New, larger tractor

[Trillium Farm]

I have 80 acres, mile long gravel driveway and I'm a tree farmer - along with Mother Nature. I started this adventure in 1982 with a brand new Ford 1710 4WD. For 27 years the little Ford and I got most of the jobs completed. In 2009 I traded the Ford in for my current 2009 Kubota M6040. Its is also - open station and 4WD. With its ability to handle class 2 implements - I can now get the larger tasks completed.

I'm very fortunate - no fields to mow - no need for a cabbed tractor. I enjoy winter snow plowing dressed in my Eddie Bauer arctic gear.

I just wish the change over on class 2 implements was a tad easier. But I guess I have no room to complain - I'm in good health - retired with all the time in the world.

I'm with you as I too prefer open station, but these days with all the electronics I'd buy the cab just to keep them protected. they are the biggest PITA to me.

 

[oosik]

Trillium Farm - - I have to agree with you on all the electronics and need for adequate protection. So far my 2009 Kubota has been OK as far as electronics. I think - since its about one year pre-tier 4 - perhaps not so much electronics to get futzed up just being stored in an open car port.

 

[searcyfarms]

I guess im lucky, I keep all my stuff inside - that will save anything wear and tear even cars - I only have vehicles and 2 tractors with electronics it will be interesting to see how that holds up compared to my old stuff. I will say that for my 16y/o truck it has needed one module so far and a couple sensors - not bad I guess considering it has a lot of electronics on it being a diesel. I think most of the electronic stuff these days is pretty good as a whole - sure there are quirks with anything here n there but overall look at the quantity of items and how much we use all of it daily and its pretty solid. im sold on the whole CAB thing!!!! got my first one this year and never going back if I spend any time in something - well worth it in my opinion

 

[standup616]

Many people have said, figure what size you want/need and go one or 2 bigger. Im planning the cab route myself and double the horsepower from what Ive been using for alot of reasons. Using 100% of my horsepower 90% of time and still struggling is premature failure and difficult seat time. Worth money to me to make it more comfortable, cleaner and biggest of all safer. Just tranplanted last year from my lifelong city zip code thats gone bad to 65 acres, 55 mile away from my fire station and old house. Im thinking I may want to actually try growing something other than weeds and stuff to attract deer in my back field or closer to house when Im not bouncing shifts and 2 jobs. Winter can be hot/humid in south Alabama, summers much much worse and 60/70 inches or more rain a year has its consequences. Year round heat/rain leaves the insect population pretty brutal. There is a year round growing season for undesirables of all kinds. I have a L35 kubota TLB, with 530 hours bought new in 99, its weak on the pto for my acreage, struggles with a 5 ft cutter I have borrowed from friend that hunts my land. With a cab may get my wife outside on the new one and me on the l35 once get her over the “you dont need 2 tractors,” cause Im not planning on selling and wont be a storage problem once I get a bigger roof to work under after I get our old house/shop sold...

 

[OrFish]

Again, I appreciate all the responses. Spent about 6 hours on the BX yesterday and my main compaints were 1) getting the crap kicked out of me by bumps and ruts when mowing, 2)Getting stuck with mower by the ruts 3)unable to grade uphill (the gravel driveway grader set on float) without just spinning.

Maybe I need a heavier tractor more than just power!

I found a MX5200 and a M7040 on craigs, but both had manual transmissions. All the youtube dealers say that majority of sales are hydrostats, so I had not considered a manual. Maybe I am wrong on that

 

[majorwager]

OrFish.
Transmission satisfaction is dependent upon tasks. gear, I have an 8 speed for mowing and it suites my needs well. I have two loader tractors w/ hydro, loader tasks simply faster, more efficient w/ HST. Tire diameter can effect tractor speed. Gear resale is less popular unless they are a shuttle type. Mechanical preferred less than hydraulic shuttle.

The MX likely straight gear, the M 7040 a shuttle, (mechanical).

Again, tasks dictate. My gear tractor has FEL. Although less convenient, FEL is a must have feature.

Are these used tractors MFWA? Erroneously called 4wd by the unwashed. My gear tractor is 2wd, not used for ground engagement.

If you decide a gear tractor, just do not over pay. I love mine , but it is NOT a do everything well machine.

 

[Bigpuddie]

7040 is hydraulic shuttle, not mechanical ^^^

 

[majorwager]

Bigpuddie,

Must disagree. The hydraulis shuttle was an option and most were shipped w/ sync-shuttle which is mechanical.

 

[Bigpuddie]

Bigpuddie,

Must disagree. The hydraulis shuttle was an option and most were shipped w/ sync-shuttle which is mechanical.

In my area...we only see the hydraulic. I stand corrected

 

[jeff9366]

Currently have a BX-23 with backhoe.

I just bought 70 acres of clearcut replanted 3 years ago. The terrain is hilly, with stumps everywhere. I am considering a larger tractor, maybe keeping the BX for "in the barn/arena" maintenance.

I looked at the L2501 and l3301.

