Kubota vs John Deere

[therebarely]

Z

You are probably right, geography seems to play a big part in tractor prices. I missed an awesome deal on a 5525 Deere with a cab and loader last year, it was $37,300.00. Now, it seems that the Deere 4200 series with a cab and loader are about that price, and I can get an M series Kubota with cab and loader in the low $30,000.00 range. I have owned 4 John Deere's, and the product is awesome, but in the 50-70 hp range they are not competitive. If you have a Deere dealer that is competitive, please pm me. Another interesting note is that most of the time I visit a JD dealer, I have to beg them to help me. They really seem attached to their office chairs.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I will PM you. In my area two different JD dealers have been great - one terrific, one very good. Sounds like you missed an incredible deal on a 5525! BTW locally it seems that an M5040 with 4wd and cab would be around $32,000 with FEL, and each model above that an extra $2000 or so.

 

[Bird]

remote switch on the back fender to raise or lower the 3 point hitch

Like BleedGreen said, some of the Deere's have that, too. I know my friend in the hay business with 3 Deere's has it.

Deciding whether to buy a Kubota or a Deere is the kind of problem we all like to have. The simple answer is buy the one you like best (or from the dealer you like best) because you can't hardly go wrong with either one.

 

[sflranchok]

I had a JD 6200 , 1996 version which I sold outright in Dec 2005 while I was deciding on what to replace thattractor. I was very pleased with JD, but as I contemplated staying in that PTO range or slightly higher, I found that JD's goes in two different directions: one is a lighter weight version 5x25 series with minimal options, or ; 2) maintain the top end technology with the 6x15 series. I then, truely just on a lark, stopped by a Kubota yard (which actually had been in this town of 40,000 for nearly 40 years). tHE m105x series seemed to be in lock step (or even superior) with the 6x15 series and considerably less in cost outlay. I have had the Kubota for 14 months and since purchased 2 other Kubota units that are just INCREDIBLY WELL constructed. This dealership has been nothing short of an all star when it comes to answering questions and making whatever feild corrections as needed. And yes, due to the different lineage of Kubota, it will take time to get used to the differences and functionality.

Hope this helped in some small way as you narrow your decision.

SflranchOK

 

[BleedGreen]

I had a JD 6200 , 1996 version which I sold outright in Dec 2005 while I was deciding on what to replace thattractor. I was very pleased with JD, but as I contemplated staying in that PTO range or slightly higher, I found that JD's goes in two different directions: one is a lighter weight version 5x25 series with minimal options, or ; 2) maintain the top end technology with the 6x15 series.

sflranchok,

I think someone (hopefully not your Deere dealer) gave you some bad information... The 5000 tractors have three series - the 5x03 and 5x05 tractors have few, if any options, while the 5x25 is the top of the 5000 Series lineup, and has many options... Comparing your 6200 to any of the 5000 Series tractors really do them a disservice - while the HP may be similar in some models, there really is no comparison between any of the 5000 and 6000 tractors.

The 6000 tractors are set up in a similar fashion - the 6x03 is the Value unit, the 6x15 is the Advantage unit, with a few more options - while the 6x20's and especially 6x30's are the premium (and most highly technological) units. I have made up a chart below, hopefully that will help anyone who is confused about the different Deere models... All in all, I am glad you are happy with your Kubotas, as they make a fine tractor as well!!!

5000/6000 Series Tractor Feature Comparisons

5003 Series-----5005 Series-----5025 Series-----6003 Series-----6015 Series-----6020/30 Series
OOS..................OOS..................OOS..................OOS..................OOS...................OOS................Operator Station
N/A...................N/A...................IOOS..................CAB..................CAB....................CAB................Operator Station
N/A...................N/A...................CAB....................N/A...................N/A.....................HCS................Operator Station

DRY...................DRY.................DRY(TSS)WET(PR)...DRY..................WET...................WET................Clutch Type

CST..................CST...................TSS...................TSS..................Syncro +.............Syncro +................Transmission
N/A...................N/A...................12/12 PR w/LHR.....N/A..................Syncro + w/LHR....PowrQuad + w/LHR...Transmission
N/A...................N/A...................24/24 PR w/LHR.....N/A..................PowrQuad w/LHR...AutoQuad + w/LHR...Transmission
N/A...................N/A...................N/A.....................N/A..................N/A.....................IVT.......................Transmission

OC....................OC....................OC.....................OC...................OC/PressComp......CC/Press&FlowComp...Hydraulic System

