Comparison The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of Low Price is Forgotten

[Emainiac]

Higher Price does not always mean Best Value.

When I was looking for a new 26 HP CUT, I looked at both JD and Kubota, and IMHO, felt they were overpriced for what they offered in this range. I compared machine weight, lift capacities and features and decided to go another route. Just because they sell the most tractors doesn't mean every model they offer will come out on top in a comparison to other brands.

In fact, JD was my first stop when I started the buying process and the attitude of my local JD dealer was not great. I know it's the dealer and not the brand, but their attitude caused me to compare other brands and realize the best value does not always come from the biggest names. After 65 hours, I'm pleased that I did my homework and based my decision on more than just how many tractors someone pushes out the door.

 

[Jstpssng]

Nothing else was all plastic with an aluminum rear end housing. It was never in the running.

When you made that comment the first time I assumed that you were talking about Kubota...

 

[BubbaSam]

I also heard not to trust everything you read on the internet

WHAT? But I thought EVERYTNING was on the Internet because it was true! (wink wink)

 

[Raul-02]

the John Deere tractor is[...], the most valued

I don't think I can get on board with that kind of thinking.
They've been around a long time and made a lot of mistakes, learned from some of 'em. Have some nice features, and make a fine tractor.
I wonder if they will learn that locking home mechanics out of their tractors, and forcing them to go to Deer for repairs and service is one such mistake.
But best? Well, you said "most valued." You didn't say best. So maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree.
Most valued is kind of subjective. How does one measure it? The number of people who value their tractor because they own it? Yah, I'd have to give it up for that one; I am sure there are more Deer owners than there are owners of any other make.

More Doctors reccommend Tyenol. They do because it is not a blood thinner. No hospital wants blood thinners in their patients without a darn good reason. But Tylenol is not necessarily a better analgesic.

 

[plastikosmd]

I am in full agreement .... same thing happened to me, that was just a few years ago..

same here! But I had a kubota and was trying to upgrade to another. I got the same treatment, so off to explore other local options. My JD experience was phenomenal and I couldn’t be happier 12? Years later??

Between the two the optioned CUTs, they were essentially equivalent (minus the fanboy factors such as dipstick position or bulb size etc)

dealer/sales and service were much more crucial to me, I’ve owned enough vehicles to tune out those that those that cheer brands like it is their sports team, lol

 

[DK35vince]

My previous tractor was a Deere (JD 850). I had it for years.
It was a reliable machine.
When upgrading to a new tractor in 2001 I looked a Deere ( the 4300 and 4400, nice unit. I also looked at the 790 but I didn't like anything about it) .
Also the Kubota 3010 and 3410, also nice units.
I went with a Kioti DK 35. Liked the price, features and build quality.
Still very happy I went with this tractor after 21 years of owning my Kioti, its been a fantastic tractor.
My Deere 850 was a good/solid machine. Was it a better built, more reliable machine than my Kioti = NO

 

[arrow]

I'm pretty sure that even JD realizes they don't offer the best quality or best value considering they don't actually bother to stock anything smaller than the 5E series on this country and also on some countries around. They realize they just can't compete with everyone else, plus there are a lot less fanboys wiling to special order an overpriced JD tractor for the sake of it.

The only good competitive compact tractors they had, was back when JD used rebadged Goldoni compact and specialized tractors and sold them under their name with the green/yellow paint. Some models even had JD engines instead of the Lombardini ones. An interesting fact about this ordeal, is that JD offers little to no support for these rebadged tractors, contrary to popular belief. They didn't even bother to add the parts catalogs for these tractors on their parts catalogue website.

I always thought there "50" series tractors of the mid 80's were some of the best tractors they slapped their name on as well. Built by Yanmar

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

Nothing else was all plastic with an aluminum rear end housing. It was never in the running.

Right but with how much tractors cost I think not all least looking at the offerings of all companies is foolish. Over the course of years and decades new models come out with different features, made with different stuff. You only hurt your decision making by excluding competitors because their previous product wasn't so great. This is probably easier to notice in cars because models and designs change more frequently, for example I know some fords and chevys that were just absolute piles of ****, but I've also seen some fords/chevys that were great and last decades.

I don't know when I'll end up buying a new tractor. I doubt very much I would end up with a JD because they have been so expensive, but I'll still check them out because it doesn't cost me anything except a little time.

 

[hornett22]

Right but with how much tractors cost I think not all least looking at the offerings of all companies is foolish. Over the course of years and decades new models come out with different features, made with different stuff. You only hurt your decision making by excluding competitors because their previous product wasn't so great. This is probably easier to notice in cars because models and designs change more frequently, for example I know some fords and chevys that were just absolute piles of ****, but I've also seen some fords/chevys that were great and last decades.

I don't know when I'll end up buying a new tractor. I doubt very much I would end up with a JD because they have been so expensive, but I'll still check them out because it doesn't cost me anything except a little time.

Well I know the JD price would be substantially higher and value for that price substantially lower so again, no reason to bother.

 

[MinnesotaMorg]

Well I know the JD price would be substantially higher and value for that price substantially lower so again, no reason to bother.

You literally have no way of knowing what their future offerings will be, and for what price. Maybe JD will come out with something that is competitively priced.