Your Advice Please Kubota vs JD

TMAC · May 26, 2004

gwmullins, I know you've done made up your mind on the two but if your dealing with a dealer from Gallipolis in Ohio you should also check out the NH dealer that is in Gallipolis also. It wouldn't hurt to at least look at them in person if you go up there. Don't know a whole lot about the dealer but I did call and get a fair estimate over the phone during the time I was searching for a tractor. But decided to deal with the Jackson Ohio dealer being closer and a pretty respectable dealership. But if not good luck and I hope everthing works out for you /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

maxtractor · May 26, 2004

I have to give you my 2 cents on this one. Buy the Kubota! I mowed most of 3 hilly acres for the past 20 years with a Kubota B6100 that I bought used. I also plowed, graded, tilled, moved snow and tons of dirt. I even used a box blade that was way to big for the tractor. Sometimes the tractor lacked the weight to get traction or the box blade would lift the front end off the ground, but it never lacked power. The guy I bought it from also mowed about 3 acres with it. The tractor is now about 25 years old and I sold it to a guy who is using it to mow a couple acres. He was thrilled to get it for just $700.00 less than I paid for it 20 years ago. That tractor is only rated 14 hp. I wanted a bigger tractor, power steering, a hydostatic transmission etc. so I upgraded to a B7610 this year. But, that was (still is) one great little 14 hp tractor. My point to telling you this is to say that I know first hand: 1. Kubota makes a great product. 2. You cannot compare gas hp to diesel hp. That 14 hp diesel tractor would out work, out pull and out perform any 20 hp gas tractor I ever saw. The torque is so much different. 3. The diesel engine will be way more fuel efficient and last much, much longer than a gas engine. 4. If you decide to upgrade later (say in 20 years) the resale on the diesel will be much better. I am a big Kubota fan because of my experience, but if not Kubota at least go diesel. You will be glad you did. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

yellowsocks93 · May 27, 2004

It does not have steering brakes or differential lock like others have said. The Kubota is way more powerful than a small JD gas garden tractor. The JD is not bad the Kubota is a bigger machine.

DaveInColorado · May 27, 2004

I have a BX1500 and also use an almost new JD 425 for mowing at a church. The JD 425 is a toy compared to the BX1500. The BX1500 is in a whole different class, especially when you consider that the price is about the same. I cringe when I think that I used to lust over the JD 400 series! That said, if I was in the market for a large mower and didn't need a front loader I believe I would go for the semi-disposable 48 inch deck HST JD mowers at Home Depot for about $2100. I paid five times that price for my BX1500. Granted, it is a much better investment for the long run, but cash usage is an important thing to conserve. My BX will likely be for sale in about 5 years if I ever get done with these landscape projects. 130 hours on the beast - going up by at least 15 hours per week! I've mowed 25 degree banks sideways with it, though only for very short slopes and only if I have an escape route. The 4WD on low range HST will get you up any slope that is safe to ascend. You'll run out of traction or tip over before you ever run out of power. The darn JD 425 has some kind of safety switch that shuts off the motor when I put it on a 15 degree slope.

Ole_Hickory · May 27, 2004

( The only thing the JD dealer advised me on was Kubotas transmissions and differentials )

I live in WVa,I would be interested in what dealer would make a statement like that. I have a JD 4400 and I could tell the dealer a thing or 2 about my JD 4400.

khd · May 27, 2004

Here's a diesel vs gas vs HP comparrison to help out:

Ford F700 7-10 yard dump with a Cummins Diesel - 195 HP
Ford Mustang with gas 300+ HP.

Now try to imagine a mustang trying to move a 10 yard load of gravel and the F700 on a 1/4 mile drag strip. There is no comparrison between the two. The F700 is all low end brute force torque and the mustand is high end speed.

Hope that helps in understanding the difference in the two motors. The comparrison holds true for the 20 HP gas vs the 15 HP diesel just not to such an extreme.

Kevin

Rainbow6 · May 27, 2004

You probably have your tractor by now, but I would say go w/ a Kubota. They generally offer the same level of quality for a few hudred ( or thousand ) less than JD. I have owned both.

Ole_Hickory · May 28, 2004

( 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.. )

This comment is what I was referring to.

Gary_in_Indiana · May 31, 2004

When I was first tractor shopping I went into it with the idea that I wanted a Kubota. A friend had one and loved it. The Kubota dealer was literally just half a mile down the road from me and was an old HS classmate. Our sons had been in the same school for a year together, too. I was, for lack of a better term, pre-sold.

I bought a John Deere. Here's the story. I'm tall and I got on the Kubota and the rocker pedal set up for their hydro transmission was very difficult/painful for me to operate after a very short time. I knew I'd never be able to use the machine for more than an hour without a serious break. I then looked at Deere.

The pedal system was far more comfortable for me but the lever to operate the loader bucket was poorly designed and placed for my long legs (the Kubota's was fine). I read online of someone having a similar problem and solving it simply enough so I went with the Deere because it "fit" me better.

