plant hire - head to head
John Deere vs Kubota
Both makes turn up on the same shortlists, and the honest answer is that they are built for different buyers rather than one being better than the other. Here is what actually separates them - from a directory that sells neither.
| John Deere | Kubota | |
|---|---|---|
| Built in | USA | Japan |
| UK availability | Widely available - large UK network | Widely available - large UK network |
| Range covers | Agricultural tractors, Combines, Construction equipment | Mini and compact excavators, Compact track loaders, Compact tractors, Engines used across the plant industry |
| Best known for | 6R series | KX series |
Choose John Deere if...
John Deere is the long-established American agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer best known worldwide for its tractors. In the UK plant and trailer hire trade, its mid-range 6-series tractors are hired mainly for towing plant trailers and running PTO attachments rather than as a dedicated construction machine.
Look at: 6R series
Full John Deere profile →Choose Kubota if...
The mini excavator most hire fleets standardise on. Reliability and the zero-tail-swing U series are the reasons - on a domestic driveway or a garden job, the ability to slew without catching a wall is worth more than extra breakout force.
Look at: KX series, U series
Full Kubota profile →Where to hire or buy either
Most UK plant hire companies carry several makes and advertise none of them, so the practical move is to find the firms covering your area and ask what is on the yard.
John Deere vs Kubota - common questions
Is John Deere better than Kubota?
Neither is better outright - they are built for different buyers. John Deere is the long-established American agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer best known worldwide for its tractors. In the UK plant and trailer hire trade, its mid-range 6-series tractors are hired mainly for towing plant trailers and running PTO attachments rather than as a dedicated construction machine. The mini excavator most hire fleets standardise on. Reliability and the zero-tail-swing U series are the reasons - on a domestic driveway or a garden job, the ability to slew without catching a wall is worth more than extra breakout force.
Which is easier to get hold of in the UK, John Deere or Kubota?
John Deere: One of the most common tractor brands in the UK, with a large agricultural dealer network nationwide. Kubota: Extremely common in UK hire fleets, particularly at the one to three tonne end.
Can I hire rather than buy?
Yes. Most UK plant hire companies hire as well as sell, and many carry several makes without listing them. Search by your area and ask what they have on the yard.
Other comparisons
GetBrent is an independent directory and is not a dealer for, nor affiliated with, either manufacturer. Brand and model names are the trademarks of their owners, used here only to identify the products they refer to. Specifications vary by model year and market - confirm weights, dimensions and towing limits with the supplier before hiring or buying.