb]

Uh oh! Your TC30 was made in Japan by Shibaura! Unless you got it for free, looks like you've already been sending money there.

Actually, the original owners of all of my tractors sent money wherever. My money went to them here in America.

 

[rvb]

Have you given much thought to the flexibility you will be losing in going from 3 tractors down to only one which is larger than anything you have currently? Will you be taking the loader on/off for some tasks? Will the big tractor fit into the spaces for the small jobs that the TC is doing? I am often tempted to get rid of some of the old stuff but won't do it if I'm still using for certain tasks. Sometimes I like to leave a sprayer on one tractor, different tillage tools, planter, etc on others.

I have thought of it and am now keeping the TC-30. And, BTW, I bought the John Deere.

 

[rvb]

Well, everyone, I decided on the John Deere. I actually forgot all about this thread and was busy doing research. I am happy with my decision. They are building it now. I decided to keep the TC-30 for some small loader tasks. So I traded in 2 for 1. I got the third function loader valve, a 72" bucket, an 84" grapple bucket, the bale spear, and pallet forks. Thanks for all your input.

For clarification, the range selector I was griping about was on the 8075e mode. It was right there digging into my knee. I forgot that I had tried both tractors. I went back to look at the 5085e again and that sealed the deal. Control arms BEHIND the front axle, everything tucked up and out of the way, loader control was down where your arm would naturally hang, etc. That plus little things like all the filters being very accessible, the zirc fittings all being very reachable without having to contort yourself into odd positions, the fact that the dealer services and supports a TON of local farmers with much bigger machines than mine, the fact that I got to shoot the sh*t with one of the mechanics who happened to be out helping some other guys back up a combine, the fact that I bought American, the fact that the salesman was knowledgeable enough to ask me some detailed questions about how I was planning on using the tractor, etc. all helped me make the final decision.

I will say it was VERY close, though. I think I would be ecstatic with either machine. It came down to value (I got more ($3,000 more) for trades from JD) and the dealer and parts network. I am sure I will be happy with my choice.

Thanks, y'all.

 

[wmonroe]

Congrats! I'm sure it will be a great machine.

 

[Beltman60]

congrats and keep us updated after you get some seat time in

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Congratulations. as always, it didn't happen unless we get pictures!