My point is that you should try to use or at least drive the models you're considering. You might be surprised to find that one just seems more comfortable than another for you. Believe me, after you get a few hours on it and have some dings, scrapes and scratches and have replaced a few lenses that branches knocked out the brand isn't going to matter near so much to you as comfort and ease of operation.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JDdude · May 31, 2004

The foot controls and local dealer support are the two most reasons I went with a 2210 Jd over a Kubota..I feel the Kubota with the planitary gears at the wheels is a tougher setup-better than the deere, but comfort was the important factor and ease of operation..It is time for Kubota to update it`s foot controls, I feel that this alone cost them alot of sales to Deere.

yellowsocks93 · Jun 1, 2004

The little Kubotas come with plantary final drive? Dang you dont get that on Deere's until a 990 or 4510.

JDdude · Jun 1, 2004

JD has the differental in the center of the axle like a auto, Kubota,like Stieger have them at the wheel on the front..Most everyone knows the planitary at the wheel is a better setup in real heavy Tractors..My guess in most of the CUT useages we will see little problem or difference..Just less ground clearance....

Ole_Hickory · Jun 1, 2004

My differental on my JD 4400 has failed me 3 times...I am not fixing it anymore,I will just use the stearing brakes for traction.The old tractors I grew up operating did not have a differental lock,we used the steering brakes for traction IE: one wheel starts spinning when the other wheel is the one you need to spin.

yellowsocks93 · Jun 1, 2004

How often do you use it? Don't you have MFWD on your machine?

Ole_Hickory · Jun 1, 2004

Yeah I have MFWD,I run 4 WD about all the time. I do a lot off pulling and grading.

_RaT_ · Jun 2, 2004

"It is time for Kubota to update it`s foot controls, I feel that this alone cost them alot of sales to Deere."

Do you really think so? I doubt it. Judging from the number of folks here with Kubota's currently using HST and very much enjoying the single pedal like I do, I'd say if they are loosing sales to Deeres, the reverse could be said about some other attributes.
Some folks don't seem to be physically capable of using the single pedal, perhaps it's a unique characteristic to them, I find that it is not only a snap, but better able to control the jounce and bounce on rough terrain. I also own a twin pedal JD that is on my JD 510 ZTR mower. I accomodate both styles, very easily.

Yankee · Jun 2, 2004

"Do you really think so? I doubt it. Judging from the number of folks here with Kubota's currently using HST and very much enjoying the single pedal like I do, I'd say if they are loosing sales to Deeres, the reverse could be said about some other attributes."

When I was looking, I preferred the Deere pedal set-up. Now that I have the Kubota, I've concluded that the difference is a non-issue (at least for me) - one of those things that you agonize over that gets waaaaayyyyy too much attention, unless you have some sort of physical issue.

Bill

pekabu · Jun 2, 2004

When I was looking I really like the JD two pedal setup. I still think I might prefer it, but I felt that the NH was a better fit for me.

Gary_in_Indiana · Jun 3, 2004

It appears I started something with the HST pedal difference remarks I made here. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Let me be clear on one thing. I didn't and don't mean to imply nor to have anyone infer that I believe one system is in any way superior to the other. My only comment was that, for ME , the Deere system was more comfortable. Temper that with the knowledge that I'm am a bit over 6'-8" tall with appropriately long legs (36 1/2" inseam) and terribly arthritic knees from seven surgeries over the years. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

If I were a foot shorter with proportionately shorter legs and had good knees, I'm not sure I'd have even noticed. As it is, however, the Kubota system had my knee bent to notably under 90 degrees going forward and even more severely so in reverse.

If I could have moved the Kubota pedal forward a foot I'd probably have been OK. I still wish I could have the Kubota loader control set up on my Deere as it's up off the floor and out of the way. Even though I've reworked mine I still find myself bumping it with my leg when I turn to look over my right shoulder. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

JDdude · Jun 3, 2004

What other manufacture uses the Kubota type pedal system? I dont know, but I am sure someone does..I felt like I was running the old 140 Deere when I was on the Kubota. (Remember the days when the first hydros came out? Go forward and yank it into reverse on pavement and leave some nice black marks)..that is how the Kubota felt to me let off the pedal and it would stop on a dime very posative system. Hit reverse and it would almost dig up the grass. It seems to me a progressive system(or whatever they call it) on the Deere is better for ME and some others..But these designs have thier faults, like SO many moving parts on the Deere..In the end I think it will all even out..When the Deere linkage is worn out the Kubota will still be trucking on like new and I assume this is why they still build them this way..A rugid proven design..I wish they would have had a different design that would have been more user friendly for ME and John. Then he and I may have been on Orange machines...It weighed high on my purchase decision in the end and after many hours of use I am sure I could have mastered the Kubota. You use what you have and adapt..Like others have said it may be a small-no issue in the long term..

I am glad to see John Deere entering this market, because competion in the market place helps you and me the end users hopefully, with more options, better prices and friendlier dealers..

I didn`t mean to ruffle any feathers..This is just my opinion and it doesn`t mean much sometimes, just ask my wife.. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif