Buying Advice Why did you buy a John Deere?

[TripleR]

Our John Deere 2305 is still sitting in the shop after waiting on parts for over a month. The shop foreman called yesterday to apologize and to say he doesn't know when the parts will come in.

Until it's fixed I will continue to trailer the Kubota BX2660 between farms.

John Deere makes good equipment, but my experience with this tractor has not been good; as to the readily available part, I am still waiting...

I will consider and probably buy another John Deere, but I see them as no better than several other brands.

 

[DKCDKC]

I grew up with John Deere tractors, with an occasional Massey and Ford for support. When I needed a good used tractor in 2000, I chose a JD because it was in great shape for the price, had been owned by a JD mechanic, and because I do like green. When I downgraded this year to a CUT, I shopped Kioti, Mahendra, Kubota and JD... Those being the only nearby dealers. The Kioti was good, but offered no financing. Counting total financing costs, it would have cost more than the similar JD. The Mahendra dealer was very weak and not super friendly in the sales area. I test drove JD and Kubota. Both were good (I was looking in the 34 to 42 hp range with FEL.) However I did not like the control positions on the Kubota, and the rocker pedal on the HST was awkward - and impossible for my wife. The JD was more comfortable and the dealer was much stronger.

I went green again.

Like many others on TBN, I suggest you actually drive the tractors you are considering. Listen to them and feel how they work and fit. But don't forget that, as a new tractor person, you will want a good, supportive dealer. The quality of a dealer may make or break the deal all by itself.

Good luck. Actually picking tractors is really fun.

 

[yelbike]

I'd say resale value. I bought my first 2305 used for the same price as the new cub cadet sc23 whatever.

I have an uncle who operates the old farm stead, he says he bought his ford tractor just to remind him how much he likes his john deere. Ford is now sold and replaced by yet another John deere.

I like the previous poster's comparision between value and price also.

 

[ORCM]

Our John Deere 2305 is still sitting in the shop after waiting on parts for over a month. The shop foreman called yesterday to apologize and to say he doesn't know when the parts will come in.

Until it's fixed I will continue to trailer the Kubota BX2660 between farms.

John Deere makes good equipment, but my experience with this tractor has not been good; as to the readily available part, I am still waiting...

I will consider and probably buy another John Deere, but I see them as no better than several other brands.

I feel your pain! My 2320 has been in the shop for over a month, and they still don't know what is wrong with it.

My family and I have owned a lot of Deere's, and never had any real problems. So this is a rarity for Deere to have an issue like this. I still think it's a more refined tractor than the rest.

 

[Jd5203]

I am in need of some help. Deep down inside I really want to buy a John Deere tractor, but I feel that I can get so much more power with all the options for a lot less by going with Kioti. Please tell me why I should go with a John Deere?

The one and only brand tractor that has been on my farm is a John Deere, at first we had a JD 970, and in 13 years the only thing we fixed on it was the regular service in the manual. Now I have had a 5203 for 5 years and same as the 970, no extra maintenance other than what's in the manual. I don't believe in more HP, I believe in a good strong tractor. My 5203 will do just as much as a New Holland TN70A that I use where I work and some of it better. John Deere is the best tractor out there in my opinion.

 

[couchsachraga]

I grew up with an IH my grandfather purchased then my father purchased from him (Farmall Cub, we're not talking a huge tractor here), my first tractor was Yanmar 336D ('83) I purchased 10 years ago. Great tractor. I had to look for part sometimes (made easier with the internet), but a good solid machine and ahead of it's time then (shuttle shift, unlike the yanmar-made Deere's of the time).

I started looking for a newer, larger machine a few years ago. The dealer who had been the best to me was NOT the dealer I purchased the machine from, it was a fellow who sold Kioti's but had a Woods dealership and would work on anything. Great fellow. I was seriously considering a Kioti a few years back, but then they yanked the dealership from him (he didn't sell enough tractors in there book... but we're a small area). Knowing how he was treated I'll never buy a Kioti. When you have a problem you need a dealer who will stand behind you (he would), and a company a dealer can work with. I do think Kioti builds and excellent basic tractor at a good price. But after operating both you can't put the Kioti in the same class as Deere for fit and finish and overall design. I would guess they will both be very reliable. Technology wise Deere definitely leads them.

But back to your question - I purchased a Deere as Kioti was out of the picture and I looked around at other brands and dealers. I have an excellent Kubota dealer locally as well - nice machines, but I preferred the Deere. If I didn't have a good Deere dealer locally I might have gotten the Kubota instead, but thankfully I had two good dealers to choose from (and a few lousy ones too!)

FWIW I have a 4520, ordered in Jan., it arrived 2 days ago. Worth the wait, and an even better machine than I thought it would be.

If you are looking for a more basic machine Kioti can be very comparable to the basic Deeres. Personally I'd still go Deere for the parent company support (not that they haven't done some very "corporate" things to their dealers over the years) - I have high confidence they'll be around (as will parts) for a long time, and it is VERY easy to get whatever is needed very quickly.

 

[rsewill]

Nearby dealer and there were lots of used JD machines being sold by the public on Craigslist.

 

[igpoobah]

I know they make good stuff.
Dealer is 10 miles away and friendly.
Resale value
I like green. It goes with my property. LOL

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I to was a little worried about Kioti, both parts and resale. I researched the company (Daedong of South Korea) at felt a little better after that. They've been around since the '40s, built tractors with Kubota in the '80s and now build all CUTs for Bobcat, Landini and McCormick as well as their own Kioti brand. I'm on my second Kioti and my dealer gave me 94% of what I paid after 14 months and 160 hrs on my first one when I upgraded, so resale seems to be fine. I've never had issues with parts and it's also cover by a 4 yr warranty.

Pardon me if your glowing endorsement of Kioti (above) seems to be at odds with your experience expressed in a post from last month.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/243729-broken-again-loosing-faith.html

Perhaps, since I didn't take the time to read all 36 pages of the above post or the original post referenced

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/218090-my-new-ck-30-a.html

I may have missed something. I also did not take time to read all of your thread where in your words you "whine about your cab problems"

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/230081-new-comfort-cab-ck30-review.html

I leave it to the OP to draw his own conclusions.

 

[TripleR]

I feel your pain! My 2320 has been in the shop for over a month, and they still don't know what is wrong with it.

My family and I have owned a lot of Deere's, and never had any real problems. So this is a rarity for Deere to have an issue like this. I still think it's a more refined tractor than the rest.

I agree it's unusual, but right now not uncommon apparently. My wife and I drove through the dealer's lot this afternoon and it is covered up in machines waiting for repair; never seen it like that before.

I wish I would of had my camera as they had a bunch of new 8000 and 9000 Series tractors. They only had two 4000 Series and one 5000 with a cab; really liked the 4720 with cab.:licking:

Having operated the John Deere 2305 side by side with our BX2660 I have to disagree with your last statement; throw the 1026R against it and yep. it's much more refined.