M7040 final decision

ecoscaper · Apr 23, 2011

Allright this is getting ridiculous, I've researched the heck out of this tractor and a few others. Finally sold my L3830 that I worked for about 6 years, and now I'm ready to upgrade. 1st choice is an M7040- uses; landscaping, brushhogging, land clearing, driveway repair, installation. I will have to be towing this beast, that's been my major hang up in pulling the trigger. But its not that much bigger than the L series, and seems like its only going to run 1000-2000lbs heavier. I'll be towing with an07 F350 srw diesel just got a tilt trailer rated for 16000gvw so I'll be fine there. Seems like most M series owners are not towing their tractors, and I've never seen one being towed, but as far as the #'s are concerned its doable. I've been back n forth with this issue too long; M70 seems like the right fit, but the ease of transportation is making me still consider a bigger L series or a skid steer. The weight of a higher hp skid steer is comparable if not more than the M70, its just the ease of transport...I've tried a few skid steers lately and they seem efficient but I'm so used to tractors, sitting in a tractor for hours is more appealing than a skid for hrs. This tractor would be used commercially, I figure on jobs where its too big I'll just rent something smaller. -- any help greatly appreciated anyone else made a similar decision? Have an M7040 and tow it regularly? Thanks!

TripleR · Apr 23, 2011

Our farms are located four and six miles apart, so we don't tow anything. We haul the L5030 in the back of a dump truck when it needs to go thirty or forty miles. Our M8540 was delivered on a rig like you own, so I see no real problem towing as the dealer is about forty miles away and it is through the hills.

I agree on the skid steer, we thought we might want one and used one for about six weeks, but much preferred a tractor.

The L5240/5740 are very capable tractors and I guess in the end it just depends on how much power and weight you need to do your jobs.

Wish I could be more help and good luck.

Rancher Ed · Apr 23, 2011

We have a 2008 M7040 hydraulic shuttle, open station with cast rear centers and a loader. We haven't ever trailered it but with a 14k (or your 16k) trailer it should be no problem. The tractor weighs ~5000 pounds and the I think the loader is between 1200 and 2000 pounds. The cast discs weigh 700 each so ours weighs in around 8000 pounds without any 3-point attachments. If you have filled tires I think they would weigh about the same as the cast rears.

We use ours for feeding round bales all winter and various dirt work and farm chores the rest of the year. We like it a lot and it as never had any problems.

Ed

bigbull338 · Apr 23, 2011

yes an f350 will haul your new 7040 kubota no problem.

jcummins · Apr 23, 2011

I had an M7040 that I routinely hauled with a 20ft gooseneck 70 miles one way from my house to my ranch. I never once thought it was much of problem. I have a DMax 2500HD.

Go for it....you'll like it.

Verticaltrx · Apr 23, 2011

We regularly haul a M9540 w/ loader using a '10 Dodge 3500 cab/chassis 6.7L/6spd and a 24' 10-ton gooseneck trailer. This combo works pretty well, I think the tractor weighs about 10K with the loader and ballast. We used to haul it with a '99 F-250 PSD/spd and that wasn't really enough truck to pull it.

If your trailer is a gooseneck it should work ok. I would never want to pull that much on a bumper pull trailer with a truck that size, however.

ecoscaper · Apr 24, 2011

Guys thanks, just needed a little reassurance, really appreciate it. Now my only hang up is why didn't I get a gooseneck?! Sounds like it'd be no problem with a gooseneck. My new trailer is a bumper pull, I know there's stabilizing upgrades I can do for the trailer, but... Darn I only used this trailer once, maybe its not too late to trade up for a gooseneck version.

Another note; just got a quote from the Kubota dealer; new M7040HDC-1 w/cab, R4 tires, LA1153 loader w/qa bucket is $43533. And then the extras would add on a couple grand more. This sounds high to me, gotta check kubota build your own on website. I've been shopping around for awhile, most local dealers here in NH will not negotiate or add on anything, I was about to pull the trigger last fall but my local dealer would not budge on price after his first quote, the most he could do was $100 off the radio, which was insulting after years of doing biz there! I still have to get a quote from a couple big dealers in PA, we'll see how they compare. Thanks again for the feedback, big decision!

ecoscaper · Apr 24, 2011

Well just checked Kubota website; the qouted price is around 10% off from the build your own price, ouch!

TripleR · Apr 24, 2011

ecoscaper said:
Well just checked Kubota website; the qouted price is around 10% off from the build your own price, ouch!

Ouch indeed, we got our M8540 HDC for that this summer with the big Ag tires 12F/12R hydro shuttle shift, FEL.

Have you checked with Barlows?

As to trailers, my preference would be gooseneck, but just about as many farmers here use bumper pull as gooseneck; don't know why, but they seem to work OK. They are not pulling them long distances though, so that may be the reason.

Just an observation and not advice as my knowledge on this is limited at best.