Deciding between L series & MX

[backwaterdogs]

Thanks everyone!!!

Though now am having to contemplate an mx5800!

I do think I like the idea of a non turbo but I will have dealer price out the 5800 and see what it looks like.

Still think the hst is probably the way to go no matter the size.

My 7ft mower is a bit beat up perhaps will consider a new 6ft hd mower.

 

[Fallon]

I had a L3200 before upgrading to a L4060 for the cab. The new L4060 will do over an acre an hour mowing, the L3200 less. The L4060 is not enough machine to move 80 acres. The higher HP grands might be enough, but a MX will fit 80 acres a lot better unless you want to be mowing full time.

 

[big bubba]

go w/the mx 5800 & hd 6' mower you won't look back. been there before.
& get rid of present tractor to help w/upgrade been there too.... best regards

 

[jeff9366]

John Deere 4020

1963 - 1972 New Generation Series
Row-Crop tractor
Previous model: John Deere 4010
Next model: John Deere 4230
Series next: John Deere 4320
Series back: John Deere 4000

Manufacturer: John Deere
Factory: Waterloo, Iowa, USA

Total built: 184,879 (total)
8,123 (gas)
8,445 (LP)
168,311 (diesel)
17,732 (standard)
Original price (USD)
$10,345 (1972 )

Variants:
4020: row-crop
4020S: standard
4020HC: high-crop
600: industrial

John Deere 4020 Engines:
John Deere 6.6L 6-cyl diesel
John Deere 5.6L 6-cyl gasoline
John Deere 5.9L 6-cyl gasoline
John Deere 5.9L 6-cyl LP gas

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: II
Rear lift: 3790 lbs [1719 kg]

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: independent
Rear RPM: 540/1000
1000
Engine RPM: 540@1900
1000@1900
Front PTO: independent
Front RPM: 1000
Engine RPM: 1000@1900

Dimensions:
Weight (operating): 8,645 lbs [3921 kg] (gas syncro)
8,945 lbs [4057 kg] (diesel syncro)
9,240 lbs [4191 kg] (gas powershift)
9,560 lbs [4336 kg] (diesel powershift)
Weight (ballasted): 13,980 lbs [6341 kg] *
Row crop Wheelbase: 97.5 inches [247 cm]
Standard Wheelbase: 100.25 inches [254 cm]
Length: 151 inches [383 cm]
Width: 89.6 inches [227 cm]
Row-crop Height (steering wheel): 77.9 inches [197 cm]
Standard Height (steering wheel): 78.25 inches [198 cm]
Standard Height (exhaust): 88.25 inches [224 cm]
Row crop Height (exhaust): 88.75 inches [225 cm]

Row-crop 2WD turn radius: 9.9 feet [3.0 m]
Standard 2WD turn radius: 10.9 feet [3.3 m]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~OP HAS WIDE FRONT MODEL.

4020 Serial Numbers:
Location: Serial number plate on the rear of the 4020 transmission case.
photo of 4020 serial number

1964: 65000
1965: 91000
1966: 119000
1967: 145660
1968: 173982
1969: 201000
1970: 222160
1971: 250000
1972: 260791
Final: 270288

Links:
Forty-twenty.com: Site dedicated to the John Deere 4020

John Deere 4020 Power:
Drawbar (tested): 83.79 hp [62.5 kW]
PTO (tested): 95.83 hp [71.5 kW]

Mechanical:
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
4x4 HFWD 4WD*
Differential lock: mechanical rear*
Steering: power
Brakes: hydraulic wet disc
Cab: Open operator station. Cab optional.

Page information:
Last update: August 30, 2017
Copyright: Copyright 2017 TractorData LLC
Contact: Peter@TractorData.com

 

[jeff9366]

I maintain 80 acres with 50 in CRP, 10 or so cash rented row crop and balance 20 acres woods.
My main job is mowing fire borders, between trees, etc, but am needing to clear some blow down in the woods, get some rip rap along creek banks, maintain gravel drives better, etc. On occassion I need to pull a 10' glencoe cultivator and maybe a disc. my mower is 7ft

Right now, i use a gas 1966 John Deere 4020, wide front, NO loader. Its not all adequate...too tall for mowing under trees, huge turning radius.

The Deere 4020 is twice the bare tractor weight of the Kubota MX series. Tractor weight, not horsepower, provides most tractor 'grunt' in ground contact work. If the Deere has struggled with any of your current ground contact implements, a Kubota MX will stall out with same implements for sure. You may need lighter ground contact implements for the new tractor.

The Kubota MX series has larger tires than the Grand L series, based on the same frame, possibly with the same engine block. Larger MX tires (over Grand L tires) will provide more float over soft ground. Opting for bulbous, low pressure, radial tractor tires will increase float another increment, possibly crucial float along creek banks. Radial tires will lower tractor height 2" to 3".

