Self Leveling Deere vs Kubota

[GeneD14]

I am considering buying a new tractor next spring. The two choices that I have narrowed it down to at this point are the Deere 5083e and the Kubota 8540. I would guess that 75% of the time I am using it for loader work. I use the bucket, pallet forks, and I have a root grapple. I really, really, want self leveling function on the loader. I have a crawler with it and have used other tractors with it and I strongly prefer it. Here is question#1: the Deere is only offered in mechanical self leveling, the Kubota has hydraulic self leveling. The hydraulic method seems to have a big advantage as far as visibility goes. Are there any advantages to the mechanical style of self leveling?

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Typically mechanical leveling is not as precise, and some variations of it only work going up, but not down. There is no question that from an engineering perspective hydraulic is preferred.

 

[GeneD14]

Thanks for the info.

One of my other wants is an instructor seat. Kubota does not offer one for the 8540. My Deere salesman didn't know if they did. Does anyone know if Deere offers an instructor seat on the 5083e???

Thanks!

 

[GreenWannabe]

The JD configurator does not list a instructor or buddy seat.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Typically mechanical leveling is not as precise, and some variations of it only work going up, but not down. There is no question that from an engineering perspective hydraulic is preferred.

Is it possible for you to explain to me how a mechanical self leveling bucket can work going up, but not down?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I believe that the Kubota self leveling system can be turned on and off. That would be one of the pluses for me to get the Kubota over the Deere.

 

[Cidertom]

Are there any advantages to the mechanical style of self leveling?

Simplicity.

If the one on the 5083e is anything similar to the 400cx loader I have on my 4520 the following comments may apply to your situation.

At full dump the loader won't raise beyond a certain point. So far it has not been an issue.

The rollback on the bucket is " the same" as the non leveling. However, the effective is less as it stays the same angle all the way up. The normal one the rollback appers to increase as the bucket is raised.

I do a lot of pallet / material work, so it makes sense for me.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Is it possible for you to explain to me how a mechanical self leveling bucket can work going up, but not down?

Some variations of mechanical leveling use a linkage thats tied to the loader valve. Its kinda a mechanical version of hydraulic leveling.

 

[bjcsc]

Unless you're doing a lot of pallet work like Cidertom, forget about mechanical self-leveling. It's very easy to find the exact spot on the loader valve to keep things level for intermittent use. I don't know if things have changed, but I originally had Deere's MSL. It wouldn't fully dump the bucket at less than 10 feet high. That's about as useful as somthinorother on a boar hog. Check out my post (#18) in this thread: Self-Leveling. Again, I don't know if Deere re-engineered their MSL, but if it looks like the one I used to have and you decide you must have self-leveling - go orange...

 

[AndyMA]

Typically mechanical leveling is not as precise, and some variations of it only work going up, but not down. There is no question that from an engineering perspective hydraulic is preferred.

I'm suprised you would say that. I would think that mechanical self leveling is more precise than hydraulic assuming the geometry is done right. There is no way for it to vary where with hydraulic there are always ways for it to get out of alignment. The MSL on my TN loader stays absolutely parallel to the ground al the way from ground level to maximum lift. I'm not sure how much more precise you can get.

What is your rational that hydraulic is more accurate than mechanical? How do you build a MSL system that only works in one direction? On my TN the parallel arms are always connected.

Andy