After reading K0UA's thread I thought I would share my story. In 2010 I spent a great deal of time researching tractors. I stuck to the Deere/New Holland/Kubota dealers for a multitude of reasons. I decided on a Kubota L3700su and life was good. We actually thought it would be a little big for our uses. Then a few months in we started using the loader alot more. Pin lift of 1142 lbs seemed like alot until we started using it to pick up a 800-900 lb box of horse manure on a regular basis. We started to think we we undersized. Then we started getting pallets of bedding and such in and then we knew we were undersized.
We were using clamp on forks. I know that isnt the best way to go but I didnt get the QA when I bought the tractor. At the time I didnt think I would need it. With 1200 pounds on the 3 point to try and hold the rear end down it would get real spooky with the loader maxed out. We knew we needed to do something. But what?
I posted on here about adding wheel weights and switching to a QA. I wasnt convinced the 2500 bucks I would have to spend for those things would be worth it. The loader would still be unable to lift a full pallet. My thought was I would go from using 100% of the capabilities to 95%. Not the best way to spend the money. We still owed on the Kubota and were in the spot where anybody looking for a tractor like ours would be better off buying new as there would only be a couple thousand savings. New would offer better financing and a full warrenty. We really felt like we were stuck.
I went to my Kubota dealers to price out bigger tractors. I loved everything about my current tractor except the loader. He suggested the MX5100. I was hoping I would get a good offer from him on my trade in (I did buy two tractors from him within a year and was looking for my third in 2 years) but he said I was 4k upside down. I was only expecting 2k or so. I was prepared to make up that difference but not 4k! We really felt like we were stuck with too small of a tractor. Plus, after adding the QA the quote with trade negative equity was around 32k! It wasnt looking like he was going to sell us a third tractor.
At this point we didnt do anything for a couple months. We took it easy on the tractor and split loads as much as possible to keep within its limitations. I started looking at other brands again and zeroed in on Kioti. I posted on here asking about the loader and recieved positive feedback. In reading the features that were included with the tractor I was surprised to see how much stuff was included that mine didnt have. I know my Kubota is the "standard" or "economy" tractor but that doesnt make messing with turnbuckles on the 3 point in the rain or snow any easier
We went to a horse show and Bob from Michigan Iron and Equipment was there. I explained my situation and he suggested we come over to his lot and check out the DK40se HST (I have been spoiled by the HST and dont see myself going back to gear again). I tried out the tractor and was very impressed. I know the DK40 and L3700su are not a true apples ot apples comparison but I can tell you the price I paid for the Kubota and the price I was quoted for the Kioti were dang close to each other. He offered me a trade in that was the price I was expecting from my Kubota dealer. We finalized the deal and I made a deposit. He ordered the tractor and it should be delivered next week. Of course I will post pictures of it when it arrives
I know it is a long story but I thought it might be interesting to see how I went from Orange to Orange. I added pallet forks, a chipper, front remote and log splitter for thousands less than than I would have spent on a MX5100 (Again I know they are not apples to apples but when you compare loader specs they are).
