L4400 vs. L4630 (w/ Powershift Transmission)

[Z-Michigan]

The MX5000, despite the designation, is derived from a prior L-series tractor and, IMHO, is not significantly heavier duty than any L series. I would be looking at that L4630 with glide shift, or at a HST transmission. If you are going to a lot of loader work (and I can't tell if you are) the HST is definitely the best choice, and GST is still very good, way ahead of the non-synchro gear shuttle you get on either an L4400 or an MX5000. If you plan to do both ground engaging work (tilling) and loader work, the GST is an excellent compromise.

Personally I see the L4400 as a very good deal for what it is - if it has the power and features you need, I think its price is unbeatable. I also see the MX5000 as a tractor that fits in a very small niche, as it is only slightly cheaper than a far more capable M5040 and is much more basic than an L30 or L40 series for around the same price (albeit with a bit less hp at the same price point).

I have recently been offered an L5030 HST with LA853 for $24,600, so I don't think it would be hard to find that deal if you want that model. Now that the L40's are out the dealers should be especially eager to sell remaining L30's.

 

[RichZ]

I have an L4630 with the GST that I've had for about a month. Up until now, I've run my farm with vintage tractors, but after struggling to get one of my tractors running during our snowstorm on Valentine's Day, I decided to bite the bullet, and add a modern tractor to our farm. I've never had a tractor with anything but a standard transmission before, and I find the GST very smooth and easy to use especially for loader work.

I actually didn't want the hydro transmission, as my farm has some pretty steep hills, and we get a lot of mud and snow. I felt the GST would be better for my use, as I perfer to choose what gear I'm operating with.

 

[N80]

I have an L4400. The primary thing you need to understand about the L4400 is hp/dollar. It is a tractor made to fit a budget. If you have the money to look at M5040 and the Grand L series seriously, then the L4400 is probably not the tractor you need to be looking at.

For me, my budget was set at $20,000 max. In other words, seeing a little nicer tractor for $22,000 was not even a consideration. I had some big jobs to do and so I got the most I could get with under $20,000. In my mind, the L4400 (with loader) is the best tractor in that niche.

So what are its real shortcomings compared to Grand L series tractors, even some with less hp? Primarily its loader capacity and 3 pt hitch capacity, i.e. hydraulics. The specs are good, but not awesome. Personally, I don't see the gear transmission as a weakness. I drove a GST and it did not impress me. I did not drive an HST because it was cost prohibitive and I seriously dislike automatic transmissions of all types. I like the simplicity, durability, precision and cost effectiveness of a gear transmission.

Having said all that, I will say that over the two years I've owned my L4400 it has been used for any number of heavy jobs it was not intended to do and it has done them beyond my expectations with no apparent problems. I have now cleared nearly 4 acres of dense but young planted pines ranging fom 2-8 inches in diameter. And when I say cleared, I mean cleared. Stumps gone. Everything.

So from a bang for the buck perspective, I'm high on the L4400. I think it is the best tractor on the market in terms of power per dollar. But if it is a the low end of your budget, move on up. But if I were moving up, I don't think anything short of a 5040 would make any difference at all for what I use a tractor for. And if I were buying now and had the money for a 5040, that's what I'd get. If I only had $20K, I'd still get an L4400.