John Deere 1025R vs John Deere 1023E
Quick take: The John Deere 1023E costs $3,500 less; the John Deere 1025R has more engine power (23.9 vs 21.5 hp); the John Deere 1025R has more loader lift (905 vs 836 lbs).
| Spec | John Deere 1025R | John Deere 1023E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $20,500 | $17,000 |
| Rating | 4.7★ (1,400) | 4.5★ (860) |
| Category | Sub-Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine HP | 23.9 hp | 21.5 hp |
| PTO HP | 18 hp | 15.3 hp |
| Loader Lift | 905 lbs | 836 lbs |
| 3-Point Lift | 681 lbs | 681 lbs |
| Hydraulic Flow | 6.4 GPM | 6.3 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Yanmar |
| Weight | 1543 lbs | 1345 lbs |
| Fuel Tank | 5.4 gal | 5.6 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
Pros & cons
John Deere 1025R
- ✓The AutoConnect drive-over mower deck is genuinely a 5-minute on/off job you do without leaving the seat, unlike Kubota's BX where you crawl underneath to hook things up
- ✓The 120R loader and 60D deck quick-attach system is the best-in-class engineering reason most owners pick this over a Kubota BX
- ✓Dealer network is enormous - almost everyone has a Deere dealer within 30 minutes for parts and warranty, which is a huge deal when you break a hydraulic line
- ✓Independent PTO with the flip of a lever means you can stop moving without killing the mower or tiller, something budget tractors fumble
- ✓Resale value is legendary - people routinely sell used 1025Rs for 80-90% of what they paid after several years of use
- ✓The hydrostatic transmission with Twin Touch pedals is smooth and forgiving, ideal for first-time tractor owners doing loader work
- ✓Cruise control on the HST is a back-saver for long mowing sessions, and it's standard not an upcharge
- ✓Build quality feels a notch above the competition - the sheet metal, seat, and controls all feel more finished and durable
- ✗Premium pricing - you pay a real Deere tax versus a comparably specced Kubota BX2380 or Mahindra eMax that costs $2,000-4,000 less loaded
- ✗Only 23.9 HP means it can bog down in heavy loader work or thick brush - it's a light-duty machine and owners who push it wish they'd bought a 2-series
- ✗The 3-point lift of 681 lbs is modest, so heavier rear implements like a big box blade or post-hole digger max it out
- ✗Deere locks you into their proprietary Quik-Park loader and AutoConnect deck, so third-party attachments are limited and pricey
- ✗Loaded pricing with loader, deck, and backhoe pushes toward $25K, which is a lot of money for a sub-compact many owners note
- ✗The small 5.4-gallon fuel tank means frequent refills during a full day of work
- ✗Tier 4 emissions and the compact engine bay make some DIY maintenance more fiddly than older simpler tractors
- ✗Ground clearance is low, so it struggles on rough or rutted terrain compared to a true compact like the 2025R or 3025E
John Deere 1023E
- ✓It's the cheapest way into a new John Deere, and frequent 0% financing deals put it within reach of ordinary homeowners
- ✓It shares the 1025R's frame, axles, and attachment compatibility, so the 120R loader and AutoConnect deck all fit
- ✓The Yanmar diesel is the same proven family as the 1025R's, and many owners report never missing the extra 2 HP
- ✓Deere's massive dealer network means parts and service are almost always within 30 minutes
- ✓Resale value is excellent - used 1023Es routinely sell for close to their original price
- ✓The Twin Touch hydrostatic pedals make it one of the friendliest first tractors for a total beginner
- ✓It's light enough to tow with a half-ton truck and a basic utility trailer
- ✓For mowing, snow removal, and light loader chores on a few acres, it does 90% of what the 1025R does for $2,000 less
- ✗The stripped E-trim deletes cruise control, tilt steering, the suspension seat, and fender lights that make the 1025R nicer to live with
- ✗Position control on the 3-point is replaced by a simpler system, so repeatable implement height settings are harder to dial in
- ✗At 21.5 HP and 15.3 PTO HP it's among the weakest tractors on the lot, and thick grass or heavy loader work will slow it down
- ✗The 681 lb 3-point lift rules out heavier rear implements entirely
- ✗Owners who start doing serious loader work almost universally wish they'd bought a 2-series or bigger
- ✗The tiny 5.6-gallon tank and 1,345 lb weight underline that this is a light-duty machine
- ✗Deere's proprietary attachment ecosystem is pricey, eroding the E-model's savings as you add implements
- ✗A Kubota BX2380 or Kioti CS2520 at similar money offers comparable or better specs, so the value case rests heavily on the green badge