Go BottomAre large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
 | Terry Weivoda
Join Date: Posts: 1 
|
2000-05-31 16797
I realize I may be starting a bit of controversy here but I think we need to some serious discussion on what has happened to Deere's "former" lead in the compact utility tractor category. I have posted numerous times on this board about my past dedication to John Deere. I started buying JD in 1983 with my first 420 garden tractor. I have owned eight different JD garden tractors and two 855s, one 955, the 4300 and now the 4600. I doubt there has been a more dedicated customer than I. But I now doubt how serious Deere is approaching the problems with their current production tractors. I now believe that with the addition of the large frame Boomer tractors that NewHolland has the best compact utility tractor on the market. I would have jumped into an argument had anyone made a such a statement just two years ago. I now have two neighbors with Boomers (a TC29D and a TC33D) who love their tractors. I looked at the TC40D and if you compare feature for feature and design and innovation, my friends at Deere have been passed. What amazes me is that Deere seems to be resting on their past successes. Deere has sold a bunch of the 4000 tractors. We all remember how hard it was to get a hydro last summer. But I have to question how long they can rely on their past success before they get burried. If New holland had released their new large frame Boomer tractors a month earlier I would own one instead of my 4600. I would like to engage some discussion from JD owners. Has our company given profits and stock prices the priority over a quality product. I believe they have and I am extremely disappointed.
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAre large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
| Frank R Taylor
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-05-31 16799
Terry, like you I was always a JD "man". I still have an old 820 at the farm but when it was time to replace the 318 garden tractor at the house with a compact last year, I factored the delivery times on the 4000 series along with the service received from the JD dealer over the years into my decision to buy a Kubota. There are no NH dealers close to me. The dealership has since changed hands and service has improved but after reading all the posts on this board concerning the 4000 series I consider myself fortunate to be driving an orange machine. It starts, it runs, it does what it is supposed to do and you cant ask for anything more. I think there is a certain amount of complacency set in at Deere because of people like you and me who have always bought green and until recently have seen no reason to do otherwise. They seem to have forgotten that it is now a very competative market out there with the buyer having plenty of alternatives. It is somewhat similar to the American car companies immediately prior to the Japanese invasion. Also, the current focus and drive within companies to increase share price and stockholder dividends leads them to forget what actually generates the income that increases those two things. Before they know it, their market share has fallen and their customer base has eroded (but the stockholders are happy)leaving them as a takeover candidate. I hope this doesn't happen to Deere and that they realize soon that customer service and quality products are the keys to success. Meanwhile, I'm in the market for a new M8200 and will continue to buy orange until they give me a reason to change. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAre large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
| MichaelSnyder
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
|
2000-06-01 16825
Guys,
I really need help to understand where you guys are coming from here...
I'm downright amazed and shocked in how people who "don't" own a 4000 series have an opinion about em as if they have owned one for years... Every other manu'f have/had production "issues" as well, yet no-one seems upset or worried about them. A few bitches and moans..and its over. But if JD has "issues"....everyone jumps on the band wagon and you'd swear the sky is falling. Secondly, I constantly hear "JD comes at a premium price so we expect more"... Humm.. Guess I'm just having a hard time understanding that because Kubota was well over $1000 more for the same combination... Maybe this holds true on different size platforms?? I don't know. So I'm struggling to see the "premium" in JD. Which by the way....I'm not the first in my area to also find this to be true. Finally, I don't expect anything from this post other than a few lashes and bashes, but I posted it anyway in hopes..maybe we all take a step back to realize that many of us have created "strong" opinions about things we really only know little about. And most of what we do know is from a websight. Granted, I'm here daily as well, and love the wealth of knowledge and quality of people that come here daily. But I also belong to other chat boards, everything from Turbo Diesel Register to BMW Racing sites. And it constantly amazes me how people generate such strong opinions based posts from others...who they don't even know. I've met guys who never owned a Dodge Ram with the 5.9 Cummins, yet you'd swear they did, because they read a few post from guys who thought they were junk after using em to tow a 30,000lb trailer..and the rear or the transmission blew... Gee... Surprise..Surprise. Worse yet...That's a true story. All I'm saying is... be careful what you take to heart, and how you interpret what is said. If I listened to every complaint on the different sites...I wouldn't own anything...because everything is overpriced junk. Or at least thats what I read..anyway.. Happy tractoring ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAre large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
| Mike S.
