4520 vs. GL5030 -- or something else?

[HobbleCreek]

In my search for tractor information I stumbled across this site. What a find! I really appreciate the insight all of you bring to this process. I know that the comparison I'm seeking has been asked before, and I've tried to read what I can find in the archives here. I'm going to go ahead and ask, however, because my needs may be different than others.

I have 100 acres in the Wasatch mountains of central Utah. We have about 40 acres of flat ground, maybe 20 of which we can irrigate and improve for pasture, etc. Right now it's just sage brush and native grasses. Our driveway to that flat ground is about a half mile and needs to be maintained and kept free of snow in the winter. I may build a new road that will be shorter. I have a ditch that brings water about a mile from the creek to our pasture. The ditch is in need of serious repair and ongoing maintenance. The space there is kind of tight, as for about a quarter of a mile the ditch runs along the side of the mountain.

I am looking for a tractor that is pretty compact, yet with the juice to get done all that we need. I am leaning towards either the JD 4520 or the Kubota 5030. I have visited both dealers, and they are both friendly and helpful. Pricewise, the Kubota (at round $26,000 for tractor and FEL with 72" quickdetach bucket) is about $3200 less than the 4520. If I add a backhoe, the price gap widens by about another $2200.

I like the "cruise" feature on the Kubota, which is adjustable with a lever on the left side. On the Deere, there is a switch that engages the cruise. I also like that the Kubota has the Cat I/II 3PH.

Given my needs above, what strengths and weaknesses do you folks see in the two leading contenders? Any features of either that I should be giving greater weight to? Any experience with the backhoe capabilities of the Kubota attachment vs. JD?

Thanks,

-- Grant

 

[HEC]

I too looked long and hard at the 4520 and gl5030 and finally settled on the m5700 as I too have 100 acres of land to maintain. You may want to at least take a look at one and see if it meets your needs as it did mine.I did get the creeper gears as I put a snow blower on the rear and needed slower backup speeds,we can get very heavy snow where I live.It was a hard choice as I liked all 3 very much.
Good Luck with your choice

 

[HobbleCreek]

How did the M5700 compare pricewise to the 4520 and the 5030?

I guess that just an attempt at politely asking you how much you had to pay for your M5700. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[HEC]

They were all very close in price, I had a trade so it is hard for me to give you an exact figure as the kubota dealer was willing to give me a little more and I can understand that , as he was almost sure he had a buyer for my tractor.I do some pulling with a tractor such as a 3 bottom plow,pulling logs from my wood lot etc. so all the dealers I talked too suggested I not get the HST transmission.I really liked using the hyd. shuttle trans. and it is a wet clutch system which I have been told by many will last a long time.You may want to go to your dealer and try one out if it sounds like something that would be interested in.