Help Me Choose What to Test Drive

[nrosario]

Productive day. Made it to one of the three towns with dealerships that I intend to shop before making a decision and had an opportunity to at least sit in all three models I'm considering. Got quotes on all models loaded out with FEL, 6' rotary cutter, 6' box blade, 3rd function installed, and 6' grapple.

I approached all my conversations the same as I did this one. I didn't go in looking for a particular model or size, I just tried to accurately describe the work I intend to be doing and allowed them to size the tractor for me. All three ended up in that 40 hp class.

Mahindra 5545 4WD Shuttle Shift
- 43/34 hp
- 5,567 lbs
- Price w/ attachments (well, forks instead of grappler): $33,620

Spec wise this tractor gets the nod. It was by far the heaviest and had the highest lifting capacities while also coming in at the cheapest price point. Sounds good, yea? Well that's about where the good stopped. The dealer relationship didn't go well from the start. Salesman seemed relatively disinterested from the word "hello". Maybe it's because I'm a young guy and he didn't consider me a serious buyer, maybe he was just having a tough day, I don't know. He also for some reason refused to price me the grappler attachment, insisting I get pallet forks instead. Ensured me I'd never hook up a grappler if I had a set of forks, and maybe he's right, but I left the dealership still not knowing the price of the grappler that I wanted... Anyway, on to the tractor. I initially thought it seemed like a nice tractor but I noticed right away I did not love the ergonomics from the seat. For such a large tractor I was surprised by the lack of leg room. Also, the loader control lever was stuck and I could not raise the bucket. Salesman slammed the lever back and it broke free, raising the bucket as it's supposed to. He claimed "these tractors sit out and don't get used so sometimes they get stuck." Alright, if you say so? I test drove it around the parking lot and the shuttle shift was nice, worked smoothly. All in all I felt that even with nothing to reference it against I could tell that Mahindra was going the economy workhouse route by sacrificing luxuries and comfort for an impressive machine that gets the job done at a budget price. I'm not ruling this one out yet, just going to chalk it up to a bad experience and certainly will not be buying from that dealer. It is far from the front-runner right now though.


John Deere 4044R 4WD HST
-43/34 hp
- 3,770 lbs
Price w/ attachments: $44,000

This was the second stop of the day and was an eye-opening experience after the first one. Salesman was very professional and genuinely interested from the outset, did an excellent job explaining the features of the tractor and took the time to explain the difference between the M series and R series. Some of it got lost in translation, but I felt so much more knowledgeable about the machine before ever even climbing into the seat. Wow, the difference was immediately noticeable compared to the Mahindra. The seat suspension and spacing in the cockpit alone instantly put the comfort factor well above it's competitor. All the controls and ergonomics seemed comfortable, hitch assist seems awesome, and I could just see and feel the quality difference in most every aspect. Unfortunately, all these amenities don't come for free and it was significantly the highest priced machine of the day, likely out of the budget range that I was considering.

Kubota Grand L4060 4WD HST
- 42/32.5
- 3,759
- Price w/ attachments: $35,000

Another great experience at the Kubota dealership. The salesmen were all busy when I arrived so I started looking on my own. Started with the L3901, which I quickly decided was too small of a frame and lacked the loader capacity for what I wanted. I then moved on to an L4701 which is what I was looking at when a salesman arrived. I explained my needs and expected uses for the tractor. He explained to me (basically echoing what Jeff said) that the sizing decision for my tractor should be based more on the lifting capabilities rather than the horsepower since most of my tasks were not heavy hp-dependent, which I agreed with. He then explained that at the same price point I could move from the L4701 to the Grand L4060 which has a beefier chassis, higher lifting capacities, and all the bells/whistles at the expense of 7 hp. I have to admit that this idea won me over. They didn't have a L4060 on-site but they did have a L5460 that I was able to sit on. Loved pretty much everything about it. Spacious, comfortable, the ergonomics made sense, and the features of the Grand L seem quite practical. The salesman told me that the company has a L4060 at another location and that he would have it here for me to test drive by the end of the week.

The search continues, but right now the Kubota Grand L has a commanding lead.

It seems you are doing the right thing.
Kubota Grand L are amazing tractors, I think you will be happier with the L4760, as jeff mentioned, or the L5460.
If possible take a look at the MX series (MX5400 & MX6000) they bring amazing value and you can get it in HST as well.

