M7040 Options? Needs verses Wants...

[SanDucerro]

I paid 40,000 7040cab/4x4/snyc.shuttle/ldr/2remotes/bigger front tires and believe the hyd.shuttle was 42,800. The 8560 was 46,750 hyd.shuttle/4x4/ldr,these prices 5mnths old...
I will add that I unload several tons of feed a year on pallets,thats why I added the bigger front tires cause I dont like the ones that they come with.View attachment 297580newest one on right....

I have a "Cash Price" quote at $40,800 for the same setup. I'm waiting on another dealer I'd prefer to use to send me his quote.

 

[xring100]

Interesting... This is why I started this thread to begin with. I looked up the weight of a pallet of rock salt and found they generally come loaded as 100 bags of 25 lbs or 49 bags of 50 lbs. Using the heavier of the two, we get 2500 pounds to a pallet of rock salt. The LA1153 FEL for the M7040 is rated at 2326 lbs, so it stands to reason you were over the limit. Not by much, but over none the less. The LA1353 for the M8540 is rated at 2866 lbs - so a pallet of rock salt should be within it's limits. I have no idea what the "real world" implications are of these figures - I'm just quoting web sites.

Now - this got me to thinking about the weight of the heaviest item I might lift - and that's a pallet of grapes - which just so happens to be sold by the TON. So, there is a possibility I would need to lift 2000 lbs plus the container they ship in - which is plastic so add another 50 lbs. That brings me to 2050 lbs on a loader rated at 2326. That's pretty tight... I had originally intended to purchase a fork lift for this work, but perhaps the FEL could same me that expense. Having said that - a used fork lift is likely to be less than or no more than the cost of a FEL...

kubota loader specs LA1353
Kubota Loader Specs LA1153
Those numbers are to full height if you look at the Canadian site they give all sorts of numbers especially the very useful point to 60" off the ground 800 mm forward of pivot or approximately the bucket front edge the la1353 on the 8540 will lift just under 4000 lbs the real reason i bought the M8540 over the M7040 LA1153 at 2650 lbs remember my 5000 lb rated forks weigh just over 400 lbs so that comes off the capacity. with that said you could probably narrowly load a 2000 lb pallet onto semi a truck but it would be very close.
(X) Lift Capacity (800 mm forward, 1500 mm height) LA1353
Height hole 3384 lbs. (1535 kg)
Power hole 3957 lbs. (1795 kg)
(X) Lift Capacity (800 mm forward, 1500 mm height) La
Height hole 2227 lbs. (1010 kg)
Power hole 2646 lbs. (1200 kg)
why the US kubota site does give this detail is beyond me.

Some pictures of what the La1353 is capable of lifting. I took 3 full pallets of ~2600-2700 lbs of shingles off the lowes guy after he said there was now way he could get them out to my barn with he 3 wheeler fork lift. In the first picture i was loading just under a 1/2 a cord of wood into my pickup truck in a box that weighs close to 500 lbs empty. I lifted two 3000 lbs pallets out of a freight truck for the neighbors 36x42" i had to grab them long ways out of the truck one of the heaviest things i've lifted with my loader. No need for a forklift or skidsteer with the LA1353

 

[SanDucerro]

Can't do the M8540 - it's 78" wide - which is 6" wider than the M7040 - I have row width and turn radius limits inside the vineyard enclosure. I actually drove 100 miles round trip yesterday just to measure the rear track of a M7040 because I could not trust the numbers from the website. I'm already cutting it way too close with the M7040 at 72" - the wider M8540 just will not work. It's also significantly more expensive and I have to draw the line some where. For me the M7040 is that line - it's the maximum I can cost justify.

However, this brings into question the ability of the M7040's to lift 2000 lbs using the LA1153 loader. If that's doable, then I'll go for the 4WD and the loader. I've read the link above, but I have no idea if the loader can do the job. The task would be to remove a pallet of grapes off the back of a semi truck. This isn't something that would be done everyday - more like twice a year, probably 10 tons in total. What's the "real world" experience like for those of you with this package?

