New tractor time

[Ralphxj]

I'm on the Board for our local Little League and we just got the unfortunate news that our Kubota b7800 has compression issues and might not be usable much longer. We are getting quotes from the local Kubota dealer for a replacement (not sure what model yet) but I figured we should at least look at other brands if any are worth considering? Should we consider any other brands to compare or is Kubota the only decent option?

We use the tractor to haul material (dirt, field conditioner, bags of chalk, etc) as well as occasionally plowing snow and also have a 3pt field drag that we occasionally use (not as much since our fields have been redone recently).

 

[shoot summ]

I'm on the Board for our local Little League and we just got the unfortunate news that our Kubota b7800 has compression issues and might not be usable much longer. We are getting quotes from the local Kubota dealer for a replacement (not sure what model yet) but I figured we should at least look at other brands if any are worth considering? Should we consider any other brands to compare or is Kubota the only decent option?

We use the tractor to haul material (dirt, field conditioner, bags of chalk, etc) as well as occasionally plowing snow and also have a 3pt field drag that we occasionally use (not as much since our fields have been redone recently).

Hard to beat a Kubota.

We bought a 35hp tractor for the kid's farm a couple of years ago when tractors were in short supply, we bought a Kioti, have been very pleased with it.

 

[kbeefy]

Kioti and Yanmar have pretty good reputations.
JD prices have taken off the past couple years.

 

[cvairwerks]

One thing to say about both Kubota and Deere....you can get parts for them for decades after they quit selling a particular model.

 

[thunderalley3]

Kubota and Deere are hard to beat. I had a small Yanmar kicking around for probably 10+ years. It was a decent little tractor, I think it was 20HP mainly used it to move trailers. Ended up with a Kubota and a Deere and they are fairly equal except Deere is better on the fit and finish but not worth the money in my opinion but it is nice having a dealer a mile away.

I can shed some light on what we had issues with and that is Mahindra. It was "gifted" to us from another business of my wifes kin because no one would use it after they bought it. It was a pos. very weak hydraulics, most anything you went to do to it was easy for 90%of the job, ie putting the loader on etc but the other 10% would fight you longer than the first 90% took to do. Mitsubishi engine and that was the only good part. It had hydraulic pump issues a couple of times and was just unpleasant to use and it came to us with about 90 hours on it and had 300 hrs on it when we included it in the sale of some acreage to get rid of it without hard feelings with the person who initially bought it.

My biggest thing when buying equipment is service and parts. The best deal in the world is useless if it is setting there inoperable with no dealer support. That is why I buy Deere, Stihl etc. The dealer is close and service is top notch. I had a mower go down and when I got back from lunch an hour later there was another one setting there and the one needing repair was taken to the shop without any fuss.

 

[nadogail]

Why not rebuild the Kubota?

 

[niget2002]

Why not rebuild the Kubota?

Because then he doesn't get a NEW one! Duh.

 

[Ralphxj]

Why not rebuild the Kubota?

We are getting a quote on that as well. Only issue is engine will be good, but how much longer will everything else last? If it was my personal tractor, I would rebuild it. But for the league, it's hard to justify spending a bunch knowing it might have issues again a year later. But it's an option if the price is right.

 

[Ralphxj]

Kioti and Yanmar have pretty good reputations.
JD prices have taken off the past couple years.

I will check them out, thanks. I do know that green paint is very expensive!!

 

[cherokee]

One thing to say about both Kubota and Deere....you can get parts for them for decades after they quit selling a particular model.

Not with deer, This one was sold because of compression issues, but I learned the hard way that you can't get them "decades after".
The engine was Yanmar and ran fantastic for years. IMHO Yanmar builds fantastic engines. It was due having several thousand hours on it.....yes THOUSAND. The thing that made me NEVER buy green again was trying to get a simple part.

The mower deck was heavy as hell, I know what they did with the steel from the cancelled Montana class battleships, it went into the deck for these things. The deck was run off the front PTO, and it had a "dog drive" of pullies and such that would run back to the belly mower. Like all things the bearings went south after a while. If you look right back and below the front bumper you will see a "box" hanging down, that is the dog drive, well when that bearing went it really messed up that "box". Fine you can get parts for Deere "decades after they quit selling", well no. Deere tells me to talk to Yanmar, who actually made the tractor, Yanmar tells me to talk to deere as they are built to their specs. In the end I made a new one, the one you can see in the old photo. It actually is quite heavy and worked great with off the shelf pullies, bearings and such. Spun the deck a bit quicker, but not bad.





