Kubota L4802 vs MX5400

[John_Mc]

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.

 

[John_Mc]

I do suspect that pricing for some of these is going to go through the roof due to tariffs, if it has not already, so that might affect my purchase decision as well.

 

[2manyrocks]

Are you generally happy with your TC33D except you want greater loader lifting capacity? Or are there more considerations at play?

 

[scootr]

See if it's an option to rent a MX tractor and do a few of the chores you need to be able to do ?
I love my MX. It has a heavier duty rear end than the L series...more of a workhorse less of a garage queen.
But if it's too big for your woods that's not going to be good....

 

[big bubba]

"garage queen" scootr
like that, similar to the mall cruisers pick up truck crowd

yes, the MX series is a step up from L series. reliable & up to the task for estate tractors. if the OP chooses an open station, they should be fine in the woods. always keeping in mind tractor weight is an oft overlooked advantage in upgrades aside from hp, etc.

 

[riptides]

I have learned bigger is indeed better.
I was looking at L's.....ended up with the M series.

 

[2manyrocks]

Front axle and wheel hubs on the MX are beefier than on the L series.

One disadvantage of the L4802 and the MX5400 could be having a DPF system that may want to run regen cycles at times when you want to only operate at idle speeds to run your forestry winch?

Having to retro fit another tractor with a belly pan and limb risers does not sound like fun.

Have you considered adding a used skid steer to handle the heavy lifting tasks?

 

[Tractorable]

You could split the difference with a L3560. A little more weight and lift capacity than the L4802, not as big as an MX or larger framed Grand L. The L3560 costs less than a L4802 too.

 

[John_Mc]

Are you generally happy with your TC33D except you want greater loader lifting capacity? Or are there more considerations at play?

Greater towing capacity would be useful as well, though not critical.

It's possible I might upgrade to a larger logging winch as well. What I have now is rated at 7700#. It's a good match for the TC33D, probably OK with the L4802. The MX5400 could handle more, though I suppose I don't really NEED more - there are not a lot of really large trees in my area.

I have learned bigger is indeed better.
I was looking at L's.....ended up with the M series.

Front axle and wheel hubs on the MX are beefier than on the L series.

Any of what I'm considering are beefier than what I'm using now.
I do recognize that the MX5400 is more suited to logging, but it's enough bigger to cause some problems for some other uses - and as mentioned, having to store it outside is a bummer. I won;t be keeping 2 tractors. If I get a new one, the old one will be sold. I just have not been putting enough hours on them recently to make it worth keeping and maintaining two.

if the OP chooses an open station, they should be fine in the woods.

Definitely going with open station. I'd bash a cab to smithereens working in my woods. I might add a bit more guarding for the operator station than what I have now, but that would be more of a cage than a cab. There are times I wish I had a cab: snow-blowing the driveway in the winter would be less of a pain, but I have good winter gear to wear, so I get by in the few snows we get that are too big for the plow on the SxS.

 

[John_Mc]

You could split the difference with a L3560. A little more weight and lift capacity than the L4802, not as big as an MX or larger framed Grand L. The L3560 costs less than a L4802 too.

I did look at the xx60 series (I was looking at the L4060). The problem is that the ROPS models of the L3560 and L4060 are over 97" tall. Too much for my garage. The ROPS models of L3901/3902 and the L4802 are short enough to fit with a minor modifications to the garage. (I dropped the L3901, since I liked the protection on the hydraulics on the L4802 better.)

It's odd that the ROPS tractors are significantly taller than the cab tractors of the same model. I'd have more options were it not for that. I briefly debated modifying the ROPS to match the height of cab tractors, but the manufacturers have such a fit if you merely drill a small hole in a ROPS, that they'd go totally ape about cutting and welding on it.