70 hp Massey, New Holland or Kubota

hotchkiss · Mar 10, 2008

I am planning on buying a new utility tractor with loader that has approximately 70 hp (engine) and 60 (PTO). I own approximately 600 acres in Ohio, and will till 20 to 35 acres as well as bush hog another 10 acres. I currently own a Kubota M5700 which has about 400 hours and has been a good tractor, but I havn't been planting as much with it and am concerned it may be a little too small for the long run. I am looking at the MF 473, NH TN75A, Kubota 7040. I also have some steep grades that I mow. For now I am concerned that the NH may be a little too narrow and tall for safety and think that John Deere is probably too high priced for what you get. Any advise and thoughts will be appreciated.

Robert_in_NY · Mar 10, 2008

Set the New Holland out wide then. The TN has multiple tread widths which should do what you need but if you do not like what it has to offer you can look at the New Holland TL/T5000.

I use my TN65 for haying, tillage, planting (corn, beans and oats using a 4 row International 56 planter and a 21x7 International 5100 drill) as well as brush chopping 40+ acres a couple times a year and doing 85% of all the loader work around here.

I have no experience with the Massey or Kubota models you mentioned buy my previous experience with Masseys has been great and I would not hesitate to buy one.

JerryG · Mar 11, 2008

Welcome to TBN.
The MF 400 series has been replaced by the 500 series. If you are concerned about steep hills, look at the 500 series low profiles. The MF 573 LP is would just fit. It gets the center of gravity lower where you need it.

TheDingy · Mar 11, 2008

I would look at the mahindra, our tractor is very nice, but our dealer sucks! Research your dealer and make certian they will worth with you on service after the sale, price is not as important as the service.

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Mar 11, 2008

Test drive a Mahindra 7520, If you try this tractor you will see the heavy structural build, the comfortable ergonomics of the tractor, and feel the stability of this tractor. Also as the previous poster said check out the dealer as I would agree if you have the best tractor in world it is still lacking a lot if you don't have a good dealer supporting it. Good luck with your tractor shopping.

Soundguy · Mar 11, 2008

If you have steep hills and plan on using a loader.. get something with 4wd, and Ditto wha tthe others said about widening the stance.

thems alot of acres to play with!

soundguy

mark.r · Mar 11, 2008

JerryG said:
Welcome to TBN.
The MF 400 series has been replaced by the 500 series. If you are concerned about steep hills, look at the 500 series low profiles. The MF 573 LP is would just fit. It gets the center of gravity lower where you need it.

The 500 series seems like it would work well but I would also look at the 3600 series. I looked at both two weeks ago. As for NH, I second what Robert said. The T5000 have me drooling.

chh · Mar 11, 2008

My neighbor just bought a MF 573 with MFWD, FEL, and shuttle trans. to use in his chicken houses and to use as a rake tractor. He is a die hard JD fan but he had run the 481 I traded a few months ago and really liked it. The fact that the MF was quite a bit less $$ than the JD helped too.

Check out the dealers reputation around. Good dealer support is a big asset. My new MF 596 blew a hydraulic hose(mismade) shortly after I bought it. 1 call and I had the head shop mechanic sitting in my yard the next morning to put on a new hose and check everything over.

hotchkiss · Mar 11, 2008

My original message had a typo. I am looking at the MF 573 and not a 473. Sorry. The NH TN75A has some good incentives since they are changing the line. Any thoughts on what they are selling for? And, with regard to Robert's comments as to the amount of acreage that he works with a TN65, what do you think the minimum horsepower I would need? Finally, it is easy to find the positive things about these tractors. Does anyone know what the downside is to the MF, NH or Kubota's in this size range?

mark.r · Mar 11, 2008

hotchkiss said:
Finally, it is easy to find the positive things about these tractors. Does anyone know what the downside is to the MF, NH or Kubota's in this size range?

This is a good question. The one that probably concerns me the most is the new electronic trannies vs. mechanical trannies and their reliability and replacement cost. Not that I have any first hand experience with them currently but I see this issue come frequently. I hear of people hesitant to go with certain models due to the overwhelming electronics in general.