like your Kubota ?

[oldcrusty]

I've been concentrating my tractor quest on Kubotas and Deere's. (Compact line). I noticed quite a few complaints on the JD board with performance, dealer service, etc. I don't see the complaints here. Are you guy's that happy with your Kubota's?. Have any of you owned both. Bonus points for those who have owned both and can tell me something about maintenance/repair costs betwixed the two.

Good N. Texas Dealers ?

Thanks,
oldcrusty

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I won’t get any bonus points because I have never owned a JD. However, I did spend a lot of time at the John Deere dealer prior to buying my Kubota BX2200 last month. I looked at the X series several times in the November time frame and the 2210 in December. I think their products are on the same level as the Kubota (features and function). In my area I found that JD was not price competitive. For instance, their delivered price on a 2210 was over a $1000 than the BX2200 (after JD applied a 2nd discount). The money I saved from buying Kubota paid for my tiller, and then some.

I do have a friend that owns a X575 and he loves it. He mows a couple of acres and works it pretty hard. The only problem he has had is that the hood occasionally pops open when he pulls a heavy load. The last I heard he was working with his dealer to get new latches.

 

[Thomas]

I've look into K&JD 30 hp models or so and shall continue,{since I'm very interested trading up}also dealership will play a very important part...B7800 fair price & Darn good dealership 14 miles from my door & Dealer has a great inventory of attachments plus parts on hand,and good service techs.

 

[lynnmll]

oldcrusty
It depends on what part of N Tx, that you live in, but If found a couple of dealers that appear good. I can't tell you about service because I haven't purchased from them.
I live near Denton and we have a dealer here in Denton and Gainesville (who I've known for 30+ years). Email me and I can give you names and #'s. Both Kubota dealers are very friendly. The local JD dealer makes me mad with insults each time I walk in to his place of buisness.

 

[Boondox]

My experience was similar to John's. When moving up from my Kubota B1750 to something larger, my first choice was the JD 4300. I liked the features, the hydraulic capacity, the layout and the great visibility from the seat. Also it had been selected as the TBN Tractor of the Year.

But the JD dealer in my area couldn't reach a competitive price, the cost of his spare parts was about 20% more than the same parts in the Kubota line, and that particular dealer (the only JD in the area) had a questionable service record. Also, there were a lot of complaints from JD owners on this board about the 4x00 series at the time. JD eventually made it right, but it left me with lingering doubts about their quality control processes.

So I went with the Kubota L3010. Like John, the difference in price allowed me to buy an implement -- in my case it was a 72" rear discharge LandPride finish mower.

They both make great tractors, though. And if I had a better feeling about my JD dealer I might be driving green despite the price difference!

Pete

 

[Bird]

Well, I miss on the bonus points, too./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif I've owned a couple of Kubotas (very happy with both of them), and thought at one time that I wanted a John Deere until I visited a few Deere dealers. "North Texas" covers quite a bit of territory and lots of dealers for both brands. Be more specific and/or put more information in your profile and we might be able to help you more.

 

[cchoate]

The two machines I looked at were Kubota B7500 and JD4010. The Deere was more expensive but that's not why I went with Kubota. The two JD dealerships in my area were like dealing with a slick used car salesman. (Is there anything worse?) The one Kubota dealer was more of a country farmer who didn't pressure me.

 

[Gil]

I got my firts kubota in 1977, run it hard for 20 years putting it in the shop only one time. Must be a pretty good machine, sure would like one with power steering and a little more power. Moved up to a L3010FST, wonderful machine but sure did like the new L3130GST. So now with 6.5 hours on this 3130, I'm convenced that every improvement that could be thought of, has been acomplished. These tractores have been used over 100 hours a year, of hard work, with one trip to the shop. Kubota is the only one for me.
Gil

 

[chim]

As long as you don't get the proverbial "lemon", you'll probably be happy with whatever you decide on. Although I'm just thrilled with my B7500, I can't say I wouldn't be equally happy with another color. I also have a Ford 1210 that I bought used in the early 90's, and had looked at new Ford, Massey, John Deere, Agco and Intenational. After comparing prices and features, I chose the Kubota.

I can get to three Kubota dealers in less than 1/2 hour from my place. The nearest one was the most expensive, and didn't really seem to care if I bought there or not. I saved $1,500 by driving an extra 10 minutes to another dealer. We also have a Ford, Massey, Agco, Ford and a couple International dealers within the same 1/2 hour radius.

Each dealership seems to have its own personality. Some cut deals, others are "take it or leave it". Some have salespeople who know their products (and a good bit about the competition), some can't get the info right while looking at the spec sheet. Some cater to yuppies, others to farmers. There's a real variety out there...............chim

 

[JJT]

I LUV my Kubota!

I shopped all the major brands, and dropped Massey and NH immediately. My short list was JD and Kubota. The JD dealer had an attitude, ("JD sell themselves....") and the Kubota dealer was fantastic. I've had the Kubota L3710 for 4 years and average 100+hrs/yr and have never had a problem. The dealer has always been helpful, and I've had lots of questions.