After this I wanted something with as many parts made by the company I bought the thing from. Kubota makes everything but the rubber. They build the engines, transmissions, if it is metal they make it. So that is what I bought. That could be good or bad depending.

But I can tell you I will never own green again, and their current stance on "Right to repair" is not making me like them.

But I did love that little tractor.

 

[cherokee]

Oh and Deere could not get spindle bearings as well.

 

[PCustoms]

I'm partial to Kioti myself.

What dealers are in your area?

 

[KansasArt]

Easy peasy…just see what manufacturers are local to you. Present them with your min requirements and see what bids you get. Then compare that to rebuild price. That way you’ll be presenting several different options to your board. That way it’s all on the table and let them vote on it.

 

[MarcSeattle]

On that Deere mower: How old is that model? Too bad the parts weren't available. It looks like you have been taking good care of it over the years.

The agriculture division of Deere is entirely separate from the lawn mower division. Different engineering teams, production in different places, different parts and service chains, etc. If the OP is buying a small ag tractor rather than a lawn mower then there is a different expectation of how long parts are available.

 

[cvairwerks]

Ag side of Deere is way different. I think they still stock a lot of parts for as far back as the Model B....

 

[juddspaintballs]

I have a Kubota that hasn't given me any issues yet in 9 years. I have no reason to dislike Kubota at all. I suspect I'll get another 20+ years out of that tractor.

For the same money, one can get a few more features on a Kioti tractor. I hear great things about them as well.

I would also look at the Rural King brand tractors. They're made by TYM and TYM makes several brands of tractors. Rural King tractors are very reasonably priced and can be bought directly from the stores.

 

[Sumboodie]

Why not rebuild the Kubota?

What I was wondering. Be a fraction of the cost of a new tractor.

 

[Sumboodie]

Ag side of Deere is way different. I think they still stock a lot of parts for as far back as the Model B....

Deere construction and forestry... good luck on parts if it's older than 25-30 years, it's very much roll the dice.

 

[BruceMc]

We are getting a quote on that as well. Only issue is engine will be good, but how much longer will everything else last?

That would really depend on how many hours, and how much abuse it's had along the way.

 

[Moss]

How many hours does the Kubota have on it? If it's low hours and having engine issues I think that's pretty rare. If it's thousands of hours and it's been mostly reliable that would be a reason to purchase another Kubota. I think the new compact tractors above 25 HP have emissions requirements so something new comparable might be more complicated.

 

[dfiler2]

We used to get the farm tractors rebuilt after about 6000 hrs, usually included re-sleeving and if it's split replace the clutch. I wouldn't worry about the rest of the running gear on that tractor for a long time, it's not like a car.

 

[Roert42]

I would say brand is solely dependent on local support. If you have to drag it an hour and a half to get parts for it......

I have a local shop that reps Branson, Mahindra, TYM, couple others, about 15/20min one way. Has much better support then the local Kubota dealer, about the same distance. Local JD is an hour one way.

 

[Buckgnarly]

How many hours are on the Kubota?

 

[jskicet]

My brother bought a new Kioti last year. Nice tractor.

 

[manwithtools]

My brother bought a new Kioti last year. Nice tractor. Same parent company that makes Kubota.

No, they're not the same parent company. That's a BS story the Kioti salesmen like to tell to someone who might be shopping Kubota as well. Kubota is owned by Kubota Corporation, a Japanese company. Kioti is owed by Daedong, a South Korean Company.

There is absolutely no connection between these two brands, other than the fact that they are competitors and occasionally will assist one another.

 

[manwithtools]

We are getting a quote on that as well. Only issue is engine will be good, but how much longer will everything else last? If it was my personal tractor, I would rebuild it. But for the league, it's hard to justify spending a bunch knowing it might have issues again a year later. But it's an option if the price is right.

That B7800 is a tough little machine, I owned one for 8 years and it did everything I asked of it. I would not worry about wearing that thing out after a motor rebuild. How many hours on the machine? Price for an equivalent machine today is going to be a shock I'm afraid.

