Can't decide on which Kubota...

[Anonymous Poster]

Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

I first want to say that this is by far the best resource on the 'net for compact tractor information. After reading posts for several weeks, I decided it was time to post.

In short:
A Kubota M5700 or a Kubota M6800 ?

Here's the situation:
I own about 15 acres in Northwestern Connecticut. Most of it is field/weeds, with a mix of Timothy hay. The rest is either lawn or small brush around the edge of the fields. It's hilly and ocky terrain. I have a ldriveway about 1000 feet long. I have been rotary mowing the fields for many years with a tired old Cockshutt 30, and plowing the driveway in the winter with a Ford pickup.

I'm looking to replace the Cockshutt for the summer mowing duties and the Ford for the winter plowing duties with a compact tractor.

After muh looking at Blue, Green, and Orange, I think I've decided I get the most bang for the buck out of the Kubota. Not so good in the ergonomics, and I'll have to get used to the paint, but that's okay with me.

I've priced out a M5700 with hydraulic shuttle, LA1002 loader and R4 tires. Comes to $28,100. Then I noticed the M6800 has a bit more weight, and a locking front differntial for about another $1,200 dollars.

1) is the $1200 worth the jump from the 5700 to the 6800?
2) does anyone have any experience with the 5-cyl on the M5700 or the 4-cyl on the M6800? Pluses? Minuses?
3) am I missing something I should be thinking about?

(planning on using a 88" flail mower for the fields, which is why I need the horse power the larger M series offers).

Many thanks for any advise or oppinions!!!
Dustin

 

[dgood1]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

Dustin,

I only have a L3710 so I can only give my opinion.

Unless you have a real need for traction such as mud or a lot of loose sand/dirt/gravel I don't see the need for the front locking differential. I have only had to use the rear lock a few times.

The standard guy thing is more power, features, tools etc.

I took several weeks and many test drives to make my decision.

Good luck,

Don

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

Thanks for your thoughts, Don.

My thought on the front locking differential is for plowing the snow in the winter. Not sure how much of a factor this really is though.

Bigger, faster, stronger is definatly in the equation, but it needs to pass muster with the lady holding the household finances. I'm thinking she's not convinced.

 

[gusg]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

I can't help you with these larger tractors. You may also find some information in the Ag tractors/machinery forum. I did a search for M6800 and had quite a few hits. I think you will be happy with which ever tractor you chose.

 

[frank_f15]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

welcome to the forum. lots of helpful people here, not to rain on your parade, but with the conditions u described do u think u need to go that big?in some situations bigger is not always better. ionly bring this up to make sure u think all things out. i think u could save some$$$ and still get a tractor big enough to do all that you would ask of it. u know your needs better than me, but i just wanted to put that out there. keep us informed/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

Thanks, Frank.
I don't know if I really do need a bigger tractor. The only reason for going bigger is for the horse power. I have a 5' rotary bush hog-type mower now, and want to get something in the 7' or 8' range. The rotary mowers take a beating the fields becuase of the rocks, so I was thinking about a flail mower. Most of the ones I have seen in 88" take around 50 HP. Would there be another option for mowing the field, or could I run a big flail in tall grass on less horsepower?

 

[rbargeron]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

There are a few people here with 40-60hp machines - hang in there and you'll hear from some of them (us).

The 167 cu-in five-cylinder is a well-proven engine. I have a 59 hp version of it in my L5450. An updated model of this engine is in the M4900 and M5700. Very strong, reliable, instant-starting, etc. - with lots of power even at 1800 rpm.

I think that power-wise, even the M4900 would work for what you describe. You could maybe put the cost difference into a hydraulic shuttle (standard on the 5700 but optional on the 4900, I think).

