Deere 1025R vs Kubota BX! Mower Operation! Round #3 of 8 

Hi, just caught up with your posts and have been enjoying you Deer/Kabota face off. On the subject of the steering ram on the BX, yes the exposed nature of the ram has caused me problems when I hit a kerb hidden in some brush (incidentally it was miles from a road so God knows how it got there!) This resulted in a dink in the ram that then leaked hydraulic fluid which was a costly and annoying re placement. Keep up the reviews😊

Awesome series! I thought that the box slid much more on the slope just by the video, and you confirmed it. Thankyou for all you give us!

I always wondered where crop circles came from

Side note, i'm really enjoying this series. I have 200, hard, hours on my BX and im learning things I didn't know about my own machine. Keep it up.

Tim, you guys are doing a great job, thanks for taking the time to do it.

Awesome video and comparison’s.. thank you for taking the time and effort to show the similarities and the differences.. i know it’s a lot more work on your end that you probably get credit for, but this by far will be the best video series for the consumer to watch in order to make a good choice in their future purchase of a sub-compact tractor purchase.. thank you again and God Bless...

Tim I'm loving these videos. I purchased a 2025r about 3 months ago and you know how much research went into that decision. Literally weeks. You are giving us very valuable information on these two units. These two units have the highest resale value and ease of reselling. A major deciding factor will come down to dealer and dealership relationship. Thank you for all the great info and keep up the videos😀

I was very surprised how well my B series 60” cuts compared to my old scag zero turn. I thought it would be a lot rougher looking, but it looks great and am very happy with the results. I decided to sell the zero turn and get the tractor so I have more tools at my disposal around the property. These tractors are so versatile!

Wow. Really enjoying this series; thank you for so much for posting.

Super accurate, thoughtful about both, I like it.

I was brought up on a dairy farm that was quite hilly and learned at an early age that tractors need to be weighted properly for stability on hills. If traveling straight up and down steep hills you need front weights or a loader attachment to stabilize the front end so it doesn't wheely on you. But, you also need to counter balance the rear as much or more. Any tractor that has a loader has to have fluid in the tires and wheel weights. Thus equipped a tractor now becomes much more stable on side hills as well. Ballasting the tires and wheels is much better for side hill stability than just adding weight on the rear hitch. You need weight to put power to the ground!

Great videos! Well done. Truly professional, and fair. Best advice is buy from the dealer you like best regardless of the color of the tractor.

wow thanks Tim! You really helped me with your advise to cover roots with dirt if they get hit by the blades sometimes! :) Thats a great idea!

I am very excited for the lifting competition! I just bought my tractor based on written specs and I feel some companies pad the numbers. I know mine (Mahindra) doesn’t seem to lift as much as advertised. Will be interesting to see how these two do. Also pricing was a huge point for me, I would like to see a comparison of these two. I have my popcorn ready!

Awesome job keep them coming. Hills or should I say small bumps even make me “pucker”. Even on my small lawn tractor. You are brave that angle made me nervous just watching.

Good job testing the turning radius, I test drove a 1025 and bx2680 and was shocked how much tighter the 1025 turned. That was a deciding factor for me.

I enjoy honest videos my friends. Perfect.

Good job on comparing the two tractors.

Another great and informative review. Thanks!

As a fairly new viewer, I'm really appreciating your videos. I also appreciate the Scripture. Thank you for including that, and keep up the great work!!

Just found your channel as I begin my research on purchase of a subcompact, and glad I did. Alot to consider and you are hitting a lot of my interests with this series. I almost dismissed this video because I have a 60" zero turn I mow with so I 'thought' I might not need this comparison, but low and behold I did. Turning radius and exposed hydraulics are a consideration since I would be fence line brush busting in confined areas between trees. Well done Sir!

Just regular guy comparing tractors in an unbiased way. No brand slant or expectations, just the facts --I love it, great video as usual.

Another excellent informative session!!!!

