Been bitten by the bug...BAD!!!!

[big bubba]

If you're considering the XX40 series, definitely go with at least the 7040 as it has limited slip front end and there's not much size or weight difference between the 5040-7040. The time to make that choice is now when the price difference between the models is relatively small. I started out looking at the 6040 but was quickly convinced the 7040 was the way to go at a minimal cost difference. The real question is the cab, whether you feel it justifies the substantial extra cost. And definitely go with the hydraulic shuttle. Yes, maneuverability might be an issue in limited situations, but how often will it be? Think the consensus is generally people regret not going large enough rather than too large. The cab issue is something I can't help you with as I like being out in the open air. Where are you located? good luck bb

 

[texasjohn]

dirtandgrass, you have a complete set of advice now..... go smaller, go larger, get cab, enjoy the breeze

Now, please, write down for yourself ALL the attachments and features you want.... cost each of them out.... then add it all up.... and trade off features/attachments/tractor size..... my opinion, you need to get, as a minimum, the 5040 plus all features and attachments and stay within your budget.

If you can do that, then move up in tractor and reprice features/attachments sized for new size tractor. Stop moving up when you either hit your true budget limit... or have everything included and are still inside the budget.

 

[Dirtandgrass]

dirtandgrass, you have a complete set of advice now..... go smaller, go larger, get cab, enjoy the breeze

Now, please, write down for yourself ALL the attachments and features you want.... cost each of them out.... then add it all up.... and trade off features/attachments/tractor size..... my opinion, you need to get, as a minimum, the 5040 plus all features and attachments and stay within your budget.

If you can do that, then move up in tractor and reprice features/attachments sized for new size tractor. Stop moving up when you either hit your true budget limit... or have everything included and are still inside the budget.

Excellent advice and EXACTLY what I am going to do. The most important part of your advice is "inside the budget". That is what I have to keep reminding myself. Its the "addiction" part!!! That is what makes it hard!!!

Thanks again everyone for all the wise advice. I will keep everyone posted and when I bring one home I will get some pics. I have already seen that pics are HUGE here!! Apparently everyone else has this same disease and LOVES to see pics!!!

Regards.

 

[Killer_B]

I have already seen that pics are HUGE here!!

They feed the addiction. It's like MD 20/20 for a wino.

 

[Bird]

They feed the addiction. It's like MD 20/20 for a wino.

I sure would like to taste that MadDog 10/20, but I don't want to buy a bottle because I've got a feeling one taste would be all I'd want. When I started in law enforcement Thunderbird was the wine of choice of the winos and I've tasted that. It wasn't much worse than kerosene, but then for reasons unknown to me, the MD 20/20 replaced Thunderbird was the wine of choice and I've still never tasted it.

 

[N80]

Seems like I remember drinking something from Boone's Farm; I think it was called Tickled Pink, back during my youth. Seemed a little too girly though.

 

[Bird]

Never tried Tickled Pink but apparently it's still available.

 

[texasjohn]

Hmm... seems a little off topic, but have you heard about "two buck chuck" wine? Never had any, but seems interesting.

 

[Bird]

Nope, I'd never heard of two buck chuck, but it sounds good. I'm like Justin Wilson (the Cajun) on his cooking shows. The "right" wine is the one you like. And I'm cheap. I keep a gallon jug of Carlo Rossi Paisano or Bergundy in the refrigerator, but when I pour a glass I like to add about 20-25% 7-Up or Sprite to sweeten it a bit.

 

[zeuspaul]

I drink it every day...half a bottle during the week and a bottle on the weekends. I have been drinking the cab for several years. You have to spend seven or eight bucks to get anything close.

Buy the BIG tractor.

Zeuspaul

 

[Bob_Young]

What's this? A three page M7040 thread and Glowplug hasn't checked in yet? In fact DirtandGrass's property sounds alot like Glowplug's as does his rationalizations for a large tractor. Wasn't Glowplug hooked on an M8540 before he bought his 7040?

Has anyone ever seen DirtandGrass and Glowplug together? Have they ever both posted in the same thread? Are we sure they aren't the same person?

DirtandGrass, if you want to read some entertaining threads, do a search and look up Glowplug's earliest posts. They mirror much of your thinking.
Bob

 

[texasjohn]

Dirtandgrass... you need to consider a PAT's Easy Change for your 3ph....Seems crazy to spend all that $$ and then still have to get an attachment to make hooking up attachments easy.. but, that's the way it is... . read about people's experiences and reasons for using PAT's if you haven't already done so. It lets you smile each time you hook and unhook an implement, rather than get aggrivated and sweaty. You'll need a Category II, make sure thats what you get. AND if you get one, make sure your top link is long enough to make everything work right... a hydraulic top link can be a help here.

