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What's your experience with Kubota?

#1

adan

adan

Thanks to this forum I now see that Kubota is the brand that I'll most likely explore further. It's locally available and there are a lot of freelance mechanics who are familiar with the brand.

What's your experience with Kubota? What are its strengths and weaknesses?


#2

lizard

lizard

adan said:
Thanks to this forum I now see that Kubota is the brand that I'll most likely explore further. It's locally available and there are a lot of freelance mechanics who are familiar with the brand.

What's your experience with Kubota? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Click to expand...

Kubota has been in Australia for over 20 years and they are a legendry machine..........just buy it!
Amazing reliablity and everyone loves them here.:biggrin:


#3

BKBrown

BKBrown

Have not owned one - Neighbor has the BX series and after seeing what my Ventrac will do -- they want to trade up.

I had to pull them out of the snow this past winter. They have bar tires front and rear, but could not go where the Ventrac would.


#4

K

KennyV

Kubota is ....W O N D E R F U L ...
Great company very well engineered and a very very good distribution network...

What exactly are you looking to get? Kubota manufactures a lot of things from engines to construction equipment... :smile:KennyV


#5

adan

adan

KennyV said:
Kubota is ....W O N D E R F U L ...
Great company very well engineered and a very very good distribution network...

What exactly are you looking to get? Kubota manufactures a lot of things from engines to construction equipment... :smile:KennyV
Click to expand...

Kubota is very popular among farmers here. It's the brand that dominates the market for tillers.

But I still have to do visit them regarding ride-on lawn mowers. If they don't have it, I would consider whatever mower they may supply.


#6

J

JasonB

Had a bad experence with a Kubota F2560 Front Mower, then again it was a Municipality unit and was beat up pretty bad as well, so I can't fault the machine buts its previous owner. Had to put $4K into the engine with a new cylinder head, pistions and a bunch of other things. It had a rear discharge deck and quite frankly was not impressed with the rear discharge deck..., to many customers were complaining about the rear discharge deck so I sold it off... Could not find a used side discharge deck for it and a new one was over $3K.

Kubota has a good product and Engine, but I really dislike their Hydro petal on all there mowers and compact tractors... I have driven a few BX2200's, BX2350's, F25-3060's etc and really did not care for the Hydro petal.... If they had 2 petals (Forward & Reverse) side by side then it would be a whole different story, just my preference from running a Deere 2305 & MF G2300.

Also a Tilt steering wheel on their BX Sub-Compacts would be nice, like the New JD coming out as well a tilt steering wheel on the GR2100's would be ideal. I have driven a few Kubotas and these are some changes I would like to see done on future Kubotas.


#7

adan

adan

Hi JasonB, thanks for sharing your experience. May I ask what a "hydro petal" is? I'm not yet that technically savvy, so I hope you won't mind a little explanation :)


#8

RobertBrown

RobertBrown

adan said:
Hi JasonB, thanks for sharing your experience. May I ask what a "hydro petal" is? I'm not yet that technically savvy, so I hope you won't mind a little explanation :)
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I think JasnB is refering to the throttle acuation. The Kubota has a foot pedal that is a little different in that it pivots in the middle instead of at the end like a typical car. You push down on the top with your toe to go forward and you bush down on the bottom to go backward with your heel. Perhaps because this is a hydrostatic drive, JasonB calls it a "hydropedal"?


#9

D

Driller

All I know is the name, but I've always associated it with a good product. There are so many options out there. I'm in the process of researching several, more for other family members than for us, but I haven't gotten to this one yet.


#10

JDgreen

JDgreen

Driller said:
All I know is the name, but I've always associated it with a good product. There are so many options out there. I'm in the process of researching several, more for other family members than for us, but I haven't gotten to this one yet.
Click to expand...

I seriously looked at Kubota back when I was shopping for a CUT back in "02...thought their equipment was very well made, almost purchased one but got a deal on green that was too good too pass up. Yet, if replacing my JD, would again seriously consider orange again, they didn't become a big company by building poor quality tractors.


#11

J

JasonB

Yeah Kubota does have a Strong Name in tractors and Diesel engines, very reliable overall. I have had a chance to run a few Kubota B7500's and BX2200's as well I tested a Kubota GR2100 with the full time 4X4, nice mower but really wish Kubota would offer a twin touch foot petal design like Deere & others are starting to offer. Tilt steering, like my Deere X744 would also have been nice on the GR2100. I know these are little things, but would like to see Kubota redesign the foot petal design, a little uncomfortable from running a few different Kubota mowers.

They do have a very reputable Diesel engine! I did demo a Kubota F3560 with 72" deck a few yrs back that had 4,100hrs on it and still sounded like it was brand new! Very impressive.

