Compact tractor sizing

[Michael Aos]

I understand certain planned activities will push the sizing one way or another, but I still think there is a relationship between tractor size and acres.

I was thinking something like this:

1-3 acres - BX
3-5 acres, B01
5-10 acres, B50
10 acres+ L

Sound about right?
--

 

[airbiscuit]

Not Bad. I think the L could sneak into the 5-10 acre category depending on.

Here is the Green version or what you say

Acreage............. Kubota ..........Deere
1-3 acres ..............BX................1xxx.......SCUT
3-5 acres,..............B01..............2xxx .....Small Frame CUT
5-10 acres............. B50.............3xxx ....Mid Frame CUT
10 acres+............ L Grand..........4xxx ...Large Frame CUT

 

[Fallon]

I have 5 acres & my L3200 was pretty good. A B might be enough, but i think it would be to small for my needs on 5-10 acres. The Grand L is a LOT more tractor than an economy L even if the L3200 is only 3 HP less than a L3560.

I upgraded to a cabbed L4060 & justifed getting the nicer cabbed machine by doing side work. I can mow 5 acre lots of rougher field in an evening after my day job, even before the upgrade. Would be rough ride & slower with A B.

The 3000 series JDs are physically smaller than a L3560 or L4060, but have equal or more HP. Good for mowing heavy grass & manuverability, but not for lifting or pulling. The 4000 series JDs are noticably bigger & heavier than the Grand Ls. When looking at the premium 3000 series JDs compared to a Grand L the JDs were several grand more for less tractor with equal HP, lots more for more HP.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I understand certain planned activities will push the sizing one way or another, but I still think there is a relationship between tractor size and acres.

I was thinking something like this:

1-3 acres - BX
3-5 acres, B01
5-10 acres, B50
10 acres+ L

Sound about right?
--

I don't think so. I've had several BXs, Fs, Bs and a couple of Ls. Size implements and use are more determining factors than size of property. :2cents:

 

[DaveNJ]

I don't think so. I've had several BXs, Fs, Bs and a couple of Ls. Size implements and use are more determining factors than size of property. :2cents:

Yes. What he said.

 

[Grandad4]

The 4000 series JDs are noticably bigger & heavier than the Grand Ls.

Actually not. The L6060, for example, outspecs the 4720 in weight, wheelbase, 3 point capacity, etc. For day-to-day work though, the Grand L's and 4000's would work at essentially the same level. They compete nose to nose.

 

[Fallon]

Actually not. The L6060, for example, outspecs the 4720 in weight, wheelbase, 3 point capacity, etc. For day-to-day work though, the Grand L's and 4000's would work at essentially the same level. They compete nose to nose.

I've got a L4060 & all the Grand Ls except the L3560 are the same frame. I'm pretty sure the JD was a fair bit heavier & more expensive (even the economy model) than my Kubota when I was looking a year ago.

 

[JK22]

My BX25D is plenty sufficient for my 5 acres (and garage size). I use mine to mow, trench, snow plow, and attack/move scrub oak. I have a wicked root compact grapple, snow blade and a 60" belly mower. I needed a back hoe for trenching more than I needed a bigger tractor.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Well, IF I had 3 acres and I was doing anything besides cutting grass, I sure wouldn't want to be stuck with a BX!

SR

 

[Grandad4]

I've got a L4060 & all the Grand Ls except the L3560 are the same frame. I'm pretty sure the JD was a fair bit heavier & more expensive (even the economy model) than my Kubota when I was looking a year ago.

Such a difference isn't showing up in the published specs presented on the Kubota and Deere websites:

http://www.kubota.com/product/LSeries/L60.aspx

John Deere 472 4 4 Series Compact Utility Tractors

Using the largest models (L6060 and 4720):

Kub 6060 JD 4720

Weight (no cab): 3,990 lb 3,700 lb
Wheelbase: 75.4" 71.5"
3pt lift at 24" 2,976 lb 2,500 lb
Engine: 148.5 Cu in 148.9 Cu in
62.0 hp 66.0 hp

Comparing your 4060 to the equivalent 4120 shows the same thing: your 4060 weighs 3,759 lbs, just a hair more than a 4120 at 3,700 lbs. I figure you got at least as much tractor as Deere has available in the 4 series at 42-43 hp.

Wouldn't doubt that the MSRP prices differ.

 

[Fallon]

Might have just been my impression looking to replace my L3200.

 

[PaulL2]

I think there's some truth in this. But someone told me once about the power of words:
- there's the tractor you WANT
- there's the tractor you NEED
- there's the tractor you DESERVE

Deserve is the most powerful word. I've been working hard this year, I deserve a B01 even though I mow all of about half an acre. :cool2:

 

[MoArk Willy]

I bought my tractor based on maneuverability and wheel size. My yard is rough. My lawn tractor used to bounce me out of the seat because of it's relatively tiny wheels. A BX didn't have much larger wheels so I disqualified it. The L series was a bit too much for my 3 acres to maneuver around trees and other lawn items.
So I wound up with a B2320 with turf tires. It's just right for me, the box blade and FEL take care of the driveway and my ongoing "into the woods" project. And the 60" finish mower cut about 40% of my mowing time. All is good.

