Which is better — John Deere 4052M or Kubota L4802?

John Deere 4052M lists higher engine horsepower (51.5 vs 48.4 HP). That is not a PTO advantage — confirm shaft power separately before buying cutters or tillers. John Deere 4052M is heavier (3,770 vs 3,549 lb operating weight) — usually more stability and traction; Kubota L4802 stays easier to maneuver in tight yards. Choose John Deere 4052M when you need more rear lift (2,500 vs 2,320 lb @ 24″) for heavier three-point tools, or more frame mass (3,770 vs 3,549 lb) for traction and stability. Choose Kubota L4802 when you need lower operating weight (3,549 vs 3,770 lb) for tight yards. Use the Fit checker for your heaviest attachment instead of comparing engine HP alone.

Are these numbers invented?

No. Engine HP, weight, and rear lift come from catalog Facts; PTO/hitch only from verified overlays. Missing Facts show as — — we never invent shaft ratings.

How do I check attachments?

Open the Fit checker with John Deere 4052M or Kubota L4802, pick an attachment type and model, and read Pass/Fail/Partial on hitch, PTO, and lift.

John Deere 4052M vs Kubota L4802

Both sit in the Compact class with similar engine horsepower (51.5 vs 48.4 HP). Below: catalog Facts for engine horsepower, weight, and rear lift; PTO and hitch only when verified. The decision points call out who leads on each Fact — engine HP is not a substitute for PTO HP.

Engine horsepower is not PTO horsepower. Missing Facts show as — — we never invent shaft ratings.

John Deere 4052M Profile →Kubota L4802 Profile →Fit checker →

How to choose

John Deere 4052M lists higher engine horsepower (51.5 vs 48.4 HP). That is not a PTO advantage — confirm shaft power separately before buying cutters or tillers.
John Deere 4052M is heavier (3,770 vs 3,549 lb operating weight) — usually more stability and traction; Kubota L4802 stays easier to maneuver in tight yards.
John Deere 4052M has more rear lift (2,500 vs 2,320 lb @ 24″) — more headroom for heavier three-point tools. Kubota L4802 needs lighter implements or stricter ballast discipline.
Both list Category I — hitch class alone does not settle the matchup; lift and PTO still decide implement fit.
Verified PTO horsepower is essentially even (39.1 PTO HP) — heavy PTO tools then hinge on lift and frame mass.
Next step: open the Fit checker with the tractor that wins on your heaviest implement, and screen hitch, PTO, and lift against that attachment.

When to pick each

Choose John Deere 4052M when you need more rear lift (2,500 vs 2,320 lb @ 24″) for heavier three-point tools, or more frame mass (3,770 vs 3,549 lb) for traction and stability.

Choose Kubota L4802 when you need lower operating weight (3,549 vs 3,770 lb) for tight yards.

Spec comparison

Spec	John Deere 4052M	Kubota L4802
Size class	Compact	Compact
Engine horsepower	51.5 HP	48.4 HP
Operating weight	3,770 lbs	3,549 lbs
Rear hitch lift @ 24″	2,500 lbs @ 24″	2,320 lbs @ 24″
Hitch category	Category I	Category I
PTO horsepower	39.1 PTO HP	39 PTO HP
PTO RPM	540 RPM	540 RPM

Sources

FAQ

Which is better — John Deere 4052M or Kubota L4802?: John Deere 4052M lists higher engine horsepower (51.5 vs 48.4 HP). That is not a PTO advantage — confirm shaft power separately before buying cutters or tillers. John Deere 4052M is heavier (3,770 vs 3,549 lb operating weight) — usually more stability and traction; Kubota L4802 stays easier to maneuver in tight yards. Choose John Deere 4052M when you need more rear lift (2,500 vs 2,320 lb @ 24″) for heavier three-point tools, or more frame mass (3,770 vs 3,549 lb) for traction and stability. Choose Kubota L4802 when you need lower operating weight (3,549 vs 3,770 lb) for tight yards. Use the Fit checker for your heaviest attachment instead of comparing engine HP alone.
Are these numbers invented?: No. Engine HP, weight, and rear lift come from catalog Facts; PTO/hitch only from verified overlays. Missing Facts show as — — we never invent shaft ratings.
How do I check attachments?: Open the Fit checker with John Deere 4052M or Kubota L4802, pick an attachment type and model, and read Pass/Fail/Partial on hitch, PTO, and lift.