 

[N80]

Has anyone ever seen DirtandGrass and Glowplug together?

I mentioned Glowpulg earlier. He is very happy with his 7040. But maybe he'd have been even happier with that M85? Maybe DirtandGrass would too? The 'go bigger' folks always recommend getting the bigger tractor but even they must admit there is a point at which it becomes ridiculous. Kubota does, after all, make an M125. If big is good, then the 125 is the best. So why not go for the 125? It sure looks sweet!!!

 

[firefighter9208]

We have right at 30 acres (counting my parents 15) that we upkeep with an M4800SU 2wd. Tractor, Bushhog M346 Loader, Disc, 6' Bushhog, Round Bale Spear, Grapple, all for around $26,000. Never had a problem with a mid 40 hp tractor and this acreage.

My grandad owned 200 acres (before he gave me and my mom 30) and he farmed for a living. Now he has 170. 1968 Ford 3000 and 1984 Ford 3610. He justed turned 80 a couple weeks ago and bought himself a new Branson 4720. He's going to sell the other two. Oh yeah, he has an old Farmall Super A.

Don't think you can't do fairly large acreage with a good Mid sized (50 hp) tractor.

Yeah, I would love a 7040 or cab tractor, but I prefer to spend the money I saved on other toys and the family.

Just another opinion. I'll go away now.

Chris

 

[big bubba]

Mr Firefighter: I see that you have a Mach 1. Might not this be an overkill for going from point A to B? We all have our excesses in life, I am no exception. Could I have kept my Massey 35 of 28 years on my 127 acres? probably. When you buy a new tractor, you're paying a lot regardless of size....To go slightly overkill opens up a new window from strictly utility to one with many new options. I'll never look back at a smaller machine than my 7040....so much more I now can do. And, by the way, continue to rock on in your mach 1 bb

 

[texasjohn]

hey, big bubba, I could not have kept my MF 165 on my 200+ acres.... and, am now oh-so-happy I moved up to newer and more powerful and more features!

 

[firefighter9208]

Mr Firefighter: I see that you have a Mach 1. Might not this be an overkill for going from point A to B? We all have our excesses in life, I am no exception. Could I have kept my Massey 35 of 28 years on my 127 acres? probably. When you buy a new tractor, you're paying a lot regardless of size....To go slightly overkill opens up a new window from strictly utility to one with many new options. I'll never look back at a smaller machine than my 7040....so much more I now can do. And, by the way, continue to rock on in your mach 1 bb

Big bubba,

I do enjoy the Mach 1, just not as often as I would like with two kids.

My point was that a 5040 would probably serve his needs and be easier to maneuver, etc... on smaller acreage than a 7040. Also a lighter footprint.

To each his own. That's why I thank God that I was born in a free country so I can make those decisions.

BTW. Did you notice the 05 Chrysler Town and Country in my signature. I could have gone with a Suburban or Expedition, but those would have been overkill for two kids and use much more fuel. Kind of the same with as going with a 70 hp tractor on small acreage .

Chris

 

[RobJ]

Seems like I remember drinking something from Boone's Farm; I think it was called Tickled Pink, back during my youth. Seemed a little too girly though.

I had my first, uhh, well, "drink(s)" with Boones Farm. It was strawberry or the apple, wait, the grape, I'm having an unpleasent visual of the aftermath at the oment. Wasn't that stuff like $2 a bottle back in the mid 70's?

MD you know was made by Mogen David wine! Thunderbird...hehe another one.

 

[CumminsLuke]

I recently bought a very slightly used M7040 with cab and loader and it is a heck of a machine. It will do everything you want to do and more. I run a 4'x6' round baler with mine and last week I cut about 40 acres of pasture pulling a 15' BushHog 3615 Legend cutter, which is a huge hoss of a cutter that most people put on a 150 hp tractor, my 7040 pulled it no problem. Now, all that said, I farm about 135 acres, so I needed that big of a tractor. I used to use an M4700 which was a lot lighter tractor than the one I have now, I just used smaller implements and took longer to get jobs done, but I still got it all done. I still ran a round baler with it, just a smaller one, Case-IH 8420 that made a 3.5'x4.5' bale, worked real good. If money is no object, get the 7040, if money is an object, get the 5040 or 6040, either tractor will do all you are going to do and then some, it'll just take a little longer. Here is a picture of mine....................

 

[texasjohn]

hay, cumminsluke, you know hay

Welcome to TBN.... and, I'm jealous.... you got some REAL dandy hay equipment there... however much I'd like the same, I don't have the acreage available to use it all... but a really nice tractor.

And, I agree... a 5040 will do the trick... just take a little longer with properly matched and smaller implements.