Tractor choosing

draft1tx · Feb 4, 2015

I am shopping for my first tractor and am of the mind set that I picked up from my Dad regarding cars and trucks; comparable models of all of the major makes are going to be fairly equal. So that brings it down to a point of dollars, dealer relationship and preference.
I am looking at the John Deere compact 3 series and the Kubota B series. I really like the fact that the John Deere is American made and that I have a dealer within 15 miles. Kubota is about twice as far away. Some numbers that I am currently working on putting together are those that regard the comparative costs and maintenance and hourly service. At least the hourly sevice that I can't readily do myself.
My wife and I are in our early 70's and we have about 3.5 acres, a couple of rescued horses and several hundred feet of pasture fencing that is in need of repair/replacement. I have dug some post holes by hand and am really looking forward to having a mechanical means of doing the rest of that part of the job.
I am therefore planning on digging post holes as well as doing some digging and grading to replace our packed dirt driveway with some compacted road base that won't get soupy after heavy rain.
Does anyone have feedback regarding any issues they've had with either of my prospects.

deerseeker001 · Feb 4, 2015

Welcome from Wisconsin

jeff9366 · Feb 4, 2015

draft1tx said:
I am looking at the John Deere compact 3 series and the Kubota B series. I really like the fact that the John Deere is American made.

Small John Deere tractors are mostly Yanmar/Japanese, assembled in Mexico, then imported to the USA. USA content is small.

Deere has had this relationship with Yanmar for at least 20 years. I used to operate a Deere/Yanmar 750 tractor-loader. It was a stout machine.

Kubota has US Sales HQ in California, a diesel engine plant in Illinois and two manufacturing plants in Georgia, where Backhoes and Front End Loaders are manufactured, one of which also does assembly. Kubtota exports to Asia from Illinois and Georgia.

Some Kubota chassis/engine assemblies are almost all US, some are all Japanese, a few are from Kubota's big plant in Thailand.

I am 67 years old. Shop for a Deere or a Kubota that has telescoping Lower Links and pinned and adjustable Stabiliizers as part of the Three Point Hitch. Without these features you may find connecting grading implements implements to the Three Point Hitch almost beyond your strength.

You probably want an Hydraustatic (HST) transmission. The single most popular compact tractor option is a Front End Loader (FEL).

I bought Kubota because the dealer is always helpful and just six miles away.

s219 · Feb 4, 2015

draft1tx said:
I am shopping for my first tractor and am of the mind set that I picked up from my Dad regarding cars and trucks; comparable models of all of the major makes are going to be fairly equal. So that brings it down to a point of dollars, dealer relationship and preference.
I am looking at the John Deere compact 3 series and the Kubota B series. I really like the fact that the John Deere is American made and that I have a dealer within 15 miles. Kubota is about twice as far away. Some numbers that I am currently working on putting together are those that regard the comparative costs and maintenance and hourly service. At least the hourly sevice that I can't readily do myself.
My wife and I are in our early 70's and we have about 3.5 acres, a couple of rescued horses and several hundred feet of pasture fencing that is in need of repair/replacement. I have dug some post holes by hand and am really looking forward to having a mechanical means of doing the rest of that part of the job.
I am therefore planning on digging post holes as well as doing some digging and grading to replace our packed dirt driveway with some compacted road base that won't get soupy after heavy rain.
Does anyone have feedback regarding any issues they've had with either of my prospects.

As the owner of a Deere and Kubota and participant of many orange versus green family debates on the brands, I should mention that my uncle's Deere 3-series is 100% made in Japan by Yanmar, while my Kubotas have been combination of Japanese parts/sub-assembly and final assembly in Georgia! Deere makes a fine tractor, but the American made part is not always true (some of their bigger tractors come from India and other parts of the world). So don't let the US aspect sway you. Besides the Japanese brands like Kubota and Yanmar, there are lots of fine Korean tractor brands to consider as well, and a couple Chinese brands that are up and coming.

I think having a dealer within 50 miles is important, as is test driving to find the tractor that fits you well with the build quality, features, and construction you like. From there work on pricing. The right tractor will jump out at you.

Good luck with your shopping!

cartod · Feb 4, 2015

My 3 series deere is just an awesome machine. The only thing American about any of the tractors are there names. I shopped Massey, Kubota and Deere and landed green. Having an old 72 deere that still works as good as new also help sway me.