Back to square one

[canoetrpr]

If you read one if my previous threads you know that I was lined up to be picking up a slightly used JD 4520. I'm sorry to say that is not to be and unfortunately can't go into the reason why at this time.

I've decided to begin evaluating new machines from dealers this time around and am trying to keep myself open to brands and models. I do find myself having a heavy bias toward Kubota again as the dealer I purchase parts for is on my way to work and had a GREAT parts dept and a very good sales manager who I have worked with on a smaller item. He's been very responsive to my requests so far.

I have 26 acres - 10 pasture rest woods. I have about a dozen cattle and feed 4x5 bales. The only place I find my L3400 falling short is a cab for comfort blowing snow and getting bales off a semi. Second layer of bales is tricky but I do manage with technique. Likely not the best for my front axles or safety. My neighbour thinks I'm nuts and should be pulling them off with a rope instead of justifying a new tractor.

My first inclination is the Kubota 4740HSTC. The machine feels well built to me. I am going to be spending time in one soon to evaluate my ergonomic impression. The LA854 loader should be a lot more secure to lift bales with and give me more height. If I'm managing to get them off a semi with my L3400 - this should be a huge improvement.

I also drove a MF1643 yesterday to get a feel for what a 1648 would be like. It prices out around $3k less than a L4740. I believe the loader height is better. I liked the machine but I like the HST+ hi lo lever on the Kubota. Still under consideration. The loader on the MF was real beefy.

An alternate thought was to really go big. The M5040 sounded neat until I found out they don't make them anymore. The replacement M5140 looks nice but we don't get the cab model in Canada. The M6040 looks good but is $7k more. These would not fit into a pole barn that I clear every year (8" short) and I don't fancy doing that by hand. Although I could do that chore with my new MF 255 since it has no ROPS. Might take me some time to develop finesse with it though.

I could search for a slightly used M5040 at a dealer in the USA and pay for hauling but I prefer to purchase locally.

Another consideration is that I hope to move to a 50-100 acre place some day (5 or so years). Ideally it would be nice to have a tractor I'd be happy with there. An M gets a nod for that though L4740 is really at my budget.

Would appreciate any thoughts anyone here can offer on these or other models regardless of colour. Local Kioti dealer is VERY good but my concern is that he is the only decent dealer for a LONG way. I have no idea where he or Kioti will be 20 years from now but they seem to be getting traction around here.

I am only aware of one Mahindra dealer 90 min away and they don't seem to have as much traction here even as Kioti.

As you can tell, I am inclined to stay with one of the major players.

I am REALLY dissapointed that NH compacts are no longer being built by Shibaru. The tractors seemed real well designed. Is there anything in their line up that I ought to look at that was not being made by Shibaru?

At this point my strongest inclination is Kubota and the dealer has a lot to do with it. The parts guys have reopened on a Saturday while on their way out just so that I could purchase a $1.24 pin. I remember thinking back then that that ought to be enough reason to do my next purchase from this dealer.

 

[crazyal]

Sorry to hear the JD didn't work out. I wish I could give you advise about the 4740 but I never mess with round bales (from everything I've read and the fact I know people with smaller tractors, like a NH TC33, who move them around). All I know is that after a year of use I wouldn't trade my GL40 for anything other than another GL40.

One thing I can tell you is that if you get a front mount snow blower or snow plow the sub frame can stay on the tractor with out interfering with the FEL. It sticks out a little bit in front f the tractor so if you are trying to unload round bales off a trailer you would need to be careful you don't bump it into the trailer tires. It's a little hard to tell but in my avatar my tractor has the subframe and loader on at the same time.

 

[Rockgod]

Good luck on your Deere/Kubota hunt. I was lucky enough to have both the L4240 and the JD4320. The 4120-4720 Deeres would be/is my choice. However, the Kubotas are quality tractors for sure.


BTW - those 854 loaders are pretty powerfull, can't imagine it wouldn't handle round bales. It's the same loader that comes on Kubotas L5740.

That's too bad about the Deere. It sounded like a good deal.

 

[canoetrpr]

I'm looking into a pull type rear blower. I like to keep the FEL empty in the winter so that I can throw on my spear without much effort.

It is more about the height and reach of the loader than anything for me. The LA854 will do anything the LA463 I have now is doing better.

Tomorrow I am going to try out a M6040 to see what that feels like. Don't like the fact that there is no chance I will get that in my pole barn to clean it out though.

 

[WilliamBos]

Have you considered a power shuttle tractor instead?? The shuttle is great for loader work, among things. With 12x12, tons of gears to choose from.

Did you go see Shaun??

 

[canoetrpr]

Have not considered a powershuttle in earnest but Shaun is bringing in a 1648 which happens to have one so I will give it a shot. Shaun is an awesome guy!

 

[WilliamBos]

Have not considered a powershuttle in earnest but Shaun is bringing in a 1648 which happens to have one so I will give it a shot. Shaun is an awesome guy!

Shaun is an awesome guy!!

you will love the powershuttle, an amazing transmission for what you are doing.

Let me know what you think??

 

[PapaPerk]

Too bad about the Deere.... But now you can by the Kubota I've been hounding you about!!! The Grand L40 series are great machines! Welcome back to the Orange club!

 

[LeadPoison]

If you still want to go used an M4900 might be what you need. I have a 2005 model. Awesome tractor. The M4900 doesn't have all the EPA mandated erg/dpf.

 

[PapaPerk]

So how many tractors do you have currently?

