should I get a Kubota 4740 or Deerer 4320

crk133 · Apr 10, 2009

Well I have a wonderful problem that I want to remedy very soon. Currently I have a b7610 that is sold as soon as I can get a new tractor. It does all I want but is cabless and my driveway is over 1/2 mile in snowy NW MI on top of a hill, and besides one of these tractor should be even more fun. So do I get a Kubota 4740 or Deere 4320. The two tractors are nearly identical as far as size and specs and when it comes down to it I think price will be a wash. To make matters "worse" my Kubota dealer tells me for $850 more I can go up to a L5240. I dont know if I want to do that just for simplicitieis sake, but you never know. I have ordered an Erskine 78"rear pull blower with hydraulic chute and deflector. Both dealers are good so thats a non factor. I have test driven them both and I still cant decide.

cab
hst
quick attach loader
w/3rd function valve (I have an ATI bucket grapple I will be putting on it)
HD bucket (no bolt on edge)
r4 tires
3 rear remotes
rear wiper
rear work lights
block heater
im supplying the radio
no fluid in tires
top hydraulic cyl.
2 sets of rear wheel weights (I do not want filled tires anymore)

*if i get the Deere im getting the air-ride seat thats a definate plus

I might delete the 3rd rear remote if i get the Kubota as I cant find a real need for 4 total extra remotes

-I do not want to buy a plow truck. I have two pickups and I dont want a plow for either one...maybe someday for the tractor
-I do not want to buy an aftermarket cab for the b7610
-I have driven other brands and have narrowed it down to Deere/Kubota for various reasons

I know this has bern asked before one way or another but with these options what do my fellow tbn'rs think? Am I misisng anything you think I should get?

primary uses:
1.snowblowing
2.mowing ---gonna try out one of those cheap ebay flail mowers
3.loader work
4.making trails
5.grade drive

**I must have spent 5 minutes proofreading this post and as soon as I hit post I notice the typo in the title......owell**

jenkinsph · Apr 10, 2009

I think you may want to add more rear wheel weights since two sets is not that much weight (450 lbs total). Also for the 4320 get the telescopic draft links, makes hitching up way easier. If you think you may want to use the tractor without the fel in place get several front weights to have if needed.

Steve

crk133 · Apr 11, 2009

jenkinsph said:
I think you may want to add more rear wheel weights since two sets is not that much weight (450 lbs total). Also for the 4320 get the telescopic draft links, makes hitching up way easier. If you think you may want to use the tractor without the fel in place get several front weights to have if needed.

Steve

i didnt want the weights to stick out beyond the tire/rims is why i picked 2 sets of them. as far as telescopic links they are on my "mental" list i just forgot to put them in the message. it gets a bit confusing between the two brands as far as what is standard equipment and what the options are. the fel will always be on thats why I bought the rear pull blower.

thank you for the suggestions

Spudland_Dave · Apr 11, 2009

Both are good machines....Seriously speaking, buy whichever one has the better dealer.
I went between a Deere & Kubota when I was shopping and the way the Kub dealer treated me sent me straight to the Deere dealer. Every time I do business with my JD Dealer, I'm glad I chose them.

GreenWannabe · Apr 12, 2009

You may find that you want to put a tooth bar or at least a cutting edge on the bucket. The tooth bar helps tremendously when digging with the FEL, and the cutting edge will take the wear rather than wearing the bucket. Both are removeable when necessary, and both will extend the life of the expensive bucket. Good luck, and enjoy the shopping.

ddivinia · Apr 17, 2009

You might want the cruise option.

Telescopic links is for sure.

Bolt on tooth bar on the bucket is awesome.

I have a 4520 cab and love it.

If you are going to be in a low traction area - might consider R1s. The R4s in mud are horrible. I don't get stuck, but they ball up mud like it is going out of style.

D.

traderrik · Apr 18, 2009

In the event you haven't seen this thread, here's my previous response to a fellow that was (is?) on the fence about the merits of Kubota's 'Grand' models. Maybe some of this will answer a question or two for you about the 4740. And I wouldn't take for my tooth bar...

"I now have 150+ hours on my Grand L4740 and overall I couldn't be more pleased with this tractor - especially the HST, the 4-wheel drive and the Quick Attach loader system. My only disappointment is that it struggles to lift 1 ton of palleted feed with the pallet forks. (I've come to realize that it's a leverage thing; much of the weight is too far out in front.) But even the 5740 has the same LA854 loader.

After doing *a lot* of research, especially on this forum, I had originally decided on the 4240. However, the 286 Bush Hog I wanted required a bit more PTO horsepower, and the 4740 fit the bill.

Even though the stock Grand is fairly "loaded", I added several optional features in addition to the items listed in my "signature", and am glad that I did: Rear defroster & wiper, side defogger kit, draft control, rear work lights, and of course a stereo & CD player

I have only 2 regrets: I didn't have Top-N-Tilt included, as I've been doing a good bit of road box blading and that feature would sure be nice to have. (I now plan to add a hydraulic top link from Carter & Carter Machinery.) And I wish that I had the 3rd function valve on the loader, as I plan to purchase a grapple; naturally it's more expensive to add now.

Hope this helps.

P.S. - Regardless of which model & features you choose, Kubota's insurance is relatively inexpensive; I found it impossible to beat for it's cost & comprehensive coverage."

complete thread here: L-series vs Grand L - TractorByNet.com

crk133 · Apr 18, 2009

well i decided on the 5240 and hope to take delivery in a week or so. thanks for all the suggestons.

drtwpmd · Apr 20, 2009

Hello CRK133. Think I might have received an email from you a week or so ago about my purchase of a L4740 in Michigan. If you don't mind, can you let me know the price paid for the 5240? I struggled with the 4240 vs 4740 vs 5240, but obviously settled on the middle one. I never really got around to pricing the 5240 and wonder what they're going for. Also, did your dealer say anything about, or do you know anything about, substantially increased diesel consumption with spinning that turbo as compared to naturally aspirated 4740? That was a concern of mine and have seen reference to it on other websites.

Either one would be a stupendous machine for you and I have a smile on my face every time I dismount the tractor. Enjoy!