Help deciding which CUT is right for me

greeeeeenberg · Jul 1, 2015

Posted: Today 11:17:35 AM CDT
Just starting my hunt to find the CUT that is right size for me. Currently have 10 acres with plans for more 5 years down the road. The tractor will be used for mowing, brush hogging, driveway maintenance, post hole diggger, snow removal, occasional log skidding, and livestock care. Livestock is a big debate in my household right now. One other key consideration is ease of use for the wife. Dealership needs to be within an hour or so drive which shortens the field to Massey, JD, Kubota, and New Holland. FEL is a given for the tractor as I have plenty of sample jobs for it. Tractor will mow about 3-4 acres and brush hog the rest.

Based on these criteria I am think a 30-40 hp will be more than I need today but will be perfect as I get more land. So far I have only looked at Kubotas and JD. The 3038E vs the L3901 or for more features the 3039R vs the L3560. Based on the buy once cry once theory the 3039R looks like the best on paper to meet all my requirements.

Key comparisons:
Treadle pedal on the kubota seems weird
Pto engagement on the L3901 is clutch, lever, clutch instead of just a electronic switch on the fly.
The quick attach mower deck is great for the wife to put on and off with ease.
Overall ease of operation appears to be in favor of the JD.
Kubota also appears to have more complaints about their tier 4 emissions equipment, but they do have a recall out to address the issue.

Couple of questions:
Any one have a mid mount mower like these and have any feedback? If I decide to go with the mid mount that puts me in the L3560 or 3039R
Any feedback on any of the above tractors? If so does your wife use it?
Any reason not to get either brand? Both are offering 0% for 60 months financing.

Thanks in advanced!

Tompet · Jul 1, 2015

I think you have a pretty good take on the size tractor for what you outlined. Yes, FEL is a must as stated.

I think you will find with a MMM and the upgrade line of tractor as you stated to get a mid pto plus cost of deck it would be a wash to get a mower. My preference would be to take that money and get a small lawn and garden mower or zero turn mower and use the tractor for all the other chores.

If you don't have any close LS or Kioti dealers near to compare, I would suggest you follow up with the Massey dealer mentioned I think it would be worth the comparison for you.

Btw, I like the treadle pedal...plenty of debate on that in the past. One thing I would point on the treadle you don't place your foot on top and across the whole peddle but rather offset you heel or toe as required...works much better. Pto engagement with a clutch vs an electronic button...hmmm I'm sure others may offer better advice than me on that one.

Good luck, the main thing is you will enjoy the tractor use on your property.

4570Man · Jul 1, 2015

I don't like a mmm on a tractor. I agree with the previous poster about buying another machine to mow.

Luke'sScreenName · Jul 1, 2015

Buy a second mower!

LD1 · Jul 1, 2015

Dont really know a whole lot about either, but I think you are in the right size range.

I would do some more research on the push button PTO though. Never used one, but there are threads on here from time to time with them causing issues engaging too quickly and shearing shear bolts on PTO stuff. Never a concern though on a lever/clutch style as YOU control how fast to engage.

My preference is all about simple. All these things like push button PTO are just more things to go wrong. Like pushbutton 4wd in a truck.....give me a stick anyday for that.

greeeeeenberg · Jul 1, 2015

Thanks for the replies guys

I guess I should have explained some reasoning for trying to get one unit for everything. I was hoping to have one machine to maintain and not two or three. Most of my land is wide open so I would only need to use my Mad Max mower for triming around a few trees.

Also I would want a large deck 60+ so that would be realistically 5k+ to not get someone else's junk right??? My thinking was to put that towards a nicer tractor.

I do plan to go the Massey dealer to check out their options next week when I have some time off.

The Treadle pedal just seems really weird to me with the brakes also being on that side. I dunno maybe more test driving and I might find I can get used to it.

The pto being electronic would be nice for the wife as there is less fuss. I figured they have been out for a while but I'll do dome more research into them.

Wagtail · Jul 1, 2015

If you're not fussed on having a cab, I would ask your JD dealer about the 4105... it's a 'bare bones', HST 41hp rig. More bang for your buck.

I'm not familiar with the other 'colour' tractors but they may have a similar option.

Also, closeness of your eventual dealership (although nice) shouldn't be a major factor in your final decision. The best service provided should be. Ask your neighbours who they consider to be the best in the region for service & support.

4570Man · Jul 1, 2015

My Kubota has the electronic pto. I don't use the pto much, but I have never had any trouble with it. I have had more trouble with the linkage on the manual pto on older tractors. The local dealers are crooks. They charge considerably more for anything than you can get it for somewhere else. I'm not saying all dealers are like that, but that has been my experience. I actually bought my tractor out of state to save sales tax. It was about a 14 hour drive.

Luke'sScreenName · Jul 1, 2015

Wagtail said:
If you're not fussed on having a cab, I would ask your JD dealer about the 4105... it's a 'bare bones', HST 41hp rig. More bang for your buck.

I'm not familiar with the other 'colour' tractors but they may have a similar option.

Also, closeness of your eventual dealership (although nice) shouldn't be a major factor in your final decision. The best service provided should be. Ask your neighbours who they consider to be the best in the region for service & support.

So price out a Kubota MX4800 HST if you decide you don't need a MMM (no mid pto). Not that I'm biased or anything... . My wife loves it. Just a very capable machine without too many fancy-pants electronics to break.

TJP89 · Jul 1, 2015

Think you are looking at the right range. Decide which features you want. Do you want a bare base tractor, or a fully featured one. If you want all the bells and whistles, get the 3039 or the 3560. If you don't want to pay for all that go with the 3901 or 3038. I do know someone with a complete engine failure story on the 3038, which apparently isn't an isolated issue on the E series. The E series strikes me as cheap in price and quality. On the premium models, IMO the Kubota out performs the JD in almost all specs, and the 6 range eHST on the Kubota is without equal. I really liked the 3560 when I looked at it, and would have got it but for the price.

On the mower, forget a MMM, they are a pain on big tractors. Instead get a 3 point rear finish mower. Much less than a MMM and less of a pain. Besides, I'm not sure the bigger tractors can take a MMM.