You definitely will love a grapple.
Tractor Grapples, Root Grapples, Root Rake Grapples, Scrap Grapples or Grapple Buckets.

Good luck in your search.

Your land looks amazing by the way.

 

[1010]

Find a used 5045e or a5065e with a 12/12 power reverser. You can find them with low hours, like under 200 hours pretty easy and save a ton. Any small issues will already be addressed from the dealer too. We have new kubota at work with the grand cab, I believe it’s around 65 horses, it’s nice and so far a solid tractor. But compared to a 5075e the transmission in the JD is much smoother and the speed choice options the 12/12 JD is way better.
I don’t care for hst tractors in any color but they have their place. They just aren’t like a direct drive tractor.

 

[Citydude]

Well Maddog10, I'm impressed with your attention to detail and report back to us. Thanks!
I have an L4060 cab HST. I was a diehard gear head until I bought it because of the hilly terrain of my property. I highly recommend the HST now.

 

[fried1765]

Hello everyone. New to the forum but I've used it for years to research various questions and issues I've come across. My wife and I are in the market for a new tractor. From my research I have an idea of what I *THINK* I need, but rather than coming here and saying I'm looking at tractor X, Y, and Z I think I'd rather explain the uses and see if I'm close or if I'm out of line. I will say I'm primarily looking at Kubota, Mahindra, and JD. Just trying to narrow down on the models. I am open to suggestions on other brands though.

Background
I've used a Mahindra 3505 DI for pretty light duty applications all my life. My family lives on about 18 acres. 10 of it is rented to a farmer but the other 8 we maintain. Tractor use has always been limited pretty much to just using the brush-hog around the field, tilling the garden, hauling off the occasional dead tree, things like that. It's a 2WD tractor and has no FEL.

Property
My wife and I just bought a property down the road that is an additional 15 acres and is primarily wooded. It has a long gravel driveway up through the woods to the clearing where we plan to build a home in the next two or three years. The clearing is about 3 acres that I currently keep mowed with the brush hog, but the woods have been neglected for many years and are full of debris, fallen trees, thorn thickets, etc. The property has a gentle slope up from the road to the top of the hill where the clearing is, but the back portion of the property (North of the barn) has some pretty significant hills. I've been doing some work out here but the current tractor just isn't cutting it. See below for some pictures to get an idea of the property. In the aerial photo it is the wooded property shaped like a boot.

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New Tractor Uses

- Mowing. Initially just the 3 acre clearing and sides of the driveway, but as I clean up the woods I want to make/maintain trails and potentially even have the woods thinned enough to mow the entire property underneath the canopy of mature trees. Once home is built the 3 acres clearing will become a yard and will be mowed with zero-turn.
- Maintaining Driveway and grading
- Cleaning up and maintaining woods. This will involve removing a lot (and I mean a lot) of downed trees. Many are small, many are not. I think I absolutely want a grapple attachment and the ability to lift trees that are in the 24" diameter range. Will be collecting firewood as well.
- General FEL work
- Possibly fencing/post holes in the future but not a priority

Using the information given, I'd love to get your thoughts on what would be a good fit for my property and uses. Like I said, I feel like I have an idea of what I think I need to get the job done but I'm curious to hear from many of you who are more experienced than me to see if I'm under/over estimating my needs. Please let me know your thoughts and the reasoning behind them. If you have any questions, obviously don't hesitate to ask. Thanks!

Please enter your general location in your profile.
For others to offer advice, it helps to know approximately where you are.
For example: If you live in PA you will need to plow snow, if you live in South Georgia, you will not.

 

[Maddog10]

Location added.

I'm a little bit surprised that you guys feel 40 hp with HST may be a bit low on hp for my use. Maybe I'm just underestimating the demands that loader work require since I've never had a loader to use around the farm. I've always been impressed at what our 35 hp Mahindra has been able to pull, especially as a 2WD. I do, however, see the value in going from an LA805 FEL to a LA1055 FEL.

I could probably swing the jump to 4760, though I'm already pushing up against the budget limits I had set for myself. According to Kubota's website the 4760 is about a $5K premium over the 4060. The 5460 is out of the question though. If I need that kind of hp I'm going to have to leave the Grand L family.

 

[jeff9366]

I'm surprised you guys feel 40 hp with HST may be a bit low on hp for my use. Maybe I'm just underestimating the demands that loader work require since I've never had a loader to use around the farm. I've always been impressed at what our 35 hp Mahindra has been able to pull, especially as a 2WD. I do, however, see the value in going from an LA805 FEL to a LA1055 FEL.

