Test drive day....my thoughts

[Gio]

I skipped out of work early today on a quest to find my next tractor. I have done a ton of reading and a lot of looking but today was the day to take them for a spin and really make a decision.

These are only my thoughts and may not be of any value but i thought i would throw them out there.

I drove a few Kubotas (b3030 w/cab and an L series)
I drove a few from John Deere (2320, 3320)

I know these aren't direct comparisons but i was trying to make a general brand decision then drill down from there (model, options, etc).

My thoughts:

Kubota: You get a lot for your money. They are more go then show. Pedal configuration was VERY awkward (for me). Brakes pedals located above the hydro pedals?? The heel/toe pedal set up because of a lawsuit?? VERY noisy hydro whine inside the cab of the 3030. Great finance options 0/60 months

John Deere: Very smooth and quiet. Comfortable. good ergonomics. Handles well. I was very impressed. Not as good upfront value when compared to Kubota but may pay off in the long run.

I was biased towards Kubota when i started out. I thought JD was a lot of hype and green paint.

From a pure seat of pants pick I think I would go Green. I wish the Kubota was a little more user friendly because they are a great value and I am sure they perform well.

Anyway, thanks for listening

 

[Grandad4]

Re the Kubota pedal... for forward motion, did you have toe on the pedal and heel on the floor or did you have both toe and heel on the pedal at the same time? If you did it the first way, the motion is just like the gas pedal in a car and very easy to use; do it the other way and it is indeed awkward and jerky.

 

[Scrambler82]

Have you considered the Yellow & Black ?
CCYanmar has a lot to offer in the size tractor you are talking.

Luck on your choice !

 

[TripleR]

That is why it pays to try them all out. We own Kubota and John Deere and for me the HST operation is pretty much a wash with a very slight preference for Kubota. My wife dislikes the John Deere.

We prefer brakes on the right as all of our other tractors have brakes on the right, but fortunately we don't often use brakes on the HST models.

I am sure you will be happy with the John Deere, very good tractors.

 

[k0ua]

That is why it pays to try them all out. We own Kubota and John Deere and for me the HST operation is pretty much a wash with a very slight preference for Kubota. My wife dislikes the John Deere.

We prefer brakes on the right as all of our other tractors have brakes on the right, but fortunately we don't often use brakes on the HST models.

I am sure you will be happy with the John Deere, very good tractors.

+1 here, I actually prefer the single pedal design. I know I am in the minority here, but I use the entire foot on top of the pedal when doing precise work for instant available reverse, and when traveling far and fast put my heel on the floor and toe on the overhanging portion of the pedal for more comfort. I have a small JD with the 2 pedal system, and while I like it, I find it more awkward to use as it is just not as fast for quick forward/reverse motion. Brakes on a HST are to hold the tractor from drifting off on a steep hill. otherwise rarely used. Only occasionly use for turning, by using the cruise control for forward motion and right foot for turning.

James K0UA

 

[TripleR]

+1 here, I actually prefer the single pedal design. I know I am in the minority here, but I use the entire foot on top of the pedal when doing precise work for instant available reverse, and when traveling far and fast put my heel on the floor and toe on the overhanging portion of the pedal for more comfort. I have a small JD with the 2 pedal system, and while I like it, I find it more awkward to use as it is just not as fast for quick forward/reverse motion. Brakes on a HST are to hold the tractor from drifting off on a steep hill. otherwise rarely used. Only occasionally use for turning, by using the cruise control for forward motion and right foot for turning.

James K0UA

That is the way we use ours. My wife was pretty upset when I replaced the BX2200 with a BX2660 as the BX2660 HST pedal was different and she could not rest her foot on the treadle. She has adjusted, but preferred the old design for precise control around objects. Our L5030 has the old style treadle and we both love it.

 

[bigbull338]

i can rest my foot on the kubota tradle with ease.an im used to the treadle.but getting used to treadle pedals is a personal thing.not all tractors fitt all people.

 

[dkostiha]

Both are good brands, I have owned both. I prefer JD for design and abilities. The resell value and dealer support in my area is much better as well for a JD too. Just IMO.

 

[sixdogs]

I have owned both over the years and my impression has been that Kubota had the best ergonomics.
When you reach for something it is where you expect it to be. Call it intuitive.
The Deeres have a beefier feel to them and some castings just look stronger.
Of the models I compared, the Deere seemed to weigh more.You are indeed approaching this the right way.

 

[LBrown59]

3*Pedal configuration was VERY awkward (for me).
2*Brakes pedals located above the hydro pedals??
1*The heel/toe pedal set up because of a lawsuit??

