Round two with tractor purchase

[wmonroe]

I have a L5240 and use it for all my home needs. Plow snow on my 1100’ driveway, finish mow, brush hog, loader work, etc. I do normally take the loader off for mowing but it’s not required. I have R1’s and it doesn’t mark the yard unless it’s wet out.

I did just purchase a BX for my wife to mow with since she doesn’t like the rear finish mower. I’m out of town for work some in the spring and fall so some of the mowing duty falls on her. However if I was back to when I purchased the 5240 I would not change my decision. I’ve been very happy with that size and would do it again.

 

[radioman]

OMG -- i reading this whole post and all i can think of is why does he really need all that horsepower? no farming, no commercial business with the tractor. look .. i get it, we all love the biggest, shiny and baddest machines if we can afford it. when you saying a "cadailac" tractor rotting away in the garage- sorry it feels kinda offensive in some way. having a tractor sitting in a garage is awesome knowing its ready for ANY action you need it for rather then not having anything that works. for the amount of money you are willing to spend -- would you consider 2 smaller machines? or used L series with cab and loader/grapple/rear blower for clearing snow and picking up big stuff and new BX with loader and mower ? If you had a loader on BX - I can guarantee you will be it all the time for wheelbarrow work during summer as its so easy to put on and off . use BX for mowing as it will be lightest tractor but nimble enough for many things as you say you have 1.5 acres to mow. the only time i wouldnt get a BX if you want a perfectly manicured lawn all the time and time is money for you and you will have lots of trees and things in the yard to go around then get a zero turn kubota. the BX mows nicely - can mow 1.5 acres in hour . zero can do it much quicker .

 

[OrangeMuscle]

Excellent points radioman. After reading your post I revisited and watched about ten youtube videos on the BX. It seems like a great machine. I want 1 tractor and one mower. The mower search I believe is over, I think I am buying the Kubota Z421KW-54 for the 1.5 acres. The BX does appear to be nice and nimble. If it had a cab I would consider.

I really would like a cab. I do wish I could make the B2650 work. That would be the most sensibly suited tractor for my property. I could handle what I want. Its just too cramped in the cab. I am 6'3", and it feels so restricted. Also coming for the L6060 spaciousness its doubly difficult to adjust to the B2650 cab. I also don't like the gas peddle. Felt uncomfortable to me. So unfortunately that puts me in the Grand L series again. I agree in some ways it is overkill. I am still wrestling between the 4760 and 6060. I ruled out the 4060.

Here are 2 pics of what enjoyed most, grappling.

 

[arrow]

Good choice with the mower. I don't blame you for wanting a Kubota. It does limit your choices as your tractor needs would all be accomplished with a smaller machine such as their L3000 series. You want a cab however and I see nothing that provides that with this model so you're forced to jump up. You have too much tractor now and yes, the axiom "buy the biggest you can afford" does not always fit as you've found out.

There are other brands that seem very spacious with their smaller cabbed tractors but I'll forego other manufacturer recommendations since you are bent on getting Kubota. Good luck with your search.

 

[OrangeMuscle]

Still have not made a decision on purchase yet, but I just rented a bobcat T590 tracked skid steer for a month that came with a grapple. I did an amazing amount of work with it. Removed all saplings and cleared and scraped around 5 acres of the perimeter around the house. The capability of the skid steer blew me away, as it was my first time riding one. I would never in a million years have been able to grapple with the L6060 like this. Not just because the tractor is less nimble, but because it is more fragile. I would have broken the arms off and ripped off the hydraulic lines for sure. I tore through the forest and it is now manicured and looks gorgeous. When I grappled with the tractor I was always worried about breaking the glass or something else. Im not sure I could have hurt the skid steer if I tried.

Now Im wondering if I should get a skid steer instead of a tractor. I read all the threads on here comparing the two choices, and it was often repeated that the skid steers are more costly. Both the Kubota L6060 and the Kubota SVL65 skid steer are the same price. Attachments are a bit more for the skid steer, but not much. Someone mentioned that its best to get a tractor for all the general purpose work, and then rent a skid steer when you want to get crazy and blaze through the forest. With any luck I'll figure this out.

 

[oosik]

I feel your pain. My first tractor was a Ford 1700 4WD. The 3-point was class 1. I upgraded to a Kubota M6040 in 2009. Its 3-point is class 2. Last year I finally sold the last of my class 1 implements and upgraded to all class 2.

 

[Ricn]

Sometimes there just to many tractors to choose from. After purchasing our L2501 and putting a flail mower on back, taking off the quick connect loader, I mow several acres with ease around tree's and flower beds plus the pasture area. Great tractor with R4 tires gets it done! Used to mow with a rider then a zero turn but no longer! Being a big guy I find all the L series tractors very comfortable and easy on and off too. No cab though, just a canopy.

Ricn