Help with which Kubota to get

[Mat4644]

You'll regret buying too large just as much as too little. Bigger is better - not. Buy what you need.

 

[johncanfield]

Beautiful area out there! Definitely looking at a quick attach loader and I'm now leaning towards the MX 5400 (54 hp) after some of these suggestions. I like the idea of wider wheel base and more weight as our property has some pretty unever terrain. Is your place very hilly? If so, how is it operating the tractor around some of the steeper parts?

I would love to have some blackbuck - unfortunately our place isn't high fenced. Add it to the wish list!

blackbuck antelope like wide open spaces, our fences are 4 foot and 5 foot high. They hate to jump fences. We have about 20 acres open pasture and 10 which is maybe 50% trees.

Our terrain is mainly gentile hills but I have a steep area that I'm careful when working. I think the MX 5400 would be a fine choice for you.

 

[sd455dan]

Get a tractor big enough to move your bales of hay. AG tractors are more like all in one tools made to do a little of everything but not exceedingly well at any one thing.

Clearing pastures and removing stumps is hard work, Id suggest getting on older used construction TLB, let it take the abuse and sell it when you are done likely for the same amount of money you paid for it.

Keep the tractor for long term, add on front remotes to operate a grapple and rear remotes for utility.

Good points

What size of hay bales will the OP be buying and moving?

he mentions rounds in the 1st post.

We switched to large squares a few years ago, (~1275lb) and it sure saves time and labor when getting the years supply of hay in.

2 people can move and stack in a couple hours, what took several people several hours when small squares were delivered and then stacked.

If the OP wants to use large bales- this is an area where a smaller tractor cannot get the job done- by just taking more time.

If it will not lift the bale, it will not lift the bale...

Rounds (depending on size) Range in weight quite a bit


To quote Jeff, " Buy Enough Tractor" so those round bales can be safely moved and stacked.

 

[TX03]

Good points

What size of hay bales will the OP be buying and moving?

he mentions rounds in the 1st post.

We switched to large squares a few years ago, (~1275lb) and it sure saves time and labor when getting the years supply of hay in.

2 people can move and stack in a couple hours, what took several people several hours when small squares were delivered and then stacked.

If the OP wants to use large bales- this is an area where a smaller tractor cannot get the job done- by just taking more time.

If it will not lift the bale, it will not lift the bale...

Rounds (depending on size) Range in weight quite a bit


To quote Jeff, " Buy Enough Tractor" so those round bales can be safely moved and stacked.

Right now we just have small square bales as we only have two goats. Soon we'll have more goats and a couple of horses so I suspect we'll step up to larger bales. I really don't know if we'll ever need large round bales or just larger square bales

 

[TX03]

blackbuck antelope like wide open spaces, our fences are 4 foot and 5 foot high. They hate to jump fences. We have about 20 acres open pasture and 10 which is maybe 50% trees.

Our terrain is mainly gentile hills but I have a steep area that I'm careful when working. I think the MX 5400 would be a fine choice for you.

learn something new... I just always assumed you needed high fences for them. Our neighbor has a zebra so I imagine that would deter them even more from hopping their fence.

I appreciate your help!

 

[Aquabird]

I am going to add my opinion here as well.

I believe after just getting my new tractor delivered a week ago, that there IS a thin line between buying too big or too small. It is hard to decide which tractor is the right size.
I started out looking at an L 33 hp. Once I found out how much the FEL would lift, I switched to a 39hp. I quickly went from that to looking at a 47hp L series.
I had pretty well decided on the 47 hp tractor, until one dealer suggested that I should move from that decision on the 47hp to the MX5400. He said for the 2k$ difference it is a no brainer.
But it may be a "brainer". IT is a bigger tractor, more weight if YOU need more weight, but more weight if you do not need it too. Wider. May be a problem for storage. Longer, may be a problem for storage. The bigger tractors will consume more fuel. I used a lot of fuel for just 8.5 hrs of use. The tank was full when they brought the tractor and I just refilled it with 5 gals.
I cannot complain about how much my loader will lift. I used my grading scraper to grade my gravel driveway and I did have to use the front wheel drive to keep moving, but after I put it in, zero problems.
Hope this helps a little.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I am going to add my opinion here as well.