2WD..................2WD..................2WD..................2WD.................2WD....................2WD...........................Front Axle
N/A...................MFWD................MFWD................MFWD...............MFWD.................MFWD w/or w/out TLS...Front Axle

3029.................3029 Turbo..........5030 Turbo..........4045 2V Turbo....4045 2V Turbo......4045 2V Turbo...........Engine
3029 Turbo.........N/A....................4045 Turbo.........6068 2V Turbo....6068 2V Turbo......4045 4V Turbo...........Engine

No Options.........Limited Options.....Many Options......Limited Options....Few Options.........Many Options............Configurations

Notes:
OOS = Open Operator Station
IOOS = Isolated Open Operator Station
HCS = Hydraulic Cab Suspension
CST = Collar Shaft Transmission
TSS = Top Shaft Synchronized (transmission)
PR = PowrReverser
LHR = Left Hand Reverser
Syncro + = SyncroPlus (transmission)
PowrQuad + = PowrQuad Plus (transmission)
AutoQuad + = AutoQuad Plus (transmission)
IVT = Infinitely Variable Transmission
OC = Open Center (hydraulics)
OC/PressComp = Open Center / Pressure Compensated (hydraulics)
CC/Press&FlowComp = Closed Center / Pressure & Flow Compensated (hydraulics)
MFWD = Mechanical Front Wheel Drive
TLS = Triple Link Suspension

 

[sflranchok]

Wow, that is a wealth of information. You are absolutely correct, a 6200 may match up with the 5xxx series. I apologize but I should have included that I needed a larger unit ( both in weight and HP) so as to provide a smoother ride. Recent neck fusions have made bouncing around something I do not tolerate well. So to that end, I considered a jump up in class for both JD and Kubota, which led to my decision I mentioned above. JD was significantly higher in upfront product cost, which, probably if I was looking to turn around and sell it in the foreseeable future, might have been a better choice if it held its value better (this is still an unknown to me)

Sorry for any confusion. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[BleedGreen]

You are very welcome, sflranchok - and there is no need to apologize!

Due to the sheer number of different models in the 5000 & 6000 series tractors, I thought the information might be beneficial to someone who is now where you were back when your sold your 6200... Did that make any sense?

Anyway, it is great to hear you are happy with your Kubota's - as I said in the previous post - they make fine equipment, and there sure are alot of you happy "orange" owners out there! I myself prefer "limes" over "pumpkins" (especially in my Corona!) but to each his own!!!

 

[BayouMan]

Hey Guys,
Sorry I haven't responded back. Had to make a trip to Dallas to help my son move into his new house. After reading the comments from both sides, I see that I have several things to give consideration to.

The dealer in my area handles both John Deere and Kubota tractors. Since they are in the process of moving to a new location up the street, I will probably be better off waiting until they get settled in.

With my old JD-2640, I use a 7' bionic blade to spread dirt and do grading work. With my tires loaded, I can load up the blade to where I am spinning and have to start raising the blade to deinventory to keep moving material.

My question now is, is a 70 hp tractor enough? I know that 4WD is supposed to make a big difference in pulling power. Do I need to consider going bigger than 70 hp or will 4WD make enough difference in that hp range and to avoid the additional cost for more horses?

Thanks again for all the input.

Mike

 

[keving]

I vote Kubota....but I'm biased!

I have owned a L2900 with over 1000 hours, a 5030HSTC and just got the 7040 Cab. I have never done anything except scheduled maintenance.

But like I mentioned, I'm biased...

 

[BarryinMN]

Taking a healthy enough bite of dirt will stop anything. My tractor is 10,000 lbs and will float across a bog in 4x4 but the 8' cultivator I'm pulling will dig in the muck and stop the tractor cold with all 4 tires digging for China. When the tractor pulls it thru roots & rocks I tend to break shear pins.

Loose soil spreading should be a piece of cake for 2wd. Lifting the blade is transferring weight to the tractor, I do the same thing with my dozer blade when the tracks start to spin.

You might have to step into a 6603 or 7830 (100-150hp) green tractor to get enough 1 pass performance

Hey Guys,
With my old JD-2640, I use a 7' bionic blade to spread dirt and do grading work. With my tires loaded, I can load up the blade to where I am spinning and have to start raising the blade to deinventory to keep moving material.

My question now is, is a 70 hp tractor enough? I know that 4WD is supposed to make a big difference in pulling power. Do I need to consider going bigger than 70 hp or will 4WD make enough difference in that hp range and to avoid the additional cost for more horses?

Thanks again for all the input.

Mike