Your Advice Please Kubota vs JD

gwmullins · May 25, 2004

My first post and also my most difficult tractor/mower decision to date! My property is 3 acres, 2 maintained as yard, lots of trees, veg garden, flowers, etc, and very little on the level. I have had to depend on the best (so called) Craftsman garden tractor for the past 8 years with nothing but problems with it since I bought it. I am presently looking at both a and a ; ( and +). Both are of course like buying a Mercedez with a Dodge budget for me, so attachable implements are into the future for sure; however, I would definitely use blade, FEL, tiller, spreader, etc., if I had them. I could work out a way to buy either even if it would be the last thing my wife let me buy, but I just cannot decide on what is right for me. I want quality and with all my sloping land (some pretty steep) I am somewhat apprehensive about the 15hp diesel on the Kubota, but it does appear to otherwise be a mighty tuff machine. The only thing the JD dealer advised me on was Kubotas transmissions and differentials, which he said are not the best, especially in the bigger tractors... I know, it is my decision to make but I would really appreciate any solid opinions you would be kind enough to provide me with? Thanks in advance......now I gotta go get the wifes auto worked on.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Gatorboy · May 25, 2004

( JD dealer advised me on was Kubotas transmissions and differentials, which he said are not the best, especially in the bigger tractors.. )

Hmmm, I've got a Kubota M8950 with 7900 hours and it has yet to have any problems.

JD or Kubota are exponentially better than your Craftsman. You won't make a bad choice with either one. Pick the tractor you are most comfortable with and fits your price range.

Bob_Skurka · May 25, 2004

First off, I don't like a dealer who badmouths another product. Second, why would the JD dealer say something about a product size that is not even being considered, or is it a tactic to confuse you by creating doubt about an entire brand simply by saying something he cannot substantiate regarding a large tractor than you would never consider?

Can you tell us more about the models you are looking at? Or have you even narrowed it down to specific models yet? And why did you choose those 2 brands and exclude other choices?

Obviously you need something small enough to mow with, but what else do you really plan on using the tractor for?

I tend to think of jobs first, prioritizing needs, then I look for a machine that does those things best regardless of the brand.

SteveH_CT · May 25, 2004

I think that sounds like Dealer talk... Kubota's are very solid machines.

You know, I read so many of the "Help me decide" posts, and really you need to decide on which one you like better. There are some key factors - Dealer, location, how the machine feels to you. Many tractors will "fit the bill" as far as doing your work - for the most part they are all amazing machines, now that I own one I can't imagine how I did the large jobs before getting it.

Good Luck searching for the right machine - There are several good brands to look at - I even saw some new sub-cuts from NH - nice looking machines. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Henro · May 25, 2004

I picked up on the same line that Gatorboy quoted and would add an additional caution:

A salesman that misrepresents the competition may also misrepresent what he sells himself, just to make a sale...

In general all of the major tractor brands likely enjoy the same level of reliability, as do many of the up and coming brands which are not sales leaders (yet)...

There have been a lot of posts here asking similar questions. You may have already done some searches of the archives.

Also try asking several more specific questions. I read your post twice but don't what advice to give except to compare apples to apples when you make your decision, and to be sure to try out several different models, at least on the dealer's lot, go get a feel for how they fit you (and the wife if she will also be using it).

Oh, and don't feel like you are stuck with one dealer. A tractor is an investment and you will want a dealer you like to deal with over the long term, so try to buy from one that you feel good about and who will be there for you if you need him. Many feel that the dealer is more important than the tractor color...

cowboydoc · May 25, 2004

It depends on which models you are looking at. I will not agree that all models are equally as good. There are huge differences just within a product line that a dealer sells. And overall I do not believe that one brand is as good as the next. Kubota and Deere are pretty close though. You aren't going to regret for the most part buying either one. With that said if you look equally at the two then in my opinion you can't beat Deere for dealer support, parts, standing behind the product, etc. Deere is offering options on their tractors that nobody else does. New Holland has some nice new features as well. Kubota is also doing great things and bringing new technology to the table.

Research the model you are looking at, compare prices and see what you are actually getting for your dollar. Not only the hp, but look at your hydraulic flow, lifting capacity of the loader and the three point hitch, what transmission, and most importantly what tractor is the most comfortable to you. Spend at least an hour or so with each model you are looking at and get used to the controls. You'll forget about the price long before you forget about buying the wrong tractor.

Boondox · May 25, 2004

I'd agree with what Richard said...but would add that in many cases it's the dealer that makes the difference in the end. While shopping for a tractor a few years back I wanted a JD 4300. Really had my heart set on one. But after visiting the only JD dealer within a reasonable distance my mind was changed. Took 45 minutes for a salesman to notice me. There was a huge backlog of tractors awaiting repair, with two angry customers yelling about their tractors still being there several weeks after the promised repair date.

I was ready to buy that day, but the dealer's attitude and apathy changed the color I purchased. So yes, part of the goal is to get the tractor you want, but the other part is you need to be comfortable entering into a long-term relationship with the dealer.

Pete

mathteacher · May 25, 2004

I was in the same boat as you are in. I had it narrowed down to JD and Kubota. I visited several dealers and I choose a Kubota, not just because of the price as much as the dealer. I felt that the JD dealer gave me the impression that "I SELL JD tractors" Not very personal with me because I was looking at a compact. I had already done lots of research on the size and the specs of the tractors that I was looking at and when the JD saleman was talking to me he was comparing the two tractor brands on price. for example a 24 HP kubota to a 21 HP JD. and a 30 HP Kubota to a 24 HP JD. I felt that he was trying to justify his ignorance of the Kubota and that he was trying to decieve me. But I do have to thank him. The JD dealer DID help me decide which tractor to buy. And besides I saved myself about $3500 going with the Kubota.

So go shopping do a lot of research. It helps if you are prepared when you go talk to the different dealers. OBTW make sure that you meet the people in the service department.

Donald B.

gwmullins · May 25, 2004

Well, I made it back from the car service department a shade over 500 poorer and now its back to my garden tractor. I appreciate all of the comments I have received but it looks like some of my intended post never made it on the board. To complete it, I am trying to decide between a JD GX335 and a Kubota BX1500. Really, I suppose I am trying to decide between two very different machines I guess? Nevertheless, the grass is growing and I have got to do something. To begin with, I dont know about the Dealer, (located Gallipolis, Ohio); but he sure does seem to sell a lot of stuff (4 locations) and they seemed neat, nice and responsive. The price for the GX335,(54"mower) is 6.500 plus sales tax. The price for the BX1500 (54"mower) is 8,000, dont think tax applicable. The Deere will probably do all I need with available attachments and it has bar tires on it, which I think might be best for my hilly land? If anyone can offer me any more direction for either one I would appreciate, as I am about to decide for the Deere, if the guy can deliver it today? If you know anything good or bad about the Deere dealership or the pricing/pros/cons of either machine I would sure like to hear from anybody. Thanks to everybody who has already responded to me; I do value your honest opinions; especially since you do it because you care!

Verdemont · May 25, 2004

Badmouthing is bad. My local garden center (where we buy trees and flowers, etc..) also has a small tractor dealer there. A very casual conversation one day with a salesman involved her telling me that Kubota frames are made of aluminum and thus are not good products. I said "thanks" and made my way out. That sort of bad info is really ridiculous and it was hard not to laugh.

Tom