The Plot Thickens: Enter the Kubota L3010

[Hook]

When last we heard from our hero (me , he was all but committed to the JD 4200, over the Kubota B2910. But, something was holding me back.

So, today I just "happened to" drive by the Kubota dealer & decided to see if they had an L3010 I could test drive (the last time I was there, they only had an L3410).

Well, they happened to have one they had just finished putting together. So I drove it. Things are getting mkore interesting now ...

This is a much better model to compare to the JD 4200. The ergnomics are much better for me than the B2910. They're still not quite as good as the JD, but very close. The difference is not worth quibbling about. The ride was very similar to the JD4200: nice & solid feeling, less rattling than the B2910.

I just finished looking over the specs again & it compares very favorably to the JD 4200. In fact, I'd say it beats the 4200 on most counts.

The Kubota dealer offered me the L3010 (with its own loader, much heftier than the B2910) for only $500 more than the B2910. This makes the L3010 $800 less than the 4200.

I'm now leaning strongly towards the L3010. I'm gonna sleep on it, but I could be making the final decision by tomorrow.

Hook

 

[Bird]

Hook, that sounds good to me, but just hang around; we'll get you up to the M120 yet./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[Hook]

Poster: Bird
Subject: Re: The Plot Thickens: Enter the Kubota L3010

> Hook, that sounds good to me, but just hang around; we'll
> get you up to the M120 yet.

Why don't I just go for the M9000 right now & save you guys the work

BTW: do you guys get paid by the tractor manufacturers to do this? Or do you just do it for fun?

> Bird

Hook

 

[Bird]

Mostly just for fun, but I do think I ought to write Kubota and ask for a commission./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird

 

[Kelago]

Hook:

Interesting choice. I'm in a similar position, though I'm a few furlongs behind you in the race to decide. I've been debating the L3010 against the JD 4300 and though the 4300 came highly recommended to me in another thread, I'm leaning toward the L3010 for 2 specific reasons: price and reliability. I have heard very few complaints about Kubota, while Deere seems to attract them in droves. Too bad, cause I gotta say, I liked the "look" of the 4300 and it didn't hurt that TBN gave it the tractor of the year award. I just can't get past the higher price; it seems unjustified. Nor can I get past what appear to be legitimate complaints about its reliability. Of course, I've yet to sit on either one. But that time is coming. When you finally decide, please let us know what extras you got and the final cost. It'll help...

Good luck

Kelago

 

[cowboydoc]

Kelago,
Most of the complaints about the deere were from the original models back a few years ago. All of those complaints have been addressed and fixed by deere. It is mostly because of this type of continuing debate about john deere reliability that deere is coming out with the new 10 series to get away from that stigman. Read the thread about tractor repairs over on the Off topic and Just for Fun. I think you'll see that from the members here the problems are just as many on other tractors and most all problems are very minor. BTW I completely agree with you about the higher retail prices! JD really hurts themselves there.

 

[frank_f15]

hook , we do it most for fun and good info. and if u don't buy one soon u are going to work your way up to a really big baby, then u will have to build a new barn to fit it in./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Sailorcrew]

I went the same round a bout route. Started with the 2710/2910 series, really liked them, found out the L3010 was only a few bucks more, went to a JD for the 4300. I liked the 4300 but the dealer was not customer friendly. Despite the JD dealer being a mile from home, I went 20 to the Kubota dealer, had a great experience, loved the tractor and was sold by the lack of complaints about Kubota in general and the L3010 specifically. I have 25 hours so far, not a single problem, not a hint of buyer's remorse. Only real problem is how many of them can I buy before I get accused of overkill. David

 

[JATO_RaT]

Hook, while I believe JD makes a pretty good tractor, I still feel that Kubota makes the best diesels with the vastly improved IDI E-TVCS diesel. The HST's with no exceptions, they are in my opinion the best, most durable HST's made.

I have been looking at the JD 4700 & 4600, NH TC45D and the Kubota L48 and L4610 HST. Admittedly, they all are great tractors. I'm sold on the engines and HST. Tried them all and am sticking with the Kubota. In a few months, JD will have its new lineup and if you can wait, they may build a tractor for you. Buying a new JD 4200 or 4300 would be pretty tough when I know they have a new 4210 and 4310 replacing the forementioned. The new ones in all likelyhood will be a much improved product.

 

[Boondox]

Love my L3010! She's a real beast in a small package.

Pete

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