Take Care Jason B


#12

adan

adan

Thanks JasonB. Yeah, Kubota has that reputation here in Asia. The thing is, it appears that they sell mowers only in developed countries. I have contacted Kubota Philippines and they told me they don't sell the lawn mower I was looking for. They offered me a slasher drawn by a tractor.

JasonB, I presume diesel vibrates more than gas-powered mowers. Does this bother you in lawn mowing? Or is my presumption wrong? Please enlighten me.


#13

J

JasonB

adan said:
Thanks JasonB. Yeah, Kubota has that reputation here in Asia. The thing is, it appears that they sell mowers only in developed countries. I have contacted Kubota Philippines and they told me they don't sell the lawn mower I was looking for. They offered me a slasher drawn by a tractor.

JasonB, I presume diesel vibrates more than gas-powered mowers. Does this bother you in lawn mowing? Or is my presumption wrong? Please enlighten me.
Click to expand...


I have ran both Deere mowers with Yanmar Diesels & Kubotas with Kubota Diesels and both engines were very smooth runing. However when at idle the Diesel engines will rattle a little bit but at full power they are very smooth running and fuel efficant. The new Diesels are much cleaner then Diesels in the past because of tight emission regulations, which I am sure is to continue in the future.

Gas mowers are smooth running as well, but I would never go back to a Gas engine that is carburated,, If I were to go to another gas mower, it would be Electronic Fuel injected mower, much easier to start then a gas mower that was carburated.

Diesels are also more fuel efficant as well and Diesel prices are cheaper then gas ( at least in my area) and at $1.09 Canadian a litre for gasoline you can go through a lot of gas in a rider. I have since switched to Diesel mowers and on average I am filling up at 0.95-97 cent's a litre for Diesel, plus I am not going through as much fuel either vs gas. Then again I am cutting grass commerically as well, but if your just doing your own lawn, a gas mower would be more economical, unless you got a big property and can justify the Diesel.

Take Care Jason B


#14

Z

zman007007

The hydro pedal on my older Kubota has nothing to do with throttle actuation, it only controls the direction in which you want to go. The throttle is still controlled by a lever on the right side of the steering wheel. It also serves as the engine shut down cutting the fuel off to the engine when pulled all the way towards you. zman :thumbsup:


#15

V

VicB

adan said:
Thanks to this forum I now see that Kubota is the brand that I'll most likely explore further. It's locally available and there are a lot of freelance mechanics who are familiar with the brand.

What's your experience with Kubota? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Click to expand...

Owned a 3cyl diesel G1800 4WS lawn tractor since 1994. Great machine and built to last. Mine has 3500+ hours and only now needing some extensive attention. Must point out that this is probably due to my neighbour mowing both my property and his whilst I was absent for 2 and a bit years. He turned out to be mechanically clueless - never greased anything - never changed oils and over inflated tyres, did not clean the deck properly after use - couldn't even clean the air filter and radiator screen etc.

Moral of the story: don't let anyone else use your equipment!

The only negative (from an Australian point of view) is the exhorbitant pricing of parts here and the restricting of free trade between countires on parts and accessories. Need to find a good 'gray marketeer' or 'aftermarket' seller willing to ship internationally.


#16

K

KennyV

You should be able to find almost any expendable part on eBay ... :smile:KennyV


#17

Grass ala Mowed

Grass ala Mowed

I haven't owned either one, but I've looked at quite a fewof the CUTs. I've never liked the feel of the single rocker pedal for the hydrostatic transmission either, used to the twin pedal like JD uses, having used a few smaller Deeres. Overall I see it as kind of a Ford vs Chevy type of thing. Each has its plusses and minuses and its fans and detractors. Can't go wrong, but always "shop the dealer." A dealer with a good service and parts department can tip the balance.


#18

V

VicB

KennyV said:
You should be able to find almost any expendable part on eBay ... :smile:KennyV
Click to expand...

Thanks Kenny. Have looked on eBay but most say "Not available to Australia" and that my friend is why I am looking for 'gray parts dealer' or aftermarket supplier. Kubota do not allow US dealers to ship to Australia - that way they can jack up prices here without fear of international competition!


#19

D

DrBT

My lawn is 2.5 acres and I mow it twice a week. Most of the lawn was a corn field so it is rough.
The Kubota diesel engine is the best. My 2003 ZD 25 has 800+ hours on it and never have had a problem with it.
The blade transmision (differential) has been replaced twice and the deck bearings have been replaced once and I need to replace them again.
There are quite a few grease fittings that I grease every day I mow, some are difficult to see if the gun is connected correctly and the differential is very difficult to keep an eye on the fluid level. It needs a dip stick in place of the sight hole. The front suspension and the deck wheels have grease fittings, but there are no bushings, just steel on steel, so when the components wear out and everything gets loose, your screwed. The seat is very cheaply made, I replaced mine twice.
The steering motors started to get weak and jittery at 300 hours, again at 650 hours and I need to replace them again at 800 hours.
It is built like a mack truck, but could be better at very little cost in manufacturing.


