Kubota L4802 vs MX5400

[tradosaurus]

Still considering whether to make the jump or not.

Wife is nixing another building to store it in. We already have the house, 3 bay garage w/guest room upstairs, workshop, and storage shed - oh, and a treehouse. Plus we are finding a semi-permanent place to store the Tiny House on wheels our son is building. Between that, the dump trailer, forwarding trailer, and "landscape" trailer (the only street legal trailer I own), the homestead area is looking rather cluttered.

Happily, she has no objection to a larger tractor, as long as it's not constantly parked out in the "yard" where she has to look at it all the time. So if I do decide to make the leap, finding one short enough to fit in our garage, or removing the upper folding part of the ROPS and building up from there for my FOPS/limb risers to a height that fits is where I'd have to go. (Interestingly, the cab models of many of these tractors are shorter, and would fit with just a minor modification to the garage door. I don't want a cab for working in the woods, but at least that's an indication that shorter does not necessarily cause a problem with head height or rollover protection.)

Sounds like your choices just became more simple.

I didn't read if you stated how much land you have but could you put a tall metal carport in area that won't be seen from the house? Hate that your restriction on tractor size is limited because of that. And I don't think you want to have wrestle with putting the ROPS up and down each time you use it.

Now you understand the saying "death by a thousand concessions".

 

[scootr]

Clearly you need a bigger tractor and you need a building to store it in.
Tell the wife who doesn't want to look at it that alternatively you can move back to the city

 

[ericm979]

If a bigger tractor can't fit as many places can you get a winch with a longer lead to make up for it? Or just winch more?

My big logs may be larger than yours but I have maxed out my Branson's 2200lb loader capacity a number of times. That's 2200 at full lift, I forget the breakout but it's more than that of course. I would find 1100 limiting.

 

[drumminj]

Can you expand any of the existing buildings/garages to have a lean-to/side shed that can cover the tractor? Could be a way to avoid a new building but get some higher clearance than a garage door offers?

 

[big bubba]

i'd say take your time for now & let the decision rest for awhile. & consider the uncertain economic times, life at home, & really how soon you want to make the change.
by that time you'll know that going to a more robust tractor will solve your needs & that the storage concerns in good time will take care of itself.

 

[John_Mc]

If a bigger tractor can't fit as many places can you get a winch with a longer lead to make up for it? Or just winch more?

My big logs may be larger than yours but I have maxed out my Branson's 2200lb loader capacity a number of times. That's 2200 at full lift, I forget the breakout but it's more than that of course. I would find 1100 limiting.

My logging winch has 230 feet of cable. I don't often use the full length, but when I need it, I'm glad it's there. (Mt record for logging is the full 230 feet out: just a few wraps left on the drum, two 20' chains on the end, and then drop the tree toward the last chain so I can connect to the top and pull it out. In most of the woods around here, if you get much beyond 100 or 150 feet, you probably want to be working with a helper, since you often can't clearly see the log.

1100 is limiting, which is why I'm even considering a larger tractor. On the other hand, when doing crop tree release, I'm taking out junk. If it's a large diameter log, I just cut it shorter. It's eventually going to firewood anyway. Most of the logs I deal with are 20" diameter or less. I can pick up a green Red Oak log 8' long by 20" diameter to full height. Since I really have no interest in pickup logs to full height, I can handle a bit more down low

If it's something going to a higher use than firewood, I find another way to deal with it: skid it out behind the logging winch or put it on the forwarding trailer. (I've loaded a 24" x 12' Oak log on the trailer. I calculated the weighed at 2400 lbs. It was a pain in the butt, but I managed. I won't do it again - at least not with this tractor and trailer, unless I have need of something for a special project.

For me, this is a hobby, or helping out friends, or bartering with another friend for his sawmill services. It's a serious hobby, or I wouldn't have sunk all that money into a forwarding trailer a few years ago.

 

[John_Mc]

I didn't read if you stated how much land you have but could you put a tall metal carport in area that won't be seen from the house? Hate that your restriction on tractor size is limited because of that. And I don't think you want to have wrestle with putting the ROPS up and down each time you use it.

144 acres. It's the space near the house and garage that is getting full: what isn't part of the views we enjoy is hemmed in by the pond and some wetlands. Finding a spot that is convenient and easy to get power to without really messing up the look of the place is tough.