1*When was Kubota sued for this ?
2*That's a parking brake not a stopping brake.
3*I find it very convient .

 

[LBrown59]

I actually prefer the single pedal design. I know I am in the minority here, but I use the entire foot on top of the pedal
1* when doing precise work for instant available reverse.
The 2 pedal system I find more awkward to use as
2* it is just not as fast for quick forward/reverse motion.

1*This can be a life saver when doing loader work near the edges of banks holes ditches and cliffs.

2*One miss slip of hitting the wrong pedal can result in tragedy when doing loader work near the edges of banks holes ditches and cliffs.

 

[LHS Inc]

I skipped out of work early today on a quest to find my next tractor. I have done a ton of reading and a lot of looking but today was the day to take them for a spin and really make a decision.

These are only my thoughts and may not be of any value but i thought i would throw them out there.

I drove a few Kubotas (b3030 w/cab and an L series)
I drove a few from John Deere (2320, 3320)

I know these aren't direct comparisons but i was trying to make a general brand decision then drill down from there (model, options, etc).

My thoughts:

Kubota: You get a lot for your money. They are more go then show. Pedal configuration was VERY awkward (for me). Brakes pedals located above the hydro pedals?? The heel/toe pedal set up because of a lawsuit?? VERY noisy hydro whine inside the cab of the 3030. Great finance options 0/60 months

John Deere: Very smooth and quiet. Comfortable. good ergonomics. Handles well. I was very impressed. Not as good upfront value when compared to Kubota but may pay off in the long run.

I was biased towards Kubota when i started out. I thought JD was a lot of hype and green paint.

From a pure seat of pants pick I think I would go Green. I wish the Kubota was a little more user friendly because they are a great value and I am sure they perform well.

Anyway, thanks for listening

The ergonomics of the JD 3520 eHydro did it for me and I bought it over a comparable Kubota. Buy what you feel is best for you and your needs. They are both great tractor brands, you can't go wrong with either one. Let us know what you decide.

 

[kday64]

We prefer brakes on the right as all of our other tractors have brakes on the right, but fortunately we don't often use brakes on the HST models.

I find my self breaking all the time but I live in CT where the hill are more of an challenge then an obsticle.

You are moving in the right direction. More test driving the better. Just remember at some point you will have to choose at least one of you favorite tractors.

~Kevin

:thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

I find my self breaking all the time but I live in CT where the hill are more of an challenge then an obsticle.

You are moving in the right direction. More test driving the better. Just remember at some point you will have to choose at least one of you favorite tractors.

~Kevin

:thumbsup:

Interesting, two of our farms are in the hills with pond levies etc. to mow and about the only time my wife or I use brakes on our BX2660 or John Deere 2305 HST models are when parking. I hauled quite a few loads of dirt and crushed rock with our L5030 the last few days and never touched a brake, I just put it in 4WD and low. Now if I have to hold position on a steep slope with the L5030 with a loaded bucket, I have used the brakes, but not if I am just mowing.

 

[jenkinsph]

I skipped out of work early today on a quest to find my next tractor. I have done a ton of reading and a lot of looking but today was the day to take them for a spin and really make a decision.

These are only my thoughts and may not be of any value but i thought i would throw them out there.

I drove a few Kubotas (b3030 w/cab and an L series)
I drove a few from John Deere (2320, 3320)

I know these aren't direct comparisons but i was trying to make a general brand decision then drill down from there (model, options, etc).

My thoughts:

Kubota: You get a lot for your money. They are more go then show. Pedal configuration was VERY awkward (for me). Brakes pedals located above the hydro pedals?? The heel/toe pedal set up because of a lawsuit?? VERY noisy hydro whine inside the cab of the 3030. Great finance options 0/60 months

John Deere: Very smooth and quiet. Comfortable. good ergonomics. Handles well. I was very impressed. Not as good upfront value when compared to Kubota but may pay off in the long run.

I was biased towards Kubota when i started out. I thought JD was a lot of hype and green paint.

From a pure seat of pants pick I think I would go Green. I wish the Kubota was a little more user friendly because they are a great value and I am sure they perform well.

Anyway, thanks for listening

I went through the same process in 2004 or so, test driving small tractors, small wheel loaders and mini excavators. When I narrowed the field to a compact tlb I seriously compared Kubota and Deere and found both to be good machines. Finally settled on the 110tlb because it was a better fit to me, After six years I still feel it was the right choice. When buying the new tractor choosing the 4520 with the same pedal configuration was an easy decision and have been well pleased with it too.

I think you are on the right track test driving the various models to help you decide what works best for you. I still feel both Kubota and Deere are excellent machines so either way you go you should have a good tractor.