I believe after just getting my new tractor delivered a week ago, that there IS a thin line between buying too big or too small. It is hard to decide which tractor is the right size.
I started out looking at an L 33 hp. Once I found out how much the FEL would lift, I switched to a 39hp. I quickly went from that to looking at a 47hp L series.
I had pretty well decided on the 47 hp tractor, until one dealer suggested that I should move from that decision on the 47hp to the MX5400. He said for the 2k$ difference it is a no brainer.
But it may be a "brainer". IT is a bigger tractor, more weight if YOU need more weight, but more weight if you do not need it too. Wider. May be a problem for storage. Longer, may be a problem for storage. The bigger tractors will consume more fuel. I used a lot of fuel for just 8.5 hrs of use. The tank was full when they brought the tractor and I just refilled it with 5 gals.
I cannot complain about how much my loader will lift. I used my grading scraper to grade my gravel driveway and I did have to use the front wheel drive to keep moving, but after I put it in, zero problems.
Hope this helps a little.

[Not disagreeing with aquabird, just adding my 2 cents]

It all comes back to identifying the problems you need to solve. I started looking at the L3901, and in the end also migrated to the MX5400, but for me it has been the perfect decision. I wanted the weight, and especially the stability from the additional 20% tractor width compared to the L3901. But one of the problems I needed to solve was my very hilly and uneven terrain, so stability was important. As was weight for potentially skidding and other operations (even if I wasn't trying to solve that problem right away).

As for storage, that's like a whole separate dimension in planning. Even if you ignore individual tractor and attachment dimensions, if you have a few attachments and want to keep them out of the rain and snow, then storage is really a challenge! (Or can be unless you're blessed with some gigantic shed). Definitely think about what you will want to store indoors and where you will store it. (For me, that's all PTO engaged implements, all things with hydraulics, and in general all things I can manage to keep them from rusting. But I like to keep my toys shiny and looking new.

Also to consider, how you'll haul the beast. I had to basically write off my current vehicle as unable to haul the tractor. While I could probably haul it with no attachments, there's no way I can haul the nearly 4 tons of tractor (when you include 2 implements & loaded tires) with the 9K towing capacity of my truck. So ... another problem to solve.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

On Aquabird's size considerations, there are definitely people who've voiced preference for a smaller tractor if you're doing things in the woods, for better maneuverability. Though for me that's been less of an issue than all the gigantic stumps left by loggers that I'm afraid to drive over, even with the nice clearance of the MX5400.

 

[Aquabird]

I do agree BW, You definitely have to consider the job you need to get done and the terrain you are working in. I would say 60% of my tractor work is mowing 3.5 acres. I live in a really flat area. I do not intend to load the tires up. I did some loader work today and was really impressed with the power of the loader on the MX5400. Does yours gulp fuel?
I am also very impressed with the traction of the 4 wd. I guess that the weight of the tractor has something to do with that. I am sure that when I put the big rototiller on I will be glad and I have that extra PTO HP.

 

[jwstewar]

Hey Everyone - brand new to the forum after doing some research into tractors. My wife and I recently purchased a 15 acre spot in the Texas hill country and we're looking for our first ever tractor. I've done quite a bit of research and am leaning towards a Kubota (we have a couple of dealers in the area that seem pretty good). However, I'm having a real tough time figuring out what size tractor we need. We have a small nubian goat herd that will grow to 15-20 or so and then we plan on getting a couple of horses as well (would love a couple of longhorns but that probably won't happen any time soon). Most of our chores will be bush hogging some open areas and under our larger oak trees, pulling out cedar stumps, and mainting our gravel driveway. I think the L series Kubota should be able to handle almost everything we need outside of possibly needing to move round bales in the future. Anyways, would love some insight from you guys or if there are resources handy that you could point me to that would be great as well. Thanks!

Don't have a lot else to offer, but we just purchased an L3301. The loader w/ SSQA and a hay spear handles our 5x5 round bales (alfalfa mix, Alpine, LaMancha, Nigerian, and Sanaans) with ease. I am usually moving them without anything on the rear because of being in tight quarters. When I move the one last night I did have to put it into 4wd because I have a board at the sliding door for it to seal against and I had wedged the front tire against it and it wanted to spin. Locked it in 4wd and placed the bale right where I wanted it.

