Need help with a Tractor upgrade

[Ffphil]

Hello all,

New to this forum, but not long time user of the Polaris General forum. Searched a bit and couldn稚 find my answer, sorry if this is a repeat question. We are in the market for a new tractor, and narrowed it down to the Kuboto L4060 and of course the expensive devil John Deere 4044R. The price before I beat them down is a $5000 difference. A little further background, my wife own a 20acre farm (I知 pretty with a strong back). She boards 15 horses, feeds 4 cows, 6 goats, 7 sheep, chickens, geese, ducks, wild turkeys, rabbits, dogs, cats, rats, snakes, and who knows what else. Currently we own 22hp Hinamoto tractor (not much good for anything). Two ridding lawn mowers (looking to up grade, thinking JD x590). We move a lot of manure & gravel pretty regularly. Mow fields, post hole drill & move hay (square bales & round). I bought a 1960 to 1964 IH 2606 65hp tractor but it is too hard for my wife to drive and change implements. That痴 right she is a working girl (good training I say). Did I mention very pretty and will never see this post!!!!! Marital advise not needed just stick to the tractors please. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ffphil]

Also can someone be scribe the difference between gears and HST? And PTO, which set ups are easiest to use? I don’t have a lot of experience with PTO use myself, and will need to teach myself so I can teach my wife. No way I will be able to keep her off the tractor.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota's HST/PLUS transmission on the Grand Ls is wonderful and for me the primary reason I purchased my L3560. HST is the transmission of choice for Loader work.

You can operate a 72" wide Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog with L4060. To operate a wider Rotary Cutter or to cut saplings I recommend L4760.

I have the LA805 loader on my tractor. You will need 700-900 pounds of implement counterbalance mounted on the Three Point Hitch for near max LA805 loader lifts of 1,700+ pounds.

Connecting PTO powered implements is always a greasy struggle.

HST/PLUS VIDEO: Kubota HST Plus Transmission Features - YouTube

HST Versus Gear: HST VS Gear transmission operation - Google Search

 

[Wagtail]

Well, I just had a look on Tractordata.com ( a very handy website to 'favourite') and see that both tractors are in the 42-43hp area. That's good 'cause 40hp is the minimum hp for handling round bales (on a regular basis).

HST would be my recommendation as there are no gears to concern yourself... everything is run off of the hydraulic pumps. Just bring the engine 'revs' up to a certain speed and then depress the Forward/Reverse pedal to move.

For ease of attaching rear implements I would highly recommend a "quick hitch" on the 3PH (3 point hitch). John Deere sells the "iMatch", but there are other manufactures of similar set-ups available (Pat's Easyhitch comes to mind).Both of the tractors that you're looking at are Cat 1.

There are different (of course there are :laughing systems for attaching implements to the FEL too. JD has theirs, there's the SSQA (skid steer quick attach), the Global or European QA and simply bolting the attachment directly to the arms. Whatever system you decide to use, the implements will need to match it.

 

[jeff9366]

For ease of attaching rear implements I would highly recommend a "quick hitch" on the 3PH (3 point hitch). John Deere sells the "iMatch", but there are other manufactures of similar set-ups available (Pat's Easyhitch comes to mind).Both of the tractors that you're looking at are Cat 1.

Kubota Grand Ls come with extendable Lower Links and pinned and telescoping Lower Link stabilizers.

Few would add a "quick hitch" to a Grand L.

 

[Buppies]

The gear tractor uses a clutch and shifts similar to a manual car transmission the hst like an automatic neither quite the same but similar. Kubota has the best hst in my opinion. Hooking up the pto always a pain. Kubota uses treadle for hst control vs JDs two pedals one forward one reverse. Some like that better. It's all in what you get used to.

 

[nybirdman]

For new operators I always recommend an HST version of your favorite brand.It is the closest to being an "automatic" as possible in a tractor(works a little different).No need to work a foot clutch.
Size your tractor to the most difficult job;I.E.large bales of hay(weight).Of course 4WD,Loader,soft ground means R1(AG) tires.

We like Kubota,Grand "L's"; are expensive but well worth the money.Purchase one size bigger than you think you will need.Look at the L4760 or a good used L4240-L5740 if you can find one.

 

[Teachu2]

SHE needs to test drive both, and decide which will work for her. My wife would not do that, and ended up with a tractor she hates driving. That would be bad, in your case. In mine, not so much...

