M9540 Kubota

[AGHardin]

Hey guys, looking into a Kubota M9540 cabbed tractor, 4wd, loader, Hydraulic Shuttle.. Has the ultra grand cab with air ride? seat. The tractor is around an 08 or 09 model. Been very well cared for. Interior cleans up super nice, exterior looks really good. The tractor was purchased new w/o a loader and a new Kubota loader was put on it 3 years ago. The bucket is practically new and it comes with a new hay spear as well. It was priced to me at $27,500 and from what i can tell it seems to be a pretty good deal on a well cared for, pre emissions tractor. My only concern is that it does have 5200 hours on it. It has spent its last 3 years as a farm/hay tractor. The current owner is a close friend of mine and i know he's very meticulous. When he purchased it, he replaced the entire a/c system and put a new starter on it. The only thing i can find wrong with the tractor is that it takes just a brief hesitation (maybe a second?) when going from forward to reverse with the hydraulic shuttle when COLD. After it warms up, it seems to be fine. It has a small hydraulic leak at the shuttle valve, the Kubota dealer says there's likely an o-ring there. I wont put 100 hours a year on it, but i'm in dire need of a decent tractor. I'll be using it for general farm work. Bush hog, light loader work, a little haying here and there.

Give me your opinions pleases!! Thanks in advance

 

[rScotty]

I doubt if you'll do much better. Around here by the time you get to similar size loader & cab tractors priced enough lower to make a difference - at around 20K & under - they are likely to have real problems.

I have no problem with high hours as long as the condition is good & maintenance is medium to better. Two of ours have more hours than that, and I don't see 5000 hours/10 years old as being the reason to fear major maintenance. But the age and use will be the cause of small things from cab door hinges right on through accessory parts needing attention - things like the starter, some switches and things that get a lot of use. That shuttle valve is the perfect example. Although the good news on that part is If it's accessible enough to see a leak, it is probably accessible enough to be able to replace & time to do so.

So I'm thinking the answer to your question is as much about how you feel about fixing small things & high use accessory systems as it is about the tractor itself. Small things needing attention is the price I expect to pay for the reduced cost of used & well-proven equipment.
If that doesn't bother you then are lucky to find one that you know the history on & not likely to do any better.

Maybe you can get the owner to sit down together & fix the shuttle valve with you. That way you both win.
rScotty

 

[sea2summit]

Looks pretty good for a 12 year old tractor. Few things got my eye but I'd have to see it in person.
First, those tires don't have much life left from the looks of it.
Next, I'm not seeing grease on the loader like I'd expect so might be worth checking other grease points and see if it's good (take a gun and pump some grease to see what the condition of it is etc.).
Looks like aftermarket bolts on the lifting arms at the extension? I'd just have to see what was going on there.
Last, the housing at the hydro dipstick looks cracked in the picture? Probably just hay or something.

5200 is a lot of hours but if you'd only be using 100 or so hours a year it has some years left. Why's he selling it?

 

[Hay Dude]

Hey guys, looking into a Kubota M9540 cabbed tractor, 4wd, loader, Hydraulic Shuttle.. Has the ultra grand cab with air ride? seat. The tractor is around an 08 or 09 model. Been very well cared for. Interior cleans up super nice, exterior looks really good. The tractor was purchased new w/o a loader and a new Kubota loader was put on it 3 years ago. The bucket is practically new and it comes with a new hay spear as well. It was priced to me at $27,500 and from what i can tell it seems to be a pretty good deal on a well cared for, pre emissions tractor. My only concern is that it does have 5200 hours on it. It has spent its last 3 years as a farm/hay tractor. The current owner is a close friend of mine and i know he's very meticulous. When he purchased it, he replaced the entire a/c system and put a new starter on it. The only thing i can find wrong with the tractor is that it takes just a brief hesitation (maybe a second?) when going from forward to reverse with the hydraulic shuttle when COLD. After it warms up, it seems to be fine. It has a small hydraulic leak at the shuttle valve, the Kubota dealer says there's likely an o-ring there. I wont put 100 hours a year on it, but i'm in dire need of a decent tractor. I'll be using it for general farm work. Bush hog, light loader work, a little haying here and there.

