Buying advice

[Greener280]

Hi all,
I am going to be in the market for a new tractor before the year is up, but I’m torn between what transmission route I want to take. If I decide to go with a HST I think I want to go with a Kubota MX5400 and if I go the gear route I will go with a Massey Ferguson 2850M power shuttle. Where I’m torn is which transmission will fit my needs best. My primary uses for the tractor is on 8 acres and include mowing, spraying, and snow removal via loader mounter plow. I also have future intentions to making my own hay, so tilling, seeding and running a baler are things I Intend to do with it. Looking for some opinions on what the better transmission route would be for the tasks I’m looking to accomplish.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota MX has a Category I/II TPH.
The Kubota MX has been around a number of years and has sold in great numbers. Parts for early MX models mostly interchange with parts for today's MX models.

The MF has a Category I TPH. The MF weighs ~300 pounds more than the Kubota.

Both transmissions equally satisfactory on eight acres.

Which dealer is closer?

Do you perceive one of the dealers as having a more proficient shop?

 

[Greener280]

Kubota MX has a Category I/II TPH.

The MF has a Category I TPH. The MF weighs ~300 pounds more than the Kubota.

Both transmissions equally satisfactory on eight acres.

Which dealer is closer?

Do you perceive one of the dealers as having a more proficient shop?

Kubota MX has a Category I/II TPH.

The MF has a Category I TPH. The MF weighs ~300 pounds more than the Kubota.

Both transmissions equally satisfactory on eight acres.

Which dealer is closer?

Do you perceive one of the dealers as having a more proficient shop?

Both dealers are good around here and are have no issues with either. As far as which one is closer, they are within a block of each other.

 

[mo1]

Hi all,
I am going to be in the market for a new tractor before the year is up, but I’m torn between what transmission route I want to take. If I decide to go with a HST I think I want to go with a Kubota MX5400 and if I go the gear route I will go with a Massey Ferguson 2850M power shuttle. Where I’m torn is which transmission will fit my needs best. My primary uses for the tractor is on 8 acres and include mowing, spraying, and snow removal via loader mounter plow. I also have future intentions to making my own hay, so tilling, seeding and running a baler are things I Intend to do with it. Looking for some opinions on what the better transmission route would be for the tasks I’m looking to accomplish.

Those are pretty large tractors for 8 acres. Are you intending on getting more land, or haying some additional land?

I personally like gear transmissions but depending on the size of the tractor you get, one may not be an option.

 

[Tractorable]

If I had to choose between the MX5400 or the 2850M for eight acres I’d pick the MX.

That said, the Yanmar YT347 with the iHMT or a Kubota Grand L with the HST+ are both superior transmissions to a standard HST or shuttle shift.

I intend to get a YT347 for my hilly eight acres because I want to run a 6ft bush hog and I want enough size, weight, and PTO hp to not have the tail wagging the dog so to speak.

For eight acres, I’d hedge towards a HST or iHMT for the ease of use for loader work. They’re also more wife and kid friendly if that matters to you.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

If I had to choose between the MX5400 or the 2850M for eight acres I’d pick the MX.

That said, the Yanmar YT347 with the iHMT or a Kubota Grand L with the HST+ are both superior transmissions to a standard HST or shuttle shift.

I intend to get a YT347 for my hilly eight acres because I want to run a 6ft bush hog and I want enough size, weight, and PTO hp to not have the tail wagging the dog so to speak.

For eight acres, I’d hedge towards a HST or iHMT for the ease of use for loader work. They’re also more wife and kid friendly if that matters to you.

I agree with Tractorable. 8 acres is not much property especially for tractors of that size and weight.

 

[Greener280]

If I had to choose between the MX5400 or the 2850M for eight acres I’d pick the MX.

That said, the Yanmar YT347 with the iHMT or a Kubota Grand L with the HST+ are both superior transmissions to a standard HST or shuttle shift.

I intend to get a YT347 for my hilly eight acres because I want to run a 6ft bush hog and I want enough size, weight, and PTO hp to not have the tail wagging the dog so to speak.

For eight acres, I’d hedge towards a HST or iHMT for the ease of use for loader work. They’re also more wife and kid friendly if that matters to you.

I have considered the YT347 previously as well as a L4060, and am still quite fond of either of those tractors. I just don’t want to cut myself short of capability. Do you think that either of those tractors are capable of doing what I need? I don’t feel as thought I would be lacking in engine HP it is the PTO I want plenty of.

 

[Doughknob]

HST all the way for current intended use!

Hay is slightly different. 8 acres all hay? Or only part of an 8 acre lot? HST would still work, but I’d rather have a gear tractor for hay if possible.

 

[jeff9366]

I have considered the YT347 previously as well as a L4060, and am still quite fond of either of those tractors. I just don’t want to cut myself short of capability. Do you think that either of those tractors are capable of doing what I need? I don’t feel as thought I would be lacking in engine HP it is the PTO I want plenty of.

