First timer here, Kubota questions.

[Katetx]

I just moved to the country from the city and need a tractor. I've been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down to Kubota and John Deere. Simply those two for parts and service. But with that said I have been observing that many of my neighbors own Kubotas. I know it may boil down to personal choice, but does Kubota have a better reliabilty record over John Deere? The Kubota models we are considering are in the 50 HP range either a high L or a low M series. John Deere we are looking at the 5000 series but have heard about major hydraulic issues. Thank you this is my first time posting

 

[RIDETOEAT]

We will most all default to the kubotas and for varying reasons but most here have all already made that decision.

I would just add that you might want to utilize the tractor house web site to browse the models you are interested in to make sure you understand fair market pricing on new and slightly depreciated models a year or two old. Also I would strongly suggest you find the right actual dealer, he should be more than willing to let you operate the machine yourself and really let the tractors tell you which one is for you. Control placement seating position HST or Geared transmission, sound and how it feels to drive. Just like car shopping. The more you shop the less you second guess afterwords. I just bought in December and broke every rule, I got focused on non Tier 4 emissions which I am happy with but now wish I would have taken longer to study a few different models. I am completely satisfied but really don't know what I missed out on by not being more diligent in shopping.

 

[Pepsiboy]

I just moved to the country from the city and need a tractor. I've been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down to Kubota and John Deere. Simply those two for parts and service. But with that said I have been observing that many of my neighbors own Kubotas. I know it may boil down to personal choice, but does Kubota have a better reliabilty record over John Deere? The Kubota models we are considering are in the 50 HP range either a high L or a low M series. John Deere we are looking at the 5000 series but have heard about major hydraulic issues. Thank you this is my first time posting

Katext,

When I got mine, I REALLY wanted the Deere. BUT, the Deere dealer wouldn't come down from MSRP even $1. Kubota dealer was the best price for the features I needed. I went to the other brands also. Nobody seemed to want to deal, EXCEPT for Kubota. I got the BX2350 with FEL, MMM, and rear tiller. It has EXCEEDED all my expectations on performance and reliability. IF I were to do it again, the only thing I would change is to get a little bit more power. Probably the BX26xx. I have USED, MISUSED, and ABUSED this little workhorse and it just stands there and takes it. VERY tight on fuel. I can mow my 2 1/2 acres and the 3 acres of my 2 part time neighbors on about 2 1/2 to 3 gallons of fuel. I HOGHLY recommend the Kubota.

For you, I would say to go with the one that has the best price, closest dealer, and best features you will need.

Welcome to the forum. Best of luck with your decision.

Dave

 

[Tomcat]

Buying new or used - what are you going to do with your tractor - how large a plot? Many things to consider.

 

[pauly]

Katex,

i also moved to the country this past year and realized I needed a tractor.
I also suggest doing a lot of research. Check these sites nettractortalk, mytractorforum, tractorbynet, great sources of info. For price checking go to tractorhouse.

I started out looking at what I thought was the lower cost models, Mahindra, Kioti and Yanmar. I quickly ruled these out, I try to look at resale as well. I narrowed my choice down to Deere, Kubota and LS. After talking to the dealers and sitting on all three I decided on the Kubota B2650.
Three things influenced my choice. The local Kubota dealer worked for my business. He took the time to answer all my questions and made sure I understood his answers. He also did not berate the other two tractor firms. Kubota's reputation speaks for itself period. And my wife likes orange. Nuf said.
Good luck in your search.

 

[78Vette]

Dealer reputation should also be a very important factor. Not just the willingness to negotiate a OTD price, but service and general customer satisfaction being on top of my list.
I've had a B1700 and a L3240, and was totally happy with the equipment and the dealer. Then decided to buy a JD riding mower and it was a total and complete disaster. Mostly the JD dealer's indifference to give a darn and prep the mower before delivery. (long story)...Had them pick it up and drove in to pick up my check.
Went right back to my kubota dealer and bought there, never to step into the JD dealer again.
Do your homework before you buy.

 

[Katetx]

Thanks everyone for responding To answer the question about intended use, we have 22 acres a mix of woods and open field.
We have erosion issues so we have extensive dirt work to do. We have lots of rocks to remove. We will not be baking hay or other Agricultural use.We are in the North Texas area. Does anyone have recommendations for Kubota dealers ?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

In the 50HP category jump up to an M, it will cost a little more but it's worth it.

 

[Katetx]

In the 50HP category jump up to an M, it will cost a little more but it's worth it.

So perhaps the M6060?

