Kubota BX2380 vs John Deere 1023E
Quick take: The John Deere 1023E costs $500 less; the Kubota BX2380 has more engine power (21.6 vs 21.5 hp); the John Deere 1023E has more loader lift (836 vs 680 lbs).
| Spec | Kubota BX2380 | John Deere 1023E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17,500 | $17,000 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (950) | 4.5★ (860) |
| Category | Sub-Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine HP | 21.6 hp | 21.5 hp |
| PTO HP | 17.7 hp | 15.3 hp |
| Loader Lift | 680 lbs | 836 lbs |
| 3-Point Lift | 680 lbs | 681 lbs |
| Hydraulic Flow | 6.2 GPM | 6.3 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Kubota | Yanmar |
| Weight | 1477 lbs | 1345 lbs |
| Fuel Tank | 6.6 gal | 5.6 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | Yes | Yes |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain | 6 yr / 2000 hr powertrain |
Pros & cons
Kubota BX2380
- ✓Priced several thousand less than a comparably equipped John Deere 1025R, it's the value pick that started the BX-vs-Deere debate on every forum
- ✓Kubota's in-house D902 diesel is renowned for reliability and easy starting, with owners reporting thousands of trouble-free hours
- ✓The RCK60 drive-over mower deck lets you position and connect the deck without crawling under the tractor - close to the Deere AutoConnect experience
- ✓The LA344 loader quick-attaches without tools and pairs well for a machine of this size and price
- ✓Kubota's dealer and parts network is deep, so service and support are rarely a problem
- ✓Cross-drilled independent rear brakes give a tight turning circle that owners love in tight yards
- ✓Excellent resale value - used BX2380s hold their price nearly as well as Deeres
- ✓Simple, no-nonsense controls make it one of the friendliest tractors for a first-time owner
- ✗21.6 HP is on the low end, so heavy loader loads or thick grass will slow it down noticeably
- ✗No cruise control on the HST, which the competing Deere 1025R includes standard and owners miss on long mows
- ✗The 680 lb loader lift and 680 lb 3-point capacity are modest, limiting heavier implements
- ✗Fitting and removing the mid-mount mower deck is still more involved than Deere's fully automatic AutoConnect system
- ✗Small 6.6-gallon tank means you're refueling often on big jobs
- ✗The tie-rod ends and steering components sit low and exposed, and some owners report bending them on stumps or rocks
- ✗Ground clearance is limited, so it's not happy on rough, rocky, or steeply sloped ground
- ✗Options and packages add up fast, and a fully loaded BX2380 narrows the price gap with a base 1025R
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