Okay it's down to two models. Need a vote

[challengertn]

Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

It's down to the M4800SU at $13,800 or the MX5000 at $13,500. Both are two wheel drive no frills except the 4800 is a shuttle shift. My needs are primarily bushhogging with some pretty steep hills, disking, mowing some larger lawn areas with a rear deck mower, using a turning plow in some heavy red clay based soil, rear tine tilling, and a little bit of rooting or chisel plowing. Implements range from 5 ft. for the tiller up to 6 1/2 for the disk. Both will have to have draft control added for the turning plow. I know it is hard to tell someone else what to do but tell me what you would do.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

I'd opt for shuttle shift. I have become quite spoiled. I just much prefer it over the old standard shifts.

 

[Egon]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

Which gives you more versatility in the transmission department??

Egon

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

They are both 8FX4R. Two models up it goes to 12x12.

 

[rbargeron]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

From your description of your place and the jobs you are planning, my suggestion would be to get 4wd. Having front wheels pulling too makes all the difference. Mowing on flat land 4wd isn't needed. Almost everywhere else it is a very useful feature. A 30 hp tractor with 4wd will perform like a 40 hp with 2wd. How much does 4wd actually add?

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

No doubt about it Dick. Just yesterday I was moving my cut material with my loader and boxscraper through a swamp. I am amazed how well it could do it even with my fronts almost 3/4's buried. I did not fear getting stuck because I also had terra firma a short distance away where my truck could help retrieve my tractor. The whole time I'm doing all this work I kept think about O'l PruntyC and his insistance that you could do most anything with 2WD that you could with 4WD, it all depended on the operators experience. I guess I would have to classified as a lousy operator. I would never have attempted this work without 4WD. Without a doubt, there are things that 4WD can do that 2WD just can't touch, well unless your PruntyC.

 

[DLMaine01]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

My vote is for the M4800. Looking at the spec sheets it's more tractor for very little more money. And I will third the motion for 4wd, you will not regret it.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Dave

 

[rbargeron]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

Hi Mark - with the jobs you've tackled I'd say you are more of a master operator.
I can't say I remember PruntyC - but I do remember when the first little John Deere 4wd tractors (green Yanmars) were introduced in the '70s. I had tried out a 50 hp Ford 2wd in my orchard pulling a 400 gallon sprayer. The little 22 hp 4wd JD was actually more competent in the muddy areas than the much bigger Ford. Sold me on 4wd on the spot.
Take care,
Dick B

 

[challengertn]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

Don't get me wrong I'd like to have 4WD just as much as the next guy but I feel like that is a $2000+ option I could get by without. I also read on this website that they are a little more damaging to turf when mowing.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

Haven't seen him for some time. He had his mug on his postings. Probably about 65 years old. Nice enough fellow but a real advocate for 2WD. I think that may be part of why he isn't here. I would say there are maybe 2 hardcore 2WD tractor guys out there. You gotta remember though, we are typically offering advice to inexperienced or completely new to tractor folks. 4WD is so invaluable and not just when conditions are mucky. As you mention, I always try to mow in 2WD, after that, it's pretty much 4WD all the way. Even today, I nearly buried my L3830 but between the loader lifting the front end like a sled and the getting the fronts on firmer ground, I was out of trouble. 4WD, I would wait until I could afford it. At the very least, the resale on a 4WD has got to be much, much higher.

Here's his last post, almost a year to the day. PruntyC's last post

 

[Egon]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

I believe there were sudden serious medical problems with an immediate family member of PruntyC which may be taking up most of his time. Wish the best for him.

Egon

 

[rbargeron]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

I'm reminded of a story about a guy who was getting his hair cut and told the barber he was going to take a trip to Rome to see the Pope. The barber said "airplanes are crowded and always late, hotels can be dirty, and you won't get close enough to the Pope to see him."

After he got back the barber asked him about his trip. "The airplane was huge, he said, and was right on time, the hotel was spotless and I actually got to talk directly with the Pope." "What did he say?" asked the barber. "He asked where I got the crummy haircut." /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[challengertn]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

I appreciate everyone answering my posts because as they say there is a wealth of information on here. I also don't want anyone to think that I don't listen to the advice I've received but as with all decisions it ultimately comes down to the individual having to decide what best suits him or her. As I said before I would like to have a 4WD but just can't justify the expense for what the tractor will be used for. I won't be using a loader, or working when the ground is wet such as moving round bales of hay, construction, etc. We have managed to get by for 50+ years with a 2WD tractor. I'm not arguing that they are better, just plenty good for what we need. To me it's kinda' like buying a Cadillac when a Chevy will do the job and fits the budget better.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

Those are reasons enough to have 2WD. Once summer hits, my tractor see's far less 4WD unless I'm doing loader work. I try to mow in 2WD as it does not eat the grass up like 4WD will.

 

[ljh2]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

Having grown up with old narrow-front 2WD row-crop tractors and putting them through some very tough swamp and woods logging tasks, I agree that a 2WD rig can do a lot more than some people might think possible. I think one of the big things that worked well for them was the high ground clearance.

There are a few good reasons for 4WD, but it doesn't sound like they really apply to your circumstances. Modern utility tractors have lower ground clearance than some of the old row-crop tractors, but if you don't plan to work in the mud, then that probably doesn't matter too much to you. The 4WD does really help during loader operation, but you say you don't plan to use a loader. I really like the 4WD on my M6800.

Since your obviously not new to tractors and you know exactly how you plan to use the rig, then by all means save yourself the $$$ and go with the 2WD.

Looking back at the specs for both of them (I wanted more HP and weight for haying on slopes), I think I'd recommend the M4800 over the MX5000. Of course operator comfort comes into play some here (which can only be judged by trying both), but the M4800 has the MX5000 beat in just about everything except HP, and that is close enough to be a non-issue. Greater 3pt capacity, more weight (traction), planetary final drive...

That said, I think either one of them will easily handle everything you've mentioned. A 6-1/2 foot tandem disk will not even be noticable behind this machine. You don't mention how many bottoms your plow has, but it would handle a 2 bottom with ease and if the ground has been worked recently (and isn't too rocky) would probably handle 3 bottoms alright too.

Good luck with your decision. You won't go wrong with either one for your stated needs.


/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rbargeron]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

When I read your description of the jobs and the soil type I was thinking maybe if the same money was spent on a smaller tractor with 4wd it might work well for you. I'm sorry I didn't pick up on your long experience with tractors - now that I know that, my bet is you would like the M4800 better.
Any chance your dealer would let you try them out for a day or two each? (some dealers still do this)

 

[FarmGeek]

Re: Okay it\'s down to two models. Need a vote

I just made a similar decision so maybe my observation can help. I was deciding between the price of the M4800SU and the deluxe features of the L4330.
So what did I get? I bought the M4900! It was less than the Grand L but had many of the deluxe features that were lacking on the M4800. Features that save me time every day and makes the whole ownership experience sooooo much better. Yes, its only 2WD but it replaced my trusty Ford 3000.
You mentioned mowing and plowing - I've done both and the full sync tranny of the 4900 is worth the price difference alone!
Check out the 4900, you'll like it.