Anybody have any experience with either of these? I'm looking at them both, but haven't found anybody with personal experience with them. Any input would be great. Thanks.

 

I have used a 5420 alot at my Uncle's farm. That tractor was pretty much bullet proof. The one I used was a open cab, I have used a 5410 closed cab tractor before and it was ok, but nothing like a 5420. I pulled a 14ft tuffline disc and a 16 ft "bat wing" bush hog with it and was like nothing was back there.(not at the same time ). That tractor is HEAVY. Gets good traction, but it really needed to be a 4X4 for what we did with it. His had a front end loader on it. He traded it in on a 6420 4x4 cab tractor. The 5420 is a great tractor, tough has hell, real heavy. He would still have it today if it was 4X4. If you can get the Deere. Nothing runs like a Deere. Dont know anything about the 'bota, Never ran them. I'm a J/D man.

-Kyle

 

Kubota's are OK, but they are, on average, 30% lighter per HP than one of the "Big 3" (JD, Case IH/New Holland, and AGCO). If those are your choices, get the Deere (I can't believe I just said that, AGCO dealer here). They are good tractors, but the dealers around here just suck, and that is what sells them.

On a side note, Deere's marketing strategy over the last 50 years has greatly improved the "Reputation" of their products. This is why they are #1, not because they are Tthat much better.

FWIW,
Chris

 

Salesman brought out an 8200 series Kubota with loader for me to try a few years back. I used it to load soil into a dump truck for few hours, really bugged me that when I would hit a rut with a full scoop it would wrench the steering wheel out of my hands. Demonstration ended when the steering wheel almost broke my thumb.

Never had a JD loader do anything like this, in fact you can travel across rough ground in total control with just one finger on the wheel.

 

Which controls are more user friendly? My father-in-law is gonna be using it, and he has never been on a tractor in his life. I've test driven the 5420 but not the 8200, so I can't really compare.

 

I had an 8200 for several years and loved it! My previous tractor was an International 300. It had more power and was much bigger than the Kubota but the little 4 wheel drive 8200 would outwork the International anytime. It was like a billygoat when it came to real steep hills. I sold the farm and moved into town (Wilmington DE) and worked it hard mowing grass, running a shredder/grinder and blowing snow (5 foot blower). Never had a minutes trouble with the 8200.

 

What kind of tranny does the J/D have? Collar shift? Shuttle shift? Both are real easy to shift from gear to gear and range to range even while moving. the Shuttle shift does it a little cleaner but it's not that diiferent than the Collar shift. All the Controls are real easy to use. long p.t.o handel on the left, draft and 3 point hitch controls on the right. Hydralics at your right hand, and differential lock at the back of your left foot. Can steer it with your little finger. Good all around tractor. New or Used? How many hours does it have?

-Kyle

 

It's got a collar shift. Looking at a new one....

 

John deere hands down. If you have been around farm equipment at all it is a no brainer. the controls will be much better on the jd as will everything else, but you will pay for it greatly. I have a jd now but red paint is in my blood from farming.

 

Hands down the J/D 5420 is the toughest tractor I have ever used. The collar shift takes a little more finess to shift in motion, but it's still easy. Get the J/D and enjoy it for a loooooong time.

-Kyle