 

[jack stand]

And the color
They do seem to be very good machines and I've been aware of them (in country) for probably 30 years.

 

[manwithtools]

Yep, decent machines. They made them for Bobcat for a while as well. I personally prefer a Kubota, but that's because I've owned 5 or 6. Getting ready to buy another, Diesel zero turn. Buy once, cry once. But man have prices gone up!

 

[jskicet]

No, they're not the same parent company. That's a BS story the Kioti salesmen like to tell to someone who might be shopping Kubota as well. Kubota is owned by Kubota Corporation, a Japanese company. Kioti is owed by Daedong, a South Korean Company.

There is absolutely no connection between these two brands, other than the fact that they are competitors and occasionally will assist one another.

My bad, you are correct. I thought I read that somewhere.

 

[Mandres]

Have you started pricing new tractors? You're in for a shock if not. There's no way our local little league could afford a brand new one, I hope you guys have some wealthy patrons. I would plan on having the engine rebuilt if I were you

 

[juddspaintballs]

Similar color, similar symbol, similar style. It's a lot like Honda and Hyundai. Similar symbol and style alike. One is Japanese, the other is Korean...

 

[Ralphxj]

How many hours are on the Kubota?

I believe it's just a hair over 1000. However its been used on VERY dusty ball fields it's whole life and I'm sure it's never been maintaine well. When I started on the Board 3 years ago it didn't look like it had even been greased in years. I'm not sure how often the oil or fluids were changed before then either.

That B7800 is a tough little machine, I owned one for 8 years and it did everything I asked of it. I would not worry about wearing that thing out after a motor rebuild. How many hours on the machine? Price for an equivalent machine today is going to be a shock I'm afraid.

I'm figuring a new one of similar size will be $25-30k. Will have a quote in the morning.

Have you started pricing new tractors? You're in for a shock if not. There's no way our local little league could afford a brand new one, I hope you guys have some wealthy patrons. I would plan on having the engine rebuilt if I were you

3 years ago, we would not have been able to afford new tires for it. However in that time we have focused our money and a ton of time and volunteer labor into redoing the infields at our facility (6 fields) and now we are renting out our fields for travel tournaments on weekends. Last year we had 1, this year we have 3. Last weekends tournament between parking and concessions we make $16k profit.

 

[Mandres]

Awesome, glad to hear your league is doing well. It would probably be wise to speak with the owners of the local dealerships to see what they can offer you. Promotional goodwill for youth sports is very valuable for community-minded dealers. I'd be surprised if they don't have some kind of special program that could benefit you both

 

[cherokee]

On that Deere mower: How old is that model? Too bad the parts weren't available. It looks like you have been taking good care of it over the years.

The agriculture division of Deere is entirely separate from the lawn mower division. Different engineering teams, production in different places, different parts and service chains, etc. If the OP is buying a small ag tractor rather than a lawn mower then there is a different expectation of how long parts are available.

That was Deere's entry into the "sub compact" tractor market. It was basically in the same class as the 1 series now, or Kubota BX sized machines. Little 2cyl diesel that just ran and ran and really sipped fuel. I really can't say enough good things about the machine, it is the guys that made it. Had a Cat 1 3pt and would run a 5' brush cutter no issues, also pull a two bottom plow, or 5'blade. It worked to lift the disc but that darn thing is heavy, pull it no issue with a rear diff you could lock, and one front wheel pulling.

I would guess it was a late 80's, early 90's machine. I got the Kubota right when the BX25D came out and I think they came out about 10-12 years or so ago.

They had an entire series of the little tractors, so cute too, looking just like their big brothers at the time. Keep those side vents clean and that thing would never over heat no matter how hard you worked it.

I use the little BX more then the old Deere, but that is due to it having two things I have found to be quite handy, the backhoe and bucket. Even if you are just doing silly stuff like this, it sure comes in handy.

 

[cherokee]

How many hours does the Kubota have on it? If it's low hours and having engine issues I think that's pretty rare. If it's thousands of hours and it's been mostly reliable that would be a reason to purchase another Kubota. I think the new compact tractors above 25 HP have emissions requirements so something new comparable might be more complicated.

They do, and that might be a very good reason to rebuild the one they have.

