Your Advice Please Kubota vs JD

[BANDAMAN]

Go drive the Kubota and I think you will be convinced! You are looking at two fine tractors, but definitely not in the same category in my opinion. I too, recently looked a the JD GX300s, and also the X400s and X500s. I was comparing them to the BX sereies from Kubota and found there really was not comparison. I ended up buying a BX2230 and am very happy with it. I would have bought the BX1500, but at my dealer the BX2230 was only $1700 more. I want to run some PTO powered implements someday, and I bought this for the next 25 years, so I decided on the larger model.

The two cylinder in the BX1500 is very similar to those used in reefer trailers to run the cooler. These Kubota engines are known to run 30,000 hrs in the reefer with regular PM. In the BX1500, I would be confident in saying that it would take 20 years to even put 5000 hrs on the little tractor. I think the Kawasaki in the GX is awesome, but I doubt you will want it after 1500 hrs. Once again, just my opinion.

The next major consideration is the future. The BX can handle a FEL, a Full hydralic front blade, a PTO driven snowblower and a whole host of items for the 3 point hitch. With the GX you get a manual angle plow, and several pull behind implements, maybe a tiller or something.

If you are climbing hills, remember the BX is 4 wheel drive and the tranny is run right off the engine, so no slipping. The GX, I beleive will have a belt running from the engine to the tranny, not the best for steep hills. Both will get you the diff lock. The kubota will also have a shaft driven mower deck, the GX, once again has a belt.

Good luck in your tractor search, my vote is for the orange one /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

By the way, Kubota has 0% interest for 3 years. Go get one with the FEL (invaluble) put 10% down and use Kubotas money free of charge for the next three years.

 

[gwmullins]

Not knowing much about diesel engines that info is helpful; I certainly have had my share of problems with fouled carbs and fuel lines in the past......My biggest concern about the diesel was the fact that it was only 15hp, and I dont really know enough to know if that is enough to climb around on my hilly property while working a mower or other implement? If I bought the Kabota I would have to go with the smaller BX1500 and its 2 cyl 15hp, as the others are just too costly for me to work out right now.

 

[gwmullins]

Thanks for your input; there is so much that so many like yourself know that I am just begining to learn a little of......I dont know much about engines, gas or diesel, but your comments are of certain value in my decision process. Sounds like you and some others think I might be best off with the Kubota even if I am not in a position to purchase any separate implements at this time?

 

[KiotiJohn]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My biggest concern about the diesel was the fact that it was only 15hp, and I dont really know enough to know if that is enough to climb around on my hilly property while working a mower or other implement? )</font>
While it may not sound like much, 15 diesel HP is quite a bit. I only have 21 HP on my CK20, and I pull LARGE tree trunks around without complaint. I also have pulled down some pretty large trees and I've sure moved a lot of heavy stuff in my FEL as well. 15 HP is enough to do plenty. If possible, go try one out, and I mean TRY IT OUT. Get the dealer to let you do some real work with the tractor and you'll see that smaller is not lesser. Another thing, a 2 cylinder diesel has a lot of torque which is what you need for doing those jobs. They're a little noisier than 3 and 4 cylinder, but strong. As another poster stated, the diesel will be around a lot longer than the gas as well. Your children could be using the Kubota long after the gas Deere is in the dump. John
EDIT: Since you posted as I was writing I'm answering your last post here. Yes. Just get the mower you want for now, and you'll be able to buy all kinds of implements later. You will be able to use any standard implements designed for that size tractor and many times you'll find them used at good prices. You may also end up borrowing from someone who has them, or renting, however, rental stores don't always have the smaller implements. I would have bought Kubota myself, but I found the Kioti to have more things I wanted for less money. I would still buy Kubota, as they are excellent tractors. John

 

[KiotiJohn]

gwmullins. If you will change your preference (click My Home)to allow for private messages, I'll send you my phone number if you'd like to discuss this in more depth. I can fill you in on a lot of things you may not have thought of much easier than posting back and forth. John

 

[Bob_Skurka]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Not knowing much about diesel engines that info is helpful; I certainly have had my share of problems with fouled carbs and fuel lines in the past......My biggest concern about the diesel was the fact that it was only 15hp, and I dont really know enough to know if that is enough to climb around on my hilly property while working a mower or other implement? If I bought the Kabota I would have to go with the smaller BX1500 and its 2 cyl 15hp, as the others are just too costly for me to work out right now. )</font>


It is not the ENGINE HP that will determine IF you can climb a hill, it is the GEARING that will determine that. I would be willing to bet that if you shift that Kubota into LOW gear range you can not only climb the hill while mowing, you can probably pull a small trailer of firewood at the same time. Low gear plus 4wd makes for an amazing combination. It has been said several times on the thread, but don't think the 15hp diesel is underpowered compared to the 20hp gas. The actual USABLE power comes from many factors, gearing, torque and weight are 3 things that come to mind. Without bothering to check the specs, I'd bet MY money that the Kubota would have the advantage in all 3 of those categories and that would translate into more power that you can use.