 

[BubbaJr]

I bought 23 acres with about 18 acres of woods back in 2001. After a lot of research and surveying the property knowing that we were going to build a house and barn and would need to mow 5-6 acres, I bought a new B2910. That tractor did everything I needed to do and then some. I've always said that was the smartest money I ever spent. Fast forward to 2017 and my health dictated a/c for the summer heat. I knew that I wanted about the same size tractor, so after asking questions, and doing a lot of research, I bought a B2650 w/cab.

The number of acres has very little to do with tractor size. It all depends on what you are going to accomplish with the tractor. You need to look at all the chores that will be assigned to the tractor, and base your decision on the results. You can do most things with the smallest tractor available, but it will take you more time. As you increase the tractor size, you decrease the time to finish most chores, and will be safer for the heavy chores.

Look at the Kubota as a lifetime investment. If I could still tolerate the heat like I used to, I would still be extremely happy with my B2910. I had almost 1900 hours on it, and the only thing wrong with it was my right curl cylinder had a small leak.

If you could give us a fairly well detailed list of what you need to use the tractor for, we would be able to give you a much more accurate idea of what tractor to choose.

Good Luck,
Joe

 

[bunyip]

Flat 5 acres divided into horse paddocks, an arena and a garden out front, we move fenced areas around so use a post hole digger for new fencing and fill in the old holes, a smudger in the arena and the 4 in 1 bucket for cleaning up what horses do best.
Apart from that just grading the driveway, bulldozing garden beds end of season, general weed spraying and rolling out 600kg round bales.
The BX2370 is more than adequate for our needs and fits nicely in our lock up shed.
We have no clearing to do although we do pick up fallen branches after a storm we we use in the wood heater.
Based on this I can't justify a larger tractor for our acreage.

 

[dalola]

I don't think so. I've had several BXs, Fs, Bs and a couple of Ls. Size implements and use are more determining factors than size of property. :2cents:

Agree. My little BX is perfect for maintaining my two properties totaling 11 acres.

 

[SDT]

Actually not. The L6060, for example, outspecs the 4720 in weight, wheelbase, 3 point capacity, etc. For day-to-day work though, the Grand L's and 4000's would work at essentially the same level. They compete nose to nose.

I shopped both the L6060 and JD 4720 about 3 years ago before buying an L6060 nearly 2 years ago. Both had features that I liked (and disliked) and my local JD dealer had a hold over Tier III 4720 that I should have bought at the time but did not because their salesman was both unknowledgeable and arrogant.

The 4720 has been replaced with the (IIRC) 4066R. I reviewed this model before buying my 6060. The L6060 is a bit heavier and its engine has about 10-12 more CI than the JD. Both engines are turbocharged but the JD is also intercooled and makes a couple more HP, which would be unnoticeable. I really wanted the EPTO feature, standard equipment on the JD and unavailable on the 6060, but after using my 6060 for a couple of seasons have determined that it would be unusable for my purposes. Indeed, the optional EPTO on my 90 PTO HP M9960 is only marginally useable with my 7' Woods BB840X cutter and will be completely unusable once I make the planned upgrade to a 12' bat wing.

Overall, I believe that I made the right decision by choosing the 6060 rather than the 4720/4066R. The deciding factor was the rear rims supplied with R4 tires. Bolt together, adjustable center/rim assemblies with the 6060 vis a vis one piece wheel/rims on the JD. This was an absolute show stopper for me, though, if buying today, I would buy R1s making this a moot point as both Kubota and JD tractors have bolt together center/rim wheels when supplied with R1s.

SDT

 

[AHNC]

I have a 2660 & a BX23. Properties are 1.3 & 1.7 acres. The BX's do everything I need them to, but s-l-o-w-l-y. I think there is a time trade-off in tractor choice too. When I'm running the 23's BH, it gets the job done, but I feel like I'm bailing Lake Tahoe out with a tablespoon.

 

[fydollaho]

I bought the B2650 when I bought my 13 acres following similar logic. Problem is, my 13 acres is heavily wooded and most of what I do with the B is “logging”. I’m in the process of upgrading for FEL lift capacity. MX5200HST, L4701, L4760, L47 is where I’m at.

 

[Piston]

I bought the B2650 when I bought my 13 acres following similar logic. Problem is, my 13 acres is heavily wooded and most of what I do with the B is “logging”. I’m in the process of upgrading for FEL lift capacity. MX5200HST, L4701, L4760, L47 is where I’m at.

That L47 would sure be a nice machine!