Choosing the right tractor

[jyoutz]

What I'm not seeing on here is that none of the major brands make their own tractors under ---__??<__--- usually 75hp so check on that brand directly to see if you don't get a better price
We own a 55hp branson open cab

A 65hp mahindra cab tractor made by tym

And a 85hp massey made by massey

All went through farm credit nice bank/ credit union with dividends

We bought all tractors new and all implements used
Hope this helps and good farming

Kubota makes their own tractors and engines.

 

[Torvy]

Best I can tell, Kubota and Yanmar (both 100+ year old Japanese companies) are the only purebreds in the compact tractor world that build the entire tractor, including the engine, under their own name. No rebranding, rebadging, outsourcing, or trade names to obfuscate what you’re purchasing.

True, but the name is not important. GM sells under a bunch of names.

TYM does it all on most of their tractors. I don't care that the engine is not called TYM. They own Kukje. They also own Branson.

 

[Mej13579]

Things always change. At one time kubota was where kioti and branson even the new masseys are now.
If you didn't have a deere or case or any other American made tractor you were looked down on.
Heck if you didn't drive an American made car you were sneered at.
I can still remember made in japan was what made in China is now.

 

[Mej13579]

I'm just wondering what the most reliable cost effective 40 to 55 hp tractor that I can get with the implements I need.

 

[IndyJay]

I'm just wondering what the most reliable cost effective 40 to 55 hp tractor that I can get with the implements I need.

It comes down to what you will be using the tractor for (what implements you will need), your topography and soil conditions, and proximity to dealers. I went through this process using a spreadsheet earlier this year. Decision came down to Kubota L4701, Massey 2850M and Kioti DK4510. I was able to get the DK4510 with loader; added rear remotes, air ride seat, telescoping link kit, third function, grapple, 84" dual spindle rotary cutter, and rubber floor mat for less money than the other two with just the loader. I already have a box scraper and post hole digger. Easy choice.

A lesson that learned from my previous tractor; MF1250, 34hp, smaller and lighter; it did "mostly" what I needed to do for 27 years but always wished I had gone bigger (read "heavier"). I corrected that with the DK4510.

 

[Mej13579]

It comes down to what you will be using the tractor for (what implements you will need), your topography and soil conditions, and proximity to dealers. I went through this process using a spreadsheet earlier this year. Decision came down to Kubota L4701, Massey 2850M and Kioti DK4510. I was able to get the DK4510 with loader; added rear remotes, air ride seat, telescoping link kit, third function, grapple, 84" dual spindle rotary cutter, and rubber floor mat for less money than the other two with just the loader. I already have a box scraper and post hole digger. Easy choice.

A lesson that learned from my previous tractor; MF1250, 34hp, smaller and lighter; it did "mostly" what I needed to do for 27 years but always wished I had gone bigger (read "heavier"). I corrected that with the DK4510.

It is hard to choose. Those Dks are nice. That is definitely on my list to look at.

 

[IndyJay]

It is hard to choose. Those Dks are nice. That is definitely on my list to look at.

I drove a LOT of tractors, went back and forth between dealers several times and read many reviews. Spent a lot of time on TBN reading threads.
Eventually the decision becomes fairly obvious... most likely when you're sitting in the seat again for the third or fourth time. That is when you make the final negotiations, the final cut.

 

[rademamj1]

I'm just wondering what the most reliable cost effective 40 to 55 hp tractor that I can get with the implements I need.

To be truly honest, after 63 posts you got your answer as to reliability. Just about every brand in that under 60hp range was highly recommended, and that is because tractor brands manufactured today are very reliable. Especially based on ownership comments. Normally scheduled maintenance is assumed. Good dealer initial setup is critically important to happy ownership.

Personally I don't think there is any unreliable tractor made today in the under 60hp group. From Kioti to Kubota to TYM to LS to Branson to JD, and many others, these are all very reliable tractors and will last 30 years with proper care, maintenance and some smart usage by its owner.

So your choice of tractor model needs to be made on other factors, like dealer accessibility, cost, hydraulics, tractor weight, type transmission and open station or factory Cab.

From your first post, you were nearly there to a decesion, with three tractor models chosen, and you were showing a preference for open station and HST transmission. So I don't think you can go wrong with any of those final tractor models. I liked the DK45 on the list. Will do everything you need at fair cost and high reliability.

 

[Mej13579]

To be truly honest, after 63 posts you got your answer as to reliability. Just about every brand in that under 60hp range was highly recommended, and that is because tractor brands manufactured today are very reliable. Especially based on ownership comments. Normally scheduled maintenance is assumed. Good dealer initial setup is critically important to happy ownership.