 

[TripleR]

As to quality, I am as confident in the quality of one as the other. Yes the M6060 would be a fine choice with a hydraulic shuttle or an L6060 with an HST+, just depends on your preference and billfold. We own GL and M and like them both, but dollar for dollar and work done an M6060 is in my opinion a better value than the L6060, but either will do. You'll save even more with one of the economy SU models in the M Series.

As mentioned take your time and really study your needs, specs and spend as much time on them as you can.

If you are a new owner, you'll probably find tractors seem to shrink once you get them on site, so buy accordingly.

I once told my wife, "We don't need one that big and expensive." Her "ignorance" kept me from a huge mistake.

 

[NS kubota]

As most have already said look what you want to do with the tractor compare features and compare price. I was brain washed as a small child by my cousin who was a dairy farmer that the only tractor was a green one. I do like john deere but when my dad and I were looking for a new tractor we did our research and went with the Kubota for lots of reasons. John deere doesn't build their own small tractor Yanmar builds them for deere. The john deere is more money and just couldn't justify the added cost. The kubota dealer is close to home with service trucks on the road and our neighbours is one of the mechanics there so no need to transport to the dealer which is a big plus. You won't beat the Kubota engine for sure but you need to buy what is best for you.

 

[Katetx]

Great advice here. No doubt we will be taking our time in our search. Test driving various models etc.Service and parts availability are paramount to me as well as reliability.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

Katetx,

My wife hates mechanical stuff. My first tractor was a manual Ford and she wouldn't touch it. My L3800 with Hydro Static Transmission (HST) is so easy to operate, she'll jump on the tractor without any coaxing. Test drive them all and see if you find it intuitive too. Getting my wife on the tractor makes my life easier because we get so much more utility out of it by her lifting/dumping loads and me spotting for her. Puts a real smile on my face too! (We had a damaged hood off when this picture was taken... I need a more recent picture!)

 

[ItBmine]

I know I took John Deere off my list after reading all these forums since 2008. Even the green forums have thread after thread of reoccurring problems year after year on the same models. Yet all the green owners still think they are the best tractor in the world?

My dealer sells both and told me Kubota is great for warranty and dealing with any problems, and it is always a fight with JD.

 

[ShaunRH]

No manufacturer is perfect and no model is perfect. If you are comfortable with what you are reading on the forums for that make/model then you've probably found the best fit for you. With that in mind, any could be a lemon off the line, there are so many parts and so many variables that it's amazing we get the quality of goods we do, even from the 'cheap' makers.

 

[ShaunBlake]

We are in the North Texas area. Does anyone have recommendations for Kubota dealers ?

Latex, I'm surprised nobody has piped up about their favorite north Texas dealer. I think you got an idea how very important it is to find one who won't treat you like the "dear" Deere guy. You might want to start a new thread asking about dealers up there.

I also suggest using Kubota's dealer locator, as well as checking out dealers on TractorHouse.com.

Good wishes!
-Shaun-

 

[ShaunRH]

My ranch is just north of Abilene, TX. The Abilene New Holland dealer is the one that sells Kubota's there. They have a ton of Kubota's on the lot and only a handful of New Hollands. They were awesome as a dealer and worked with me to make it all work out on my schedule. Their salespeople were all aligned: Kubota was better than New Holland in the smaller units, it wasn't a contest to them.

I'd highly recommend ANH as a dealer, but I don't know where you are in North Texas, that's kind of a large area...

 

[Spark67]

Katex,
I recently purchased an L6060 because of the overall functionality of this unit. Enjoy the hydraulic snow blower in the nasty cold while sitting in the heated cab, yet will enjoy the A/C while cutting grass in the Summer. Very versatile unit for my needs, and the local dealer is excellent which you really need to consider when purchasing. You will not regret buying a Kubota for sure, Sounds like your getting close on narrowing down on the unit. Good luck and keep us posted on what you buy.

 

[MattyNH]

Another thing you might want to think about..Kubota uses the quick attach Where John Deere uses there own quick attach..Because JD has there own quick attach..Your forced to buy JD products..Where Kubota you can buy attachments from anywhere that uses the universal quick attach..

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Sounds like you have some serious dirt work to do. I would forget about the L series (just to small and light weight compared to the M models) and go with an M series. Same goes for John Deere, in the 5000 series, forget about the e models and just look at the M models.

It's not that the smaller models can't do the work, they do it very well, simply not as fast or as easy as you might want is all.

Size and weight are your friends when doing dirt work.

Do all the research that you can, it will make the final decision that much easier. Oh, one last thing, get all the remotes that you can, you will need them.

Good luck.