The ROPS will never be going up and down. Once I add the limb risers and Falling Object Protection, the ROPS is up for good. One possibility is removing the folding portion of the ROPS altogether and building up the FOP and Limb Risers from there. If I make it no taller than the cabbed version of many of these tractors, I might be able to get it into the existing garage with just some minor modifications to the door

Can you expand any of the existing buildings/garages to have a lean-to/side shed that can cover the tractor? Could be a way to avoid a new building but get some higher clearance than a garage door offers?

Looking at that now. I have a lean-to off the back of the garage, currently used for firewood and lawnmower storage, but it's shorter than the garage doors. Because of some of the structure on the second floor above it, raising that roof is not possible. I have a builder friend looking at the possibility of adding one off the side. I'd have to tie in fairly high up on the side of the existing Gambrel roof in order to get enough roof slope over the lean-to so as not to have shovel the snow off constantly. This is on the side opposite the house, so no adverse effect on the view.

 

[2manyrocks]

There are at least a couple of robust looking four post limb riser conversions by TBN members that give the appearance of being stouter than the factory 2 ROPS and providing much, much better protection from falling objects to the operator than the OEM...but you have to decide if your design and fab skills (or those you can hire) can keep you safe or not.

The other issue is whether the hoped for increase in loader capacity is worth the additional investment over what you've already invested in your TC33D.

 

[tradosaurus]

144 acres. It's the space near the house and garage that is getting full: what isn't part of the views we enjoy is hemmed in by the pond and some wetlands. Finding a spot that is convenient and easy to get power to without really messing up the look of the place is tough.

The ROPS will never be going up and down. Once I add the limb risers and Falling Object Protection, the ROPS is up for good. One possibility is removing the folding portion of the ROPS altogether and building up the FOP and Limb Risers from there. If I make it no taller than the cabbed version of many of these tractors, I might be able to get it into the existing garage with just some minor modifications to the door


Looking at that now. I have a lean-to off the back of the garage, currently used for firewood and lawnmower storage, but it's shorter than the garage doors. Because of some of the structure on the second floor above it, raising that roof is not possible. I have a builder friend looking at the possibility of adding one off the side. I'd have to tie in fairly high up on the side of the existing Gambrel roof in order to get enough roof slope over the lean-to so as not to have shovel the snow off constantly. This is on the side opposite the house, so no adverse effect on the view.

I don't think you will need power to a carport that will shelter your tractor from the weather. For under $4k you should be able to have on constructed.
With 144 acres you should have plenty of room for the carport.

 

[2manyrocks]

I think John is facing both a ROPS conversion and adding belly pan protection for any new tractor because hardly any new tractors come with anything except a 2 post which is inadequate for the amount of forestry work he is doing, IMPO.

I spent a month adding belly pan protection to my L2501 just to protect the hydraulic lines and filters, and I am no where remotely close to doing as much forestry work.

 

[drumminj]

FWIW Lown Performance sells some skidplate-type protection for Kubotas. I'm sure there are others.

 

[ning]

It's possible to run smaller wheels, if ground clearance doesn't limit you. @ericm979 bought his tractor with dealer-swapped smaller wheels for a lower center of mass; if you're careful about what you drive over, perhaps you could gain (actually lose) a couple crucial inches on a bigger tractor so you can fit inside?

 

[John_Mc]

I don't think you will need power to a carport that will shelter your tractor from the weather. For under $4k you should be able to have on constructed.
With 144 acres you should have plenty of room for the carport.

Whatever I store it in will have a least some minimal power. I don't need a lot. Enough to run the block heater in the winter and some lights for when I'm working on it. I can do that with an extension cord, if I'm close enough to existing power, or run a hole through the wall if the lean-to option works out.

I do have plenty of places I could put it. I'm limited on available places I would want to put it.

 

[Carl_NH]

Followed this thread since the beginning, as machine height vs door height has dictated my machine selection. My barn doors are 8' (94" maximum height) and a bigger machine (L47 etc) means a sliding door instead of the OH door,

Then do I need a bigger machine(s) to do what I need at nearly 70, and decided I don't need the added capability, or it's not worth modifying structures to improve what I have today,

Bottom line in your position, John, get the MX6000 and modify the folding ROPS with a FOPS close to what you have today and keep within your current door height is the best option.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Have you considered a used shipping container for tractor storage?
The neighboring farm has several that are used for tractor & implement storage. They are painted to match the barn and don't look bad.

102" height units are available:

20ft. Standard (Dry) Container

 

[John_Mc]

Have you considered a used shipping container for tractor storage?
The neighboring farm has several that are used for tractor & implement storage. They are painted to match the barn and don't look bad.