Personally I don't think there is any unreliable tractor made today in the under 60hp group. From Kioti to Kubota to TYM to LS to Branson to JD, and many others, these are all very reliable tractors and will last 30 years with proper care, maintenance and some smart usage by its owner.

So your choice of tractor model needs to be made on other factors, like dealer accessibility, cost, hydraulics, tractor weight, type transmission and open station or factory Cab.

From your first post, you were nearly there to a decesion, with three tractor models chosen, and you were showing a preference for open station and HST transmission. So I don't think you can go wrong with any of those final tractor models. I liked the DK45 on the list. Will do everything you need at fair cost and high reliability.

You are right. I just wanted to hear if there were a ton of horror stories with one particular brand. Now phase two go test drive.
I really appreciated everyone's opinion on here. Some really great info.
I made my tractor hunting much more clear on what I should be looking at.

 

[Torvy]

You are right. I just wanted to hear if there were a ton of horror stories with one particular brand. Now phase two go test drive.
I really appreciated everyone's opinion on here. Some really great info.
I made my tractor hunting much more clear on what I should be looking at.

If you don't mind sharing what dealers you are visiting... I'm close enough and am always looking for more info on big ticket decisions.

Good luck!

 

[Mej13579]

I will check out that branson dealer in caddo mills. Both the kioti and massey dealers are in Longview and I have a kubota dealer close in Atlanta tx

 

[Torvy]

I will check out that branson dealer in caddo mills. Both the kioti and massey dealers are in Longview and I have a kubota dealer close in Atlanta tx

RJPower in Longview has Kioti and TYM. The guy I spoke with there is literally named Massey. There's a Bobcat guy in Longview, too and Kioti makes them. I've heard Bobcat sells them for less. They didn't have any when I was there a few months ago. My nearest Kubota guy is in Pittsburg, but I have not been too impressed thus far. JD guy in Mt. Pleasant completely ignored me.

Let me know how the guy in Atlanta is, that is not too far to go. I'll be out that way next week and try to get on some tractors while I'm at it. Good luck!

 

[Cranblue]

I thought the L4701 would be the right (size) weight for me, but I went up one increment in weight just to make sure.

Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other specification.

The 3 tractors I'm seriously considering are the massey ferguson 2850e, kioti dk45se, or the kubota l4701

I have a pond that needs cleaned up around the edges and cleaning when it gets low.


The significantly larger wheels and tires which come on a Kubota MX series tractor should be considered.

Cat I/II Three Point Hitch standard on Kubota MX series tractor is much more robust than Cat I (only) Three Point Hitch on a Kubota l4701.

Do you pull specs from Kubota or la la land ??? Rear wheels with R4s same size for MX and L4701 17.5L-24 fronts are slightly different 10-16.5 for L and MX is 12-16.5 I don’t find “significantly larger “ as you have stated. Three point hitch Cat I and Cat II for Mx is more robust ??? First let’s spec 3 point lift capacity 24 in behind lift points L4701-2,320 lbs for MX 5400 it’s 2,310 lbs I would call this close enough to even. A QH on 4701 you got Cat II if you need or want it !! I did this research 2 to 2.5 years ago and figured the Real differences between the L4701 and at the time MX5200.If somone needs the MX for FEL capacity or PTO HP it’s got that on L4701 but to paint a picture of major size difference is false and misleading.

 

[rademamj1]

I will check out that branson dealer in caddo mills. Both the kioti and massey dealers are in Longview and I have a kubota dealer close in Atlanta tx

This is off Topic...
I checked.....your right. There is an Atlanta, TX. I been to Paris, TX and Italy, TX and Moscow, TX and Bogota, TX and Dublin, TX.

 

[redman135]

Hello Mej3579, some food for thought.

1)ERGONOMICS, sit on the tractors and you will find that 1 will "fit " better than the others.

2)Hydro gearbox, go for a 3 speed oveer 2 speed. Also as you state limited experience, a hydro is easier to learn, and more forgiving of mistakes.

3)Hydraulics, 3rd service, and scv are cheaper to buy on purchase than retrofit. Also hydraulics are becoming more a requirement these days and are good future proofing.
Be aware that most manufacturers offer a budget and premium version of each model, and 1 place to cheap out is the hydraulic pump. This means that when lifting the loader arms and curling the loader and bucket you CAN'T!!! You need the premium model with it's larger hydraulic pump to lift and curl.

