7040 or 8540

[mark mcmanus]

I ve got to choose between a 7040 4wd fel and an 8540 4wd fel. We have 20 acres cleared and want to clear about 20 more. clearing will be done professionally, clean up by me. 7040 is 27600 the 8540 was sold initially and returned with 10hrs. and exchanged for a cab model. The dealer has told me the warrenty and financing would not be affected and would be treated as a new tractor, the price is 29500. The tires on both models are filled.

 

[riptides]

Remotes, hooks on FEL, 50 hour service, what other extras is the dealer making trying to get that sale?

-Mike Z.

 

[n8wrl]

WOW!

1900 diff - I'd go 8540!

-Brian

 

[66gladiator]

WOW!

1900 diff - I'd go 8540!

-Brian

Don't forget. With the M8540 you also get the turbo.

 

[mark mcmanus]

No other incentives for the sale. More history, we have 102 acres mostly timber and will occasionally be pulling logs. I'm leaning to the 8540 but trying to avoid the "buying bigger fever...just because"

 

[Bob_Young]

Sounds like a good deal! If you don't expect to do any trailering of the tractor, get the 8540. If you do, better make some measurements and add up some weights before plunking the cash down. From my research the M7040 is about the largest Kubota that can be 'conveniently' trailered...of course that's with my circumstances. Yours may be different.

Only other reason I can think of where the 7040 would be preferable is that it would be a bit more maneuverable in the woods...and somewhat lighter on its 'feet'.

Around trees, I've found the horizontal/low exhaust is almost a must. You might want to work that into the deal.
Bob

 

[mark mcmanus]

Thank you Bob, Being new to this farming thing I have a hard time figuring out what is needed and what is not. I have heard here and everywhere else it seems to get the most horsepower you can afford. The price difference is small in comparince to overall cost. I have a Mahindra 6000 that is very heavy and very stable and the 8540 gave me more of that stable feel. I have a 13 yr old son that is really beginning to like farming and the increased stablity makes me feel safer with him driving. Any more thoughts while I cont to pray for guidance? mark

 

[Gary51]

Mark- None of my business but my advice is NOT to let a 13 year old drive either tractor in that environment. Freshly cleared timber land will have many limbs, stumps, holes, and rough spots that can be very dangerous for experienced drivers. That's not a very good terrain to learn on.
My advice on dragging logs is more power. Sometimes the stump ends will dig into the dirt and your not dragging anymore, your plowing.-Gary

 

[mark mcmanus]

Thank Gary, That's why I appreciate this forum, Good advice. I should have been more clear, he only drives in the pastures, the woods scare me!

 

[tydp]

Thank Gary, That's why I appreciate this forum, Good advice. I should have been more clear, he only drives in the pastures, the woods scare me!

That should be fine. Last year (when he was 10) my son hauled in 6x5 round bales on the 3 point. This year, (now 11) he brings in 2 at a time since we added a front end loader to that tractor. He really enjoys it, and has been a huge help to my 86 year old dad. Before the safety police get riled, it is on level to fairly level ground, he goes fairly slowly with front bale carried low as possible and always wears the seat belt. Also sounds like a good deal. We paid 33,900 last year for a M9540 DT open station with Kubota FEL.