MX 5100 DT vs. Kubota L4400 HST

ids · Oct 26, 2008

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone might have an opinion on these two tractors. The price is roughly the same, (~240000), but the 44 is HST where the 5100 DT is gear driven -

.I was just wondering is that the only difference? Is the HST just that much better? I was wondering what the DT meant..

Thanks
Steve

P.S. sorry for posting this is 2 threads, wasn't sure which one was more appropriate

Matt_Jr · Oct 26, 2008

I don't know much about either tracor you listed but HST is SWEET!

Bob_Young · Oct 26, 2008

The MX is heavier and heavier duty (but not alot) with a larger engine. Thanks to a larger & stronger front axle, it'll also handle a stronger loader than the L4400. 3PH lifting capability is identical as I recall, but the geometry is less cramped on the MX making it easier to hook up to the larger implements. Other 3PH pluses for the MX are that they usually come with extendable lower links (for easy hookups) and the MX hitch is Cat I/II vs. just Cat I for the L4400....again a help with larger implements.

You've got a classic tradeoff between the L4400 HST's convenience as opposed to the MX's heavier, stronger build. If you see a number of tasks that could stress your tractor to the limits and are comfortable with using a clutch, I'd go with the MX. If the work is fairly routine maintenance of driveways, roads, and fields (bush hogging, light tillage), the L4400's convenience would make it the best choice. With a tiller or a snowblower, the 4400's HST would really shine. A good description of what you're planning will help us help you.

BTW, I have the predecessor to each of the tractors you're considering....an MX5000 and a gear L4300. The L4300 definitely seems the lighter and more nimble of the two and is great for bush hogging around trees with a 5' standard duty cutter. The MX is more of a beast and handles a medium duty (read heavy) 6' bush hog quite well in heavy going. The steering on the MX is better protected on the front than the L4300. The L's steering tierods are exposed in front of the axle and could be bent by impact with a stump in high grass. Did that very thing with the MX this summer and only bent a $12 shield.

Only drawback to the MX that I've found is that the engine has to be revved up to 2700 RPM to get 540 at the PTO. I think the 5100 is the same. It's annoying to have to rev that high, but, so far, I've not needed to. The work gets done quite well at lower RPMs.

DT means "Dual Traction" or 4WD.
FWIW
Bob

Lar1911 · Oct 27, 2008

I just purchased a MX5100 a couple of weeks ago and unfortunately I haven't used it near enough to really evaluate the tractors performance yet.

One reason I went with the MX5100 and hopefully it won't even be an issue for you or at least as big of a deal as it was for myself. I have back problems and found the 5100 to be much more comfortable to operate then any of the L's or even 4xx0 Deeres that I tried. For me the deck is a little roomier, laid out well and the tractor just seemed to ride smoother even with the ag tires that I finally went with compared to industrial on the L's I've driven. I guess that could be my imagination or not a factor for anyone else. The last test drive I could only hang with the 4400 for a few minutes before feeling the effects, so that pretty much did it for me and L's.

Anouther reason was I wanted the tractor was to move large round bales and I already have a 6' cutter along with other impliments and liked the idea of extra weight, power and lifting capabilities of the 5100. The dealers that I had talked with seemed far more reasurring that the MX would easily handle what I wanted. I believe the rear lifting cap. @ 24" the MX is rated at 2310 for the 4wd. with a catagory I/II hitch

In the beginning I thought I really wanted the HST on what ever I choose, but the more I searched and thought about it the less important it seemed to be for my use and the same goes for the full sycronized GST transmission, but they would definetly both have their place. The transmission on the MX is only a partial shuttle (3 & 4) so when shifting from 1st and 2nd gears the tractor needs to come to a stop in both high and low ranges, you also cannot shift from low to high without stopping the tractor. In high range I believe that they recomend starting in 6th and then shifting higher to prevent wear to the clutch.

I wanted a reletively simple tractor and felt I could live without the most of the bells and whistles of the Grand. I did like the compact size of the 4400 and if I needed to move it alot from place to place that would be a plus. We have lots of trees and the smaller size would have been nice too. Even though I liked the L 4400, for my needs the 4800 and 5040 were my closest candidates over the 5100.

The engine on the MX is turbocharged, so far I like it, I don't remember if the 4400 is or not. As of yet I haven't needed to run near the 540 mark either at least while Bush Hogging, but that may soon change knowing what's still needing to be knocked down.

pitt_md · Oct 27, 2008

I don't have either tractors you are looking at. i do have a MX5000 and love it. Heavy duty and simple would best describe it. Note that I don't use it for any type of yard work. Its to big and heavy for most of that.

dex3361 · Oct 27, 2008

I have the L4400 HST. The engine is not turbocharged and with the rear tires loaded it handles a 6 foot rotary mower well. I wanted the HST for the saftey factor on the hills and using the FEL. I am not impressed with the seat on it though. I felt like it was a good buy for what I needed.

ids · Oct 27, 2008

Hi

I really appreciate all the advice...I guess my plans are, I have 2 pieces of land, 6 and 60, the 6 acres will be for gromming the driveway, cleaing out a pre-pond, cleaning out ditches, doing some minor backhoeing..I would image only a few hours a month,,,

On my 60acres piece, its in the foresty program, and we are redoing a bunch of tree removal/planting, but on this piece I will have to do a lot more cleaning up - road maintenance/building, removing stumps at times, and cleanup, there are tons of cans/bottles, etc, so I opting for an open bottom grapple.