If you are moving to a 50 to 100 acre farm you are going to need a full size farm tractor... like you said... a M5040 or larger. Deere makes some very nice tractors in this size as well. :thumbsup:

You may consider keeping your current Kubota and then buy a 5040... or whatever you can get up there. I'm a big fan of Kubota... and Deere when the HP is above 50 and it's a full size tractor. That's the ONLY two brands I would consider. But that's just me!

 

[TripleR]

So how many tractors do you have currently?

If you are moving to a 50 to 100 acre farm you are going to need a full size farm tractor... like you said... a M5040 or larger. Deere makes some very nice tractors in this size as well. :thumbsup:

You may consider keeping your current Kubota and then buy a 5040... or whatever you can get up there. I'm a big fan of Kubota... and Deere when the HP is above 50 and it's a full size tractor. That's the ONLY two brands I would consider. But that's just me!

There you go, can't beat having two tractors.:thumbsup:

 

[canoetrpr]

Wish I could justiy keeping my L3400 too! I just bought a second tractor -1978 MF 255 to run my manure spreader. I'm far from comfortable operating it within close quarters in my pole barn though.

Just spent time at a very good dealer 45 min away. I checked out a L5240 there. The L is the direction I am leaning.

Can't find a good reason to spend more for a L5270 or 5740 over the 4740 since there is no difference in the loader. All of them fit dimension wise.

 

[TripleR]

I really like the Kubota Grand L Series, I have a 5030 HSTC.

 

[PapaPerk]

Wish I could justiy keeping my L3400 too! I just bought a second tractor -1978 MF 255 to run my manure spreader. I'm far from comfortable operating it within close quarters in my pole barn though.

Just spent time at a very good dealer 45 min away. I checked out a L5240 there. The L is the direction I am leaning.

Can't find a good reason to spend more for a L5270 or 5740 over the 4740 since there is no difference in the loader. All of them fit dimension wise.

Can you see yourself using the 4740 on a 100 acre farm? How many acres you have now?

What about a Kubota 6040? :thumbsup:

 

[canoetrpr]

Can you see yourself using the 4740 on a 100 acre farm? How many acres you have now?

What about a Kubota 6040? :thumbsup:

I've struggled with this a bit. I think on a 50-100 acre property I *may* what more than a GL. Then again, I would not be farming it. I'd rent out about 60 acres or so for cash crops and keep 40 or so acres for my cows for pasture.

In that type of a setup, I think a 45-50 ish HP machine should do what I need it to do.

The price difference between the GL5740 and M6040 is about $5k. We have no tax on the M7040 (60+ PTO HP) so it will probably be around $2k when that is taken into consideration.

The biggest worries I have with a M6040/M7040:

- No HST. I REALLY like the HST right now and am just not sure about the hydraulic shuttle not having operated one. HDSC would be fine for mowing and ok with creep kit for snow blowing but not so sure about loader work and moving in tight quarters.

- I have a pole barn which is actually 100" at the entry. I can get a L5740 in there with 8" of clearance with R4s. A M6040/M7040 won't fit. I clean it out once a year. That's a chore I don't want to do without a tractor and a rake. I could use the MF 255 for that but I have to ensure I can develop enough finesse for it. The HST is very nice for this sort of thing.

- Dealer tells me that for an M the right set of tires are the Ags. Particularly good for resale value. I worry that they will rip up my pasture too much now as lots of my pasture gets quite wet.

- I have 27 acres now - only about 10 in pasture. M6040/M7040 seems like overkill for it. I'd be happy to have the loader though!

So my current thinking is get the L4740 or L5X40 now. It is likely to be just fine for a new property also. Eventually if I REALLY want I can move up to an M.

 

[PoorPlowboy]

What do you think about the NH Workmaster, particularly the 55? I have a local quote of $27k for a 55 with loader. It compares with the 5040, IMO.

 

[canoetrpr]

The NH Workmaster series won't work for me as it doesn't come in a cab configuration. I ought to check out their other ag tractors that compete with the M6040/7040 if I start getting serious about those.

Things don't look great for NH dealers around her. I have a number of Kubota dealers within 45 min of me. All seem quite good. One of them used to be NH as well but is dropping NH.

Only one NH dealer I am aware of about 1hr away.

 

[WilliamBos]

The NH Workmaster series won't work for me as it doesn't come in a cab configuration. I ought to check out their other ag tractors that compete with the M6040/7040 if I start getting serious about those.

Things don't look great for NH dealers around her. I have a number of Kubota dealers within 45 min of me. All seem quite good. One of them used to be NH as well but is dropping NH.

Only one NH dealer I am aware of about 1hr away.

1 in Sunderland, and 1 in Midland, so they are scarce for sure.

 

[canoetrpr]

This sounds absolutely nuts but I was doing some price comparisons based on the US website between an M7040 - fully equipped with a hydraulic shuttle, air ride seat etc. and a L4740.

The price difference is less than $2k because of the fact that I would not have to pay 13% tax on a M7040 as it is just over 60HP at the PTO and thus considered a 'farm tractor'. OTOH, the L4740, 5240 or 5740 are not. Heck I think the 5740 is going to be marginally MORE than the M7040.

 

[Allan_Cen_Ont]

The NH Workmaster series won't work for me as it doesn't come in a cab configuration. I ought to check out their other ag tractors that compete with the M6040/7040 if I start getting serious about those.

Things don't look great for NH dealers around her. I have a number of Kubota dealers within 45 min of me. All seem quite good. One of them used to be NH as well but is dropping NH.

Only one NH dealer I am aware of about 1hr away.

There is a good New Holland dealer in Crown Hill on Highway 93 and another one in Orillia in the Forest Home Industrial Park also plus the others in Lindsey, Sunderland and Markdale and Alliston plus there are other I am forgetting .