Both compact · John Deere against Kubota
John Deere 3046R vs Kubota L4470
| Spec | John Deere 3046R | Kubota L4470 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$39,600 | ~$39,395 |
| What that price is | MSRP, base build | MSRP, base build |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine hp | 44.7 hp | 44 hp |
| PTO hp | 33.9 hp | 36.2 hp |
| Loader lift | 1,393 lbsat the pivot pin | 1,726 lbsat the pivot pin |
| Three-point lift | 2,194 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 2,756 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 15.3 GPM | 9.83 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Yanmar | Kubota |
| Weight | 3,066 lbs | 4,266 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 10 gal | not published |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | Yes | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
John Deere 3046R
What they like
- Turbocharged and intercooled, the only engine in the 3 Series with a charge cooler, which is how 1.568 L reaches 44.7 hp
- A dedicated 6.2 gpm steering circuit on top of 9.1 gpm to implements means the steering never robs the loader
- Cruise control and eHydro are both standard rather than options
- A ComfortGard cab with air conditioning is a factory choice, and at 4,008 lb equipped it is a serious all-weather machine
- 2,194 lb at 24 in. behind the lift points, matching the rest of the 3R line
What they complain about
- eHydro is the only transmission - there is no gear option at any price, unlike the 3033R and 3039R below it
- At roughly $39,208 on Deere's published base list it costs about $9,500 more than the gear-drive 3043D, which puts more power to the PTO
- The 320R loader is unchanged from the 31.8 hp 3033R at 1,393 lb at the pivot pin, so the whole price step buys engine rather than lift
- 1,005 lb at 500 mm ahead of the pivot pin is the honest working figure on forks, and it has not moved either
- Turbo, intercooler and a diesel particulate filter make this the most complex emissions and induction package in the family
Kubota L4470
What they like
- 36.2 PTO hp from 44 engine hp is 82 percent, the highest conversion rate anywhere in the Grand L70 range
- 130.5 lbf-ft of torque from the turbocharged V2403-CR-TE5, half again the L3770's figure
- 2,756 lb of three-point lift 24 in behind the lift points, with Category I hitch and three optional remotes
- Premium trim brings the loader joystick, jog dial, dual RPM memory switches and optional cameras
- 4,266 lb ROPS weight on an 80.5 in wheelbase gives it a planted feel with a loaded bucket
What they complain about
- Still on the small LA806 loader at 1,726 lb, where $6,858 more buys the L5070's 2,427 lb LA1056
- $39,395 approaches utility-tractor money without a utility tractor's hitch or pump
- No fuel tank capacity is published for any model in this series
- Hydrostatic only - no gear or shuttle build is offered anywhere in the Grand L70 range