Comparison TTWT Kubota BX / Deere 1-Series Comparison

[jrsue]

Good job on the video comparison Tim. I watched them all and used them to help make my decision. I've had a BX 25D for the last the 3 yrs. I bought it used with low hrs and recently had a chance to sell it for basically what I paid for it so I sold it. My only 2 gripes with the BX was the rather weak FEL and the lack of a quick attach bucket. The 1025R seems to be better in both these areas. Price wise I was able to get a new 2019 TLB 1025 for just under 20g plus tax. My Kubota was great overall. It didn't cost me anything to operate other than fuel. I guess I just wanted a change.

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Good job on the video comparison Tim. I watched them all and used them to help make my decision. I've had a BX 25D for the last the 3 yrs. I bought it used with low hrs and recently had a chance to sell it for basically what I paid for it so I sold it. My only 2 gripes with the BX was the rather weak FEL and the lack of a quick attach bucket. The 1025R seems to be better in both these areas. Price wise I was able to get a new 2019 TLB 1025 for just under 20g plus tax. My Kubota was great overall. It didn't cost me anything to operate other than fuel. I guess I just wanted a change.

Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful. I guess I should post the rest of the episodes on this site...but I had not received much feedback, so assumed no one was seeing these posts.

 

[jrsue]

Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful. I guess I should post the rest of the episodes on this site...but I had not received much feedback, so assumed no one was seeing these posts.

Yeah you should post them. People don't always respond even though they've watched and enjoyed a video. On your videos, the main one that did it for me was the front loader comparison, which I think was very fair and accurate. My BX was a good tractor, never had any problems, but the one thing I was disappointed in from the start was the rather week loader lift capacity. Now I know the 1025r is not vastly better, but a couple hundred pounds can make a real difference. So I'll be picking up my new "Johnny" 1025R in a couple of days, hopefully I don't regret selling my Kubota.

 

[dodge man]

Load capacity was a big reason I switched from a BX to a JD, but I went with a 2 series. For me the BX seemed to lift a full bucket of material OK, it is just quite a bit smaller than the JD bucket. My BX was 10 years old when I traded it in, it was trouble free but pretty close to it.

 

[beemoe]

Hey Tim,

These videos have been great and they seem really fair and well done. I appreciate the amount of thought you put into them. I've decided to go with the JD as of 20min ago, after re-watching the comparison series. (for like the 3rd time)

I was waffling back and forth, my Kubota dealer was much more engaged, but I liked the Deere guy too. JD let me drive one right away and I was kind of hooked. Felt stout and I liked sitting on it.

The lift test videos sealed the deal. I had intended to lift bags of heating pellets up onto a deck to take into the house and it really helped me prioritize the features I needed. Also seeing them side by side in your garage was super useful, the 1025 just seemed like more tractor. The other one was the turning radius, when I test drove my JD I couldn't believe how sharp it was able to turn.

On the Kubota side I really liked the single point hydraulic connector and the hydros seem smoother/easier to master (based on other videos) but the lifting just drained it for me. The engine vents drawing air in from the operator station also seemed like a great feature.

Quote wise the 1025R was $800 more than a BX2380 and $600 cheaper than a BX2680. It's nestled comfortably in between. (Tractor, loader, mower)

Just a few other notes -
The subcompact SSQA seems like a waste on the Kubota, the weight tradeoff seems not worth it. Most of the implements you can buy for that connection are too big for SCUTs. I watched a video of a 1025 with the larger factory bucket struggle to pick up a load of mulch.

Kubota needs to drop the plastic hood thing. If something heavy enough hits the hood, it's going to cause a dent. There was a video on Good Works that showed some Kubotas with some 'battle scars', the plastic fenders and hoods on the JDs were like new. I don't personally understand the argument.

I did also look at a Kioti CS2210, it was $1700 cheaper than a 1025R but my nearest dealer was over an hour away. JD/Kubota are about 20min. I'm not sure if the distance matters, my wife is the landscaper and she liked the easy process to get the loader on and off. They also had Yanmar there, but nothing else in the area. (Lots of green farms in these parts)

So thanks for putting those videos out. Hopefully I'll be a new owner in a few days. I'll be using your discount codes for a tooth bar and edge tamers. Also going to get me a pair of those isotunes, I work in a factory so I'm pretty conscious to PPE/hearing safety and I'm pumped to be able to safely enjoy music while I work on all the new projects.

PS: I think the green guys owe you some commission...

 

[dodge man]

The BX I owned had the plastic hood. I’ll know in about 10 years but I suspect the JD plastic is higher quality. My BX faded and cracked. The fenders also had some cracks. My engine surround fell apart and I had to buy new. The engine surround was was giant piece, the front and both sides as one piece where my JD is two side with a front grill. Most is the problems with the plastic on the Kubota was cosmetic not structural.

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

We were thrilled to find a dyno which we could use to test PTO horsepower.

Check it out! Round #5

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Round #6

Let's take a look at the loader (and that nifty single point connector!)

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Round #6 follow-up, corrections, etc.

 

[Tractor Time with Tim]

Round #7 ... Action Project.

When watching the comparison, please compare only when Tim is operating each machine. The other operator(s) are clearly less experienced with compact tractors, so no intention to show direct comparison there.