Give me your opinions pleases!! Thanks in advance

View attachment 685108View attachment 685109View attachment 685110View attachment 685111View attachment 685112

Very nice tractor. I had a M9540 Dual Speed which is a partial powershift :thumbsup: also came standard with a park brake on the shifter, air seat, extra remotes and a bunch more goodies. I paid 40k, but it was only 3 years old and maybe 350 hours with a loader.
I think the hours are a tad high, but with proper care and service, they are a very nice hay tractor for smaller operations. I sold mine and bought my M135x for heavier bale lifting, more HP and bigger wheels/tires.
Lots of guys let go of higher hour tractors when it comes time for tires. They are a big expense and some sellers look at that as part of the deposit money on a newer one.

 

[rScotty]

Looks pretty good for a 12 year old tractor.
SNIP
Why's he selling it?

I forgot that. Yes, that's the first question I always ask, "Why is he selling it?"
rScotty

 

[AGHardin]

I doubt if you'll do much better. Around here by the time you get to similar size loader & cab tractors priced enough lower to make a difference - at around 20K & under - they are likely to have real problems.

I have no problem with high hours as long as the condition is good & maintenance is medium to better. Two of ours have more hours than that, and I don't see 5000 hours/10 years old as being the reason to fear major maintenance. But the age and use will be the cause of small things from cab door hinges right on through accessory parts needing attention - things like the starter, some switches and things that get a lot of use. That shuttle valve is the perfect example. Although the good news on that part is If it's accessible enough to see a leak, it is probably accessible enough to be able to replace & time to do so.

So I'm thinking the answer to your question is as much about how you feel about fixing small things & high use accessory systems as it is about the tractor itself. Small things needing attention is the price I expect to pay for the reduced cost of used & well-proven equipment.
If that doesn't bother you then are lucky to find one that you know the history on & not likely to do any better.

Maybe you can get the owner to sit down together & fix the shuttle valve with you. That way you both win.
rScotty

Minor things don't bother me. I don't mind repairing high use areas.

I just mainly want to stay away from splitting the tractor or engine overhaul for a few years. He assures me that it hasn't used any oil in his usage. He averages 350 hours a year in his hay business, so any problems should have presented themselves.

He has the seal pack to fix the shuttle valve leak. I don't know if that will fix the hesitation in the shuttle function or if more will be required down the road. I do know that the shuttle function is operated by a clutch pack. I rebuild automatic transmissions on the side, so hopefully it wouldn't be much difference than rebuilding a clutch pack in an auto trans.

 

[AGHardin]

Looks pretty good for a 12 year old tractor. Few things got my eye but I'd have to see it in person.
First, those tires don't have much life left from the looks of it.
Next, I'm not seeing grease on the loader like I'd expect so might be worth checking other grease points and see if it's good (take a gun and pump some grease to see what the condition of it is etc.).
Looks like aftermarket bolts on the lifting arms at the extension? I'd just have to see what was going on there.
Last, the housing at the hydro dipstick looks cracked in the picture? Probably just hay or something.

5200 is a lot of hours but if you'd only be using 100 or so hours a year it has some years left. Why's he selling it?

The tires probably look a little better in person, I'd say i have a good 3-4 years left in them. It wont leave my farm very often at all, so it shouldn't see any pavement.

I didn't notice a crack at the dipstick, but ill certainly check it out.

He's pretty good at greasing stuff, but he pressure washes everything a couple times a year. I am confident the loader is tight and been properly maintained. He runs a excavating business, so he knows the need for greasing things.

His main tractor (100+ hp John Deere) went down last spring with trans troubles and it stayed in the shop longer than expected. It got to crunch time on hay mowing and he bought this tractor to get him through the year until he got his JD back. He finally got his JD back mid summer but kept this one just because it was handy to have a 3rd tractor. He purchased it from the service manager at our local kubota dealership who sold his farm and no longer needed a large tractor. Service manager owned it for the 2-3 years prior and used it has a hay tractor as well.

