If you are shopping for a 40-plus horsepower compact tractor, the short list usually comes down to the John Deere 4044M and a Kubota from the L Series, most often the L4060 or the L3560. All three are four-cylinder or three-cylinder diesels built for loader work, mowing, snow and moving material around a property or small farm. The differences are in the details, and this fall the financing is part of the decision too.
Below we put the published specs side by side, call out where each tractor comes out ahead, and walk through the math on the current John Deere offer so you can compare real numbers.
The 4044M and the Kubota L4060 are very close on engine and PTO power. The 4044M pumps noticeably more hydraulic oil, which you feel in loader speed and in running hydraulic attachments. The L4060 lifts a little more at the 3-point hitch and is offered with a factory cab, which the 4044M is not. The L3560 is a smaller tractor than either, with less engine power and less hydraulic flow than the 4044M.
Spec figures below come from John Deere's published side-by-side comparisons. Kubota numbers vary by transmission (DT, GST, HST, HSTC), so we list the range.
Hydraulic flow is the biggest gap. The 4044M's 17.4 gpm pump is roughly 2.7 to 3.3 gpm more than the L4060, and its implement circuit adds 1.4 to 1.8 gpm. On a loader tractor that means quicker cycle times when you are filling a spreader or stacking bales. It also means more steering flow, which makes a loaded tractor easier to turn at low engine speed.
You also get a choice of transmission: a 12F/12R PowrReverser for steady, gear-driven work like mowing and tillage, or the three-range eHydro for loader work and tight spaces. The larger fuel tank is a small thing that adds up on long mowing days.
The L4060 lifts about 260 lb more at the 3-point hitch, has a slightly larger engine displacement, and is available from the factory with a cab. If heavy rear implements or a cab are must-haves, those are real advantages. If you want a John Deere cab tractor in this size, the 4044R shares the 4044M's engine and hydraulics and is offered with a cab. You can see the full 4044M vs. 4044R comparison to see what changes between them.
Engine and PTO power are effectively a tie. Half a horsepower either way is not something you will notice on the job.
The L3560 is often shopped against the 4044M on price, but it is a smaller tractor. It is rated at 37 hp gross with 28.0 to 29.5 PTO hp, compared with 42.5 hp and up to 33.6 PTO hp on the 4044M. Its hydraulic pump is rated at 12.7 to 13.2 gpm against the 4044M's 17.4 gpm. The L3560 does list a 2,650 lb 3-point lift, slightly more than the 4044M.
If your work is mostly mowing and light loader chores, the L3560 class may be enough, and John Deere's 3 Series is the closer match. Koenig has a full 3039R vs. Kubota L3560 comparison if that is the size you are weighing. If you plan to run a loader hard, pull a larger rotary cutter or run hydraulic attachments, the extra power and flow of the 4044M class will matter.
Through November 1, 2026, John Deere is offering 0% APR fixed rate for 60 months and $1,500 off on a new 4044M, on approved credit with John Deere Financial. Here is what that looks like in plain numbers.
For most buyers who finance, the 60-month offer is the better deal: you keep the $1,500 and pay no interest. The 84-month option makes sense if keeping the monthly payment low matters more than the total cost. Offers change and terms depend on credit approval, so check the current details on our offers page or ask your Koenig salesperson to run the numbers on the exact tractor and loader you want.
Pick the 4044M if you spend most of your seat time on the loader or running hydraulic attachments, want a PowrReverser option, and are happy with an open station. Look at the Kubota L4060 if rear lift capacity is your top need or you must have a cab and want to stay in that exact size. Look at the L3560 class only if your work is on the lighter side.
Whatever you choose, plan for the dealer behind it. Service, parts availability and a technician who knows your tractor are what keep it running year after year. The best test is to drive both. Bring the job you do most, try the loader, and feel the difference in hydraulic speed for yourself.
They are nearly even. The 4044M is rated at 42.5 gross hp and the L4060 at 42 hp. PTO power is within about half a horsepower depending on transmission. The bigger difference is hydraulic flow, where the 4044M is higher.
No. The 4044M is an open-station tractor. If you want a cab in this size, the John Deere 4044R shares the same engine and hydraulic system and is offered with a cab.
Through November 1, 2026, John Deere is offering 0% APR fixed rate for 60 months plus $1,500 off a new 4044M, on approved credit with John Deere Financial. A 1.9% APR for 84 months option and a $4,000 cash discount are also listed. See our offers page for current terms.