You are over-thinking this decision.

All four of the tractors you have researched are ample for eight acres.

If you can afford a Kubota 'Grand L' L4060/ L4760/ L5060/ L5460/ L6060, go for it.

If you want plenty of PTO horsepower go with an L4760/ L5060/ L5460/ L6060 rather than the L4060.

All of the tractors you are considering will make you smile.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

HST would still work, but I’d rather have a gear tractor for hay if possible.

Why?

 

[WVH1977]

The Massey is a premium tractor. It would be more equivalent to the Kubota Grand L. The MX is also nice but it does not have the same options on it as the Massey. You need to get on both tractors and ride them around. They would both do the job and are both nice machines. I would be leaning toward the power reverser but just my opinion/likes.

If I was deciding between the Grand L and MX, I would be all over the Grand L. They are nice and comfortable.

 

[WVH1977]

Those are pretty large tractors for 8 acres. Are you intending on getting more land, or haying some additional land?

I personally like gear transmissions but depending on the size of the tractor you get, one may not be an option.

How are these large tractors for 8 acres? They are compact tractors and would be great for 8 acres.

I have considered the YT347 previously as well as a L4060, and am still quite fond of either of those tractors. I just don’t want to cut myself short of capability. Do you think that either of those tractors are capable of doing what I need? I don’t feel as thought I would be lacking in engine HP it is the PTO I want plenty of.

I don't know a whole lot about haying but most of the folks I know that fool with it have utility size tractors. You are going to definitely need some horsepower.

 

[IndyJay]

How are these large tractors for 8 acres? They are compact tractors and would be great for 8 acres.

I don't know a whole lot about haying but most of the folks I know that fool with it have utility size tractors. You are going to definitely need some horsepower.

Yep, we keep hearing "Buy enough tractor for what you need"; that shouldn't be based mainly on how many acres you have. It should be based upon what you plan to do on those acres. Kudos for @Greener280 for sizing based on the big picture.

 

[Doughknob]

Why?

Riding round and round a field is easier on gears than hydro pump. Also don’t have to rely on cruise control in an hst. Also gear tractors more fuel efficient for riding round and round a field.

 

[IndyJay]

Riding round and round a field is easier on gears than hydro pump. Also don’t have to rely on cruise control in an hst. Also gear tractors more fuel efficient for riding round and round a field.

My Kioti geared tractor has PTO cruise, it took a couple times to figure out how to use it. I had figured it was a gimmick, that the governor would maintain PTO speed. What good is that?

I finally learned that when mowing you get your throttle up to speed and engage the PTO cruise, then if you need to throttle down a bit for a tight turn or close clearance, you simply hit "resume" afterwards and it kicks the throttle back up to where it was. No fiddling with the hand throttle. Sweet!

 

[Williy]

IMHO the YT 347 would be the best choice.
You need to sit in the seat and check out all
the controls and experience the size of the
cab to see if the tractor is what fits you! You
know what you need so its up to you to make
the decision on what's best for you! Also are
you getting the most for your buck?
How about the warranties?
Does one tractor have better options standard
and the other tractor are added on at extra cost?
Good hunting!

willy

 

[mo1]

How are these large tractors for 8 acres? They are compact tractors and would be great for 8 acres.

A 50+ HP tractor is generally considered fairly large for 8 acres, mostly due to it being larger than what you would typically use for the size of equipment typically used on an 8 acre parcel. Most who have that amount of property have something quite a bit smaller and more maneuverable unless there is some very specific task that requires a certain size machine.

 

[Tractorable]

A 50+ HP tractor is generally considered fairly large for 8 acres, mostly due to it being larger than what you would typically use for the size of equipment typically used on an 8 acre parcel. Most who have that amount of property have something quite a bit smaller and more maneuverable unless there is some very specific task that requires a certain size machine.

I reckon it depends on if you want to run 5’ or 6’ implements. If you want to run a 6ft bush hog through thick grass on hilly terrain then 40+ PTO HP on a 4000lb machine would be ideal.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

A 50+ HP tractor is generally considered fairly large for 8 acres, mostly due to it being larger than what you would typically use for the size of equipment typically used on an 8 acre parcel. Most who have that amount of property have something quite a bit smaller and more maneuverable unless there is some very specific task that requires a certain size machine.

100% correct. This statement can be backed up by looking at the sizing recommendations on manufactures websites.

 

[Cahaba Valley Farm]

I reckon it depends on if you want to run 5’ or 6’ implements. If you want to run a 6ft bush hog through thick grass on hilly terrain then 40+ PTO HP on a 4000lb machine would be ideal.

Also correct. It amazed me when I was in the sizing phase of my research how much more tractor you needed to go from 5ft cutters to 6ft cutters.