Need buying advice on new tractor

[dntfxr]

I'm looking for some buying advice for a new tractor and I'm leaning JD. We just got 42 acres for homestead, livestock and hunting. I'm so excited about the property I can't hardly sleep at night! Lol! There are about 8-10 acres that are cleared and the rest is mostly wooded with small clearings and trails throughout, the land is very gently sloping with only a few very small hills. Right now I'm using my little b7100hst, awesome little tractor but the 4' shredder suddenly seems a little small. I'd like the option of FEL and grapple and at least a 5 or 6' shredder. I haven't driven any new tractors yet but on paper the 4105 and 4120 appeal to me. I know the 4120 is substantially more tractor but it is more money too. I've read up on the planetary vs spur drive, but a bigger issue for me I think would be the lack of remotes on the 4105 for the grapple. I haven't ruled out Kubota either from my experience with my little tractor which is excellent for it's size. I'm open to any suggestions on other models too, and I may do better to consider a different size tractor also. Any suggestions or thoughts on other things I haven't considered are appreciated.
Thanks
B

 

[dntfxr]

Here's a few pics of the land and some of the trails.

 

[trook]

I think the 4000 series JD is a perfect match. I use my 4320 on a total of about 85 acres and it performs well with the MX-6 rotary cutter and 8ft disk. I also have a "thumb" on my FEL which comes in VERY handy :thumbsup:

I would definitely get something that has at least 1 set of rear remotes.

NICE PICS!!

 

[9973720wb19]

i have a 4720 cab and it's been great. i really like the cab --- keeps you cool in summer and warm in the winter. moreover, i think the bees and other flying bugs would really bother me without a cab

 

[Mpking]

Here's a few pics of the land and some of the trails.

That looks like a dream come true for many of us. Very nice looking property. Congrats!

 

[Turbys_1700]

I would look at the 4000 series for JD and the Grand L series of Kubota...
I would stick with a larger framed compact that would give you a FEL lift capacity in the 2000# range...
Those units should pull a 6-8' brush hog with ease...

If you want more tractor for the dollar you might want to look at the MX Kubota series or 5 Series in Deere...
They are more of a utility size and have more capacities than the 4000 or L series...

You need to determine if hydrostatic drive is a must...
If so you will be limited to the 4000 or MX...
If you can live without that then the utility sizes come into play...

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks guys for the replies and the compliment. It really is a dream come true for us just can't wait to get my house sold and move out there! Those are some great suggestions too, I didn't realize how much tractor you can get with the 5045JD or Kubota MX4700. I'll have to give the tranny some thought, I've gotten used to the HST on the little bota. It's been a while since I've used a regular gear tractor but it used to work fine for me back when. How does the synchronized tranny like on the JD5045 do say with loader work? Is it a pain? Alot slower? How about reliability? Those 50xx Deere seem like a heck of a deal! The MX Botas too!

 

[dntfxr]

Well I had a chance this evening to go and sit on a few JDs. The dealer was closed so I couldn't crank or testdrive any but I still could tell alot from them. I really wanted to like the 4105 but it seems kinda cheap honestly. I didn't see and xx20s but they had a bunch of 50xxEs. They are impressive! They look like the ag Deeres I grew up around. Heavy castings, all green and steel. I know they are made in India, but do they hold up well? I actually kinda like the feel of the syncd tranny, even though it was just parked... The few things that stand out at me as a possible negative is the vertical exhaust will limit access under low limbs, probably slightly less maneuverable and I'd think it will use a good bit of fuel.
Just from reading up on the Kubotas the MX seems to compare favorably to the smaller 50xxE. Seems they only offer manual brakes though. My father-in-law has a 3940L kubota and it seems real nice too, and a little more compact the the 50e Deere but they are more money too.

Well at least I'm not in a big hurry to buy, seems like I have plenty to consider...

 

[mjncad]

Congratulations on your new dirt wherever it is. If you intend to do a lot of loader type work, the HST makes doing precision operating easier.

If you go HST, take the time to see whether you like the Deere side-by-side pedals or the Kubota treadle. Personally I like the Deere pedals better.

If you can afford it, get a cab with heat and air. The older you get the more you'll want them.

This will be a long term purchase so take your time, and choose wisely.

 

[AKfish]

Thanks for the pictures! Very nice lookin' property! :thumbsup:

Take your time... you've waited this long to invest in a good sized parcel of land - now, you can begin the work of making (or not) the kinds of changes to the land that fits the kind of tractor you'll need!

Once you've considered just what kinds of projects you'd like to get workin' on; you'll have a much better idea about the tractor and implements you can "research"!

AKfish

 

[jenkinsph]

Enjoyed looking at the pics, lots of potential there and a real nice place. Congratulations.:thumbsup:

I agree with others that you need to decide what you want to do with the new property before deciding on a new tractor. Just for starters though I would want to keep the smaller tractor to work under the trees and would get a cab tractor for the rest of it.