#20

R

Romore

I used a BX2670 for three seasons and was impressed by the quality. The three cylinder diesel and hydrostatic transmission were very smooth and trouble free. The only problems were a seized mowing height control, apparently not uncommon, and overheating. Grass had built up between the rear mount radiator and the battery where it was not readily visible.
The machine had it's limitations. The fel was not overly useful for anything but snow, the tractor was too light to provide adequate traction even with 4wd and the weight box. I could also not fit chains on the rear wheels due to lack of clearance, I had a short but steep section of driveway that caused me fits while plowing.


#21

cpurvis

cpurvis

Doubtful if the OP is still on the fence since the thread is over seven years old.


#22

H

hussler1

adan said:
Thanks to this forum I now see that Kubota is the brand that I'll most likely explore further. It's locally available and there are a lot of freelance mechanics who are familiar with the brand.

What's your experience with Kubota? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Click to expand...
Very well engineered. I have a ZG23 and it makes short work of the 2 1/2 acres of mowing I have to do. Everything about it is thought out well for functionality and the 54 inch deck gives a nice cut.


#23

R

Romore

I used a BX2670 for three seasons until I was forced to move. It was a very well built machine and easy to operate. The loader was good for moving snow but not so much for landscaping, the machine didn't have the power or weight needed to pick up sand or soil. Too small for the job. Local dealer was a pleasure to deal with which makes all the difference.


#24

D

deminin

I bought a Kubota B2910 when we retired to the countryside in 2002. It has performed quite well, with just normal maintenance. I shopped various brands before I bought the Kubota, and it was the best "bang for the buck", IMO.


#25

M

MrGraff

I've owned a Z121S, Z125S, and now own a ZG 227. All of the mowers have been problem free other than replacing a battery. Build quality and ease of use is probably the biggest things that stand out. Moved up to a commercial unit as I'll be maintain 8-10 acres monthly.


#26

Q

qmark

JasonB said:
I have ran both Deere mowers with Yanmar Diesels & Kubotas with Kubota Diesels and both engines were very smooth runing. However when at idle the Diesel engines will rattle a little bit but at full power they are very smooth running and fuel efficant. The new Diesels are much cleaner then Diesels in the past because of tight emission regulations, which I am sure is to continue in the future.

Gas mowers are smooth running as well, but I would never go back to a Gas engine that is carburated,, If I were to go to another gas mower, it would be Electronic Fuel injected mower, much easier to start then a gas mower that was carburated.

Diesels are also more fuel efficant as well and Diesel prices are cheaper then gas ( at least in my area) and at $1.09 Canadian a litre for gasoline you can go through a lot of gas in a rider. I have since switched to Diesel mowers and on average I am filling up at 0.95-97 cent's a litre for Diesel, plus I am not going through as much fuel either vs gas. Then again I am cutting grass commerically as well, but if your just doing your own lawn, a gas mower would be more economical, unless you got a big property and can justify the Diesel.

Take Care Jason B
Click to expand...
Also you can use off road non taxed fuel in your diesel mower. I love diesel engines and have them in my cars, trucks, mower ,compactor, and I have a strong dislike for small gas engines.


#27

L

lilguy

I bought a B8200hst and a L2250 In 1983. Replaced frt axle seals and hydraulic pump at 22 years on the L2250. Nothing on the B8200. Sold them in 2017 and bought a B2601 with FL/BH/MMM. Would own nothing else.


#28

Q

qmark

VicB said:
Thanks Kenny. Have looked on eBay but most say "Not available to Australia" and that my friend is why I am looking for 'gray parts dealer' or aftermarket supplier. Kubota do not allow US dealers to ship to Australia - that way they can jack up prices here without fear of international competition!

Have it shipped to me and I will send it on to you, I see your post is 8 years ago.
Click to expand...


#29

B

bertsmobile1

Speak to them direct.
A lot of USA dealers do not export full stop .
The USA market is big enough to make a good living from and sending stuff overseas leads to a lot of unhappy customers.
IFthe freight takes too long then ebay will refund the purchaser and debit the vendor ( has happened to me )


#30

L

lugbolt

US dealers cannot export per dealer agreement. It was a big issue with the USA and Canadian dealers for a short while. Similarly, they cannot import from any other country either, per dealer agreement. There are reasons for this and one is government regulation(s).


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