0:11 I watch loads of your videos. Thanks for giving me “tractor fever”🤣🤣🤣 Steve Pensacola, FL

Good info Tim. Nice comparison 👌

Thanks for all the info. I think this will help those that are looking to buy a Tractor. ps. Keep the coming.

Real good work tim .i notice your lawn is dead as mine too .and this on the other side of the world the second summer withoud enough rain and tempratures up to 90 f

If you watch the overhead video on the JD 4x4 circle, you can see when the front wheel hits the long uncut grass it looses some traction and under steers a little. Where the tire leaves and reenters the edge of the cut grass perfectly coincides with the protrusion of your paint circle.

The tension is starting to build, who will reign king....Nice job, both of you...

Another great video Tim. Thanks

I would expect the 1025 r to use more fuel it has a 77.3 cubic inch cylinder displacement. The bx2680 has a displacement of 61.1 and the BX 2380 and BX 23s has a displacement of 54.8. Although, they all perform just fine.

Both of these tractors are amazing

Another great comparison video.

great vids

good job

Nice unbiased video. 👍👍👍

Another great comparison. The turning radius makes sense, the wider front axle will be able to provide more steering angle, just like the Ford F350 Dually vs the F450 Dually with wide track front axle the F450 actually has a tighter radius.

When I owned a 1025r, I was impressed by the turning radios for sure

I appreciate the video. That ditch would be a great test for r14 tires I'm thinking. And I would definitely start out with the diff lock engaged. (All hands on deck approach). I believe John Deere has always been at the front of the class with turning radius. 4 wheel steering, ect. Although I'm not a fan of belly mowers, (I have a zero turn and a bigger utility tractor) , but I believe it adds an element of roll over protection a 3 point finish mower couldn't provide.

Great video!

Another great comparison. I noticed your pond was starting to cake over. I would get some ducks to keep it broken up.

Love the comparisons! I think you are doing the best with what you have to work with. Everyone can make their own decisions. PS have you ever thought of a float test in your pond you should ask Christy to volunteer for the test. Lol

I was shocked when I got my 1025r and the turning radius compared to my old 1994 White GT-1855 that I had before it. The JD turns tight and very nice! Power steering is nice as well! When looking at the subcompact tractors when I was looking I never thought about the turning radius. Wow....that grass looks like ours usually does by this time of the year, but surprisingly still green here in western pa!

Really enjoying the series, I'd like to see you do similar for other brands in the future if possible. Kioti, Massey Ferguson, Mahindra. It's hard to find info on these other brands.

Really enjoy watching these videos. I have always been more of a Kubota guy mostly because my father has a B2920. But I honestly think if I had the funds I would buy a John Deere over the kubota. Just all those things make a big difference in the overall usefulness and enjoyment of using the machine. Especially seeing the better quality of the Deere deck. Looks the spindles may be beefier too.

It’s funny being from WV where we mow hills all the time, but the only bank you had in IN was the road ditch. The hills around here would not let me use either of these. We use a 2019 JD E170 but prefer our 2003 JD Sabre 2148 because it’s lower to the ground, can raise the mower higher, and has a more robust mower deck.

Nice job guys

I am a Kubota driver but with great respect for Deere from my long ago farm background. This is a very fair and balanced comparison of the two models. On the BX steering, it definitely has some looseness. You have to keep pulling the wheel to make a tight turn, and it will not track straight on the road. On the turning radius, my BX has stop bolts behind the front wheels which limit the angle of turn. It looks as though these can be adjusted, but the manual is silent on this. I am reluctant to touch them without some input from Kubota. Has anyone out there tried fiddling with these? Has anyone asked Kubota about this?

I am going in three weeks to get my new tractor. I am going with a 2025R, so this comparison is really irrelevent for me but I have been enjoying your videos.

Hi Tim and Christy very good video i will tell you this you both gave me a few pucker factor moments on that bank but the 2 tractors are pretty well matched but the John deere won the sound test hands down

Nice comparison guy's.