 

[oosik]

I have 80 acres - mile long gravel driveway & moderate snow. My land is - a ten acre lake - bunch grass - gigantic ancient Ponderosa pines. I started out in 1982 with a brand new Ford 1700 4WD. I kept this tractor for 27 years - upgraded to a brand new Kubota M6040 4WD in 2009.

Reasons for the upgrade.

All the smaller projects had been completed

I got tired of having to use a 3-point blower to clear the snow berms that form along the driveway

The M6040 does not need chains to clear snow

The M6040 has the weight to effectively pull Cat 2 implements

I have no access problems to most anywhere on the property. I don't need a smaller tractor to access most anywhere

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I do agree BW, You definitely have to consider the job you need to get done and the terrain you are working in. I would say 60% of my tractor work is mowing 3.5 acres. I live in a really flat area. I do not intend to load the tires up. I did some loader work today and was really impressed with the power of the loader on the MX5400. Does yours gulp fuel?
I am also very impressed with the traction of the 4 wd. I guess that the weight of the tractor has something to do with that. I am sure that when I put the big rototiller on I will be glad and I have that extra PTO HP.

I haven't had a fuel gulping issue, though perhaps it's relative to what you're used to. At a guess I would say I'm doing about 5 gallons per 10 hours for mixed activities. Maybe my fuel consumption will be worse when I spend all day brush hogging in October, no idea yet. I'm not sure my 5-for-10 is accurate either, I could be off by a can for my first 30-odd hours of use. Either way, it hasn't been a burden to acquire the fuel. I do question the user friendliness of the design decision to put the gas port in the top of the vehicle though!

I tend to run with lower RPMs if that makes a difference. Somewhere in the 1500-1700 range, maybe upwards of 2k if I'm doing heavy work. 2500 only when the brush hog is going. I've been told a lot of folks run at higher RPMs if only to (at least in theory) lessen the particulate cleaning passes. I'm a rookie, I'm probably doing it wrong

 

[oosik]

My hardest, longest use of my tractor - snow plowing & chipping the small pines when I thin my stands. Complete plowing - yard, driveway & mailbox area will take three hours - it will consume approximately two gallons of diesel. My 'ol bod can handle 3-4 hours of continuous chipping. That, also, will consume two gallons of diesel. It takes me a good month and 35 to 40 gallons of diesel to chip all the pines I will thin in the spring. I never run higher rpm than it takes to get the job done. This means 1800-2000 rpm at a maximum.

I never considered the location of the fuel port when I purchased the M6040. Eleven years later - I'm sure glad it's not up there on top of the hood.

 

[Aquabird]

Yeah, as tall as this MX5400 is filling the tank with a 5 gal can is harder than the old Ford 1520.
That is one thing not good about a bigger tractor if you do not have a pump of some kind.
Years ago when my company tore out their Engine "Hot Test" line, I got hold of a heavy duty electric fuel pump, used to pump gas to the motors to run and test them.
Since they were throwing them out, I got a pass to take one home. Those things lasted for many years.
I also got a powerful(10amp) Power supply to change to 12volt to run the fuel pump. I mounted the power supply into an old desk top computer housing so that the dust will not get into the power supply and to protect from a short.
I added some hoses and a switch to turn on the pump as well as an indicator light to show the pump is turned on. The computer switch turns on the power supply.
Now, with this tractor, I just set the 5 gal can on the ground, put the hose on the input of the fuel pump into the can and the hose on the output of the pump into the tank and flip it on.
Takes just a few minutes to empty the 5 gal can.
I would bet the bigger tractor uses at least twice the fuel as the smaller tractor did...but twice the horse power too. Trade offs, that is where you decide which tractor is right for you.
What trade offs are you willing to make? Trade more money for bigger more horsepower tractor. Get more weight, can cause more ruts or tracks, may not fit into the old space in your barn or garage.
After mowing a little yesterday, I might need a bigger mower deck. It does not cover the wheels and is hard to mow close to anything. I have a 72in now.

 

[Johnkn]

It’s a never ending cycle. Gotta love it......