Kubota or John Deere for Compact Tractor

[Pico_Banana]

Hello!

We are looking to buy our first tractor for our first horse farm. We will be on the South Shore of Massachusetts. We are trying to decide between the Kubota L3901 or John Deere 3038E.

We’ll need the tractor for some work that needs to be done to get the place ready, including digging out old fence posts, ripping out all of the shrubs/weeds/vines that have overgrown the old fences, and removing the asphalt floor from the barn. We might also use it to put in the new fencing if we don’t have that done professionally. On an ongoing basis, I don’t think it will need to do much other than mowing the pastures and somewhat limited snowplowing.

Thoughts on Kubota versus Deere for a compact tractor?

PS, I expect to have many more questions as we get going!

[Simkie]

What local service options do you have for each brand?

Because it really sucks when your tractor needs help and your local service center can’t help you for three months, or doesn’t care about customer service, or just isn’t very good. Many places that service tractors can only do specific brands, so definitely confirm you’re happy with who will be providing service before you purchase.

[Pico_Banana]

We have local service options for both and both seem to have good service options.

[asb_own_me]

I’ve had my Kubota for maybe 6 years now and love it. Not to mention the huge markup for that green paint

[WBmare]

I have a Kubota and I’m really happy with mine.

[goodhors]

When we were looking, we asked a lot of folks about the tractors with loaders. Everyone EXCEPT the Kubota owners was willing to sell us what brand they had. Kubota owners were only willing to sell if closing down the barn or going up or down in needed tractor size. Otherwise it was “You will have to pry the Kubota out of my cold, dead hands to get it from me!” We ended up getting a Kubota from a man moving out of state. He threw in a bunch of tools, finish mower, brush hog, blade, which I use often. Love our Katy Kubota, she is not huge, but what a work horse!

[kande04]

We started with a 30+hp JD and eventually moved on to a 50+hp Kubota, and have stuck with Kubotas since.

We bought a Kubota with a cab several years ago, and I liked it so much I got a smaller one for me because I could see the advantages of having a/c in the summer. Trouble is, the cab limits where I can brush hog without hitting limbs, and how far I can back into the run-ins, so it hasn’t been quite as useful as I thought it would be. I do go out and do tractor work when it’s hot in the afternoons,so that part has worked out, but if we didn’t have a couple of cabless tractors the cab would be more trouble than it’s worth.

[Jealoushe]

Kubota! I had a B3200 which was incredible. I used it for mowing also which was fabulous, could do paddocks and the lawn. Now he have a full size, and it never lets us down. We also have a Kubota mower that is 30 years old. Can not recommend Kubota enough.

[ChocoMare]

Another vote for the great orange Kubota. Going on year four with mine and not a single hiccup. All I do is add diesel and have it given the once over every 100 hours. My local dealer comes and takes it back to their shop, does their thing and returns it. Can’t beat that high-quality service.

[saddleup]

I’ve had both a Kubota and John Deere tractor. For me it came down to the dealer. My Kubota dealer was non-responsive and downright elusive when I needed service. The JD dealer is closer to my house and very easy to work with. So I traded in my Kubota and own a JD tractor now.

[farmergirl]

Just traded in my 40 year old Kubota to buy a new, bigger one. Couldn’t beat the 0% interest. They are great tractors

[Bluey]

We don’t have good Kubota service here, so JD it is.

Their tractors are good ones, so is their service and maintenance.

The trade-off when selling is generally more than we paid for initially, a bonus.

I think that brand is not that important, but that the dealer is good.

[walktrot]

BO’s first tractor was the largest compact (?) Kubota that could cut and bale hay. A JD was a glimmer in the future. I don’t recall the Kubota ever needing service that couldn’t be done on the farm. Very reliable. It is still on the farm moving round bales and tedding hay, among other things. The local JD dealer found a deal on several shiny almost new big JDs in Canada. She snagged one. It has a cabin with heat and a/c. She doesn’t let anyone else drive her tractor, other than the DH after he moved in. She has softened up some. Her oldest son can drive the Kubota.

[NLH]

I don’t have as much experience with John Deere, other than 2 tractors and Gators. They were pretty dependable. The smaller JD had some occasional issues. But it was also used to train employees to drive tractors, so not an easy life.

I have used 6 various types of industrial sized Kubota tractors, utvs and large mowers with 2 different employers. Every one of them has held up excellent 10/15+ years with daily use, and they have gotten new Kubotas when they upgraded. My preference is Kubota hands down.

[Tarlo_Farm]

What horsepower are you looking for? Kubotas WERE a better deal than JD, but now you’re paying for both green and orange paint. I have a 25 horse Massey Ferguson I’ve had for 15 years, no real problems.

[clanter]

@Tarlo Farm

What horsepower are you looking for? .

many diesels are rated under 25 hp as that is the break point that mandates DEF

[Tarlo_Farm]

I didn’t know that! It is a diesel and it is listed as a 24 horse.

[Lucassb]

@saddleup

I’ve had both a Kubota and John Deere tractor. For me it came down to the dealer. My Kubota dealer was non-responsive and downright elusive when I needed service. The JD dealer is closer to my house and very easy to work with. So I traded in my Kubota and own a JD tractor now.

This was pretty much our experience as well, even during the sales process. We went to the Kubota place several times - they were not particularly helpful or interested in our business. Drove a mile down the road to the JD place and had a fantastic experience - they were super helpful and spent a lot of time with us as we tried to figure out the exact model and accessories we wanted. Since then the service experience has been phenomenal as well. I love my JD!

[moonlitoaksranch]

We have a JD right now that needs extensive repairs. Might trade it in for a new Mahindra. That’s the dealer we have nearby. The thing with tractors is that they need maintenance. It’s much easier to buy a tractor with a parts store nearby.

[Luseride]

John Deere! Mine was cheaper than the Kubota and had more horsepower.

It is important to have a dealership nearby.