I don't see how Cat's cabs are too small for people, it bugs me more that the takeuchi cab is so wide because it is harder to see out of, the Cat cabs are nice and narrow and easy to see right down next to the track imo Plus a smaller cab warms up quicker in the winter and is easier to keep cool in the summer.
CNH Claims to have the "widest cab in the industry". The C/C2 & D series Cat cabs are less than an inch narrower. Don't know what benefit any wider cab from any brand would have as it is. Haven't ever measured a Kubota cab, but figured it wasn't much different if CNH had the widest.
The cat 289c2 we had had a shorter undercarriage than the kubota svl 90 I believe it looked like it I never checked the specs on it. The 90 is a bigger machine but the cat just beat me to death compared to the kubota. The kubota has a much larger cab and is just a far more Comfortable machine to run no skid loader rides great but there's a big difference between these to. The slide up door on the kubota also makes it much easier to use you don't have to worry about were the boom is to get in and out of the machine and in the summer if you want to you can run with the door open and don't have to worry about breaking the glass if you get into something that can do that you just roll the door up and latch it
As with anything, what were the differences in the machines specs? There's lots of options that can make one worse than the other. Seat options are a big one, air ride versus spring (spring can be nicer or just as nice but is a PITA to adjust), cloth versus vinyl, etc. Ride control makes a night and day difference as well. IIRC Kubota doesn't offer ride control? I know people who have it but they added it later and its always on. The kubota armrests and sticks dont move with seat which annoyed me but its minor for some.
Slide up/roll up doors are a personal preference. From what i've heard, Kubota did a decent job with theirs compared to others but they are still a personal preference. As much as I love the option of being able to work with it open on certain jobs (when you need to communicate with people or see/hear intricate things), I hate getting in and out of them and much prefer a pull n go handle on a normal swinging door as well as the tight seal they always have. If breaking glass is an issue order it with Lexan. I've never used a c/c2 or D with a glass door, ours have all been lexan and I don't think the dealer orders any with glass anyways.
I'm a taller bigger guy so getting in and out all day is why I don't like it. Cat is also so much more money you can get a kubota that has its faults for 60 and a comparable cat that has its faults to is gonna be above 90 probably closer to 100 for a 299 d. kubota insurance is added into your payment for next to nothing and covers everything an operator backed our hard into a tree and dented the door and they replaced it for nothing and no rate increase that's part of the reason I say go for the kubota just so much more affordable and profitable for the company
I'm not big but I am tall, I like the low threshold of the Cat but feel getting up to that point leaves something to be desired, being tall makes it easier though. With a bucket on its no big deal, with no attachment, leaving the plate forward gives you a step. The D series has a nice step on the plate but the door doesn't open far enough to use it. With some attachments you are left having to step on top of tire which is a pretty big jump for a lot of people. Sounds like they need a heavier door or better bumper protection if a tree can dent it. Hope the one on the wheeled machines is tougher (especially since the fuel tank is in/on it) or it wont last long in barns.
Those prices are seriously high for a 299D even an XHP with every option. But location does play a big role. Kubota's machines are/were built to be economical, they always have been, thats how a lot of japanese stuff is. Simple, reliable, economical, efficient.
We paid 65 for kubota svl 90 in 2012 new with cab everything you can get and I just looked on machinery trader for a 2015 new cat 299d that has 5 more hp than the kubota weighs about the same they were asking 95 probly going to add taxes on top of that to so that would put you over a hundred. A 2013 cat 299d with 1200 hrs asking 67. 2015 kubota with 30 hours same features as cat back up camera and everything 60 with 0 percent financing for 48 months
You mean the ones that say for rent only? Machinery trader/Tractor house list prices on any equipment, especially new, are the top end of prices which are never anywhere near the selling prices. Look at the auction prices to find the bottom dollar value, then average between for a rough idea. If comparing new equipment, be serious with the dealer. I know what a 299 would go for here and while I have nothing against the Kubota, for that price I wouldn't see a reason to buy it instead, if nothing else simply for the resale. They're both good, a prices vary a lot based on dealer. We have an awesome Kubota dealer and have Kubota stuff as well.
If financing is your thing, Cat has 0 for 60 with 0 down.
The only thing kubota doesn't have is LCD screen that will quite in 5 years and need replaced in my opinion so thats just a none needed look at me luxury and Bluetooth radio and camera which is one thing kubota does need to add we put one in ours. Kub has electronic load sensing hydraulics and travel management system near identical undercarriage only cat multiterrain loaders have suspension and that's just an asv machine. Both have triple flanged idlers and rollers. Same buttons and switches in cab just each the company's own version. Both have air suspension seat. Not trying to argue just saying there fairly close machines cat just has the fancy factor kubota has the reliability. I go against cat small machines because of the problems we have had with our 236 and 304 cr both couplings between engine and hydralic pumps broke within 2 weeks of each other 304 came from factory with cracked block replaced engine on warranty at 900 hrs and ac problems. And so far kubota svl 90 and u55 haven't had a single problem at 2000 and 1500 hrs each
The screen isn't really a luxury and its optional. Its nice to be able to control your own settings without having to have the dealer plug in and change them for you (ride control engagement speed, control agressiveness, diagnostics,etc) None of those would matter on the Kubota anyways though.
Kubota does not have the variable displacement pump that the XPS/XHP Cat's have, they use gear pumps. Still load sensing though, but less efficient and lower pressure also.
The kubota's are great machines, I have nothing against them thats for sure. At least the Cat and Kubota people agree on a good engine.