 

[cherokee]

Yep, decent machines. They made them for Bobcat for a while as well. I personally prefer a Kubota, but that's because I've owned 5 or 6. Getting ready to buy another, Diesel zero turn. Buy once, cry once. But man have prices gone up!

No kidding, I bought a zero turn last year. Really wanted the diesel but over 20 grand.....I just could not do that, hell the gas was 17,000.

SEVENTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS TO MOW THE GRASS. Man that still hurts to think about. But I do it....or I should say the wife does the entire deal in under a day and under 10 gal of gas. And that is another thing I am having issues with, don't figure up how much gas it takes, me roughly $35 to mow the grass just in gas.

 

[cherokee]

I believe it's just a hair over 1000. However its been used on VERY dusty ball fields it's whole life and I'm sure it's never been maintaine well. When I started on the Board 3 years ago it didn't look like it had even been greased in years. I'm not sure how often the oil or fluids were changed before then either.


I'm figuring a new one of similar size will be $25-30k. Will have a quote in the morning.

3 years ago, we would not have been able to afford new tires for it. However in that time we have focused our money and a ton of time and volunteer labor into redoing the infields at our facility (6 fields) and now we are renting out our fields for travel tournaments on weekends. Last year we had 1, this year we have 3. Last weekends tournament between parking and concessions we make $16k profit.

That is really good to hear, suggestion if you don't have the thing stored indoors factor that in. You would be amazed at how much "longer" things last if kept inside.

If it does not get a lot of time or attn, and is in a real dusty ball field, at least blow out the air filter ever few runs, and grease it at least a few times a year. If you find yourself using it a bunch for say...snow, just grease it before you go.

Personally I have never had an issue, but if where you keep it have power for a heater. Mine has started up just fine with a few more sec on the glow plugs and she fires right up, now that I have power that is on the list. I use my little one for snow as well, they are just so little and you can really get them into tight places.

 

[crazylunker]

Not with deer, This one was sold because of compression issues, but I learned the hard way that you can't get them "decades after".
The engine was Yanmar and ran fantastic for years. IMHO Yanmar builds fantastic engines. It was due having several thousand hours on it.....yes THOUSAND. The thing that made me NEVER buy green again was trying to get a simple part.

The mower deck was heavy as hell, I know what they did with the steel from the cancelled Montana class battleships, it went into the deck for these things. The deck was run off the front PTO, and it had a "dog drive" of pullies and such that would run back to the belly mower. Like all things the bearings went south after a while. If you look right back and below the front bumper you will see a "box" hanging down, that is the dog drive, well when that bearing went it really messed up that "box". Fine you can get parts for Deere "decades after they quit selling", well no. Deere tells me to talk to Yanmar, who actually made the tractor, Yanmar tells me to talk to deere as they are built to their specs. In the end I made a new one, the one you can see in the old photo. It actually is quite heavy and worked great with off the shelf pullies, bearings and such. Spun the deck a bit quicker, but not bad.





After this I wanted something with as many parts made by the company I bought the thing from. Kubota makes everything but the rubber. They build the engines, transmissions, if it is metal they make it. So that is what I bought. That could be good or bad depending.

But I can tell you I will never own green again, and their current stance on "Right to repair" is not making me like them.

But I did love that little tractor.

I learned early on to stay away from deere compacts with metal hoods and fenders as they were just yanmars in disguise(still solid machines). I have bought and sold more deere compacts over the years than I can count and went out of my way to make them look like new.

Ive repaired them extensively, split both hydros and gearshift for clutches, drive couplers etc. the metal hood machines were always the hardest to find parts for. models like the 655,755,855,955 4300,4400,4310,4410 are all no problem for parts. Recently deere has jacked the prices through the roof for parts and I'm sure it's got something to do with their new policies. I truly feel they are cutting their nose off to spite their face, When they started selling in the big box stores is IMHO when they turned a corner, then they started pulling the mom and pop dealers(some that were selling for over 60 years).

 

[Renegade1LI]

Did you consider what you could get on a trade or selling private? Might be surprised and will help offset the cost. Right now I see 0% being offered on a few brands. A local dealer might give you a break and with a trade and 0% you may walkway with a good deal right now.

 

[Blk88GT]

At only 1000 hours - I would be fixing whatever is ailing your existing model unless the money needs to be spent or you're looking for additional features your old model doesn't have.