Why would you buy a small Deere over a Kubota?

[troverman]

So I occasionally watch "Tractor Time with Tim" on youtube. It's fun to see how much work can get done with a small tractor. For the past couple of years he has run a JD 1025R with a variety of attachments. This machine is the same class as a BX. But recently, he apparently bought a 2038R. I was curious about the specs and looked it up. I'm sure it's a fine machine, but I just don't like many of the things I see in the specs and wonder why someone would opt for this over a Kubota. For example, the plastic fenders and hood and the aluminum transmission are things that would make me look at Kubota.

I'm not totally sure what Kubota product a 2038R competes with. Perhaps a B3350 or an L-series? It has a 3-cylinder Yanmar with a turbo...horsepower and torque is quite high for this size engine (97 c.i., 38HP, 75lb-ft). But the overall size and lifting capacity is on the lower end. It has a small-ish 8.5 gallon fuel tank. I have nothing against Yanmar engines, but I've always thought the Kubota is smoother and longer lasting.

In my experience, JD machines cost more and you get less. In this case, you only get a two-range HST transmission, despite the power.

 

[sdk1968]

looked at that exact same tractor from JD & made the same conclusion...

why would you buy a 2 range tractor vs a 3 range?


it all comes down to name. JD vs Kubo... ford vs chevy.

you buy what you want.

hell my main tractor right now isnt even a Kubo! its a Kioti!
still love my Kubo's & will get another one soon..

 

[SRG]

I don't think there is really any direct cross-over, apples to apples comparison, between the 2032/38r, and a specific model of Kubota. They don't really overlap anywhere. It's (2038r) a smallish "chassis" riding on smallish wheels and tires, with big gross HP numbers (PTO is 30).
They don't really fit into a specific category like most manufacturers. The 2 series JD machines, to me, are an anomoly. But I would always opt for more "tractor" than overgrown lawn mower, which to me is what they really are. It's like people buying Ford Excursions and Chevy Suburbans....

 

[troverman]

Yeah, I've done some additional research on this model out of curiosity. It is fairly small and not that heavy. All that power, but not really large enough to even lift some implements that it has the power to run. What is the point? This tractor is definitely not an economy tractor, though...lot of electronics.

 

[dalola]

So I occasionally watch "Tractor Time with Tim" on youtube. It's fun to see how much work can get done with a small tractor. For the past couple of years he has run a JD 1025R with a variety of attachments. This machine is the same class as a BX. But recently, he apparently bought a 2038R. I was curious about the specs and looked it up. I'm sure it's a fine machine, but I just don't like many of the things I see in the specs and wonder why someone would opt for this over a Kubota. For example, the plastic fenders and hood and the aluminum transmission are things that would make me look at Kubota.

I'm not totally sure what Kubota product a 2038R competes with. Perhaps a B3350 or an L-series? It has a 3-cylinder Yanmar with a turbo...horsepower and torque is quite high for this size engine (97 c.i., 38HP, 75lb-ft). But the overall size and lifting capacity is on the lower end. It has a small-ish 8.5 gallon fuel tank. I have nothing against Yanmar engines, but I've always thought the Kubota is smoother and longer lasting.

In my experience, JD machines cost more and you get less. In this case, you only get a two-range HST transmission, despite the power.

If you're REALLY curious about this, propose your question on the Green Tractor Talk forum....I'm sure you'll get lots of replies!

 

[SRG]

Yeah, the R designation in any of their series 1,2,3,4 machines etc, are fully loaded machines, like a Grand L would be for Kubota. Except you don't get into Grand L sized machines until a 3033/39/46R, and even then I'm not sure they are on the same scale (size wise, not HP) as the smallest Grand L, (3560, I think)?

 

[SDT]

So I occasionally watch "Tractor Time with Tim" on youtube. It's fun to see how much work can get done with a small tractor. For the past couple of years he has run a JD 1025R with a variety of attachments. This machine is the same class as a BX. But recently, he apparently bought a 2038R. I was curious about the specs and looked it up. I'm sure it's a fine machine, but I just don't like many of the things I see in the specs and wonder why someone would opt for this over a Kubota. For example, the plastic fenders and hood and the aluminum transmission are things that would make me look at Kubota.