View attachment 3252944

102" height units are available:

20ft. Standard (Dry) Container

It's a good idea. The high cube container is 114" tall, with a door height of 100", which is tall enough to let most of the models I'm considering in.

One complication is that the use of shipping containers for long-term storage is not permitted under our town's zoning regulations. That brings up the age-old question: Is it better to ask permission or ask for forgiveness. I could probably get a waiver/variance, given my remote location. (However, if the answer is "no", I've now alerted the town busybodies that I am considering this.) The other option is to just do it and hope no one who notices decides to raise a stink. I THINK I could find a place to put a 20' container that my wife could live with. (a 40 footer would be a bit tougher)

 

[ning]

It's a good idea. The high cube container is 114" tall, with a door height of 100", which is tall enough to let most of the models I'm considering in.

One complication is that the use of shipping containers for long-term storage is not permitted under our town's zoning regulations. That brings up the age-old question: Is it better to ask permission or ask for forgiveness. I could probably get a waiver/variance, given my remote location. (However, if the answer is "no", I've now alerted the town busybodies that I am considering this.) The other option is to just do it and hope no one who notices decides to raise a stink. I THINK I could find a place to put a 20' container that my wife could live with. (a 40 footer would be a bit tougher)

I'd go with ask for forgiveness later; if it's a big property and nobody can see it, they really shouldn't have an issue - if they know it's there at all.
It's a temporary thing anyways
Just make sure you put it up on RR ties to allow water vapor to dissipate under it - and make it high enough for predators to be able to keep the underside inhospitable. I love my high-cube. I have just enough room next to the tractor to walk and have a few common tools leaned against the wall, and keep my diesel jugs behind it.

 

[cathy liebchen]

I currently have a New Holland TC33D that is set up for work in the woods: limb risers with Falling Object Protection of sorts (won't stop a large tree, but will stop a good sized limb), belly pan, grapple for FEL, logging winch, forwarding trailer). I did not like the NH 7308 loader, so ordered mine with the Woods 1012 Loader (slightly larger lift capacity and larger dump & rollback angles). I did not originally buy this tractor with forestry work in mind, but my needs have grown over the years. I now use it working in the woods a lot, and picking up some of the larger logs can be a challenge. I do like that it can get in to space where a larger tractor could never go, but the limitations become an issue at times. I get by with what I have (the forestry work started in about 2006, about 5 years after I bought the tractor). I really should be using something bigger, but since I'm not logging for a living, cutting the big diameter logs shorter, taking more trips and taking my time has worked out - though I did manage to crack the clutch housing a few years ago.

I'd have to start over on the modifications if I got a new tractor. I would also most likely want a larger brush hog and boxblade. My old 5' brush hog has been beat to death and really needs to be retired anyway - I would have replaced it before now, but have been putting it off while trying to make the decision about whether to upgrade to a larger tractor.

I've been considering a Kubota L4701/L4802 or an MX5400. The L4701/L4802 only has about 500+ lbs greater lift capacity to full height than what I have now. The MX5400 has about double my current lift capacity (about 1100# more than my TC33D). The downside is that the MX5400 is physically bigger than I would like to go (almost 70" wide). The real kicker is that one of my favorite modification is the Limb Risers and Falling Object Protection. Adding them means I can no longer fold down the ROPS. At 95.7" tall, there is no way the MX5400 will fit into my garage.

I've been getting by with my TC33D, so I'm sure I could get by a little better with the L4802. The best fit for my forestry work would be the MX5400. However, I'm just not sure I want to go that big, and really don't want to leave a new tractor outside full time. I can afford either tractor, but I'm having trouble justifying a new, larger tractor, when I could continue to "get by" with what I have now. I really can't justify a new tractor PLUS a new building.

I'm having a tough time deciding which way to go: I don't want to buy the L4802 now and then wish I'd gone bigger a couple of years down the road. However, that MX5400 is just so dang big for my other needs. I'm not getting any younger, and sooner or later I'll need to cut back on what I'm doing in the woods anyway... in fact, I probably could just continue to get by with the trusty old TC33D if I had to.

I have a good relationship with my dealer, who sells both NH and Kubota. I looked at New Holland offerings, but really don't like how exposed the hydraulics are on their offerings in this size range. I've not had great experiences with the JD dealer in my area, so I'm not considering them. Nearest TYM Dealer is an hour away and in a direction I rarely travel - further than I want to go if I need something. Nearest Kioti dealer is about 1/2 hour away. Close enough for me to consider, but I know nothing about them - I'd consider them after researching their reputation a bit.

Get the MX, pass on the orphan model