4) Kubota use a treadle style forward/reverse pedal, some like it, some don't, other brands use a side by side forward/reverse pedal. Sort out which suits you, it is YOUR money.

5) Get adjustable rims to increase your tractor width, it makes a huge difference to the stability/feel of the tractor,

6)loader, how high do you want to reach?
loader lift capacity, may be measured at the bucket pins(artificially high) or at about 18" in front of bucket pins(greater real world accuuracy)
Good Luck

 

[Hay Dude]

Deere and Kubota aren’t major brands?

They both make pretty much all of their own tractors in their own Factories at various locations around the world.

Nope. Wrong again.
Many Deere tractors were made by Yanmar.

 

[Mej13579]

Hello Mej3579, some food for thought.

1)ERGONOMICS, sit on the tractors and you will find that 1 will "fit " better than the others.

2)Hydro gearbox, go for a 3 speed oveer 2 speed. Also as you state limited experience, a hydro is easier to learn, and more forgiving of mistakes.

3)Hydraulics, 3rd service, and scv are cheaper to buy on purchase than retrofit. Also hydraulics are becoming more a requirement these days and are good future proofing.
Be aware that most manufacturers offer a budget and premium version of each model, and 1 place to cheap out is the hydraulic pump. This means that when lifting the loader arms and curling the loader and bucket you CAN'T!!! You need the premium model with it's larger hydraulic pump to lift and curl.

4) Kubota use a treadle style forward/reverse pedal, some like it, some don't, other brands use a side by side forward/reverse pedal. Sort out which suits you, it is YOUR money.

5) Get adjustable rims to increase your tractor width, it makes a huge difference to the stability/feel of the tractor,

6)loader, how high do you want to reach?
loader lift capacity, may be measured at the bucket pins(artificially high) or at about 18" in front of bucket pins(greater real world accuuracy)
Good Luck

Really good post. Hydraulic pump specs are definitely something to consider. A lot of people say that they don't care about the extras on a premium tractor. I'm starting to search smarter. Weight instead of just horsepower, horsepower to pto ratio and now hydraulic flow not just lift capacity help me make a better decision.

 

[Mej13579]

Ok just a update on my thread. I ended up finally on a branson 3515h. I went to Big Tex tractors in caddo mills texas and I would recommend to anyone interested in a branson to check them out if you can. They are about 1hour 45 min from my house in East Texas.
I went to the dealership to look at the tractors and I'm. Glad I did. My original thought was a 4820h but when I looked at it in person it was just too big for my property. With the tasks I need to do it was just too big of a tractor. I have a lot of wooded area. The 3520 same thing. Plus added price with all the implements I need with it I could do it with the 3515h for less money.
I ended up with a 3515h with a FEL, 5' box blade , 5' rotary mower , 5' tiller , and a 3rd function and grapple bucket and that was the top that I could afford. It was a great price for all that.
I am waiting to have it delivered should be about 2-3 weeks. The branson 20 series is nice but price and size were the main factors in getting the 3515h. I will try to post pictures when it arrives.

 

[ptsg]

Ok just a update on my thread. I ended up finally on a branson 3515h. I went to Big Tex tractors in caddo mills texas and I would recommend to anyone interested in a branson to check them out if you can. They are about 1hour 45 min from my house in East Texas.
I went to the dealership to look at the tractors and I'm. Glad I did. My original thought was a 4820h but when I looked at it in person it was just too big for my property. With the tasks I need to do it was just too big of a tractor. I have a lot of wooded area. The 3520 same thing. Plus added price with all the implements I need with it I could do it with the 3515h for less money.
I ended up with a 3515h with a FEL, 5' box blade , 5' rotary mower , 5' tiller , and a 3rd function and grapple bucket and that was the top that I could afford. It was a great price for all that.
I am waiting to have it delivered should be about 2-3 weeks. The branson 20 series is nice but price and size were the main factors in getting the 3515h. I will try to post pictures when it arrives.

Congrats on the new machine! It's a solid choice.

This is also a great example of big is not always better or the right choice. I keep seeing on the forum, people suggesting to get as big as a tractor you can afford but it doesn't always work that way. A smaller tractor can go where the bigger ones can't.

These Branson tractors have a great turning radius and maneuverability. I swear I can maneuver my F36Rn (3515R equivalent) a lot easier than I could the Kubota B7000 I had that was like three times smaller.

 

[ericm979]

My Branson 3725 was huge compared to the Kubota B7100 I had before it. But in the first few months of ownership it got smaller.