For plowing snow, front traction is everything, especially if the plow will be mounted in/on the bucket. All three models would be similar. In my experience, the only time a front lock would have be handy is when one front wheel is up on something high enough to lift the other one off the ground (not too likely plowing snow)

Hope this is useful. Dick Bargeron

 

[rbargeron]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

A few more points that might be of interest - my place is in Westren Mass and is also somewhat rough like yours - I've found that a 90" Woods commercial finish mower is just the ticket. It has swing-back blades so it can deal with rocks better, and with four castors it follows the land better than my rotary does.

For clearing brush from an area that's gone several years - I use a Brown 6' rotary. But after that the big Woods does a fine job maintaining it - the castors are set high - about 7" off the ground. My fields look great - not quite a golf course but flat and green. The Woods model is RM-990 (see Reviews for more chat).

Take care - Dick

 

[Winejon]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

There are additional advantages to the M6800 over the 5700, which is why I went with it: max. engine hp achieved at a lower RPM; beefier front axle (same as the higher models'); extendable lower links (which I've already been glad to have). Given the small price difference compared to the design and performance differences, I think Kubota will have to give the 5700 some extra goodies.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

Thanks for the info, Dick.
I considered a finish mower, but was worried it wouldn't be able to handle the spring field height. I have to admit to being a bit lazy in the spring when it comes to mowing, and the fields get to 2-3 feet tall. Though I could rough rotary it and then go over it with a finish mower, I suppose.
How good are the bat - type mowers?
Out of curiosity, where did you purchase your machine from? I was looking in NY.

 

[rbargeron]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

The 990 will cut 4 ft grass - just doesn't leave a perfect finish. But you can cut it again when it gets back to 18" tall and the results are quite good. Don't know about the bats - but <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showprofile.pl?Cat=&User=gatorboy&what=showmembers&page=1> gatorboy</A> (David Hoffman) has a Kubota M8950 and a Rhino 15 foot bat - maybe he'll see this.

Also, I think John Miller III knows something about the M6800 and an 84" Brown rotary.

 

[JRP]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

Did you get your tractor?

I chose the M6800 over the M5700 or `M4900 because the front axle is much more beeefy. Also liked the front locking differential.

The one comment I have about the tractor is that it is light. That is OK for now because it is just light enough that I can still use my trailer for it. Any more and I'd be giving up my
galvanized lowboy for a painted gooseneck. The M6800 has bigger tires which = more surface area + = less ruts in pastures + = more room for ballast water. For now I don't use ballast, but plan on adding ballast when I get a loader.

The wider tractor also means if you buy a box blade you will need a wider one to cover the tracks. 77" for M6800 with rear tires in closest position, and 84" if the tires are out one setting.

My M6800 and one other I hnow of had a problem with popping out of second gear when going up a hill. It is the non-hydraulic 4WD model. Kubota did a top notch job of fixing it no charge.

The hydraulic shuttle is a little hard to modulate the clutch for small movement, but I think the clutch is the weakes thing in the whole tractor, so if you can live with an ON-OFF clutch it probably will last longer.

I know this tractor well. email me if you have questions.

 

[TBone]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

Gus,

What is this Ag tractor/machinery forum you refer to??

TBone

 

[EdK]

Re: Can\'t decide on which Kubota...

I purchased a M6800HD this summer with much help from this forum and jrpoux in particular. I am very happy with the purchase and I am quickly closing in on my 50 hr service. My observations:

1) M6800 is unquestionably the best bang for the buck M-series at the moment.

2) The forum (and friends) had me very concerned about going non-Hydro/too big but I felt I needed more size/power than a Grand L and my gut was correct on this.

- Choose hydraulic shuttle for loader-type work or standard shuttle for straight-line work. I got the hydraulic shuttle and like it.
- Remember: all Kubotas are light for their power. I bought this tractor as much for the size as the HP.
- I was able to out-dig a Case 580E in a fairly well compacted soil stock-pile! The Case had more bucket capacity but couldn't get a decent bite. (LA1162 loader).

Have fun with your decision if it has not already been made!

EdK