Spent about 6 hours on the BX yesterday and my main compaints were 1) getting the crap kicked out of me by bumps and ruts when mowing, 2)Getting stuck with mower by the ruts 3)unable to grade uphill (the gravel driveway grader set on float) without just spinning.

Maybe I need a heavier tractor more than just power!

I found a MX5200 and a M7040 on craigs, but both had manual transmissions. All the youtube dealers say that majority of sales are hydrostats, so I had not considered a manual. Maybe I am wrong on that

MX5200 = 3,800 pounds, bare tractor. (( Caution: Not all MX series tractors are 4-WD.))

M7040 = 5,000 pounds, bare tractor, open station
73" wide with R1 tires, probably 78" wide with R4 tires. Width inhibits passage between trees.

VIDEO: Kubota MX Series VS. Kubota M Series - YouTube

Tractors up to and including 60-horsepower are generally available with HST (pump) transmission.

Over 60-horsepower Utility Tractors are gear rather than pump driven. Not "clutch and gear" as in cars and trucks.

Heavier tractors are mostly used in field work where gears make more sense.

 

[majorwager]

MX5200 = 3,800 pounds, bare tractor. (( Caution: Not all MX series tractors are 4-WD.))

M7040 = 5,000 pounds, bare tractor, open station
73" wide with R1 tires, probably 78" wide with R4 tires. Width inhibits passage between trees.

VIDEO: Kubota MX Series VS. Kubota M Series - YouTube

Tractors up to and including 60-horsepower are generally available with HST (pump) transmission.

Over 60-horsepower Utility Tractors are gear rather than pump driven. Not "clutch and gear" as in cars and trucks.

Heavier tractors are mostly used in field work where gears make more sense.

Jeffy,
Just a slight adjustment. Some +60 hp tractors still utilize mechanical shuttles requiring the clutch to shift. And changing ranges is not so different than the car/truck shifting reference.
And just to interupt tradition, the swiss offer a 109 hp hydrostatic pump transmission in their tractor. And the deere and others IVT trannys are all hydro and actually superior to any HST in a compact. Go test drive one, you'll be amazed at the simplicity as your feet are NOT required.

 

[Tennsawdust]

Don't forget the CVTs as well.

 

[OrFish]

I appreciate all the advice. I did end up purchasing a used L4740 with 300 hours. I really ended up between than and a MX5200. I am having the dealer install the top and tilt kit and front grapple. Now I just need to keep my eye out on used 6' implements, and use my old 4' ones until then.

 

[jeff9366]

L4740 is an excellent choice. I really enjoy my L3560, a more compact Grand L.

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[majorwager]

Orfish,

Good luck and know that is a nice all glass aftermarket cab available for your tractor if the desire arises.

 

[BMan2005]

Heavier tractors are mostly used in field work where gears make more sense.

Curious why you say this?

 

[searcyfarms]

I would agree that larger/heavier for field work, my neighbor has gotten rid of all but one of his 6K series deere and has 7 and 8K series now

he has 6 total

I have one larger case ih and one heavy farmall for field work and even mowing large patches of CRP

all are gear/partial power shift

 

[jeff9366]

Curious why you say this?

HST is particularly adept when tractor direction and speed changes often, ie: Loader work.

Also particularly useful on hills, where HST applies automatic engine braking.



In field work long pulls in one direction, at one speed, in big fields are the norm. No/few hills in field work.

Gear tractors are about 5% to 7% more fuel efficient than HST tractors. When using a tractor 300 to 400 hours per year in ground engagement field work, when fuel use may be 2-3-4 gallons per hour, fuel economy becomes important to profitability.

Gear transmissions generate significantly less heat than HST transmissions.

 

[majorwager]

HST is particularly adept when tractor direction and speed changes often, ie: Loader work.

Also particularly useful on hills, where HST applies automatic engine braking.



In field work long pulls in one direction, at one speed, in big fields are the norm. No/few hills in field work.

Gear tractors are about 5% to 7% more fuel efficient than HST tractors. When using a tractor 300 to 400 hours per year in ground engagement field work, when fuel use may be 2-3-4 gallons per hour, fuel economy becomes important to profitability.

Gear transmissions generate significantly less heat than HST transmissions.

JEFFY,

NO HILLS IN FIELD WORK, Demonstrates a complete DISCONNECT w/ the real world. The ground may be FLAT in Florida, YET the rest of us deal w/ plenty of hilly ground in field work !!

 

[Trillium Farm]

Trillium Farm - - I have to agree with you on all the electronics and need for adequate protection. So far my 2009 Kubota has been OK as far as electronics. I think - since its about one year pre-tier 4 - perhaps not so much electronics to get futzed up just being stored in an open car port.

Oosik I'll give a tip, if you have nearby a Krown Rust Protection center go and buy one of their spray cans and douse all the electronics with it every year when it's warm. This will allow the spray to spread throughout the wire and protect the terminals from rust & oxidation (corrosion) This procedure has stood me in good stead over the years and I've never head any electronic problems.