M5040 or M6040

[WannabeChickenFarmer]

I want to get my tractor on order this afternoon and I am still trying to decide if I need a M5040 or a M6040. I am looking at the 4WD. I will use it to farm 60 acres, I want to put out a little hay maybe some corn and grain and do a lot of brush hogging. Dose a M5040 have the power to run a round baler?? and what about how they handle the round bales on the 3 pt?? My farm is all hills no flat field on the farm. Do I need the M6040 or will the M5040 4wd do the job? I am not looking at buying a FEL just the trator. Thanks for your help!

 

[farmguy]

If you are considering operating any round baler the M7040 is the absolute smallest tractor you should consider, and then you would be limited in round baler selection. Any honest Kubota dealer should tell you the same thing.

 

[WannabeChickenFarmer]

I also have a small sideline job, I do custom garden tilling with a 65 inch 3 pt tiller. What I was looking for a one size fits all but I am beginning to see that is impossible. It sound like I need two tractors but I am sure my wife won't agree!!

 

[CumminsLuke]

If you are considering operating any round baler the M7040 is the absolute smallest tractor you should consider, and then you would be limited in round baler selection. Any honest Kubota dealer should tell you the same thing.

Not exactly all accurate. I have a Case-IH 8420 round baler that makes a 3.5' wide by 4.5' tall 550lb round bale and only needs 35 pto hp. I pulled it with my old M4700 that had 42 pto hp and even with a full bale you couldn't feel it. I now have a NH 640 that makes a 4'x5' 1100 lb bale and needs 55 pto hp. Hesston makes a value model 4'x5' that only needs 40 pto hp as does Vermeer. Hesston made the Case-IH 8420 that I have, they called the hesston version the 530 and the later version the 730.

 

[CumminsLuke]

To expand a little more on my previous post, if you can afford it, get the 7040. To my knowledge there is practically no difference in physical size or weight between the 5040, 6040, and 7040, so why not get the highest hp engine you can get?

The 5040 will easily handle the Hesston 530, 730, 540, 740, and maybe the 745 depending on the size of your hills. The Case-IH model number of the same balers are the 8420 and 8430(3.5'x4.5' and 4'x4'). Also the 5040 could handle the NH 630, 634, and 638 which are all 4'x4' machines.

The 6040 would easily handle the Hesston 745 or the Vermeer 5400 rebel or 5410 rebel, which all make up to a 4'x5' bale.

The 7040 (what I have) will handle the NH 640,644, and 648's.

Also if you went back to a little older machine something like a Hesston 5500 or 5510 or a Case-IH 8440 which all all 5'x5' machines the 7040 would handle easily. I had a Hesston 5500 before I bought my little 8420 and pulled it with my Kubota M4700 so long as it wasn't too hot out and the crop wasn't too heavy. Course the older balers are getting a little tired, but there are many of the older spring tension models that pull easier than the newer hydraulic tension models.

Long story short, there are a lot of baler options out there for any of those tractors, but if you can afford it get the 7040 as the size and weight difference isn't much but the extra pto hp would leave you more baler options.

 

[CumminsLuke]

Also, if you want to look at some of these baler models to get an idea of price poke here.............. Hay and Forage Equipment For Sale at TractorHouse.com

 

[big bubba]

The 7040 also has the limited slip diff., a big plus in a lot of work. go for the 7040 now rather than upgrading later. you won't be sorry bb

 

[WannabeChickenFarmer]

I test drove the tractor and decided to go with the M6040 4 WD R-1 tires and grill guard. The price delivered to my door is $23,370 0% 42. Did I do OK or should I have beat him down a little more??? I didn't want to beat him to hard because I want service in the future. It will be here next week. Can't wait!!! Thanks

 

[CumminsLuke]

Not real sure on the price, doesn't sound too out of line. Let me know if you need more advice on pairing it with a baler, I have done a bunch of research on round balers for 40-70 hp tractors. How much are you wanting to spend on a baler? I'll make some more recommendations.