Even with the ROPS folded the MX series will be as tall as the Deere 4020 exhaust at around 90"
(ROPS are tall to allow clearance for optional Backhoes. ROPS have to fold approximately in center not to interfere with rear Three Point Hitch.)

Judging by your property description an HST transmission will make operating simpler and somewhat safer.
Kubota 'Grand L' tractors have Kubota's wonderful HST/PLUS transmission.
Kubota MX series have standard Kubota HST transmission, no slouch itself.
VIDEOS (2): Kubota HST Plus Transmission Features - YouTube
Kubota Grand L Series VS. Kubota MX Series - YouTube

Minimum width on MX series is 70 inches. Wheels can be set wider.
Assuming you will order a FEL and R4/industrial tires, minimum width will be ~~ 76".
Cut a 10' stick of 1-1/4" PVC pipe to 84", mark at 76", then walk around your woods to see if an MX will pass where you want it to pass. 84" will allow for possible radial tires and indicate approximate Disc Harrow width.

An MX with 4-WD will pull a Disc Harrow with 22" diameter pans, a tad wider than the tractor tires. A Disc with 22" diameter pans will weigh around 1,100 pounds and will cut fire breaks nicely, probably two passes to establish, then one pass thrice yearly for maintenance.

Most cultivators only penetrate 3" to 4" deep. An MX with 4-WD will pull a 10' wide cultivator easily.

Turning radius for MX series with 4-WD is 8.9 feet. With implement raised, if you lock one brake you can revolve tractor in less space.

MX5200 and MX5800 will operate a medium duty twin spindle 8' Rotary Cutter/Bush Hog in grass to 40".

 

[Oldoak]

Be very careful what you finally decide on. None of the new tractors mentioned will ever replace the bull work that your 4020 can do handily. I have had a Kubota L4200 for many years, soon to be replaced with a new L5060, but still occasionally call upon my neighbors JD4020.

I know you don't want two tractors, but I would not trade the 4020 in on a new tractor. Keep it for a while until you personally test the capabilities of the new, smaller tractor that you decide on. If you find it meets ALL your needs, then sell the 4020 outright.

 

[jeff9366]

If going with Kubota, consider the MX5200 over the MX4800. MX5200 has that extra oomph to handle whatever I throw at it. I strongly recommend loading the rears or adding wheel weights.

I concur.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Well, I have both, and these are two very different tractors. The MX is a great tractor, lot's of hp and much heavier - bigger. I bought the L3301 for the lighter chores, and it's great for that. If you want something in between, think about the 3901. I could probably do everything I want with my 3301, but it would be pushing it. Consider a gear drive, I love mine.

 

[Newby first timer]

I was going to get the MX4800
I decided on the MX5800 for the extra PTO HP

I was moving rocks and boulders yesterday the Hydraulic thumb is a must for plucking big rocks out of the ground.
I had one that would not fit in the front bucket and the 2' backhoe bucket and thumb could not grasp it so I had to push then drag and the push it again to move it.
I was very very happy that I bought the MX over the lighter L
I worked the MX5800 pretty hard moving that Boulder., The MX4800 may have moved it as well but having the extra 10HP may have helped some.

Nothing like feeling your whole tractor rise as a big big rock gets stuck while dragging it and the tractor keeps a moovin

 

[backwaterdogs]

Thanks oldoak & jeff!

Yes, the 4020 is beast...I've yet to bog that thing down and usually never even run in the pto range. It's drawback is it's size, huge turning radius and being gas, it does burn a fair bit of fuel. I have a 60x40 machine shed that is getting filled up, so was thinking the extra room would be nice and it doesn't have a loader and have some ditch banks that fell dicey when mowing.

The other pia item of the 4020 is the exhaust usually blows right back in your face....and when doing work with a lot of up & down its not too convenient

I'd only sell if I get what I paid (or more) years ago (7200)...so def wouldn't trade. I was thinking tho if I planned to keep the 4020 Id get a small l2501 or l3301

I do hate regretting selling things...but if I get a decent price, It does give me the reason to shop around for another nicer one, if I do have regrets or a nicely restore IH 686. But again maintaining one tractor sounds kinda nice too.

The info on the height here is surprising...I will need to go measure my 4020...The hood is right at 6ft and my exhaust sure seems a lot higher than the rops on the kubota...better measure tho!

One other task for this tractor is to maintain food plots. I'd like to get a rototiler and have a 1 acre food plot in a field and want to build smaller ones in the woods.

Has anyone had issues with the mx size tractor making good use of a roto tiller?

thanks again!