 

[xring100]

Can't do the M8540 - it's 78" wide - which is 6" wider than the M7040 - I have row width and turn radius limits inside the vineyard enclosure. I actually drove 100 miles round trip yesterday just to measure the rear track of a M7040 because I could not trust the numbers from the website. I'm already cutting it way too close with the M7040 at 72" - the wider M8540 just will not work. It's also significantly more expensive and I have to draw the line some where. For me the M7040 is that line - it's the maximum I can cost justify.

However, this brings into question the ability of the M7040's to lift 2000 lbs using the LA1153 loader. If that's doable, then I'll go for the 4WD and the loader. I've read the link above, but I have no idea if the loader can do the job. The task would be to remove a pallet of grapes off the back of a semi truck. This isn't something that would be done everyday - more like twice a year, probably 10 tons in total. What's the "real world" experience like for those of you with this package?

Construction Attachments 3000 lb forks
I looked up the weights of their pallet forks 324 lbs for 42" forks and 388 lbs for 48" you would not need the 48" forks. What size is the container do you need to load 42" or less in depth is probably do able 48" deep might be pushing it. Is this loading into a semi or pickup truck. Lower to the ground increase lift capacity.

Some people around here have built their own loading docks with some cement blocks or cement wall and a dirt embankment Not sure how they reinforced the block to keep it from blowing out. At ground level the loader has a break out force of 3415lbs 800mm forward. realistically you would not need to go more than about 1 or 2 foot above ground level to get the additional lift capacity to load it into a semi if you do come up slightly short.
I know some people turn up the pressure on their relief valves to get more lift this caries some risk. assuming you never tried to lift more than the 2000 lbs you mention you would probably not do any damage to the bearings or front axle since its capable of lifting far more off the ground

I can definitely understand the width of the 8540 being to wide for you My rear tires are between 81 and 82" wide and probably a little more with the tire squat buldge. I have the 18.4" x 30's on the rear

 

[foreman Etexas]

2200lbs is the most. I have lifted onto my gooseneck(may have been 2400 can't remember exactly how many sacks I threw on top of the ton on pallet that day).
Seen this on way home 2wd JD,lol

 

[SanDucerro]

What size is the container do you need to load 42" or less in depth is probably do able 48" deep might be pushing it. Is this loading into a semi or pickup truck. Lower to the ground increase lift capacity.

Opposite direction. I would only be removing pallets of grapes from the semi - not loading. We need more grapes per year than we can grow. Some of the grape varieties we need can not be grown where we are - so I need to "import" those from west Texas. We will eventually be a winery producing Texas wines from grapes grown on the "estate" (our own grapes) as well as grapes from other locations in Texas.

Some people around here have built their own loading docks with some cement blocks or cement wall and a dirt embankment Not sure how they reinforced the block to keep it from blowing out.

That was my thought as well. I'd like the convenience of a dock as we will have shipments coming in of glass ware - bottles and such - on a fairly regular basis.

I can definitely understand the width of the 8540 being to wide for you My rear tires are between 81 and 82" wide and probably a little more with the tire squat buldge. I have the 18.4" x 30's on the rear

The little L3130 is sporting R4 tires and it's already 72" wide. The rows were originally going to be 120" (10 foot), but you'll lose approximately 18" per side to overhang of the vine canopy. So you've actually got 84" of usable path. That's wiggle room of 6" per side - which isn't enough. That leaves me with two options - spring for the 48" wide M7040 Narrow Specialty model or widen the rows. Luckily I can go to 11 foot rows and then cut the spacing between plants from 8' to 7' to maintain about the same number of vines per acre.

 

[xring100]

Opposite direction. I would only be removing pallets of grapes from the semi - not loading.

should be fine then you'll be able to lift it up enough to slide it out of the truck regardless, just make sure you have a lot of counter weight.

what do you do that requires you to take the new tractor down the rows that you don't already do with yourL3130 i'm not really familiar with growing grapes. I know you won't be pulling your 15 foot bat wing down the rows

 

[SanDucerro]

should be fine then you'll be able to lift it up enough to slide it out of the truck regardless, just make sure you have a lot of counter weight.

