JOHN DEERE vs. KUBOTA vs. YANMAR Tractor Comparison
Which is better: John Deere vs. Kubota vs. Yanmar? Most people have a brand they know and love, but when you look at the features and specs of these three well-known and reliable tractors, you may see some notable differences. At Tractor Bob, our team is always available to help you compare specific makes and models to fit any specific need or application you have. You can always check out our tractors for sale in Oklahoma City and Yukon, OK, to get personalized support.
All three models feature a three-cylinder diesel engine. Though there are slight differences, both the John Deere and the Yanmar have Yanmar engines, which are 1.3L displacement engines that produce 24 horsepower. Both are also in compliance with emission regulations. Both have radiator screens and a dual-canister air filter.
The Kubota features a three-cylinder engine with a 1.2L displacement and 24 horsepower. It is also emission-compliant.
Notably, the Yanmar features interlink technology, which means that the engine, transmission, front axle, and final drive are all engineered by Yanmar to work as efficiently together as possible. This means that the Yanmar will have better fuel efficiency and less power loss between the components when compared to all other compact tractors in the industry.
To help you get an idea of what to expect when you’re behind the wheel, we also tested out the speed of the tractors. While all three have equal levels of speed they can reach, the acceleration and overall efficiency of the Yanmar were notably different (and superior in numerous ways).
As for the pedals, the Kubota uses its trademark rocker-style pedal, which some people love and others hate. The John Deere features dual pedals that are made of plastic, which is okay but the Yanmar’s two-pedal system is made of steel offering a better overall feel.
All three models have levers on the left-hand side. They have selectable 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive and the same adjustable, three-point height stop. The Kubota and John Deere feature cruise control, which is an optional feature on the Yanmar.
As for capacity, the Kubota claims to have a max lift of 1411 pounds, while the Yanmar comes in second at 1209 pounds, and the John Deere is the least at 915 pounds.
At max RPMs and max height, the Kubota gets the pallet about four feet off the ground carrying 880 pounds and about two feet off the ground at 970 pounds. It cannot lift very high at 1070 pounds.
The John Deere, tested in the same way, gets the pallet about 4.5 feet off the ground at 790 pounds; at 880 pounds, it gets it about 3.5 feet off the ground. It reaches about a foot in height with 970 pounds.
The Yanmar gets 700 pounds to full height and low RPMs. It gets 880 pounds, it got it about 4.5 feet off the ground, and 3.5 feet off the ground at 970 pounds.
To see this test in action, make sure to check out our YouTube video where we demonstrated the comparison of all three models.
Testing out the features of all three models in this video, we demonstrate real working conditions, whether you’re towing, dragging, or mowing. It’s an excellent way to see how each of the tractors will perform in similar situations (make sure to watch the video before you buy!)
Comparing the Big Guys: John Deere, Kubota, and Yanmar
To help you choose the best tractor for your needs, we’ll take a look at three of the industry-leading subcompact tractors: the John Deere 2025R, the Kubota B2601, and the Yanmar SA324. We’ll take a look at all of the major features and specs of each one and give you an idea of which is best for your needs. Tractor Bob purchased what we believe are three very comparable models to provide a solid apples-to-apples comparison. Here’s what we found.Warranties
Warranties are one of the first considerations for most people buying a tractor. Here’s how they stack up:- Yanmar: 2-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year powertrain warranty (that’s the longest in the subcompact industry)
- Kubota: 2-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 6-year powertrain warranty
- John Deere: 2-year, bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 6-year powertrain warranty
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, the most expensive option is the John Deere which we found during our initial review was priced between $25,499 to $24,899 when we completed our research. The Kubota is within the same range though slightly lower from $24,000 to $22,800. Not surprisingly, the Yanmar is significantly less expensive from $20,944 to $19,000.Engine
For most people, the engine is one of the most important features, and it is one of the most significant differentiating features of any tractor. These three tractors offer good options overall, as we revealed in our recent YouTube comparison. Here’s what we found out.All three models feature a three-cylinder diesel engine. Though there are slight differences, both the John Deere and the Yanmar have Yanmar engines, which are 1.3L displacement engines that produce 24 horsepower. Both are also in compliance with emission regulations. Both have radiator screens and a dual-canister air filter.
The Kubota features a three-cylinder engine with a 1.2L displacement and 24 horsepower. It is also emission-compliant.
