Price Check M8540/M9540 HDC

[DJamesLoveless]

We bought an M8540 a few months ago. It is a cab with 12F/12R, Hydraulic Shuttle Shift, dual rear remotes and the biggest tires offered though not radials. I would like to have had the cast disk wheels, but our old tractor went toes up and we simply couldn't wait. We absolutely love it and chose it over the M8540 because we simply don't need the extra power. The added cost was not a consideration, as noted over a lifetime of use, the difference is negligible.

We pull a 10' Woods DS1260 in pretty hill conditions and it is a very stable platform.

For your needs I would choose the M9540 12F/12R and don't believe you will get any better advice than given by Verticaltrx; texasjohn has good information on setup. We did not get the HD bucket, but kind of wish we had. If you don't, you will need to reinforce the top when you put chain hooks which to me are a necessity.

We also looked at the John Deere which is a really nice tractor, but preferred the Kubota; either would be a good choice.

I'll definitely look at the HD bucket. I think for the price I'll upgrade to the M9540. Can anyone suggest how many hydraulic hook-ups in the back? Will the two run just about what I'll need or should I go ahead and look at installing a 3rd one? Also, can anyone comment on the 3rd function remote for the FEL?

 

[TripleR]

I'll definitely look at the HD bucket. I think for the price I'll upgrade to the M9540. Can anyone suggest how many hydraulic hook-ups in the back? Will the two run just about what I'll need or should I go ahead and look at installing a 3rd one? Also, can anyone comment on the 3rd function remote for the FEL?

I only bought two rear remotes. We had our CX80 for 12 years and never used more than one set. If we ever need a third, it can be added. I understand the conventional wisdom is for three and if your equipment requires them; mine doesn't.

We don't have a third function valve either, I just couldn't see spending the money on something we might or might not need.

rjkobbeman added the third function to his after purchase, so I am sure he can be of help. He, E/S, Big Bubba and others provided great advice when I was in the process of buying mine.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-buying-pricing/177593-buying-new-m8540.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...sons/177637-just-bought-new-kubota-m8540.html

 

[rjkobbeman]

I'll definitely look at the HD bucket. I think for the price I'll upgrade to the M9540. Can anyone suggest how many hydraulic hook-ups in the back? Will the two run just about what I'll need or should I go ahead and look at installing a 3rd one? Also, can anyone comment on the 3rd function remote for the FEL?

I only have two rear remotes: the one that comes with it, plus an extra one. I had the extra one installed at the factory.

I order my 3rd function remote for the FEL when I ordered my tractor, but it came is much later. Rather than wait, I took delivery of the tractor and received the 3rd function remote later. The dealer said they would install it for free because it was part of the original factory purchase, however I chose to do it myself. Piece of cake.

The 3rd function remote is one of those things you can add on later if you want to save money up front.

What would you like to know about it?

 

[Verticaltrx]

If you plan on running a batwing bush hog it's best to have three rear remotes. Two with float for the wings and one regular one to lift it. I've run them with only two remotes (the wings tee-d into one) but having each wing on a separate circuit makes it more useful. We've never had a tractor with a 3rd function on the loader, if we need to run sometime hydraulic on the front I like to just run a hose back to one of the rear remotes.

 

[jdjdjd]

Hello DJamesLoveless in McAlester,

I am South of you in Texas. I have the M9540 with cab and have almost 600 hours on it. Loading the tires makes a lot of difference when using a FEL of loading large round bales.
It handles the 15' mower very well. I also cut and bale hay with a 5x6 baler.
I only have the 8 forward and reverse gears. If I had more I would probably use them but the tractor handles everything well with 8.

Good luck in your purchase. :thumbsup:

 

[DJamesLoveless]

Hello DJamesLoveless in McAlester,

I am South of you in Texas. I have the M9540 with cab and have almost 600 hours on it. Loading the tires makes a lot of difference when using a FEL of loading large round bales.
It handles the 15' mower very well. I also cut and bale hay with a 5x6 baler.
I only have the 8 forward and reverse gears. If I had more I would probably use them but the tractor handles everything well with 8.