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-06-01 16827
Michael Snyder stated "I'm downright amazed and shocked in how people who "don't" own a 4000 series have an opinion about em as if they have owned one for years... Every other manu'f have/had production "issues" as well, yet no-one seems upset or worried about them." Michael--I have owned one Yanmar, two Kubotas and two Deere compact diesels. The Yanmar, two Kubotas and my 955 Deere did not cause me problems--in fact, my Kubota B8200HST went for ten years and its total repair bill was $ 9.95 for a tachometer cable. I have owned a JD4400HST for one year, so I have an opinion as if I owned one because I do own one. As I have stated in another posting, this 4400HST has had its share of problems, a number of minor ones and some major ones including a PTO that locked up at 8 hours, brake problems, front axle replacement and transmission replacement. Some of these problems were very aggravating and some, like the damned black knob that always comes off the 3rd SCV if the knob is grasped, are just minor irritations. There is NO issue with my dealer, but I do have issues with JD's engineering and quality control. While my JD 4400HST is a marvel to use (when it is properly working) with its FEL, belly mower and various 3pt.-mounted implements, these good points have been offset by problems. When I get the list put together, I'll post a detailed list of all of the problems (4400 Journal thread)--big and small--that I have encountered with this tractor and they will ALL BE FROM EXPERIENCE. It is my hope that when my tractor comes back from the dealership where its front end has been replaced along with its transmission and rear brakes, that these issues will be history and I can finally enjoy this tractor. Therefore, I agree with Terry, that blindly buying green as I did since I figured that green was better, may be a mistake--at least it was on my part and that upon close inspection (and I have made several while my tractor is in the shop) the Boomers look pretty good as do the Kubotas. Would I buy green again??? Let me think... Mike S. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAre large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
| MichaelSnyder
Join Date: Jun 1999 Posts: 0
|
2000-06-01 16831
Mike,
You have alot more patience than me, I don't think I would be able to wait this long till the bugs disappear. I should also mention that my posting is not referenced to Frank or Terry's response. Nor am I protecting or defending JD as a Die hard fan. Although we did choose to buy JD over Kubota, MF and Cub Cadet, our decision might also be different today for some of these reasons...I don't know. I would really consider a NH....and Kubota. We also have had a few issues with our JD, but none as severe or drastic as yours or many others here.
My point in a nut shell is: If you don't have a 4000... you shouldn't bash em.
If you do or have owned one...especially one with problems... "YOU" have a right to talk down on them. It would be nice to know what % of JD owners are actually experiencing problems with the 4000's. Based upon the Posts here, it seems like 75-90%... I hope I'm not being nieve in thinking that can't be possible. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAre large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
| Eddie Watkins
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-06-01 16834
I have a JD 4300 delivered 3/24/2000 w/new axle. I have 42 hours on it and, so far, it has outperformed my expectations. I have had no problems. I bought the JD because the transmission on the TC29D I test drove locked while I was test driving it. I have a friend with a new TC40D and it is just an amazing machine. I looked at Kubotas and really liked the the B2910 and it had some great features. The dealer was having a hard time getting delivery. I waited about a month and when he did get delivery, he priced it at $20,000+ w/FEL which was over $3,000 more than the NH or JD. If I were buying again, I would probably look at all of them again and my decision might be different. I am still a little reluctant to get the JD on my lawn at 2900 pounds but it does everything else great and has all the power and lift capacity I could ask for. The last time I drove a tractor prior to this one was 1968, however, so my expectations may have been a little light and my experience definitely is. Having said all that, it goes back to what I have seen stated on this board a bunch of times: they are all good machines and it comes down to usage and personal preference which one is best for each person. If the JD wasn't quite so heavy it would be the perfect machine for me, if the Kubota would lift a little more it would be the perfect machine and if the NH hadn't locked up I would probably be driving it right now. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add PhotoAre large frame Boomer tractors better than Deere
| Larry in MI.
Join Date: Posts: 1
|
2000-06-03 16873
MLS, My statement about JD comming at a "preimium price and therefore I expect preimium performance and service" still holds true! If Kubota costs more for a similar machine then I would expect even more from Kubota. As for bashing JD without owning one, I do! I own a 4100 just as you do. I also own a SX85 for trim work. I paid $1900 for the SX85 and I am very displeased with the drive system on it. I could have bought a Honda with a genuine hydrostatic drive for less money. As for dealer satisfaction, he probably should not get in my way while I am tilling. I think this dispells your theory about persons making statements based on unknowledgeable statements by other uninformed persons. ....
Reply to |
Quote Reply |
Add Photo
Go Top
Share This