My friend said to go with the 5100 since the 6HP difference and heavier weight will be needed, as far as the clutch, he said it was really simple to operate, press a button, step on a pedal and move,,,almost like my ATV, but he said, the 5100 will get the work when needed, and can be pretty much transported when needed

thanks

P.S. It also has a shuttle shift...what is that?

thanks again

RollingsFarms · Oct 27, 2008

ids said:
Hi

I really appreciate all the advice...I guess my plans are, I have 2 pieces of land, 6 and 60, the 6 acres will be for gromming the driveway, cleaing out a pre-pond, cleaning out ditches, doing some minor backhoeing..I would image only a few hours a month,,,

On my 60acres piece, its in the foresty program, and we are redoing a bunch of tree removal/planting, but on this piece I will have to do a lot more cleaning up - road maintenance/building, removing stumps at times, and cleanup, there are tons of cans/bottles, etc, so I opting for an open bottom grapple.

My friend said to go with the 5100 since the 6HP difference and heavier weight will be needed, as far as the clutch, he said it was really simple to operate, press a button, step on a pedal and move,,,almost like my ATV, but he said, the 5100 will get the work when needed, and can be pretty much transported when needed

thanks

P.S. It also has a shuttle shift...what is that?

thanks again

not sure how Kubota's works, but John Deere's works like this:

The SyncShuttleTM transmission has nine forward and three reverse speeds and is perfect for customers needing a durable basic transmission to do a mix of field work and light loader work. The transmission is available on tractors equipped with the MFWD front axle.

Two platform-mounted levers offer easy and comfortable shift operation for a pleasant operator experience. The gear shift lever is easy to reach at the operator's right hand side. The less-used range lever is located on the operator's left hand side. The gear lever selects one of three forward and one reverse gear as well as the integrated park position and the range lever selects collar shift A, B, and C ranges. Operators can easily select speeds or switch directions without having to completely stop the tractor with synchronized, in-line, shuttle shift capability between 2-R (A range), 5-R (B range), and 8-R (C range). Synchronized shifts between speeds for on-the-go shifting with use of the clutch. Shifts between ranges are not synchronized.

Lar1911 · Oct 28, 2008

The MX has what they call a Partially Synchronized transmission where the
3rd and 4th main gears are synchronized. 1st and 2nd are not. I don't remember right now if the Syncshuttle is simular to the FST or GST on the Kubota. I wish I had the manuals here so I don't tell you something that's not correct about the shifting on this tractor, hopefully I can run back tommorrow and pick them up.

I know this looks bad when you don't appear to know what you even have and that really isn't the case, but over the past months I've seen no telling how many models and numbers and at this time of night all the
4xTMxHSTGSTSyncrothisTubothat40's have all started to meld together and to think all I initially wanted was something to pick stuff up, push and run stuff over and chop up anything left that didn't run off first.

Bob_Young · Oct 28, 2008

The L4400 will be easier to transport, especially without the loader and backhoe; but the MX won't be far behind. Both are quite compact. The heavier MX will be more of a problem, though, if you're unable to properly balance the load.

Be advised that you'll use every bit of a 20' trailer transporting either tractor with loader and backhoe installed. You'll also need nearly 20' to transport tractor and bush hog...without the loader. I'm quite sensitive to this as I unwisely bought a 20' pipe trailer with a built-in loading ramp and it allows no overhang. This means that for loads that barely fit on the trailer, there's no room to re-position to achieve a good load balance. Whichever way you put the load on, you're either tongue heavy or tongue light.

If you're not used to clutches, the HST might be the best way to go. There are ways to quickly destroy a clutch if you're not used to them and they're quite expensive to replace. Make sure you know the right way to operate one if you go MX.

My MX5000 has the kind of shuttle shift that requires you to completely stop the tractor when going from forward to reverse...or vice-versa. Once stopped you simply move the range shift lever straight back for reverse or straight ahead to go forward. It has 4 reverse gears available. The MX5100 improves this by having 8 reverse gears, but I still think you have to stop before changing directions---this would be a good question to ask your salesman. With the JD shuttle mentioned above, I believe you can change directions on the fly. Changing direction with an HST is child's play compared to most shuttle shifters.
Bob