JD 5303 vs Kubota M7040??

[Z-Michigan]

Those tractors are bigger than needed for the stated tasks. Though if you get a 2wd, not way too big. With 4wd you could go to around 40hp and be fine.

How are you going to harvest the 5 acres of corn? Too big to do by hand (unless you really, really want to) and pretty small for a combine. Hopefully some neighbor with a combine will help out.

The 5303 is a fairly basic tractor while the Kubota M7040 is more of a mid-feature model. It's not perfectly apples to apples, though for your stated uses, basic should be all you need. The Deere 5x25 series is very fancy, with the stripper models of that series comparing to the Kubota while most x25's on dealer lots will be much better equipped and in a different class than the fanciest 7040.

Messick's comment is harsh and not quite accurate. The 5303 is a basic tractor and is made in India, but it's not crude and the quality is just fine. Kubotas have problems too, such as FEL problems on the Mxx40 series. Both are fine, especially if bought from a good dealer. Both can be trouble free, or not, depending on luck of the draw.

For that size tractor, especially in 2wd, you could save a lot of money by going with a used one. Maybe even get a cab model for the same or less money than you're talking about.

 

[Dargo]

I've had both the M series Kubota and the 5xxx series JD. The M7040 probably most closely compares to the JD 5425 except the cab on the JD is considerably larger. Otherwise it was a tossup for me between the two. If I didn't need the cab (along with a 2nd seat in the cab) I very likely would have bought a Kubota M8540. I am very impressed by that tractor. However, if you don't need all the extra options, I see no problems at all with the JD5303. One of my neighbors who does a lot of hay work has a 5303 and has worked the snot out of it. Again, not to say the Kubota wouldn't do just as well, but just to point out that the JD5303 is a strong, heavy and durable tractor. Good luck with whatever you buy!

 

[farmboy12]

That isn't too big for the land, but too big for the implements. We have a 49hp tractor on 30 acres with only about 15 cleared, and 1 acre of gardens and 10 other tractors to back it up. This tractor is only used for loader and a rear blade. The loader gets used a few times a week for about 9 months out of the year, only to use it to it's full capacity once a year. And the rear blade gets used a week for a month or two every other year. This is a Kubota M4900 and a very reliable tractor.


Kyle

 

[GaryCrowell]

Those tractors aren't too big for the implements. A decent 7' disc will bog down a pretty good sized tractor in mississippi soil. I have a heavy 8' disc that will stop my 72 HP 4wd massey in 2wd if the soil conditions are right, and my tractor outweighs either of these two by 2000lbs. Both of those are good tractors, but given the price difference there's no question I'd pick the John Deere. The Deere's actually a little heavier (300 lbs) than the kubota, and for ground engaging stuff I'd pick the heavier tractor any time. Better to have too much tractor than too little in my opinion.

However, given that he doesn't want 4wd I'd think of finding a good used tractor. There's plenty of good used 2wd tractors out there from 50-100 HP that can be had for $10K or less. If you want 4wd then it's almost impossible to get a good deal used, but 2wd's are plentiful and cheap.

 

[pitt_md]

You have a lot of options to choose from for the size of the tractor. I have 30 acres and when I bought my MX5000 I was told that I didn't need all that tractor by a friend. Long story short i am glad I got a 50hp machine. i have used every bit of it.

 

[sixdogs]

I have found that more horsepower is always better than less horspower, especially if you are in it mostly for the recreation. Just my two cents.

For the tractor, both are excellent but I would lean towards the Kubota. It would cost more to buy weights and there are fewer accessories readily available but I think it feels "smoother." Now, I do own a JD 5520 that I bought over a Kubota 9000 so you can see I can waiver to either tractor. You can't lose no matter what you pick.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Just a comment - while horsepower is always nice, be sure to buy sufficiently strong implements if you do get something well into the utility class, like your initial choices. Either one will pretzel cheap ground-engaging implements quickly and perhaps before you even realize something bad is happening. Be thinking category 2 rated implements for these - and those will cost real money.

Just another 1 cent.

 

[JDCOMPACTMAN]

I agree with IslandTractor that 60+ hp is a little more than you need for a 2 bottom plow and a 7' disk, and also that 4wd is a good option to think about. I can hardly talk though, since I also bought more tractor than I actually required.

I think the M7040 and the 5303 would both serve you quite well for that size of tractor.



Messick says this every chance he gets. I am inclined to believe he has never actually seen one in real life. The 5x03 is a basic tractor, but I would hardly call it crude. It uses the same bulletproof 2.9L Powertech motor that JD has used for ~15 years. It is also quite heavy, has good hydraulics, and planetary style front hubs. The planetaries are not necessarily better than the bevel gear hubs; just my preference.

Happy shopping!!

The simplicityis what sells this tractor.