Kubota BX2380 vs Kioti CS2520
Quick take: The Kubota BX2380 costs $400 less; the Kioti CS2520 has more engine power (24.5 vs 21.6 hp); the Kioti CS2520 has more loader lift (1,062 vs 680 lbs).
| Spec | Kubota BX2380 | Kioti CS2520 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $17,500 | $17,900 |
| Rating | 4.6★ (950) | 4.4★ (520) |
| Category | Sub-Compact | Sub-Compact |
| Transmission | Hydrostatic | Hydrostatic |
| Engine HP | 21.6 hp | 24.5 hp |
| PTO HP | 17.7 hp | 18.5 hp |
| Loader Lift | 680 lbs | 1062 lbs |
| 3-Point Lift | 680 lbs | 700 lbs |
| Hydraulic Flow | 6.2 GPM | 6.97 GPM |
| Drive | 4WD | 4WD |
| Engine | Kubota | Daedong |
| Weight | 1477 lbs | 1554 lbs |
| Fuel Tank | 6.6 gal | 7.1 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 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
Kioti CS2520
- ✓At 24.5 HP it out-powers the Kubota BX and Deere 1025R while typically costing less than either, a fact Kioti owners love to point out
- ✓The SL2420 loader lifts over 1,000 lbs - dramatically more than the ~700 lb loaders on the BX2380 and 1025R
- ✓Kioti builds their own Daedong engines, and the 6-year powertrain warranty is one of the best in the sub-compact class
- ✓You get a lot of standard equipment for the price - Kioti's whole pitch is more tractor per dollar
- ✓The build is stout and the hydraulics feel strong for a sub-compact, handling loader work with authority
- ✓Owners consistently report the machine feels a size class larger than its sub-compact rivals in capability
- ✓Cruise control and telescoping stabilizers come standard where competitors charge extra
- ✓The dealer experience gets good marks from owners who have one nearby, with responsive support
- ✗The dealer network is much smaller than Kubota or Deere, so buyers in some regions face a long drive for service
- ✗Resale value trails the Japanese brands, though it holds better than some budget makes
- ✗Brand recognition is lower, so some buyers worry about long-term parts support even though it's generally solid
- ✗No drive-over mower deck, so mid-mount mowing setup is more manual than the Deere AutoConnect system
- ✗Some owners note the paint and decals don't hold up as well as Kubota's over years outdoors
- ✗The extra loader capacity means you can overload the light chassis if you're not careful
- ✗Fewer third-party attachments are engineered specifically for Kioti compared to the big two
- ✗Forum community and shared knowledge base are smaller, so troubleshooting help is harder to find online