Tim, I think we have all experienced at one point in time that you can get a small strip of uncut grass, especially mowing through a turn. I know you mentioned the offset of the blades being comparable, but it would be nice to know the difference in the following: - Blade length - Distance between the two outer blade spindle bolts - The middle blade offset distance (to the center of spindle bolt) when you run a straight line between the two outer blade spindles bolts. Overlap is a good thing, but is limited by the mower deck width (front to back). This is one of those annoying issues I've dealt with on riding tractors over the years. Seems to be worse the faster you are going around the turn. Thanks for your videos.

Realy well done.

One of the common complaints of Kubota owners that were used to JD equipment is the pedal setup, and I agree. I have yet to use the reverse pedal...I just lift up on the pedal with my toes, and that works well for me. Everyone is different....I agree with fuel consumption, it’s very good. I also happen to have the mulch kit on my 54” deck so mine looks completely different. Another thing many BX owners do for stability is install wheel spacers. They claim huge improvements. I haven’t seen the need myself. Another good video! Last thing: resale value. Kubota resale value is just ok, as the factory continues 0% financing. No reason to buy used...

Pucker Factor! Haha thats just awesome. As always love the videos!

Hi Ttwt. We watched the ditch mowing again today and there is a point where the 1025r was high centered near the end of the ditch. At that point I think I'd try turning to the left and straddling the culvert.

I don't love the hoses on my deere steering cylinder hangin' out there in the breeze.. nor how "light duty" the cylinder is. I keep lookin' at the hoses thinking i need to build a skid plate...that said, probably unlikely you'd hook anything on it. (but..all it takes is one stray re-bar tent stake or survey marker) I am super impressed with the protection/routing of the fluid lines to the Kubota cylinder. I don't like the Kubota cylinder out front either, but wonder if that adds any real concern if the machine isn't used for mining or quarry work, You are doing a great thing here Tim. Love your channel. It's nice to see what's possible with my 1023e

Great comparison! I’m hoping to get A compact tractor some day and it’ll have to be A BX because we don’t have A Deere dealer but if you follow Paul Short you’ll know we have A great Kubota dealership nearby so between this comparison and our good dealer I think I’ll be happy with the BX

I measured the noise level on my 2016 1025R from the drivers seat (no mower), in an open field with lush grass. 80 dBA at idle, 90dBA (instantaneous) at full throttle. I used an iPhone X with the NIOSH app, it is a free app provided by OSHA that uses the calibrated MEMS microphone on the iPhone, supposed to be accurate to +/- 2 dBA according to OSHA. Note that for both machines, full throttle sound requires hearing protection to avoid hearing loss. As a comparison, I tested my X320 lawn tractor and its gas engine had 75dBA at idle, 80dBA at full throttle, and 88dBA at full throttle with mower deck engaged. The deck is 48". To my hearing, 80dBA is not overly loud, and I don't use generally use hearing protection for loader or backhoe work under 2500 rpm. I use hearing for PTO or full throttle operation as the engine itself is approaching 90dBA and that can cause hearing loss. The implement will of course add additional noise.

Good video. You guys do the best you can to make Test equal and unbiased. Thanks jdmich

Great comparison vids Tim. How about at the end you put a chart that has a listing of each category tested (like you did at the 0:25 mark) and then two vertical columns next to that (one for JD and one for Kub) with the measurements you got? That would summarize everything in one spot - thanks!

Great video as always! I think the slope test may be a little skewed due to several passes along the same slope, which loosens the soil for the next run. I don’t know how else to compare though. Keep up the great work!

Interesting observation on the steering wheel. I have an older JD x475 garden tractor that behaves like the Kubota. I'm curious what the commonality is.

Should've calculated the degree of the tilt on the ditch side. Compared to what specs state.

Hey Tim, I like the testing you have done so far. Bottom line in Round 3 based on your results. 1: Kubota has more horsepower = more work done per minute 2:Burns less fuel per hour = cost savings 3:Produces less noise at the operators station = more comfort for the operator TEAM ORANGE is the winner hands down.