 

[AGHardin]

Very nice tractor. I had a M9540 Dual Speed which is a partial powershift :thumbsup: also came standard with a park brake on the shifter, air seat, extra remotes and a bunch more goodies. I paid 40k, but it was only 3 years old and maybe 350 hours with a loader.
I think the hours are a tad high, but with proper care and service, they are a very nice hay tractor for smaller operations. I sold mine and bought my M135x for heavier bale lifting, more HP and bigger wheels/tires.
Lots of guys let go of higher hour tractors when it comes time for tires. They are a big expense and some sellers look at that as part of the deposit money on a newer one.

I have 150 acres and run around 40 head of cattle right now. So just general farm and light hay work when my dad needs a hand in the hay field is all i'll get into with it. I needed something heavy enough to keep a batwing stable on some of my hills I have on my place.

 

[Rustyiron]

The forward/ reverse deal you describe is normal. There's been many discussions here if you search around.
Sounds like a perfect tractor for your situation. Knowing the history is priceless, and I'd give that a few thousand hours of "credit " against another tractor that's a complete mystery other than the hour meter. (That you'd probably pay more for):thumbsup:

 

[AGHardin]

The forward/ reverse deal you describe is normal. There's been many discussions here if you search around.
Sounds like a perfect tractor for your situation. Knowing the history is priceless, and I'd give that a few thousand hours of "credit " against another tractor that's a complete mystery other than the hour meter. (That you'd probably pay more for):thumbsup:

Sounds great! I've never owned a tractor with shuttle function, so it will take some getting used too. The old 5000 ford was a little more "refined" if you will.

And yes, I've been shopping the $20,000 and below market, but that gets you into some lower hour tractors without cabs, but look like they've been used as skidders! Knowing the tractor and knowing he isn't selling to get rid of a trouble helps.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Bought in 2019, my M6040 is a 2010 model, used by a local farmer for haying and hauling his sugaring gear around in the spring It had about 1100 hours on it.
With the cab and LA1153 loader, I got it used for $27k and thought it was a real deal. Hydro shuttle trans has the same hesitation that you describe but not a problem.
The bucket still had paint inside as he really never used the machine for any digging or ground engagement activities.

 

[Hay Dude]

BTW, I have owned 5 bigger M series kubotas. (M7040, M9540, M126X, M135X, M135X). Currently have 2 (M126X and M135X).
All have the delay.
The delay becomes routine after a while. I actually like it. Gives you 1-2 sec to pause and make sure all is clear before changing directions. If it were more abrupt, it could cause a sprayer tank to violently slosh or equipment to be jerked too much. I think it was designed to ease stress on the driveline.

 

[big bubba]

good price for that model. that series is in demand given the newer Mxx60 regen technology. have the same model as you're looking at, 12sp hd version. open station, 08 model
several yrs ago when i had it insured w/K, they estimated the value at 27k.
people pay more than that for far less substantial B, L, & MX cuts. well worth the price if it's been kept up. all i've had to replace is the hyd shuttle cable (sticking)
if you have that seal replaced, would suggest having them lube that cable if possible. btw there is a cable adjustment on the handle itself to fine tune cable stretch, etc. good luck, it's a beast

 

[AGHardin]

Bought in 2019, my M6040 is a 2010 model, used by a local farmer for haying and hauling his sugaring gear around in the spring It had about 1100 hours on it.
With the cab and LA1153 loader, I got it used for $27k and thought it was a real deal. Hydro shuttle trans has the same hesitation that you describe but not a problem.
The bucket still had paint inside as he really never used the machine for any digging or ground engagement activities.

Great info, thanks!

The bucket on this tractor is basically brand new as well. He bought a hay fork for it when he bought the tractor and took the bucket off. It comes with both hay fork and bucket, so i guess that's a couple hundred bucks.

