Looking for 55 HP Kubota, 2 or 4 wheel?

[msjanket]

My 40 HP Deere is about shot, need another tractor around 50 HP, plus or minus. Can get a new one in this class for around 21 grand with good credit terms.
Question is, do Kubotas hold up well enough to consider buying something with around 500 hours on it if the price is really right?
And, is there a good rationale to buying a 4 wheel drive unit other than better traction? Like, better resale?
What models in the 50 HP range do you folks recommend, in both 2 and 4 wheel drive categories.

Thanks and Happy New Year!!

Mike

 

[gwdixon]

Your post is a little vague on requirements or what caused the JD to become "shot". What transmission is required? What implements? What jobs? Even, what part of the country?

The basic MX5040 may fit your needs and comes in 2WD/4WD. The M5040 would be nicer.

500 hours on a Kubota is barely broken in.

4WD will get you out of a lot of nastyness. Unless you like shovels, come-alongs, winches, etc. 4WD is the way to go. Most Kubotas are not even made with 2WD anymore. But it depends on your uses and that is not clear from the post.

Also, if a FEL is under consideration, 4WD is necessary to get going for a heavy load unless a substantial counterweight is attached.

Another benefit is turning in loose soil or gravel. The front wheels in 4WD will pull you around the turn rather than plowing. Using a brake on one of the rears will help in 2WD but the mess is usually already made.

Check tractor sale sites or TBN's tractor sales to see the difference in resale value for a 4WD vs. a 2WD.

 

[MarkV]

Mike welcome to the forum. I can not say if it is true but it has been said that 4wd will add around 25% per hp effectiveness to a the light weight compact tractors. Or said another way a 40 hp 4wd is equal to a 50 hp 2wd.

MarkV

 

[curtisfarmer]

2WD machines should be illegal.

 

[crbr]

My 40 HP Deere is about shot, need another tractor around 50 HP, plus or minus. Can get a new one in this class for around 21 grand with good credit terms.
Question is, do Kubotas hold up well enough to consider buying something with around 500 hours on it if the price is really right?
And, is there a good rationale to buying a 4 wheel drive unit other than better traction? Like, better resale?
What models in the 50 HP range do you folks recommend, in both 2 and 4 wheel drive categories.

Thanks and Happy New Year!!

Mike

Yes
Yes - 500 hours is nothing
4-wheel all the way
look on their site and browse their selections and look for their zero % interest promos. It's not free interest but it is marketed at zero %.

 

[bpsooner]

I have a M5040 and it is a real sweet machine. If you are looking for a good utility tractor then I would suggest the M series. They are a heavier machine than the B or L series.
I also agree with the others concerning 2wd or 4wd. If you are considering a FEL then 4wd is a must.
Take a look at the M series. I think you will be impressed.

 

[msjanket]

My applications do not require a bucket loader, in fact, don't want one at all. I do plowing, harrowing, spraying with mounted sprayers, your typical range of pulling exercises. Soils are heavy, stony, I pull deep plows to incorporate heavy cover crops. Double bottom moldboard plows used almost exclusively.

thanks for the replies and happy new year!

Mike

 

[Thomas]

"2WD machines should be illegal."

Interesting..hmm??

 

[DmansPadge]

"2WD machines should be illegal."

Interesting..hmm??

Yeah.. I don't understand the discontent for 2wd tractors on this site. Sure... 4wd is superior but 2wd tractors are just fine for a ton of applications.

 

[gwdixon]

My applications do not require a bucket loader, in fact, don't want one at all. I do plowing, harrowing, spraying with mounted sprayers, your typical range of pulling exercises. Soils are heavy, stony, I pull deep plows to incorporate heavy cover crops. Double bottom moldboard plows used almost exclusively.

thanks for the replies and happy new year!

Mike

Those uses would indicate a geared tractor like the MX5040 (either 2WD or 4WD). However, 4WD is great for the listed uses, especially with the moldboard plow. You may want to consider a tractor with the draft control feature to control the moldboard plow's depth.

The question you might ask is did the old 2WD JD ever spin a wheel (or wheels with the differential locked) under the loads you use? The 2WD/4WD decision can be based on that answer. Interestingly, a 2WD might be harder to find both new and used.

There are those here that would recommend a HST for any situation but I am not like-minded. The larger tractors with heavier loads generally have geared transmissions. I went with the synchronized hydraulic shuttle. It is geared but has a hydraulic clutch - quite convenient.

My usage situation with the M7040 is close to yours with the exception that a FEL is necessary for some jobs. The M7040 is 4WD with an automatic locking front differential (call it posi-traction or limited-slip if you want). It is the smallest model with this feature in my research. It has engaged several times as significant loads were put on the drawbar. It just rips the implement right along with the power applied to all 4 wheel (rear differential locked).

While a new M7040 is well out of your acceptable price range I have seen ones with low hours that are very close to what you want to spend - especially if a FEL is not needed. A M5040 or M6040 would also be great. You can't go wrong with any of those models.

See if a dealer will let you test drive one. Some members here have even had dealers loan one out for a site test. They probably are rental returns with a few hours on them but you will get an idea of what is out there.

After an old JD you will probably have to change underwear with the excitement.