Kubota vs Massey advice

[HJ75]

Hello, I am tossing up between a Kubota M9540 cab and a Massey MF4709 cab, both about 95hp.

The specs I have show that the Kubota weighs 2800Kg and the Massey weighs 3900Kg.

My question is, where has Kubota saved so much weight, and is there possibly a compromise to the strength of the tractor?

Or, looking at it from the other direction, where is the extra weight on the Massey?

Thank you.

 

[Torvy]

Heavier is almost always better with tractors. It will help with stability (safety) and traction.

Most of us try to add weight by filling the rear tires (or some other options).

 

[oldnslo]

Kubota is known for building lighter tractors than other brands in similar HP range. I am not sure were all the weight difference comes from but a general rule of thumb is you need 100 - 125 lbs per HP to effectively tie the power to the ground for draw bar type work. So a minimum of 9500 lbs or 4320 kg for 95 HP.

Would have to look at tractors to see if frame is physically larger on the Massey, cast wheels heavier, etc.

For PTO work weight might not be as critical but I’d still a factor in controlling or pulling the PTO driven implement.

 

[Seven Gables]

I think the lions share of weight difference is in the Massey’s rear end, really stout looking rear axle and 3pt hitch assembly. I’d be leaning towards the MF for the extra built in weight for my uses.

 

[Paystar]

Kubota has always kept the base weights low because the bulk of their ag sales is in haying tractors. Lighter equals less compaction. Their theory is if you are doing tillage you can always add weights.

 

[HJ75]

Thank you for the replies.

I should mention that my uses to start with will not be doing much tillage other than occasional use of a grader blade for road maintenance, mostly will be using a linkage sprayer and a slasher to get on top of the weeds. Also a loader-attached auger drive for fencing.

Down the line I may like to do some pasture improvement, pretty unlikely to do hay though, but never say never!

 

[Torvy]

Thank you for the replies.

I should mention that my uses to start with will not be doing much tillage other than occasional use of a grader blade for road maintenance, mostly will be using a linkage sprayer and a slasher to get on top of the weeds. Also a loader-attached auger drive for fencing.

Down the line I may like to do some pasture improvement, pretty unlikely to do hay though, but never say never!

How about loader work? I use mine for moving downed trees/branches and moving dirt/rock (light duty, not like a bulldozer).

You'll appreciate the heavier machine doing road maintenance.

 

[HJ75]

How about loader work? I use mine for moving downed trees/branches and moving dirt/rock (light duty, not like a bulldozer).

Yeah, I forgot to mention loader work, the same sort of jobs you are doing.

 

[Hay Dude]

Kubota is known for using aluminum for pumps, PTOs or transmissions, where Massey and other AG grade tractors will use cast iron. That saves quite a bit of weight.
The latter will last longer in AG applications.
Kubota is excellent at marketing tractors and their financing is unmatched, but Massey is better for heavy duty AG-type work, IMO.
I've got 10,000 hours of ownership on both brands in farming, loader work, and heavy mowing.
In most cases, I’d take Massey 6 ways to Sunday over Kubota for HD work. Maybe the OP doesn’t need the weight, but weight means power and traction gets to the ground better.
With the 2 tractors the OP is comparing, I know what my choice would be.

 

[hayden]

I looked at both in my search for a large utility tractor. I love Kubota for compacts and small utility tractors. Small excavators too. But nobody is best at everything, and I was pretty unimpressed with Kubota's larger utility tractors. I too would take the Massey over Kubota, assuming equivalent dealer availability and support.