HST is a pump powered fluid energy transfer from the engine to wheels. It is a little less efficient than gears and that inefficiency manifests itself on hills. I am not a transmission techie but I interpret this as some engine power required to pump on hills, to hold tractor.

The FEL (less bucket) on a Grand L weighs about 900 pounds, plus 500 pounds for a grapple and 1,700 pounds for grapple load = 3,100 pounds. (Perhaps 1,000 pounds in TPH counterbalance.) Your Mahindra 3505 weighs 3,900 pounds.

Order the L4760.

About 90% of new compact tractors sold are optioned with HST transmissions.


As you will be operating a great deal in woods, have dealer fab up expanded steel armor for tractor undercarriage.

I provided the steel. I recall armor fabrication was $200 in 2014. You may be able to negociate armor fab and installation as part of your deal.

LINK: DIRECT METALS 41S759-48X48 Expanded Sheet,Rsd,Carbon,4 x4 ft,3/4-#9 | eBay



My wife graduated from Murray State University in 1973.

 

[airbiscuit]

You should have some leverage to negotiate once you are close to pulling the trigger, especially because you are also purchasing implements and attachments.

 

[Milo]

Jeff I'm kind of like Maddog in that I don't understand how an L4060 will be underpowered? Sure it may not be able to travel fast uphill, while running a rotary cutter or flail, but...... well never mind... **** I have an L2501!

 

[Maddog10]

I'm still not fully opposed to a shuttle shift which saves a little hp, but I don't think that minor loss to run HST is the difference. If a 4060 HST is underpowered for my use then so is a 4060 shuttle.

 

[jeff9366]

I need to mention: No Kubota Grand L will fit under an 84" garage door header, even with ROPS folded.

The Kubota 'MX' series economy tractors (3,700 pounds bare tractor weight) will fit under an 84" garage door header with ROPS folded.

VIDEO: YouTube

 

[Maddog10]

I priced a MX5200 HST while there the other day, which was just $500 more than the Gran L4060. However, it weighs the same as the L4060 and has 400 lbs less lifting capacity on the three-point compared to the 4060. It does have the extra horsepower and the LA1065 loader though so maybe it would be a better fit? Gotta admit though, for the same money I sure liked the features of the Grand L, but that's when I thought 40 hp was plenty.

Also found a used 2016 Grand L5460 for sale with 200 hours for $30K. Only issue is it has the cab which I didn't want for working in woods. Seems like a solid deal though. Are cabs removable?

 

[Citydude]

40 horses isn’t enough for 18 acres? Really? Not buying that logic. It’s plenty.

 

[jeff9366]

Are cabs removable?

Impractical. A Grand L cab weighs around 800 pounds. The heat and AC ducting and electrical is too complex.


I have owned two economy tractors and now the Grand L. I wish I had started with a Grand L. As you age, you will appreciate the de luxe features standard on the Grand L more and more.

 

[Maddog10]

Impractical. A Grand L cab weighs around 800 pounds. The heat and AC ducting and electrical is too complex.


I have owned two economy tractors and now the Grand L. I wish I had started with a Grand L. As you age, you will appreciate the de luxe features standard on the Grand L more and more.

I'm sold on the features of the Grand L. I loved everything about it. Now I'm just struggling with which hp I need and if 40 is enough. To be honest, I was considering the 3560 but moved to the 4060 for the bigger loader.

 

[Milo]

In all honesty I would not get too obsessed with size and HP, I think any of the tractors you're looking at will be plenty capable for all your needs. You're not pulling a big plow or moving lots of round bails. Any of them will lift an 8-10' long 24" diameter log, a grapple full of about anything, FEL bucket heaped with stone, run a fence post digger, pull and run a rotary cutter. The advantage a heavier, more powerful tractor offers is doing your tasks just a bit faster, such as requiring a few less scoops to move a pile of dirt, or pulling a larger RC so a few less passes in cutting your field. But don't discount the advantages a smaller tractor offers as well; more maneuverable, less money to buy both tractor and implements, use a little less fuel, and as Jeff pointed out will fit in a standard garage.