Good luck in your purchase. :thumbsup:

Thanks for your input jdjdjd! My little "ranch" is actually just north of you in Paris, TX! I've read a lot of peoples posts about having to load the tires and/or put weights on the tractor. Looking at it I would have never guessed this!

Glad to know the it'll pull the 15' without any problems as shredding will be my main chore along with feeding 5x6 bales! Would you recommend more gears even if you weren't cutting and baling?

 

[DJamesLoveless]

I only have two rear remotes: the one that comes with it, plus an extra one. I had the extra one installed at the factory.

I order my 3rd function remote for the FEL when I ordered my tractor, but it came is much later. Rather than wait, I took delivery of the tractor and received the 3rd function remote later. The dealer said they would install it for free because it was part of the original factory purchase, however I chose to do it myself. Piece of cake.

The 3rd function remote is one of those things you can add on later if you want to save money up front.

What would you like to know about it?

Well, to tell you the truth, I'm just not familiar with what all you can use the 3rd function remote on...these bigger tractors are fairly new to me as I've always dealt with "fossil" tractors growing up. I was wondering if it was worth the extra money up front or would you invest in the self leveling feature on the bucket or in another hydraulic hook up in the rear?

 

[jdjdjd]

I am sure there is a need for more gears for some operations but so far I have never been in a situation where I had to have more than what I have.
Mowing, raking, baling, spraying, plowing, grading, FEL work, etc...this tractor has done everything I have asked of it.
As far as remotes, I have two. One is a self cancelling and the other has a float position. My Bat-wing shredder has the two wings on one remote. I actually prefer it that way, much faster and easier for me.
I also have Top-n-Tilt cylinders. Highly recommend these. Also have not needed more than the two remotes.

I am not far from Paris. My place is in Bonham.

My wife likes it too.

 

[rjkobbeman]

Well, to tell you the truth, I'm just not familiar with what all you can use the 3rd function remote on...these bigger tractors are fairly new to me as I've always dealt with "fossil" tractors growing up. I was wondering if it was worth the extra money up front or would you invest in the self leveling feature on the bucket or in another hydraulic hook up in the rear?

Basically you can use the 3rd function remote for any hydraulic implement up front. Post hole digger, trencher, grapple, etc. You can do the same thing by running hoses from the rear remote up to the front, but it is a lot more handy having the 3rd function remote up front. It depends on how often you will use it. There isn't really any advantage of buying it when you purchase your tractor or adding it on later... aside from installation costs if you don't do it yourself. (Installation is free if you buy it at the time of tractor purchase -- it is a factory install.)

The self leveling valve can also be added at a later date, but it is costly. The self leveling valve is a replacement to the regular FEL valve. If you add it on later, you will essentially be buying two valves: the regular one at the time of purchase and the self leveling one which replaces the regular one. If you buy the self leveling valve at the time of tractor purchase, you are only buying the one valve, which is like $700 or so more than the regular one. (I don't remember for sure.) I have the self leveling valve but rarely use it. It is handy for loading and unloading loaded pallets and that sort of thing. I don't use it at all when I am doing traditional FEL work (dirt digging).

One thing to remember, upgrading from the 8f/8r to the 12f/12r (aka, 12-speed), you also get the high lift capacity 3ph lift cylinders. The 12-speed is a VERY worthy upgrade.

If you are opting for the Syncro Shuttle, you can only get the 8-speed. I HIGHLY recommend the Hydraulic Shuttle. You won't regret it.

 

[DJamesLoveless]

rj, thanks for taking the time to explain the 3rd function remote. The only thing I can think I might use this on is a grappler on the FEL, but I doubt I'll purchase that. I might use the money towards another accessory!

I doubt that I do a lot of loading/unloading and will focus mostly on dirt work, fence work and tree clean up with the FEL so the $700 might be a little much for the self leveling feature. You were spot on with the price because that's what the dealer quoted me.

I will definitely upgrade to the 12f/12r and hydraulic shift.

I'm looking at purchasing the tractor in February (really dependent on taxes) The dealer said the 0% financing would be over in December. Surely this will come back soon, I hope. I haven't followed their financing offerings for a while and 0% seems to be the norm on bigger tractors like the M series for 5 years. Anyone think it won't come back soon enough?