Transmissions
Each of the three tractors has a hydrostatic transmission without a clutch. This style of transmission makes the tractor very easy to operate, even for those without a significant amount of experience. The difference between these tractors is that the Yanmar and John Deere have a two-range transmission, while the Kubota has a three-range transmission.Notably, the Yanmar features interlink technology, which means that the engine, transmission, front axle, and final drive are all engineered by Yanmar to work as efficiently together as possible. This means that the Yanmar will have better fuel efficiency and less power loss between the components when compared to all other compact tractors in the industry.
To help you get an idea of what to expect when you’re behind the wheel, we also tested out the speed of the tractors. While all three have equal levels of speed they can reach, the acceleration and overall efficiency of the Yanmar were notably different (and superior in numerous ways).
The Layout and Function
For those planning to spend hours on their tractor, it is critical to find something that is comfortable and supportive. All of the tractors offer good grip handles to climb in and out, though the Kubota does not have a step into the vehicle like the other two models offer (but is an optional upgrade). When it comes to floor mats, the John Deere is the least effective option overall, and while the Kubota is a good overall option for grip, they slide around much more than others. The Yanmar offers excellent traction to keep you from slipping. All models have high-back seats, though there’s a significant improvement in support in the Yanmar model.Steering Wheels, Pedals, and Control Levers
The John Deere and Kubota both have tilt steering, with the Kubota using a foot pedal while the John Deere model has a handle on the left-hand side of the column for a more natural feel.As for the pedals, the Kubota uses its trademark rocker-style pedal, which some people love and others hate. The John Deere features dual pedals that are made of plastic, which is okay but the Yanmar’s two-pedal system is made of steel offering a better overall feel.
All three models have levers on the left-hand side. They have selectable 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive and the same adjustable, three-point height stop. The Kubota and John Deere feature cruise control, which is an optional feature on the Yanmar.
Loader Control
Now, consider what we found when checking out the loader control. The Yanmar and John Deere feature a joystick routed up through the fender well, which is ideal. However, the Kubota certainly has a negative in this area—the joystick comes up from under the seat, which means it is very easy to bump out of place.Body Durability
Another factor to consider when choosing the best subcompact tractor is the body itself. For the Yanmar and John Deere, you have a plastic fender, while the Kubota is steel. The hoods are the same, but on the Yanmar, it swings up and out of the way, which is a fantastic maintenance benefit. The John Deere requires taking panels off to access the same components.Overall Dimensions
It’s also helpful to think about the size of the tractor. Here’s what you will find:- Yanmar: Wheelbase of 63 inches, a 54.6 track, at 1839 pounds
- John Deere: Wheelbase of 63 inches, a 48-inch track, at 1793 pounds
- Kubota: Wheelbase of 61.4 inches, a 49-inch track, at 1632 pounds
The Loader
Since a loader is one of the most used components of a tractor, it’s important to compare the differences in each of these models. When it comes to max lift, here’s how they stack up:- Yanmar: 1200 pounds
- John Deere: 803 pounds
- Kubota: 948 pounds
3 Point Hitch
All three of the tractors have a three-point, category 1 hitch, which lets you easily return to the same position for grading work or mowing. The only significant differences here are that the Yanmar and John Deere use a turnbuckle style while the Kubota features a pin-style sway bar. The John Deere is the only one of the three that does not have a drawbar for pulling drag-style implements.As for capacity, the Kubota claims to have a max lift of 1411 pounds, while the Yanmar comes in second at 1209 pounds, and the John Deere is the least at 915 pounds.
Testing Them Out
While specs are important, at Tractor Bob, we wanted to see just how well these subcompact tractors really stacked up. To test the max loader capacity, we set each one up with bricks weighing 30 pounds each and a pallet fork weighing 250 pounds. To test them, we placed 15 bricks per layer on the pallet and then tried to lift the pallet until it could not lift it. Here are the results:At max RPMs and max height, the Kubota gets the pallet about four feet off the ground carrying 880 pounds and about two feet off the ground at 970 pounds. It cannot lift very high at 1070 pounds.
The John Deere, tested in the same way, gets the pallet about 4.5 feet off the ground at 790 pounds; at 880 pounds, it gets it about 3.5 feet off the ground. It reaches about a foot in height with 970 pounds.
The Yanmar gets 700 pounds to full height and low RPMs. It gets 880 pounds, it got it about 4.5 feet off the ground, and 3.5 feet off the ground at 970 pounds.
To see this test in action, make sure to check out our YouTube video where we demonstrated the comparison of all three models.
Testing out the features of all three models in this video, we demonstrate real working conditions, whether you’re towing, dragging, or mowing. It’s an excellent way to see how each of the tractors will perform in similar situations (make sure to watch the video before you buy!)