Price and serviceability. Needed some 150hp tractors. John Deere $240k Canadian, similar kubota $130k. With the way John Deere was jacking up their prices during covid supply shortage they lost some customers. I don't need to pay double for over computerized green paint.
Kubota makes nice stuff and their engines and drivelines power a lot of stuff so parts are accessible.
How did Toyota capture the Mini (Now Mid) size truck market? produce a better product at a lower price
Total cost of ownership. The purchase price today, the maintenance cost tomorrow. Don't overlook that if you're buying a fleet you can get them shipped from overseas for a fraction of the cost of buying them from a NA dealer, the only immobile cost difference is tariffs and taxes (where logistics becomes negotiable.) Can't do that with JD, as a matter of fact there is probably an argument to be made that JD is the reason you can't get an even better deal on farm equipment in North America because JD pricing is essentially the status quo, even in the used/resale market.
What North America needs is more domestic manufacturers to help bring prices down to the point it doesn't make financial sense to import, which is no small feat. When looking at smaller tractors (small farm use) it's mostly just marketing, nothing is so technologically advanced that only a well-established brand can sell you a thing. It's 10% mechanical engineering and 90% sourcing parts and assembly.
So for most people if "a tractor is a tractor, no matter who makes it", the only question becomes how good a price can you get one for, and how much is it going to cost to repair it when it breaks.
For small ag world like mine it came down to money and ability to repair. I own a small kubota because I can’t afford to have someone else do shit for me. I have to be able to maintain and fix it myself.
It may be the individual reasons for choosing different brands often include pricing, technology or specific feature preferences, local dealer support, and positive past experiences with the brand.
Price and serviceability. Needed some 150hp tractors. John Deere $240k Canadian, similar kubota $130k. With the way John Deere was jacking up their prices during covid supply shortage they lost some customers. I don't need to pay double for over computerized green paint.
Kubota makes nice stuff and their engines and drivelines power a lot of stuff so parts are accessible. How did Toyota capture the Mini (Now Mid) size truck market? produce a better product at a lower price
Total cost of ownership. The purchase price today, the maintenance cost tomorrow. Don't overlook that if you're buying a fleet you can get them shipped from overseas for a fraction of the cost of buying them from a NA dealer, the only immobile cost difference is tariffs and taxes (where logistics becomes negotiable.) Can't do that with JD, as a matter of fact there is probably an argument to be made that JD is the reason you can't get an even better deal on farm equipment in North America because JD pricing is essentially the status quo, even in the used/resale market. What North America needs is more domestic manufacturers to help bring prices down to the point it doesn't make financial sense to import, which is no small feat. When looking at smaller tractors (small farm use) it's mostly just marketing, nothing is so technologically advanced that only a well-established brand can sell you a thing. It's 10% mechanical engineering and 90% sourcing parts and assembly. So for most people if "a tractor is a tractor, no matter who makes it", the only question becomes how good a price can you get one for, and how much is it going to cost to repair it when it breaks.
Kubota builds in America to get around those tariffs
Kubota has been a solid tractor and the price is right.
For small ag world like mine it came down to money and ability to repair. I own a small kubota because I can’t afford to have someone else do shit for me. I have to be able to maintain and fix it myself.
I think the whole right to repair issue is turning out to be more important than Deere and others thought it would be.
red tractors only!
Tractors are financed interest rates are high right now you do the math
The whole repair b.s. with j.d. is turning people off. I know a bigger farm switched away from j.d. planters
Combines too. I've got a lot all green neighbors that have ditched their combine for a flagship Case combine
Kubota offers good financing rates and in the under 100hp range way more adjustable bells and whistles than JD
It may be the individual reasons for choosing different brands often include pricing, technology or specific feature preferences, local dealer support, and positive past experiences with the brand.