New member with Kubota tractor size (and model) question

[Greyhound101]

Hey guys,

I'm new to this site and new to Kubota. Currently, I have a Ford 4610 with loader that I pull a Bush Hog 296 cutter with. I'm looking to replace it with a Kubota that will also pull the BH 296. I've called around to a few dealerships and gotten varying opinions on what size I need. I only want what's large enough to pull that cutter as that's the largest job I'll ask the tractor to do. Thanks for any replies.

 

[C4Ranch]

I don't know the size of that cutter but typically 5 pto hp per ft minimum.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[k0ua]

In general a tractor with 25 to 30 Horsepower at the PTO to pull this 6 foot rotary cutter. BUT, some caveats. It depends somewhat on what you are cutting with the cutter, for instance weeds will cut a bunch easier than 2 inch saplings.! It is easier to drag it around on flat ground vs. hilly terrain. Also consider the size of the tractor, can it effectively move the cutter and has enough weight not to be thrown around by the cutter? Just because a tractor has a given amount of PTO horsepower does not mean it has the weight of other tractors with the same PTO horsepower but perhaps twice the weight. An example a Kubota B3200 weigh's about 1760 lbs and has about the same PTO horsepower or just a little less than my tractor that weighs about 4000 lbs. Which tractor do you think will be able to handle a heavy rotary cutter of that size on hilly ground the best (think tail wagging the dog)? It is not as easy of a question as you might think.

 

[k0ua]

Further research on the Bush Hog 296 cutter shows this to be a heavy duty cutter, both in terms of weight, 1095 lbs, and what is is designed to cut, 3 inch saplings. The manufacture recommends 45 PTO horsepower as the minimum PTO horsepower and rates the gearbox up to 130 horsepower.. Now we are looking at some serious sized tractors if you intend to cut 3 inch saplings with it.. What are you going to use it for?

 

[Greyhound101]

I use it for keeping my deer lease maintained and for cutting a small pasture twice a year. I don't cut 2" saplings with it but that's not something that's out of the question.

 

[k0ua]

I use it for keeping my deer lease maintained and for cutting a small pasture twice a year. I don't cut 2" saplings with it but that's not something that's out of the question.

Well, if you are set on a Kubota, and you are just going to cut pasture mostly, and some small brush, the an L3800 . And if you want to tackle the big stuff the cutter is capable of then an MX5100 or one of the Grand L's like a 5060.

 

[Greyhound101]

I'm leaning towards a M5140. There's only a few of them left on lots. I'd rather not have to pay for the extra emissions stuff if I can help it.

 

[k0ua]

I'm leaning towards a M5140. There's only a few of them left on lots. I'd rather not have to pay for the extra emissions stuff if I can help it.

If you are lucky enough to find one, that should work.

 

[azkubotaguy]

L3800, great machine.