Main Difference in Kubota and John Deere Skid Steers!

In this video we show some key differences between the John Deere and Kubota line of compact track loaders and skid steers. These include such things as maintenance differences, build, and many other things you should check out when you’re in the market for one of these machines!

► Need help finding John Deere parts? We would love to help! Call [phone]

Mentioned in Video:

Similar Videos:

0:00 - Introduction
0:26 - Undercarriage Comparison: Differences in undercarriage designs between John Deere (bolted on) and Kubota (welded on), and the implications for servicing and stability.
2:20 - Serviceability Comparison: Examining rear service points, accessibility, and ease of servicing both brands, highlighting the convenience of John Deere's design.
4:00 - Accessibility for Servicing: Discussing how to access under-cab components in both brands and the ease of doing so.
5:38 - Auxiliary Hydraulics: Comparison of hydraulic systems, focusing on the number of couplers and line placements in both brands.
7:20 - Door Designs: Contrasting the door designs of John Deere (swing open) and Kubota (slide open) and their impact on safety and cab pressurization.
9:37 - Cab Interior and Controls: Reviewing the cab interiors, control layouts, visibility, and comfort features of both brands.
16:55 - Lifting Capacity and Cost of Ownership: Discussing the differences in lifting capacities and long-term cost of ownership between the two brands.
18:58 - Conclusion

#JohnDeere #Deere #ConstructionEquipment #SkidSteer #Attachments

**317G, 325G, 331G, 331P, 333G, 333P, 335P**

[andrevernon]

I do not have any experience with operating a Deere, but I own Kubota and have operated for thousands of hours on jobs. Kubota is a great machine, and I believe that I could point out many advantages. I much prefer Kubota's full hydraulic pilot controls compared to electric-over-hydraulic types, as I believe that I can operate most accurately and without lag in response time. I also have the theory that fully hydraulic is going to be more reliable. I am not a big fan of more electrical / electronics. As I get older, there are some advantages that I especially appreciate about Kubota. Stepping up into the Kubota is the easiest I've experienced with the lower height of the bottom of the door opening, and the wider door opening. I spend many, many hours operating a compact track loader. That said, there are many jobsite conditions that require me to get out, and back into the machine many, many times per day. The Kubota arm wrests are very quick, and much easier to just flick up, and back down than moving a big horseshoe single piece all the way over my head, and back down every time. The Kubota arm wrests also have an excellent designed shape and padding density. Again, I'm getting older and my shoulders hate the horseshoe, and very much appreciate the Kubota design. And how about that Kubota cab space? I doubt anyone beats it, and I know that some other brands are far less spacious in every way. Leg room, elbow room, head space, all of it. I have the notion that Kubota's control switches are down low because there is plenty of room for them, and that some other brands put them up high because of a lack of space. Another important Kubota advantage over some brands (I don't know how the Deere compares on this) is that for me the pilot controls are absolutely perfectly positioned. They are exactly ergonomically correct for me. I know that some other brands are not even close to being ergonomically correct. For me, control switches on the Kubota being down low is also an advantage. I find it easier to handle those down low than having to reach up high. And about sunlight, the sunlight is more likely to blind you when you have to look up than when looking down at control switches, etc. In my opinion, that is a Kubota advantage. From a performance standpoint, I believe that Kubota is going to be very hard to beat, and will probably outperform the majority of the competition. As for reliability, based on my experience, the Kubota is second to none. I do not believe anyone can beat it's reliability. How high is the top of the Deere's cab? It looks significantly higher. On most jobs that does not matter, but on some jobs it is advantageous to be lower to go under obstacles. What about ground clearance? That does matter, and Kubota has the advantage. There are certainly many other details that could be discussed, but I know that if I were going to buy a new CTL today, it would be Kubota, 100%. My second choice would be Takeuchi. When it comes to getting maximum work done, I do not believe that any other brand will beat those two. To be fair, the Deere does have some advantages. It does appear that some maintenance components are easier to access. But, there might some trade-off with so many removable panels on the Deere. Is there a disadvantage from the standpoint of loss of overall rigidity of the machine? We never intend to have accidents, but what happens to the Deere if it makes a hard rear impact with another piece of equipment? In that situation, I believe the rigidity of the Kubota would have an advantage with its rigidity. Will some of those Deere panels become loose and rattle over time? I don't know, but I wonder. That is my two cents. I'm not a salesman of any brand. I am an owner / operator that spends countless hours doing work, operating equipment for a living.

[philipjmaddox]

I'm a Deere guy. That being said, this was a clearly biased review favoring the Deere. The door is a game changer and you minimized it by saying it didn't seal well. Nah. Seals just fine.

