Ductape -
You're not crazy. I am.
The simple fact of the matter is, I couldn't get used to the pedal configuration on the
B2920 - where I live, I have to back into brushhogging slopes that are on the edge of about 5' drops. So, I would back up and have to hit the brakes to come to a stop, so as not to drop into the ditch. While pressing on the brake (on the right side of the tractor), I'd have to quickly jump over onto the forward pedal (also on the right side of the tractor), which caused the tractor to roll back in a disconcerting way. Granted, it was only briefly, but it was a very real sensation, sitting in the seat. Also, I couldn't get the dealer to fix the "sticking" pedal - press reverse and try to predict coming to a stop. It would keep going, which lead me more than once to panic a bit and stab at the forward hydro pedal or brake before backing into something.
Coupling that with the few hundred dollar cost difference between the Deere blower and the Kubota blower, it made it easier to justify the trade loss. But, it was a loss - there's no way to sugar coat that fact.
As I mentioned, I will post a review of the two tractors - but briefly, the additional "ergonomics" of the Deere made the trade more palatable over the long run. For instance, aside from the pedals, I like the Deere's electronic PTO switch, as opposed to the clutch on the Kubota. The loader removal process is so much easier on the Deere - lift two levers and back away, as opposed to the Kubota, which required setting the bucket, getting off the tractor and positioning two brackets and cotter pins, adjusting the bucket so as to take pressure off the loader arms, removing two more pins... it was really a process, as opposed to a "quick" disconnect. I also found it easier to operate the brushhog with the position control on the Deere, rather than the 1/4 inching on the Kubota. Finally, I like the dash light that tells me I'm in 4WD - small detail, but handy. These were details I wasn't really aware of until I bought and owned the Kubota.
As for the Kubota, I liked the seat a lot, as well as the grunt of the 29hp motor. A sweet motor, indeed. Also, I like the lift capacity of the loader. In all, it's more tractor for the money. But, for day-to-day living, it isn't as complete as the Deere. Ultimately, I realized that Kubota had to cut costs somewhere - and those were the places that I put more value in.
So, it's been a costly lesson, but one tempered by the current state of the economy - I was able to finance the Kubota for a year at 0% and now I can pay off the Deere over several years at 2.9%. Pretty low "extra" cost, considering. Were I to have done this same trading 20 years ago, I'd be stuck at 18-20% finance costs, which would have been impossible. Luckily, the Kubota has really good resale around here, so it wasn't a ridiculous loss on trade - in effect, I netted a 24hp tractor for a little more than a 29hp tractor (plus the cost of the blower). For me, it was worth it.