That I can do...

what do you do that requires you to take the new tractor down the rows that you don't already do with yourL3130 i'm not really familiar with growing grapes. I know you won't be pulling your 15 foot bat wing down the rows

Inside the vineyard? Nothing... :laughing: I just want a new tractor...

Actually, the answer lies entirely in the "need" for a CAB. I'm going to buy a tractor to get the CAB - that's the only true need. But I'll likely use the M7040 to run a spray outfit as well - that way the CAB can add an additional level of protection. And it gets kinda hot in my neck of the woods during summer, so even mowing between the rows will be a lot more comfortable on the big M...

 

[xring100]

I completely understand your need for a bigger tractor and cab if i didn't play in the woods i would have bought a cab. I thought your width constraint was mainly from being inside the vineyard and if you had no need to take the new tractor in the vineyard it might not be a problem. Since you talking about mowing the rows with it and spraying between them looks like width is definitely a concern as you had mentioned earlier.

Have you considered something like a removable tuff top tractor canopy on your L it would make the time out in the sun or rain much more desirable and if you need to lower the rops you can always take it off

 

[SanDucerro]

I have a canopy on it now - that's me and "it" in my avatar. And it definately helps, but the humidity in our area can approach 100% most summer days - so it's just flat miserable outside. On the plus side of things - winter is VERY nice. Although it can be a bit like a roller coaster ride. We had a high in the 70's on Saturday, but we'll hit a low of 30 by Wednesday. High on Tuesday is only suppose to be 48! It's Texas - what can I say... If you don't like the weather, wait a minute - it'll change...

Here's a bigger shot...



Well - once you click on it!

 

[HOG HUNTER]

I HAVE 600 HOURS ON 7040 4 WD IS MUST FOR DIGGING OR IN MUD I LOVE THIS TRACTOR HAVE R4 TIRES CAB YOU GET POSATRACK IN FRONT ON 7040 NO PROBLEMS I MAY TRADE FOR A NEW MODEL 7040 SOME SMALL CHANGES COMING OUT MID 2013 I WILL SEE WHAT TAX MAN SAYS
DAVE FOME MINN [GET 4 WHEEL D]

 

[HOG HUNTER]

I HAVE 600 HOURS ON 7040 4 WD IS MUST FOR DIGGING OR IN MUD I LOVE THIS TRACTOR HAVE R4 TIRES CAB YOU GET POSATRACK IN FRONT ON 7040 NO PROBLEMS I MAY TRADE FOR A NEW MODEL 7040 SOME SMALL CHANGES COMING OUT MID 2013 I WILL SEE WHAT TAX MAN SAYS
DAVE FOME MINN [GET 4 WHEEL D]

 

[SanDucerro]

I appreciate everyones input, but I need to send a special THANK YOU to case245 for pointing out a need for the loader that I had completely missed. The "pallet of rock salt" set me to thinking about moving grapes, and while the M8540 was out of the question due to width, the rest of his suggestion was 100% valid.

I upgraded my "needs" to include the LA1153 loader, which of course converted the 4WD from "don't need" to "need" and then called up my favorite Kubota salesman - Donald Maunch at Rioux Tractor in El Campo. Like everyone else - money's tight, so I asked him to get his pencil really sharp and see what he could do. He came through in a MAJOR way and I'm signing paperwork on my new tractor in the morning! Got a fully loaded M7040, 4WD, CAB, Hyd Shuttle, 2 rear remotes, LA1153 loader, quick attach bucket, radio, full tank of fuel, AND delivery for a price I'd have to get his permission to divulge! He beat the other guys by a country mile! If you need a GREAT deal on a Kubota and you're in my area, give Donald a call at (979) 543-6901, and tell him I sent you - he will treat you right!

Here's me doing the happy dance when his quote came in... :cool2:

 

[TripleR]

I appreciate everyones input, but I need to send a special THANK YOU to case245 for pointing out a need for the loader that I had completely missed. The "pallet of rock salt" set me to thinking about moving grapes, and while the M8540 was out of the question due to width, the rest of his suggestion was 100% valid.

