Kubota M108s or JD 5115ML

[colonial1]

I'm looking at these two tractors and there's not much feedback on the web about them from users. They are mainly Orchard/vineyard use but I am wondering since they both are low profile and you can get them with a wide set up how would they be for slope mowing since the center of gravity is much lower on these than conventional tractors. I run my NH T4.75 with a 15' rotary batwing mower. Works great on level ground but on slopes it's to "top" heavy and you start to get that awful feeling in your gut. For my slopes, 25-30 degrees, I have a Ventrac but it has a 72" front mower. It's incredible on slopes only problem is a small cutting width and it takes 2-3 times as long just to do the slopes. They offer a 84" mower but what am I really gaining? I'm trying to blend the two and looking at the 108s or the 5115ml i'm thinking it might be possible.. Any ideas? anyone own one of these? how are they on slopes? I would rather spend more time mowing with the Ventrac than time recovering if I do....from a roll over.. I even looked at the Antonio Carraro.. looks like a great machine and the closet dealer is 2 hrs away. Big $ tho..

 

[Grateful11]

I didn't realize that the 5115M was available in Low Profile. The M108 series has always been a less bells and whistles line and is a pretty good deal for the money at least in the std. profile line. The Deere has many more options than the Kubota. The Deere weighs more. Deere lists the Min. track width of 82". The Kubota says 66.5-78.7" rear track width. 25-30 degree slopes gives a fairly high pucker factor I bet.

It's probably going to tough to find someone on here with much experience with these Specialized tractors. You might try to find a forum that's geared more towards commercial mowing.

Good luck.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

I have only been around a couple of low profile units but wonder if the center of gravity is considerably less. As it seems to me the idea is to lower the clearance for clearance sake not for center of gravity sake. There would certainly be some difference with the lower cab height and smaller wheels but other than that are they much different from a conventional utility tractor. I'm curious as well.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

What about a New Holland crawler? You wouldn't even think twice about operating on only a 30* slope. Heck, you could cut going side ways on the slope if you wanted. Look here to get an idea, there are others also.

 

[MHarryE]

A 30 degree slope is 58% and that is steep for any wheel tractor except an articulated 4wd with minimum duals and preferred triples. I've been on fields having some slopes that steep, in the Palouse country of Washington, and they wouldn't touch them without Cats or tripled articulated. Of course the Italians make very good hillside leveling tractors (like the Carraro you mention) but they are pricey. My sister's farm has a M108S and I wouldn't venture on your slopes with that.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

You can buy clamp on duels for a pretty reasonable price. We have traditional tractors with clamp-ons out mowing the sides of landfills. works great.

 

[colonial1]

I agree, the Deere is an all around better tractor. but the better is about 10-12K more. I guess you get what you pay for... My concern with the Deere is the weight. This is all manicured lawns and in the wet areas the weight will be a detriment when mowing in spring. Most likely tires are going to play an important part of this equation. I'm trying to stay with JD, NH or Kubota mainly for ease of serviceability and dealer network. The specialty tractors are sweet but far and far apart making it expensive and difficult to have service work performed. There's also an EABI dealer about 3 1/2 hrs away http://aebi-ne.com/index.php/about-us again very expensive. I'll try finding a forum like you mentioned but I wanted to hear from this forum's members since most are familiar with the tractors I'm trying to stay with. Thanks for your input....

 

[colonial1]

I'm assuming it's their all around footprint and lower height even tho clearance is similar. Orchards/vineyards buy them, besides the narrow specialty units, for their power, flow rate, and stability and maneuverability over conventional tractors or orchard owners would be buying conventional tractors instead. If the clearance remains the same but the height is reduced and the width is slightly increased along with the wheelbase the center of gravity is lowered, at least that's how I see it. I might be wrong and that's why I posted my question. I'm really curious....... Thanks for the reply......

 

[colonial1]

I looked at them... Great vid by the way...my problem is it's mainly manicured lawns and not fields brush hogging. I need to use a grooming mower on the entire site. Tracks especially full sided tracks over individual tracks. I think would chew up the lawn and destroy its appearance turning like a zero turn. I do like their flotation over tires. I have a Polaris Ranger 800 with tracks on it and it's day and night when it comes to traction, job tasks and flotation. With the amount of snow we have this year my neighbor has a UTV with tires and he can't make it 100' and I can go just about anywhere. I thought about putting tracks on my NH but that's 50K and for that I could buy either the M108s or come close to the JD 5115ML... Thanks for the reply... I'm having a hard time with this one and appreciate everyone's input....

 

[colonial1]

Curious... have you driven your sisters M108s? and had it on slopes and felt squirmy? Does she use it mainly on level ground for that reason? The areas where I have the 30 degree slopes are not vast. Most of the sloping area is the 20-25 degree range. If I can mow the majority of the flat and slope area and leave just the small 30 degree section for my Ventrac I think I would be happy and accomplished what I wanted too. It's having to mow all the slopes with the Ventrac and not being able to use my NH with my batwing grooming mower to get it done. That alone would save me more than half the time. Thanks