I'm not totally sure what Kubota product a 2038R competes with. Perhaps a B3350 or an L-series? It has a 3-cylinder Yanmar with a turbo...horsepower and torque is quite high for this size engine (97 c.i., 38HP, 75lb-ft). But the overall size and lifting capacity is on the lower end. It has a small-ish 8.5 gallon fuel tank. I have nothing against Yanmar engines, but I've always thought the Kubota is smoother and longer lasting.

In my experience, JD machines cost more and you get less. In this case, you only get a two-range HST transmission, despite the power.

If shopping for a SCUT, I would buy the JD 1025R because it has position control whereas the Kubota BX does not.

Lack of position control is a show stopper for me.

SDT

 

[troverman]

If shopping for a SCUT, I would buy the JD 1025R because it has position control whereas the Kubota BX does not.

Lack of position control is a show stopper for me.

SDT

Why? What implement on a tractor that small needs to be returned to the exact same height each time after you lift it?

My B-series has the same quarter-inching valve design as the BX does, never had an issue.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Looks like an L size tractor to me.

I really like the front three point hitch option.

Think they are behind the times not offering a SSQA loader mount.

Independent mower control is a plus.

 

[dirtydeed]

do these 2R series have auto- throttle function? That's one feature I wish I had.

Saw a TTWT video recently testing loader function on the 2038...It wasn't all that impressive. I'll pass on the 2 speed transmission on Deere though. That's more important to me anyway.

I'll stick with Orange myself.

 

[atitus]

Why? What implement on a tractor that small needs to be returned to the exact same height each time after you lift it?

A mower perhaps?

 

[troverman]

A mower perhaps?

Mowers almost always float.

 

[SDT]

Why? What implement on a tractor that small needs to be returned to the exact same height each time after you lift it?

My B-series has the same quarter-inching valve design as the BX does, never had an issue.

I don't need a reason. It's a show stopper for me.

That said, I sometimes use the terrain following MMM on my B1750 in suspended mode for various reasons. I have several marks on the position control scale to return the mower to preselected levels. Can't do this with a quarter inching valve.

SDT

 

[SDT]

A mower perhaps?

Exactly.

Though I do not use my B1750 to operate a rough cut mower, some folks do.

Without position control, one is forced to resort to 1940s, limiter chain technology.

Ever mow with a 9N or 2N? The 8N introduced position control in 1948 and the world never looked back.

SDT

 

[troverman]

To each their own. I’ve done a ton of mowing with the MMM on my B series and never needed to have it suspended. Either all the way up or down on float. You set the height of the mower separately and then it follows the terrain.

I also mow a lot with my 4 foot flail mower behind this same tractor...never an issue. Position Control is important for tillage.

 

[PaulL]

It's all horses for courses, different people like different tractor features, and to me it's good that JD have a model that's quite different in features from the Kubotas, it gives people who want that combination of features something to buy.

Think they are behind the times not offering a SSQA loader mount.

If you were living in the JD world, they have a perfectly fine removable bucket and quick attach set of forks, and they add less weight to the tractor than the SSQA would. So long as you only buy green tractors, there's no reason not to have the green equipment, and it's objectively better than the SSQA. Except you have to keep buying green tractors, or swap all your gear if you buy a different tractor.

It sounds to me that if you:
- want a high HP machine
- but don't want a big machine / don't want to put a lot of load on it
- value position control
- but don't particularly value getting places fast

then it'd be the tractor for you.

 

[atitus]

I also mow a lot with my 4 foot flail mower behind this same tractor...never an issue. Position Control is important for tillage.

I haven't used a flail mower but I looked at some pictures. Seems most have wheels or skids and would float as you suggest. However what about rotary mower aka brush hog? It has a tail wheel but still relies on the 3 point to set its cutting height. I don't think I'd enjoy brush hogging fields much at all without position control. Seems like a pretty common use case for lots of folks.

 

[dlundblad]

If you can find a reason to buy a JD over a Kubota for homeowner use, let me know. I looked and I wasn't impressed.

The only thing I could see someone liking on the JD was the peddle setup. Having grown up with Kubota, I just wasn't a fan.. If I didn't know any better, I probably wouldn't have cared.

 

[bucktail]

A guy on my trap team picked up a 1025R not too long ago for mowing, snow removal and for moving logs for a portable sawmill he plans to buy. Said JD beat Kubota on price when financing was figured in.

Personally, if there was a Kubota dealer with a shoddy rep for customer service and a JD dealer with a good rep, it would probably push me towards JD.

 

[Fordtech86]

We had to go with the small Deere because we could find a Kubota with the same options.

Sorry for the useless post lol


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