The rattle in the bx is the engine stops. These are hard stops to keep the motor from over stressing or tearing the rubber motor mounts in extreme adverse angles. It is a little disconcerting the first time you hear it, but once you understand it you are fine.

BX owner, with the steering rods in front the boots tend to fail, replaced mine with upgraded aftermarket for about $30.

11:47 how many times have I heard that... 😂😂

Tim, loving the comparison between the bx and 1025r so far. Thanks for showing what they will do on a slope. Perhaps this has been addressed and I know you touched on it in the first video, but I haven't been able to find a video anywhere showing the real world application of position control on the 1025r and the quarter inching valve on the bx. Would love to see a comparison between the two using a box blade or some other ground engaging piece of equipment. I keep reading how position control is important in such applications but I've had other people say it doesn't matter, so I don't know what to believe. Thanks again for all your hard work and effort putting these videos together.

I actually just mowed my ditch that is at least that steep with the BX today. It’s unnerving, but I don’t get a sense it’s even close to actually tipping. I assume the Deere weighs more? That could help with stability along with the extra couple inches of width. Good review, I just wish you had some grass to cut! Haha.

Do you have any really tall grass or weeds to mow that may make a difference on mowing for the clean out of the mower when it spits out the grass clippings

Great comparison Tim. I have watched all three rounds and I feel you have been fair and objective.

Just a word of caution when using a wrench or socket on the "pulley" side to loosen the blades. I tried that on my Kubota ZD 221-54" deck and it only loosened the nut on the pulley and did not loosen the blade. I use my impact or the "board trick" you mentioned. Great video overall.

I own a B2601, FEL and backhoe and am very happy with it. That being said, there are a couple of things that are less than idea. My JD owning friends feel the same about their tractors. My final choice, between JD and Kubota, pretty much cane down to dealers. I think you are really doing your best to be objective so don’t let the haters get you down.

Once my 1025 got 500 hours the deck had some part break every season. I mowed with an old International more than with the Deere. Cheap metal pins and latches.

Just a hint on what I do in the pucker factor situation. I'll have my loader on lowered as needed, and the backhoe outriggers lowered close to the ground so if I start to tip I hope they support all the weight so I can adjust strategy.

Hey Tractor time with Tim. I saw this video a while ago and never payed attention to the rattle noise you mentioned on a slope. I have a 2017 bx2380 and know this noise well. It is not an engine noise. The issue is there are brackets attached to the engine mounts that stick out sideways and the rub the frame rail when on a slope. This is an easy fix. Mine was repaired under warranty they just ground some of the material off them and they don't rub the frame anymore. I am not sure if on the newer models this was resolved or this may still have to be done.

My BX has a shake/rattle on extreme side slopes as well. I also find it concerning.

Your comments are fair, the two tractors are not apples to apples. Except for this series I really like your channel.

We have watched this series several times just for the entertainment and info! The first time, I thought, “Tim has gone all Hollywood on us with the green and orange graphics editing “ then I realized you were using a paint can!

These have been my favorite vids of late Tim...admittedly I prefer my JD 1026R ...I will say Tim I never cut my ditch with the deck that low, I always raise it up so I do not mow dirt or have it snag. The Kubota looked like it was too low. I thought both decks should have been raised all the way up. If you have to mow twice as often so be it. I can see why you use the Ventrac there...Weed eater for the rest of us.

great info... Have you thought about adding snow removal test??

Tim 7 gage steel is .1793". I'm thinkin you may have a higher pucker factor than me! Nice comparison!

I'm interested in the people who always dislike Tim's videos? Leave me a comment on why 25 people didn't agree with what he said or enjoy the video.