I upgraded my "needs" to include the LA1153 loader, which of course converted the 4WD from "don't need" to "need" and then called up my favorite Kubota salesman - Donald Maunch at Rioux Tractor in El Campo. Like everyone else - money's tight, so I asked him to get his pencil really sharp and see what he could do. He came through in a MAJOR way and I'm signing paperwork on my new tractor in the morning! Got a fully loaded M7040, 4WD, CAB, Hyd Shuttle, 2 rear remotes, LA1153 loader, quick attach bucket, radio, full tank of fuel, AND delivery for a price I'd have to get his permission to divulge! He beat the other guys by a country mile! If you need a GREAT deal on a Kubota and you're in my area, give Doanald a call at (979) 543-6901, and tell him I sent you - he will treat you right!

Here's me doing the happy dance when his quote came in... :cool2:

Fluid in the tires, bucket hooks, pallet forks?

 

[xring100]

Congratulations. You wont regret the loader or 4wd. And im sure you'll love AC in the cab

Dave

 

[SanDucerro]

Fluid in the tires, bucket hooks, pallet forks?

I'll have slime put in the tires before they deliver. We have rather nasty thorns on the Huisache trees on the property and the slime worked great on the L3130's tires. I didn't ask about bucket hooks - not a big deal either way; I have welders in the family and quite a few cans of Kubota orange paint in the shop. No pallet forks yet, the FEL is for future use so I'll pick those up at a later date.

 

[TripleR]

I'll have slime put in the tires before they deliver. We have rather nasty thorns on the Huisache trees on the property and the slime worked great on the L3130's tires. I didn't ask about bucket hooks - not a big deal either way; I have welders in the family and quite a few cans of Kubota orange paint in the shop. No pallet forks yet, the FEL is for future use so I'll pick those up at a later date.

We have fluid in all our tractors we use in the hills for traction and ballast, but went the same route for our tractors out on one of our flatland farms as we were having flats all the time; traction sucks, but they are 2WD tractors.

We got some of these and had the dealer weld them on as a part of the deal, but my sons could have done it easily: TrucknTow - Weld-On Grab Hooks (Pellican Hooks)

You will need some weight on your 3PH to get full use out of the FEL, we put a min of 1000 on our M8540 along with fluid in the tires; same on our L5740.

Congratulations on your tractors, as mentioned, you are going to love that cab.:thumbsup:

 

[xring100]

We have fluid in all our tractors we use in the hills for traction and ballast, but went the same route for our tractors out on one of our flatland farms as we were having flats all the time; traction sucks, but they are 2WD tractors.

We got some of these and had the dealer weld them on as a part of the deal, but my sons could have done it easily: TrucknTow - Weld-On Grab Hooks (Pellican Hooks)

You will need some weight on your 3PH to get full use out of the FEL, we put a min of 1000 on our M8540 along with fluid in the tires; same on our L5740.

Congratulations on your tractors, as mentioned, you are going to love that cab.:thumbsup:

Agreed rim guard on my 18.4 r 30's is about 1800 - 1900 lbs and i still need at least a 1000 lbs of ballast on the 3 point to get max capacity probably closer to 1500 lbs. With that said i can still lift 2200 - 2400 lbs with nothing on the back ( bucket full of wet clay)

Dave

 

[TripleR]

Agreed rim guard on my 18.4 r 30's is about 1800 - 1900 lbs and i still need at least a 1000 lbs of ballast on the 3 point to get max capacity probably closer to 1500 lbs. With that said i can still lift 2200 - 2400 lbs with nothing on the back ( bucket full of wet clay)

Dave

Yeah, we did that when my son and I were mucking out a pond and it was so tight getting in and out, we couldn't put anything on the back, but man it sure feels better with something on the 3PH.

 

[SanDucerro]

Congratulations. You wont regret the loader or 4wd. And im sure you'll love AC in the cab

Dave

Dave - I need to thank you as well for all of the loader info you added to the discussion! And a shout out to TripleR for some great suggestions too! And add foreman Etexas for a PM with another dealer to check with...

In all - everyone's input was valuable! Thanks!