[Plowboy]

I’m an overhead door guy, someday the others will figure out the sales they are giving away. Lots of great skid steers out there. Service, parts & dealerships make the biggest difference.

[DIYJim-wxhq]

Bobcat guy here. I have an older machine, T190. The Kubota engine is VERY easy to service. If it wears out I’ll change to Kubota.

[dansdiesel]

Dude why do a comparison if your absolutely biased on deer just say I love deer and could care less about Kubota

[Dorko]

The JD is an awesome skid, I do hate the door as the boom has to be up or down. Sometimes it’s painful

[tylorcox]

nice review im a deere guy.. there is also a handle inside the cab that will release the boom in the event your machine shuts off for whatever reason. only thing that would stop you from getting out would be if something was under the boom.

[boosteddartls]

The overhead sliding window is very common and great use here, he clearly is a JD guy

[philmccoy]

I know video been here a minute. But as I look to purchase a skid steer this is so helpful. Thank you!

[Just_An_Idea_For_Consideration]

1) What is your price on the John Deere?
2) Will you deliver to Indiana?

[Statelineconcrete]

The kubotas door actually has a release at the bottom it’s easy to miss but it is there for that reason

[UNRACING]

The Deere the tracks pop off easy and the rear grill may as well be glass. Grill looks rock solid but back into something and find out . Zero bracing. Rub a tree or turn on a rock and the tracks pop off. I'm a not so proud owner of a deere here. 325G

[rontopping]

Only benefit to double flange roller is ride quality. Does not increase power to ground .

[Jay_Force_One]

I came here in the comments for one thing and one thing only. The Idler wheels are doing the same thing. The double flange isn’t holding the track in line any more than the single. If anything, the single allows for LESS lateral movement of the track as there is lesser space for movement between the inner sprocket guide track. At the end of the day, they’re there for tension and are not going to keep the track on under load if it’s trying to come off.


I’m buying the Kubota all day. Might be more expensive to operate (apperently), but out the door Deere is going to molest you as they do. Deere is the most over priced stuff you can buy. People buy it at that price on the sole principle that it says John Deere on the side. It’s a novelty. You can’t tell me that orange machine doesn’t look 50, 000 times better. It’s fucking orange dude. That’s sick.

[timroberge]

I love Kubota products and I started out wanting the Kubota...until I demoed it. I hated the cab, it squeaked, the door chattered, hydraulic and engine noise above 1/2 throttle was awful. The door was way too hard to get in and out of in a hurry, especially with something other than a dirt bucket on it. The lights on the back of the cab shined directly onto the cross bar on the loader boom, which reflected a bright orange glare onto the front windshield, that crossbar also blocked a lot of the rear facing light facing work light. None of the controls or switches were in convenient places, radio and HVAC controls were behind the operator and no auto idle. The Deere is hands down the nicer machine, so much more thought out. But the Kubota is like $15-20K cheaper. The Deere is the machine you buy for yourself to run, you buy the Kubota for someone else to run.

[PhilipWisiackas]

The Kubota door opening up allows you to keep it open and you can get in an out of the machine repeatedly. The door does release from the outside by pushing on a release button located in the middle which he seemed to overlook. The overhead door of the Kubota does eliminate some ergonomics of installing a rear view camera which is unfortunate. The drastically higher price for a new John Deere does outweigh any costsavings on maintenance fluids and filters.

[chucks]

I'm going to say I prefer the battery placement on the Kubota. On my JD 320d to replace the battery the manual says to start the machine and raise the boom. I'm replacing the battery because it won't start. I'm on my third battery and the original jd battery was good. It shorted out and wouldn't take a booster. It can be done but prepare for smashed fingers. No machine is perfect. There's things I like about the JD better and things I like on the Kubota better.

[_Ptat_]

Im a huge Deere fan. They make fantastic machines. But I also do trust kubota. I’ve never run a skid steer so I can’t make any comments on that. But I’ve run a kubota mini excavator for a few hours and found it very comfortable. And kubota engines are very reliable, much like the yanmar engines Deere uses. I trust both the engines to be very reliable given they’re taken care of and serviced.


The cab in the Deere definitely looks well thought out but I do think I’d prefer the slide up door on the kubota. I’m a short guy so headroom isn’t an issue for me. But I’d also like to be able to run equipment with the door open if needed.

If I had the budget for the Deere, I’d definitely take it.

[JC-gupp]

Can you access the battery with out rasing the armed on the deere

[Charlie-goeb]

One other thing, anybody think this sales guy actually knows how to use these machines.