Another refreshing, unbiased video. Thanks! I get pucker factor doing the side of my sand mound on my 1023E, but every time I pick up the 60" deck I'm reminded how much weight is just above the ground, lowering the COG. (Advantage Deere with the thicker deck?) One place I can regularly scalp is the corner of my sand mound. If I approach it so the wheels straddle a corner it'll scalp rounding the top. Regarding fuel usage, did you happen to notice what RPM the 2 engines were running to get the proper PTO RPM? Thanks again for the time you and your family put in to educating us. PS: Wonder what the pucker factor was at Good Works as they were watching you do this to their tractor? :)

You can adjust your turning stop on the Kubota. Down on your axle. So you can make a tighter turn. I don’t know if John Deere has that to?

Another awesome video...my property has a lot of hills, so this was appreciated 👍 Not sure if I like the hydraulics in front of the axial on the BX 🤔

Great video reply and tell me which tractor you prefer

Few comments #1. Turning radius....I would have been very surprised if the BX won that . My 1025 turns as tight or tighter then my Craftsman lawn tractor. #2. In the “DIP” ....looks like (from the video) both tractors didn’t want to be there. #3. The BX clearly won the fuel consumption test....my question is what was the RPM on each machine? #4. Noise level.....a little means a lot....BX wins #5. Maybe on the FEL, do an Idle lift test, 2000 RPM lift test and a WOT lift test with both? (I bet the JD wins the idle test....) Best videos I’ve seen in ages....keep going!

While the deere used more fuel than the BX, i have found that my Deere sips fuel compared to my cub Cadet RTZL Zero Turn honda engine using gas.... 2 Acres on the Cub would be about 2.5 gal, on the deere would be a subjective 2gal(Estimated, aka, 2-3 cuts with the Deere, where I would fill the cub every cut)

For steep slopes on my property I avoid the “pucker factor” by using a self propelled Honda lawnmower. The Honda has a spring loaded drive clutch and the moment it is released the blade stops rotating. I also wear sturdy boots to insure good walking traction with the mower. I really don’t want to risk tipping a tractor with the high potential of serious injury and damage to the machine.

Good video! Um, I'd do the worst parts of that ditch with a weedeater. I also noticed that the Kubota is quieter! Not really sure how that works, seein's how the JD has a composite hood and sides; I thought it would be the quieter one. Maybe in the exhaust or muffler? They do sound very similar, one's just louder. Also surprised on the fuel consumption- I thought it would be a tie. The numbers work out with what I have on my 1025R though.

It looks like both tractors have seat belts. That would come in handy on my little Cub Cadet XT1. I have a similar grade hill as the ditches at your place and encounter serious butt side slide. Now I just mow up the hill then back down.

As per the ratings the older 1025 don't use quite as much fuel as the 2018. This info comes from Deere and the fuel usage data. I don't know about the BX.

Also, in the future you might measure the outside front corner..getting around tight spaces…great video thanks…

Tim, That pucker factor test was a real eye opener! I just acquired a BX23S with a cab, backhoe and loader. I have Rimgard in the rear tires and put on 3" wheel spacers. What's your guess on how close to what you achieved could I expect? Best to you and Kriste, love your channel!

I have a similar roadside ditch. My zero turn causes a great deal of pucker factor when I use it. My BX has some lean, but is fairly stable. As for the rattle on the BX, mine does that too and I’m pretty sure that’s the metal hood rattling so nothing to really worry about. What in the world happened to your grass?? Did the flood kill it?? Great video as usual. Keep up the good work. Signed The Other Tim with Tractors

I had a mahindra c27 compact tractor man it was a strong little tractor even though 2 wheel drive a five foot boxblade would fill up amd it had no problem moving it because it was gear driven can you compare a jdcompact to a mahindra compact thank you ,you have a good channel

This would have been a great opportunity to show the advantage of the Ventrac on hills.

I imagine if you didn't have Vinny you would fill in the little dip part. The pucker factor in the sub compacts is likely higher than on Vinny because you are higher off the ground, makes that tilt feel greater. It is probably easier to make the Kubota deck straight across the back.