 

[TresCrows]

Go 'bota. When I was shopping for my first tractor I went into the JD dealer and he would not talk to me. I went to the Kubota place and I kinda already knew I wanted a Kubota anyway and he was just like someone else said, a farmer type. He came out and asked what I wanted it for and was very friendly--so I bought from him. Since then i bought a second unit from him.
JD imports some nice tractors from Yanamar of Japan. Their larger tractors are assembled Ga from various market bought components including Yanamar engines. Kubota builds their entire tractor in house in Japan. Some like the BX are assembled in the USA and some Kubota components like the front loaders are USA built it seems. The JD units also tend to be more expensive. I doublt you could go wrong with either tractor. If your green dealer will work with you and they have a tractor you are happy with by all means get it. Nothing has broken on either of my Kubotas, the BX had some new model recalls that were promptly taken care of. I am very happy with the customer support of Kubota and my dealer. These JD vs Kubota threads always cause a fight. The fact is all the current products of the big three and I include Kioti also are excellent units and will serve you well. Like Chevy vs Ford some of just opt out and get a Toyota. J

 

[RayBee]

oldcrusty:Ilove my Bota. /w3tcompact/icons/love.gif I wanted a JD4200, but the dealer was arrogant and I don't believe the service dept. was any different (from previous experience) with my JD products. JD dealers seem to have <font color=green>ATTITUDE</font color=green> around where I shop. Kubota offered great sales and service, and took the time to show me their complete facility, and did a <font color=orange>good follow up</font color=orange> after the sale. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Good luck ...RayBee (If you have a dealer you can trust go with his product green or orange).

 

[rbargeron]

my 2 cents : Kubota has seemed to be a step ahead of JD in features and build quality for a long time. The differences are small and not always visible - one example is that Kubota's gearhousings are painted on the inside - to prevent rust and contamination of the oil from condensation. I've taken a couple JDs apart and they weren't painted. Maybe the Yanmar models are. Anybody know?

 

[oldcrusty]

Thanks alot for all your answers guys (and Gals)!!!

Oldcrusty

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I guess I am lucky, my JD dealer wasn't slick, didn't have an attitude, talked to me and gave me a fair deal. /w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif

 

[rdbrumfield]

I've had 2 Kubotas, 2 Yanmars and 1 JD which I have now. My dealer has been there for me, if he wasn't I'd be riding orange.
I like the hyd capacity of the JD. It has the shuttle shift tranny with creep. Overall, for me, this has been the the cat's meow.
The only drawback, is that I wished that it had a multi-speed pto.
It is the largest at 50hp, and that might taint my objectivety, and it does fit like an old shoe, but the price was right andhas served me on jobs that most tractors never see.

Overall, I'd say go with the gut feeling, the way the dealership treats you is probably the deciding factor.

 

[kokopelli2]

i can tell you that my local jd dealer wouldnt take my jd in as a trade but my local kubota dealer would. i can all tell you that we had a custom step made for our b-series so that my dad could get on the tractor. my dealer has taken care of everything we have ever asked for....this is why we have purchased 2 tractors personally from him and 2 more within the family. unfortunately i will probably never go back to jd because of the local dealers.

 

[B_Childress]

I have a Kubota B2710 and this is my first tractor. Bought it new in 2000. I shopped NH, JD & Kubota. Overall it was the price, features, opinions of Kubota users I knew & the dealer that made my decision rather easy. The Kubota dealer is first rate compaired to the other brand dealers in my area. He helped me thru the decesion of "how much" tractor I need for the jobs I wanted to do & didn't try to sell me :to much machine". Also let me know that if I ever wanted to, trading up is no problem.
Good luck,
Barnett

 

[MReeter]

We currently own 3 Kubotas and have had 5 in the last 11 years.I have had 1 warranty issue in the past.Problem was very minor and was quickly taken care of.

I have never owned a Deere Compact,but it's not like I have'nt tried.Every time we have been ready to trade,I have stoped by the Dealership to try to work out a deal,and everytime I was treated the same way.

If you're not in their business to talk about spending several 1,000 bucks on a huge ag tractor,then you are just wasting their time.They could care less if they sold a lawnmower or compact,to them,a sale of something soo minor is not worth the paperwork.

I always end up going to see the Kubota Dealer,and they have been serious about doing business with us,and taking care of any problems that we might have,as you can see, have been very few over the years.

 

[BeeBop]

Go w/Kubota, I have owned Dear Johns and Kubota's and can tell you from experience if you work the Dear John like you work the Kubota it will NOT stay together. As far as maintenance goes it is the life of any unit no matter the brand. Repair costs w/the Kubota will be something to the effect of tire repair from occasional flats or something of that nature. I only run Kubota's now and have never had one let me down on the job site yet, not ever.