I've Been Unfaithful

[GeneD14]

I\'ve Been Unfaithful

Today was hot and I wanted to brush hog about 5 acres. So I took the loader off the L4330 and mounted the mower. I wanted to use the Kubota since it had a cab with AC and the old Allis Chalmers that I normally used to brush hog with did not. It did a great job. The hydrostat and live pto made the mowing a breeze. All of the deer flies and bugs that would normally attack me had no chance with the cab acting as a force field around me. With that AC on, CD player on, and a cold pop in the drink holder I was liv'in large. That was the most fun that I've had mowing in years.
Here is the part that makes me feel a little bit guilty: after mowing I drove to the local Kubota dealer and test drove an M6800 and an M9000. Both had loaders and cabs. Wow what a rush! Those machines are awesome. Every once in a while I run out of HP with the L4330 and either of the M-series tractors that I drove today would cure that. I won't be ready to to any trading until spring but I've been bit by the orange bug. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[frank_f15]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

I think you should get one of the M models, you would be happy, you will help the economy grow /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[DmansPadge]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

Man... I would be happy just to have a cab with AC!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'd probably never get off mine if I did! The M series are great units. We recently got a M5800 at work (no cab!) with a FEL and 6' Rhino hog. That thing is a tank! I wish I had one!!

 

[crown]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

Oh to have an AC cab, that would be livin' large. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Just to make you feel better about your current situation with your L 4330, I will be brush hogging 6 acres tomorrow with a 4 ft. hog pulled by my B-7500 and no AC Cab. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[yardman1]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

I own a M4900 and i don't need no more power then this but I don't know what you are going to pull you may need more power then mine I pull a 8 foot Disk and it will run with it and I own a 10 foot it will pull it very good so if you need more power go for it

 

[GeneD14]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I will be brush hogging 6 acres tomorrow with a 4 ft. hog pulled by my B-7500 and no AC Cab.
)</font>
I know how you feel. I normally brush hog about 5 acres on my 1960 Allis D14 when it is 90-95 degrees and humid. The grass and bugs seem to stick to your skin. If I wait until evening the mosquitoes will carry me off. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[DickBurke]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

I just put a $1000 deposit on a M5700, FEL + Bush Hog 286. I looked at the L4400 but they are too small to handle the 72" BH 286. This M5700 also has a quick detach bucket and the optional Hydo shuttle all for $30500.00. I am building a house on 5.25 Acres of combo Florida jungle, big oaks and planted
slash pine. As far as I'm concerned nothing else would do. I will add a 74 inch rototiller in the fall to grind up about 1.5 acres of nasty prickly pear cactus. I will probably do some tractor work for neighbors and mow 2500' of additional road frontage.

 

[Bob_Young]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

Hi Dick,
I run a Woods Brush Bull 720 (6', med. duty) with an L4300 and it is marginal. The 4300 has enough power but lacks the weight up front. With the FEL in place it will lift the hog off the ground OK, but I doubt very much it would do it without the FEL; I think the tractor would be pointed skyward.

That said, I get by OK on my property (98% of the time anyway) with a 2-pt. hookup to the hog. Got the tail wheel set to keep the aft end well up and then raise and lower the front of the hog with the 3-pt hitch lift arms. I leave the FEL on to deal with downed limbs and branches. The cut is a bit uneven, but cosmetics aren't an issue. Gotta watch the driveline as well so that it doesn't bottom on the top of the hog when the front of the tractor pitches down....something you get used to.

As for the M5700; that's my goal. I think I'll need something that big or bigger if I get my hayfields working again. A cab would be heaven, but with many trees to mow around, I don't think it would work. Will hang onto the L4300 whatever I do; Lotsa bang for the buck, nice low profile, and it trailers easy. Interested in how you like your M5700 once it's in hand...bet that 5 cyl. engine will be smooooth /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.
Bob

 

[GeneD14]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Will hang onto the L4300 whatever I do; Lotsa bang for the buck, nice low profile, and it trailers easy. )</font>

That is another issue that I'm wrestling with: I love my tilt bed trailer it is 10,000 GVW. My L4330 max's it out weight wise at 7,300 lbs with the loader and box blade on. The trailer weighs about 2,800 lbs. So if I go with an M6800 or M9000 with a loader, wheel weights, etc... I'll have to move up to a 14,000 GVW gooseneck trailer. I believe that would require a CDL license. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[tjkadar]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

If you are considering a M5700, I would seriously think about moving up to a M6800. A M5700 is essentially a M4900 with slightly larger tires that turns more rpm (hence more power) then a M4900. You spend more money, but don't really get all that much more tractor. It has about the same capacities and lift abilities as the M4900. We were in this dilemma a few months ago and went with the M6800 (FEL, canopy, shuttle shift, skid steer type quick attach with bucket, tooth bar, and two remotes). All told, it set us back $31,000 but we felt it was a wiser purchase then the M5700. If you think a M5700 will work, then a M4900 might be the right tractor. Otherwise, bite the bullet and go with the M6800. Of course, these are only my opinions and everyone knows how much those are worth. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[yardman1]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

I pull my M4900 on a 16 foot trailer bumper pull with my hog or the 8 foot disk but it is 6' 9'' wide inside 8 foot wide outside if this helps

 

[GeneD14]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I pull my M4900 on a 16 foot trailer bumper pull with my hog or the 8 foot disk but it is 6' 9'' wide inside 8 foot wide outside if this helps )</font>

Yardman1,
What is the GVW of your trailer? How much weight are you putting on it? Thanks

 

[yardman1]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

the Trailer is rated 14,000 lb the M4900 is about 4000 lb so i put about 7000 lb on it but some times a lot more it pulls very good but you need a full size truck to pull it i have had the trailer for 10 years and have pulled the kubota 5 years I hope this helps

 

[GeneD14]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

Yardman1,

Thanks for the info. If I move up to an M6800 or M9000 I will probably go back to a 14,000 gvw gooseneck to be safe. I have recently seen a gooseneck with a tilt bed deck (see picture attached) and a gooseneck with a hydraulic beavertail that once you drive up on the tail it can raise the tractor up and become flat with the rest of the deck. What will they think of next?
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[yardman1]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

Nice picture and i do like it but does it come with Dual Wheels for it would be even safer when you have a flat. if it does have Duals let us know.

 

[GeneD14]

Re: I\'ve Been Unfaithful

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Nice picture and i do like it but does it come with Dual Wheels for it would be even safer when you have a flat. if it does have Duals let us know.
)</font>

The one I saw didn't have duals. You are right about the advantage of duals if you get a flat tire. Before I consider buying a new trailer I'll wait until next Spring when I start poking around for another tractor to put on it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif