Comparison Standard vs premium tractors

[flynlow8740]

Neither my Deere or Kubota dealer stock the premium models often. That's a big reason for this thread, I need to drive a little further to sit on and drive the deluxe models. I do a lot of work at night and the premium models do appear to have better headlight and also a wider pattern of light.

 

[LD1]

I suspect there are more standard tractor owners than premium tractor owners simply due to the costs. I don't have production figures to back this up, but judging by the number of people on this board that have standard Kubota's vs the number that own premium Kubota's I suspect more standards are sold.

Quite possibly. Not sure what way the balance tips....maybe some dealers could chime in? But in either case.....they sell alot of both I think. Which just proves the point that people want different things.

Sure....if money were no object, I'd own a grand for sure. But gotta balance features with price. I can only afford what I can afford. And if getting a luxury tractor means stepping backwards in the size/capacity/power department......thats a deal breaker. For others.....maybe they would rather do things a little slower, but do so in comfort.

 

[nybirdman]

We have one of each;L4240 HSTC and a L3000DT(which is a straight gear shift).They both have their place for sure;the DT is our woods tractor and does a fine job of it.The features of the Grand L are hard to compete with;air,cruise,heat,extendable end links,auto-throttle ect.Are they worth it;they are to me.

 

[dickfoster]

Neither my Deere or Kubota dealer stock the premium models often. That's a big reason for this thread, I need to drive a little further to sit on and drive the deluxe models. I do a lot of work at night and the premium models do appear to have better headlight and also a wider pattern of light.

If you do a lot of night work then you'll likely add your own supplemental lights anyway. Headlight on most tractors are pretty much useless due to where they are mounted. With a front loader on they are totally useless.

 

[k0ua]

Quite possibly. Not sure what way the balance tips....maybe some dealers could chime in? But in either case.....they sell alot of both I think. Which just proves the point that people want different things.

Sure....if money were no object, I'd own a grand for sure. But gotta balance features with price. I can only afford what I can afford. And if getting a luxury tractor means stepping backwards in the size/capacity/power department......thats a deal breaker. For others.....maybe they would rather do things a little slower, but do so in comfort.

I had a friend who was a music professor at the local university, who had a saying: "it would be a poor old world if everyone liked the same thing".

The good news is you can buy which ever model and brand you like, and there are many to choose from.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Neither my Deere or Kubota dealer stock the premium models often. That's a big reason for this thread, I need to drive a little further to sit on and drive the deluxe models. I do a lot of work at night and the premium models do appear to have better headlight and also a wider pattern of light.

I wouldn't let lights be the deciding factor as it's cheap and easy to add lots of light. Economics and ease of use are what I look for. When I was going between the kubota and Deere I hated the layout of the kubota. I don't what they were smoking on one of them. You have to lean way forward to reach the loader control? Absolutely blew my mind. For the Deere everything was right where you wanted it and it felt natural. These aren't the models you were looking at but giving you my input in what I look for and like. The smaller tractors are layed out pretty similar but I like the deletes hydrostatic pedal more than the treadle or whatever it is with the kubota

Brett

 

[k0ua]

If you do a lot of night work then you'll likely add your own supplemental lights anyway. Headlight on most tractors are pretty much useless due to where they are mounted. With a front loader on they are totally useless.

Agreed, I would not base my choice of tractor on OEM lighting. You can so easily rectify any shortcomings in the lighting department of any tractor for small money.
The real advantages of the premium tractors (and this various somewhat by brand) are usually increased weight, adjustable wheels, telescoping lower links and stabilizers (much easier hookups), Usually include SSQA which is an invaluable addition, a more advanced transmission, usually greater hydraulic flow, usually a beefier and better protected front axle and steering gear, and many other comfort and ergonomically advanced features.

I wrote this mostly with the Kubota lineup in mind, but it applies to other brands as well. Some of these features can be added to the standard tractors at a later date, but this is not always economically a smart option, and some things cannot ever be added. An example would be the HST Plus advanced hydrostatic transmission versus the standard hydrostatic transmission. Not the the standard hydro is bad because it is not, it is just that the HST plus adds many useful features that make operation faster easier and just overall more productive.

 

[big bubba]

lots of good advice above. the subject of standard vs grand is probably as much discussed and a personal choice of owner as the type oil you use in a tractor....
imho just as important is the actual size & weight model you are looking at for your needs. all too often (myself included) we think we know what model hp tractor we need, then regret not considering something "bigger & better". my point is to really look at the size tractor you need 1st (including future needs). choose what you think you need then go up a model in hp/wt. as the old adage goes.....then, whether to get all the "deluxe" features should be easy for you. just my opinion.

 

[art]

We sell over 400 tractors a year and the standard tractors sell at about two to one depending on the size. Many of the deluxe go to owner operator landscapers and commercial applications where snow plowing and poor weather make a big difference with the cab options as well as the standard features. I will state again that steering brakes were for two wheel drive tractors with far lighter loads on the front and four wheel drives don't make it for long! We did in the last month repair a fellows tractor for the second time who is an avid brake steer boy, the first time was repaired by the selling dealer who instructed him not to! I can just keep fixing as he pays well!

 

[TripleR]

Try both types as much as you can, you don't miss what you don't know. At one time I was happy to use a tractor with a steel seat, no power steering, four forward gears, one reverse and an external overrunning clutch. My brother still regularly uses one. I now only buy premium, full featured tractors, get what you like and can afford.