On another thread, I think it was Soundguy who hooked up his 15hp diesel to his neighbors 25hp garden tractor and did a "pull off." The neighbor's 25hp gas tractor was pulled backwards all over the yard until he shut up about HORSEPOWER because he learned the lesson that GARDEN tractors are different creatures than CUTs.

 

[luvbug]

gwmullins, welcome to the world of tough tractor decisions! I just have to put in my two cents in, I know the answers that have been posted have gone in different directions so lets stay in the case in point. To start with, forget about money for now and continue. 1st. the (so called) best Craftsman lawn tractor is nothing more but an over priced MTD lawn tractor that you can get at ACE Hardware or Wallmart, Same tractor different color. This also goes for the White brand, Murray, Simplicity, even the smaller JD's. MTD makes them all, just place your order and tell them what color and name you want it. 2nd. If your seriously thinking down the road, which it sounds like you are, then go with the diesel and do not think twice about the gas engine, there is no comparison, period. The diesel will out last and out perform any gas engine. That's why you don't see gas engines in large tractors, over the road tractors and trucks, comercial generators etc.. 3rd. Try out both tractors set up as you would down the road. In other words test them out with the front end loader on and a tiller hanging off the back. drive them around for more than 5 minutes then get off of it, walk around the tractor then get back on. Was it easy to get on and off? Are the controls easy to reach? Can you see over the loader? Can you see where your front tires are all the time? Then get off and back on again and say to your self, " Is this comfortable, can I sit like this for more than an hour?" 4th. If it still seems confusing to you and it will, go home and think about it and then go back to the dealers and take the tractors out for another test drive. Then go with your gut feeling. Funny how your gut feeling can be smarter than your brain, but I guess your brain thinks to much. Lastly, Since the JD dealer claims that Kubota's transmissions and differentials are not the greatest ( another JD lie) ask the JD dealer who makes the CUT line for them? (hint it is not John Deere) Either way GOOD Luck with your decision. John

 

[gobbler]

Just like everyone else has said, buy the Kubota.

I had a 1990 JD 285 with a 18hp Kawasaki. It was liquid cooled and sported a 50” mowing deck. I bought it new while living in Ohio and mowed 2 acres of flat yard. The 285 was a very good mower.

When I was transferred to Missouri in 1996, we bought 5 rolling acres and built a new house. I used the 285 and it struggled with the heavy grass and rolling hills. It got the job done but I knew I was pushing the limits of the machine.

Three years ago, the water pump went on the JD. I took it to the local dealer and it would be about a week and $400 bucks to repair. Well, the week turned into 2, then 3. By this time my grass was getting tall (it was May ). I finally borrowed my neighbors JD 455 to cut the grass. Now granted, that is a 22hp diesel, but it didn’t break a sweat mowing 8+ iinches of heavy grass.

Right then I decided to get a new mower. I looked at the 455, no X-series out yet, and the Kubota offerings. I ended up with a Kubota BX1800, mainly for price and features over the 455. I had my mind set on a BX2200, but the dealer didn’t have any and said I wouldn’t miss the extra hp (I haven’t). He even let me use for a week before I bought it to see for myself that the 18hp would do the job. It mowed and handled the hills great. I’ve cut 8+ inch grass with many times without a problem.

Since I bought the BX, I’ve added a tiller, boxblade, rake, and a carryall. It’s helped me open up other areas of our property that I couldn’t have done with the 285.

 

[_RaT_]

"The HSD controls and <font color="red"> stearing breaks </font> on the Kubota are on the right side making it dificult to use both in tight areas."

That translates as steering brakes. If you really utilize stearing breaks or steering brakes, then I suppose you need to look at the JD or other. I find very few folks would use steering brakes while cutting the grass, especially with AG tires unless your goal is to tear it up. Steering or differential braking does exactly that. I don't use my brakes to steer regardless of use, if I did, I would have purchased the wrong model. With HST, I find it so convieniant to go forward to reverse so quickly especially in tight areas that I have little use for them. My International has great differential brakes as well but I don't need/use them either.

If the area you work in so tight that you need steering brakes, be sure to consider HST first. The ability to control your speed to the infinite degree is the biggest bonus.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I would find it very hard to believe that the JD 3xx lawn tractor that is being considered here has steering brakes.