 

[AGHardin]

BTW, I have owned 5 bigger M series kubotas. (M7040, M9540, M126X, M135X, M135X). Currently have 2 (M126X and M135X).
All have the delay.
The delay becomes routine after a while. I actually like it. Gives you 1-2 sec to pause and make sure all is clear before changing directions. If it were more abrupt, it could cause a sprayer tank to violently slosh or equipment to be jerked too much. I think it was designed to ease stress on the driveline.

Great info!!! This experience was what i was looking for. It doesn't seem to "slip" into motion, so i was assuming that slight hesitation wasn't a sign of excessive wear. You think the engine/trans would be good for 6500 hours or so if maintained? I dont mind the normal maintenance and repairs, i just dont want to have that $3500 repair within the next few years.

 

[AGHardin]

good price for that model. that series is in demand given the newer Mxx60 regen technology. have the same model as you're looking at, 12sp hd version. open station, 08 model
several yrs ago when i had it insured w/K, they estimated the value at 27k.
people pay more than that for far less substantial B, L, & MX cuts. well worth the price if it's been kept up. all i've had to replace is the hyd shuttle cable (sticking)
if you have that seal replaced, would suggest having them lube that cable if possible. btw there is a cable adjustment on the handle itself to fine tune cable stretch, etc. good luck, it's a beast

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely look into getting that cable lubed. Id like to get another 1500 hours or so before it needed any major repairs.

 

[KCPO]

What big bubba and Rustyiron said; have the same year/model and it sounds like normal operation. I'd buy it in a minute, I expect my grand kids will be running mine.

 

[Hay Dude]

Great info!!! This experience was what i was looking for. It doesn't seem to "slip" into motion, so i was assuming that slight hesitation wasn't a sign of excessive wear. You think the engine/trans would be good for 6500 hours or so if maintained? I dont mind the normal maintenance and repairs, i just dont want to have that $3500 repair within the next few years.

Sure it can with proper maintenance and responsible operator techniques. If you had a transmission repair done by a qualified technician, itll likely be more than 3500.
I wouldn’t worry about it. Another easy solution to shifting and forward/reverse issues can be that its too low or too full of Super UDT oil. Check the oil carefully and verify it’s in the normal range. Also, I wouldn’t suggest anything but KUBOTA oils. Previous owner may have used a substitute or it may be wrong fluid level.


But what would I know? Im just some guy who cuts lawns :laughing:

 

[AGHardin]

Sure it can with proper maintenance and responsible operator techniques. If you had a transmission repair done by a qualified technician, itll likely be more than 3500.
I wouldn稚 worry about it. Another easy solution to shifting and forward/reverse issues can be that its too low or too full of Super UDT oil. Check the oil carefully and verify it痴 in the normal range. Also, I wouldn稚 suggest anything but KUBOTA oils. Previous owner may have used a substitute or it may be wrong fluid level.


But what would I know? Im just some guy who cuts lawns :laughing:

Well i am hoping the transmission will stay together for several more years. I grew up running my old mans equipment and sometimes if you sat on it the wrong way, you were going to be working on it all day. Learned how to treat equipment gingerly.

I walked around the tractor again and noticed that all the filters are napa filters. I read a thread on here one time about someone having trouble on a kubota specifically with the hydraulics. I think i'll put all new kubota filters on it when i get it on the farm. Just for peace of mind.

 

[Hay Dude]

Well i am hoping the transmission will stay together for several more years. I grew up running my old mans equipment and sometimes if you sat on it the wrong way, you were going to be working on it all day. Learned how to treat equipment gingerly.

I walked around the tractor again and noticed that all the filters are napa filters. I read a thread on here one time about someone having trouble on a kubota specifically with the hydraulics. I think i'll put all new kubota filters on it when i get it on the farm. Just for peace of mind.

Id be way more concerned about the type of oil he used. Ask him what he used for hydraulic transmission oil. Tractors are no different than other mechanical equipment. They can experience failure even when properly maintained.
I think people who own tractors see them do amazing feats, like go through 2 foot deep mud or pull out a stuck vehicles and think they are indestructible. They are not. They need rigorous maintenance.