Buying Advice Next tractor advice

maximus1277 · Dec 21, 2015

Ok... So it's that time again. I now have been enjoying my CK27 hst for about three years. I love the tractor for all the things it does so well...... But, recently I started to look at other machines. I do like the size and weight, but for my use, i think I could use something with a bit more power. Most of my seat time is used pushing dirt, digging stumps, plowing snow. Occasional tiller work or box blade action making dirt bike track for my kids Would love a bit more loader lift and certainly more HP. Now, I don't want to go too big since I keep this tractor in my house garage and I don't really need a full size set up. So, here are a few things that caught my eye (in order of preference I guess): Kubota L39 TLB, John Deere 110, or Kubota MX 5100. I would not buy new, but a low hours, clean machine would be my pick. Any advice on these three? Note that I haven't actually seen these machines up close... So I have no idea how much bigger they really are. Kubota L39 doesn't seem bigger at all from my CK.... The rear wheels actually look smaller with a narrower foot print.

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 21, 2015

How many hours are on your 3yr old machine?

gladehound · Dec 21, 2015

The JD110 is nice. however, you mentioned that you would keep it in your house garage. The 4 point FOPS does not fold and does fit under a 9ft door no problem. However, if you have a lower door forget it. Of the ones you listed the JD110 would be my pick except if the height is an issue for you. I have no experience with the L39 and the MX5100 is more of an ag or large CUT style tractor rather than a dedicated TLB like the other two that you mentioned. It will not have as strong a hoe and will not be built as stout.

Sounds like you will do a mix of backhoe and 3pt work. The ease of removing and installing the backhoe / 3pt linkage should be a consideration. Depending on the kind of backhoe work you do, if you get something with a strong enough loader, you may be able to do without the backhoe and just use a stump bucked instead. That way your 3pt is always ready for your other tasks.

jeff9366 · Dec 22, 2015

In my experience you do not really notice an increase in tractor horsepower nor weight until you increase 50%.

Anything less is just 'noise'.

Implicit in this evaluation is replacing most of your current implements with heavier versions.

EJP1234 · Dec 22, 2015

I have a CK30 TLB and one of my best friends who is a full time farmer utilizes the MX5100 for his chicken farming, not the ag fields where the big green things are run.... He likes my CK30 better... Is the MX5100 bigger, a bit, it's wider... Is it meaner? On paper...

maximus1277 · Dec 22, 2015

Thanks... Height is s concern and foldable ROPS would be best. I do like JD 110 but they're so hard to find with low hours at a decent price. Any thoughts on L39?

maximus1277 · Dec 22, 2015

lukestafford said:
How many hours are on your 3yr old machine?

Slightly over 600.

IslandTractor · Dec 28, 2015

I went from a CK20 to a DK40se TLB. I find the DK size is about all I need as one really needs to get into dedicated TLBs like the big Deeres, Case etc to get substantially more BH or loader. The Kubota dedicated TLBs are very nice but add only a bit more than the DK can and they are not nearly as flexible having fixed loaders and (I think) BHs. The Kubota MX line is about the same and certainly not more tractor than the Kioti DK/NX.

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 28, 2015

The Kubota TLB have rear PTO and available 3pth.

IslandTractor · Dec 28, 2015

lukestafford said:
The Kubota TLB have rear PTO and available 3pth.

If I ran a construction business I'd want a dedicated Kubota TLB. Tough as nails and highly capable in that role. For a homeowner though I still think a tractor based TLB makes more sense. More bang for the buck. The dedicated TLBs are pretty spendy for their size/HP etc. Worthwhile if you are going to have employees beating them up on a daily basis but not worth the extra over very tough tractor based units for owner operator IMO. Possible exception would be to get the larger BH but there are not too many homeowner tasks that need more than a tractor mounted 9ft BH.

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 28, 2015

Maybe so (I'll know more once I get my 9ft hoe running in the spring!), but my intuition is that an L45 or L39 can do a lot more with the BH than either of our machines with a 9ft hoe. I've rented an L45 and was impressed but it was nothing compared to my 18k pound Case 680 backhoe (shocking I know).

I was just pointing out they do have a 3pth FWIW.

Out of curiosity (truly), do you have to take off all or some of your 3pth when you attach the hoe?

IslandTractor · Dec 28, 2015

lukestafford said:
Maybe so (I'll know more once I get my 9ft hoe running in the spring!), but my intuition is that an L45 or L39 can do a lot more with the BH than either of our machines with a 9ft hoe. I've rented an L45 and was impressed but it was nothing compared to my 18k pound Case 680 backhoe (shocking I know).

I was just pointing out they do have a 3pth FWIW.

Out of curiosity (truly), do you have to take off all or some of your 3pth when you attach the hoe?

I need to remove the adjustable ends of my 3PT arms. Requires pulling a cotter pin and pin. I keep the adjustable arm tips (about ten inches long) inside my tool box while the BH is mounted.

And, I do agree that the dedicated TLBs like the L45 will dig more than my Woods BH90x but my set up would cost about 10-15K less.

buickanddeere · Dec 28, 2015

Some low hour machine from an estate sale with a Tier II or earlier engine .

murphy1244 · Dec 28, 2015

No need to remove anything with a Kioti BH.

IslandTractor · Dec 28, 2015

murphy1244 said:
No need to remove anything with a Kioti BH.

Yep. My CK20 had a KB1365 on it. Not as sexy as a Woods BH but every bit as functional. Woods 4pt mount is very nice in some ways but a true PITA to mount compared to the Kioti. Dismount is about the same.

4570Man · Dec 28, 2015

How does the Kioti mount? I can un hook or hook up my Kubota 4 point in about 3 minutes. I do have to take the 3 ph arms off. I can't imagine the Kioti being any easier.

Luke'sScreenName · Dec 28, 2015

I don't want to derail the OPs thread. And yes, I know I started it.

murphy1244 · Dec 28, 2015

4570Man said:
How does the Kioti mount? I can un hook or hook up my Kubota 4 point in about 3 minutes. I do have to take the 3 ph arms off. I can't imagine the Kioti being any easier.

Of coarse you can't, No need to take anything off the mighty DK-40 just back up hook up hydraulics and raise the BH frame backup some more and drop the pins in.

IslandTractor · Dec 28, 2015

4570Man said:
How does the Kioti mount? I can un hook or hook up my Kubota 4 point in about 3 minutes. I do have to take the 3 ph arms off. I can't imagine the Kioti being any easier.

The Kioti subframe is mostly attached to the BH. It does not require precisely (like to less than 1/4") lining up of tabs and slots like the Woods 4pt does. There is a long tongue that goes under the tractor to slots on tabs and then the back of the mount slides into a slot where it is pinned in place. I've never mounted a Kubota BH so don't know if that is less fussy than the Woods. 3 minutes would be world record time for a Woods though . I have a particular challenge as I don't have a flat concrete pad to mount the BH so I have to adjust L and R height separately before I can get all four points in place.

murphy1244 · Dec 28, 2015

4570Man said:
I didn't knock either brand. I simply asked how does the Kioti backhoe hook up. The hardest part of hooking up the Kubota backhoe is getting the Hydraulics hooked up, and either brand has to have that.

". I can't imagine the Kioti being any easier." meaning what? Maybe Kioti has a better plan. No need to remove any of the three point arms.