 

[Tractorable]

The two best, aka wife-friendly, transmissions currently on the market are the Kubota HST+ and the Yanmar iHMT. Both have auto-throttle, are car-like in operation, and are completely programmable.

With all the animals requiring care and feeding, it means you'll need to go out in all weather which, in the cool and damp conditions of the Pacific Northwest, you'll want a cab.

A cabbed Kubota L4060/4760/6060 or a Yanmar YT347/359 would make an excellent choice. They'd both have the ability to handle round bales as well.

 

[AxleHub]

Ffphill,

I guess in your description I didn't read the need for larger tractors that others are posting about

You were talking square and round bales and that's normally a 250 to 650 weight range which doesn't necessarily require a 45hp sizing. But I'd sure suggest that you get her looking at something in a small compact that would be friendlier to maneuver in or out of the barns. Your animal descriptions would mean plenty of barn access and nurturing.

Is there a Massey dealer around you. . I'd have her take a peek at the 1526 that has the auto hydro and has 3 ranges. That auto hydro system is very efficient. TheMassey 1526 is less money than the units you mentioned which could be used for the new mower you mentioned. Yet it's seating, controls, and floor height are very comfortable. Or a kubota 2650 for similar sizing could be considered.

Both can have a belly or rear mower and both have a frame size height that gives decent clearance but they are highly maneuverable but solid enough to get alot of work done and then you still have that other much larger tractor you have for the infrequent big grunt work.

Pretty and hard worker as you received her deserves something comfortable and convenient handling that can be used every day. In other words. . . . You be the fullback with that big IH you mentioned and let her be the nimble speedy running back with this new and convenient choice.

 

[Wagtail]

Ffphill,

Pretty and hard worker deserves something comfortable and convenient handling. In other words. . . . You be the fullback and let her be the nimble speedy running back.

I take it that you're referring to "Grid Iron" positions. In Rugby Union she'd probably be the hooker.

 

[Ffphil]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm sure I'll have other questions along the way.

 

[majorwager]

Post #9 appears to be sound advice, caution against purchasing a tractor that is determined to be too small for the tasks. Maneuverability in a barn is a consideration. Check all of your dimensions.

 

[TheMan419]

What size rounds? Someone above suggested they weigh in at 650 lbs. we see them here at 1000 lbs at times. Make sure you can lift whatever size rounds you all have out your way.

 

[johncanfield]

What size rounds? Someone above suggested they weigh in at 650 lbs. we see them here at 1000 lbs at times. Make sure you can lift whatever size rounds you all have out your way.

Around 1,000 pounds here for a round, a two string bale is about 40 or 50 pounds.

 

[Ffphil]

From talking around locally round bales way about 1000 lbs here. As for the size of the machine we could probably get by with 30+35 HP, but all post suggest you can never have enough and don't want to be sorry about purchase a month later.

 

[flingwing1969]

1000 to 1200 is what I always heard.

 

[ericm979]

Tractors get larger as the HP goes up. Larger tractors need more room to manuver.

My Branson has linked HST and throttle, though it's a primitive mechanical linkage instead of Kubota's electronic one. It makes driving the HST much easier for beginners. It can be tough for people to understand that the HST pedal is not an accellerator pedal like on their car. There's frequently posts here from guys who don't get that. But with linked HST and throttle it does work that way. It's also really convenient for people who do understand how the HST pedals work. If you want your wife to drive the tractor I'd suggest getting one with linked HST and throttle. The other Kubota L60 HST features are pretty neat too, especially the two speed auto shift transmission on top of the regular three speed range box. There are less expensive tractors that work as well (LS, Branson, Kioti) as well at the Kubota L01s if you're wanting to save money but they may not be as slick as an L60.

If your tractor has extendable 3pt links and telescoping stabilizers it's pretty easy to hook up implements. But you can add a quick hitch to that if it's not easy enough.

 

[Ffphil]

I could use a ledger for all the abriviations around here. For example (cuts,scuts,LS,CG or GC)?

 

[TheMadOne]

I could use a ledger for all the abriviations around here. For example (cuts,scuts,LS,CG or GC)?

cut=Compact Utility Tractor. B and L series Kubotas, 2 and 3 series John Deeres, and similarly sized machines.

scut=Sub-Compact Utility Tractor. Kubota BX, JD 1 series, and similarly sized machines.

LS-Tractor brand, makes good equipment. Not as well established as some others, patchy dealership network.

GC is a model line of Massey Ferguson scuts. Not sure about CG.