Where is this property located?

 

[dntfxr]

Thanks guys, we feel very blessed to have got this place. It is in north Louisiana, the previous owner did a lot of work on it already clearing and improving it. We have big plans! In the very immediate future we will be improving the road/driveway around 1000' long give or take, putting up fences and a barn for horses and equipment, laying water lines, and preparing a site for a singlewide. In around 2-3 years we will start on building our house, and all the dirt work that comes with it. Once we are settled in I plan on damning up a small slough on the property for a pond. Then along the way we will plant some fruit trees, maintain a garden, and plant foodplots, and have general pasture/trail maintenance. ETA: My neigbor who I bought the land from has offered to do alot of the dirt work very reasonably for me so I dont necessarily need to buy a specific machine for that.

The 5055e I sat on last night seems like a heavy duty machine, I was very impressed with it. I actually like the fact that it is more simple than some others. It is BIG though and I would definitely keep the little Bota if I went that route. I'm sure the cab would be nice too, but I'm not sure I'll be able to swing it. I work outdoors and I'm pretty well used to the elements but in around another 20 years I'm sure that will be a different story. Of course by then I may be able to get another tractor if I feel like I need it. I do want a canopy at least though! My big straw hat just aint big enough!:laughing:

So I'm thinking I'd like a 6-7 foot shredder right off the bat, the FEL could possibly wait but it would probably be put to use right away and smarter to buy all at once. I want the "thumb" or grapple option too.My small disc will get me by for a while but eventually I want a rototiller too. Possibly a small haybine down the road but that would be a stretch, and probably a couple other pasture maintenance attachments.

Really except for the haybine I could probably get by with a smaller machine, quite a bit of the property is wooded and will not require much attention. The 4x20 are probably about perfect but they cost a lot more!

Thanks for the complements and ideas again! Much appreciated! I have to pick up some UDT fluid from Kubota in a bit, I may check some new machines out while I'm there!

 

[hizoot]

Congrat's on a very nice place. I believe half the fun is tractor shopping. I learned alot on this website, and fortunately, picked the right one for me....whew,it was mind bending. There are so many to choose from,but now realize,I probably would have been happy with quite a few in my size range.Keep us up to date!!!! Its almost as much fun watching others make their selection!

 

[TripleR]

The two tractors I use the most are a Kubota L5030 and M8540 HDC. For FEL use and precise control, you can't beat an HST, but the Hydraulic Shuttle Shift on the 8540 is pretty darned nice too.

The men that farm our land use a John Deere 4610 eHydro for utility stuff as their other tractors are 7000 and 800 Series. The little John Deere is a really capable machine.

I wold be looking at something along the lines of the 4000 JD or Grand L4240 and up to 5740.

Pedal arrangement is an ongoing debate. We use JD and Kubota and don't have trouble with either. Steering brakes on the JD are easier to use than Kubota, so if that is important, it's worth considering, it isn't to me.

Nice land and good luck shopping; both make really good tractors.

 

[jd2420]

Here's a few pics of the land and some of the trails.

I would clear/cut any brush you don't want this year. Do it while you have the energy and our motivated. A few mangy bushes grow fast, and before you know it physical removal includes chainsaws and stump removal. Nice land.

 

[dntfxr]

I went to a small kubota dealer to get some service done on my B and I looked at a MX4700hst, real nice tractor. With the FEL and a 6' hd Woods cutter it came to around 27000ish. I'm definitely adding it to my list of candidates. I spoke with my uncle today and he offered to let me come try out his tractors. He's got a big 50xx 91hp JD with cab, a 3xxxJD 48hp with cab, and a L3200bota, all with loaders. He also just sold his 4x20 series with hydro. He highly recommended the shuttle shift over hydro, and said the 4x20 with the most HP and shuttle shift is what he recommends( actually the "power reverser" is what he meant. He mentioned the knock on the 5xxx was the wide turning radius. I'm not sure if power reverser is even available on the smaller 5000s anyway. I'm probably a strong lean to a bigger 4000JD at this point, but who knows...

Thanks again for the compliments and suggestions guys, the feedback is appreciated.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Has been a good size tractor for me!! Kubota M5040


They also have the exhaust pipe option that runs under hood and out the front of tractor

 

[PapaPerk]

Yeah I would go with a full size farm tractor... not a compact. Something like a Kubota M6040.

John Deere makes some good tractors in this frame size as well. And if you are considering used don't forget about old Ford diesel, etc. Personally I would either buy Deere or Kubota. If was used Deere. If new... most likely Kubota.

Have fun on your new land! Looks nice!

 

[PapaPerk]

Has been a good size tractor for me!!View attachment 221792 Kubota M5040

Yeah that's a good size right there!

 

[trook]

Hey foreman, what size is that landpride? How well does it perform in tall, thick grass? Does the 5040 have enough hp?