 

[Maddog10]

In all honesty I would not get too obsessed with size and HP, I think any of the tractors you're looking at will be plenty capable for all your needs. You're not pulling a big plow or moving lots of round bails. Any of them will lift an 8-10' long 24" diameter log, a grapple full of about anything, FEL bucket heaped with stone, run a fence post digger, pull and run a rotary cutter. The advantage a heavier, more powerful tractor offers is doing your tasks just a bit faster, such as requiring a few less scoops to move a pile of dirt, or pulling a larger RC so a few less passes in cutting your field. But don't discount the advantages a smaller tractor offers as well; more maneuverable, less money to buy both tractor and implements, use a little less fuel, and as Jeff pointed out will fit in a standard garage.

My thoughts as well. I don't see a task that 40 hp won't handle, but I'm also somewhat green in the tractor world.. Being able to get a 4 year old low-hour cabbed 5460 for the same price as a new 4060 with no cab is really tempting me though. Just have my concerns with the cab in the woods. Seems an investment in a pole saw and a little mindfulness would make it work just fine but I've never driven a cab before. I would gain the following for the same money.

- 14 extra hp with turbo
- Larger loader
- 600 lbs tractor weight
- Cat I & II hitch compared to just Cat I (*edited* originally typed Cat II)

Feels like a no-brainer. Just the cab holding me back.

 

[jeff9366]

- Cat I & II hitch compared to just Cat II

A matter of semantics. Kubota's Cat I/II TPH, at least on the MX and I expect on all models, is a Cat II TPH for which Kubota places adaptor sleeves in the toolbox, to fatten Cat I implement pin diameter to Cat 2 pin diameter. So most or all Cat I implements can be used behind a Cat II TPH equipped tractor. (I cannot think of any exceptions but there may be a few.)

We occasionally read on T-B-N where someone with a new, 6,000 pound Cat II tractor, moving up from 2,000 pound Cat I tractor, mounts their light Cat I implement behind the new 6,000 pound tractor, encounters an obstruction, breaks up the Cat I implement, ------then whines on T-B-N.

 

[airbiscuit]

40 horses isn’t enough for 18 acres? Really? Not buying that logic. It’s plenty.

I wonder that also. A 40hp hydro in low range is going to stall out pulling a rotary cutter uo a hill? Most of your anticipated work looks pretty tame to me. The work in your hilliest forest will be done in low range. Ask the dealer if you will feel underpowered in your most demanding uses. Maybe they can give you the name of a customer with an L4060 with similar hills and see what they say.

The L4060 sounds like a good fit to me.

 

[Maddog10]

A matter of semantics. Kubota's Cat I/II TPH, at least on the MX and I expect on all models, is a Cat II TPH for which Kubota places adaptor sleeves in the toolbox, to fatten Cat I implement pin diameter to Cat 2 pin diameter. So most or all Cat I implements can be used behind a Cat II TPH equipped tractor. (I cannot think of any exceptions but there may be a few.)

We occasionally read on T-B-N where someone with a new, 6,000 pound Cat II tractor, moving up from 2,000 pound Cat I tractor, mounts their light Cat I implements behind the new 6,000 pound tractor, encounters an obstruction, breaks up the Cat I implement, ------then whines on T-B-N.

Curious to get your thoughts, Jeff, considering you had concerns about 40 hp and suggesting I consider moving up a little. For the same money would you suggest the 200 hour cabbed 5460 over the new 4060 open-station for my use, assuming it's been properly maintained. Price difference new-to-new is over $16K according to Kubota's site... For open field work I think it's an obvious yes. For a mix of woods and open, I'm not sure.

 

[jeff9366]

You have to evaluate structure of your order relative to your budget. I have no change to my recommendations. Buy enough tractor.

HST on Hills - TBN ARCHIVE: HST on hills site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search



Replacement glass for Kubota cabs, like all Kubota parts, is ungodly expensive. AC is worthless without intact glass. You need functioning AC in a glass-cab fishbowl.

All three of my tractors have been open station. Florida weather is lovely. In summer I start volunteer tractor work at 6:00 AM and quit by 11:00 AM/DST.

When contributors descry cab tractors in the woods, others post in high dudgeon that cabs are FINE in woods. (Some may not work their tractors much, or may have open woods relative the the Florida jungle I operate in.) So, NO COMMENT from me except: $16,000 is real cabbage.

Consider acquisition cost of cab L5460, then ask Kubota dealer what trade value cab L5460 would have viz a new open station Grand L. (Tractor arbitrage.) The economy is not great but during Spring buyers are seeking cab tractors and the two Kubota manufacturing plants in Georgia are shut. Who knows? Dealer may have a customer impatiently waiting for a cab L5460.