Price Check Size? Price?

Anonymous Poster · Aug 2, 2000

Found you yesterday and what a relief to see other idiots have the same questions I do. Real life Tractor Talk. I currently am considering a Kubota. Am thinking M4700 - M5400 low hour, clean, used or NEW M4900 - M5700. I currently own 25 acres and play at farming, grow big garden, raise a few Angus beef cattle. I soon (3 yrs) will retire and play at it more. Want to have a good New or Low Hour Used tractor to last me thru the rest of my years. I currently own , and have for 15 years a Ford 1900, 32 HP, 4WD. Has been a great little tractor and can't say anything bad about it.
Are the 4700, 5400, 4900,5700 Kubotas the same physical size? If so I want all the HP I can afford. 4WD is a must as my little tractor works like a 45 HP that is all I will consider. Do all of you like the Kubota loader or an aftermarket brand better. As many of the messages I read yesterday on your log I am having trouble finding a Local Dealer in which I can put my trust. All are pricing within $250 of each other and I don't know how much markup is in these things but I haven't gotten serious with anyone yet in the form of an offer. They all seem very high to me at the $26K+ range. If any of you have comments, questions fire em off at me. If you know of a reputable dealer in the Middle Tennessee area let me know.

Bird · Aug 2, 2000

Lem, since I own a smaller Kubota, I don't have the answer to your questions, but suggest you check out http://www.kubota.com for specs on the different models, and also click on the banner for Carver Equipment and look at the prices he posts for different models. That'll give you a good place to start. And I've forgotten the dealer's name, but there have been some favorable messages posted about a dealer in Tennessee that you might find using the "search" feature on this forum. Kubota.com, as well as this forum, has some listings of dealers around the country.

Bird

Thomas · Aug 2, 2000

Lem,
By the sounds you have plenty of tractor time under your belt,so go with your gut feeling and have fun making that purchase./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Stay safe and /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Thomas..NH

W5FL · Aug 2, 2000

Hi,

Yes, the M4900, M5700 and M6800 are all about the same size. I have the M6800SR. All three are fully sync transmission, but used 1999 and back will not be. The new ones also have the shuttle shift on the dash and that is a very nice feature. Look carefully at prices. I bought an M6800 with LA1002 loader and quick connect kit for bucket with tires loaded with antifreeze (non/toxic) and 50 hour service included for $27,000. The M5700 should be about $1500 less and the M4900 should be about $24,000.

The M Series are really nice tractors. The M6800 has adjustable 3 point links which are worth the $1500 by themselves plus a much heavier duty front and rear axle and is the only one in this series that has a differential lock for the front and rear axles. The front tires are large enough (24 in wheels) that it will go over a lot of small drainage dishes and washes that smaller front tires can's handle. The tractor with tires loaded and loader weighs a little less than 8000#, yet the tires are wide enough that the pounds per square inch of contact area is comparable to many of the smaller compact tractors. The large tires have a lot of traction and ride well.

The Kubota loader is the ONLY way to go. It is a really nice loader and everything fits and works together. With the quick connect bucket, pull two pins and you can use a hay spear or pallet forks with the loader. Look at the mounting on the loader to the tractor, and you will see that no aftermarket is as well fitted to the tractor.

The M6800 has a 4 cylinder that starts and runs everytime. It has as much power at idle as my last 40 HP tractor had a PTO speeds, yet it turns in an average of about 1 gallon diesel consumption/hour.

The next step up in the M Series gets a lot larger wheelbase (and nicer loader), but I did not want to lose the maneuverability of the M6800.

Search this site and the archives under M6800, M4700, M4900, M5400, M5700 and you will find quite a bit (all good) written about these tractors. Good Luck.

p.s. Register and then the system will keep track of the messages you have read, send you an email when someone answers you, and let you keep up with things easier while you are looking. There is no downside to registering.

stvman · Aug 2, 2000

Dittos, Bird

I believe tractorsmart.com is the other site in tenn. Carvers jack rabbit pages also for no nonsence prices

JimBinMI · Aug 3, 2000

LEM,

With 15 happy years of tractoring on a Ford...why not look at New Holland also? They at least deserve a look and the ergonomics are preferred by many!

Good Luck and happy hunting!

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

Anonymous Poster · Aug 3, 2000

The 1900 has served me well and can say no bad about it. Have looked at the 2120, but feel I need more HP. The new TN 55, 65, 70 series is just too big for my needs. As I saw someone else say in this forum I am also a little leary as to the direction of NH, Case, Ford or whoever they are aligned with today. I heard by next year the 1920,2120 and rest of compact line will be replaced by the BOOMER line and or TC compact line. Those tractors are a little too radical and YUPPIE looking for me. Thanks for your comments

JimBinMI · Aug 3, 2000

LEM,

You're right, most agree that they are the best looking tractors on the market. Consider the front slope that causes you to see better off the front and especially when doing loader work...as reported by owners using loaders with the new New Holland tractors.

By the way, CNH - Case New Holland is the World's largest manufacturer of agricultural equipment! /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

Good Luck, JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

Rowski · Aug 3, 2000

LEM,

I bought a 2120 late this spring. My dealer told me that the 1720 & 1920 are not in production any more. He stated to me that the TC45 would not replace the 2120. As far as power from the 2120 I have done a lot of loader, backhoe, and rear blade work and never lacked. I have not used the PTO yet. I have a chipper that is hydrualic feed by the tractor hydrualics and the knives and blower are run from the PTO. This is really going to be a good test to see if it has "power". I will be using the chipper hopefully by the end of the month.

I didn't get a TC45 because there was a waiting period and it was new to production and there was no backhoe avalible at the time. Personally I don't like getting something in the first year of production if I can help it. The 2120 has been a proven model (been around for about 10ish years?). I'm sure that someday the 2120 will also be replaced. The TC45 is a really, really nice tractor. Maybe I should have waited to get the TC but I can always trade. My dealer aslo told me that the resale value of the 2120 is really good. He told me that he can't forsee the future but that I will be likely to get what I bought it for.

I have been using the tractor for about 50hrs. If you have any questions let me know.

Derek

stvman · Aug 3, 2000

Lem ,

Back in the 70's Triumph introduced the TR7 (with a wedge shape) with the slogan "The shape of things to come" well they were right and I believe NH is definitely on the right track. My local Kubota/NH dealer told me Kubota is frantic about the NH changes and will soon be making their own. (Uh Oh guys Orange tactors with plastic hoods!!!)/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird · Aug 3, 2000

Yeah, but I thought the earlier TR3 was a better looking car./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Bird

JimBinMI · Aug 3, 2000

stvman,

My TC18 has a metal hood and fenders! Don't know which other Boomers have metal besides mine but I do know that the TC18 says "made in Japan" on the serial plate.

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

Thomasre · Aug 9, 2000

Little late in Response, but I'm in NC and was trying to decide among similar models. I purchased used 97 M4700 4wd with 180 hours, with loader, 6ft rotary cutter, tiller, and tillage tool. Since, I've added Kasco Uni-hitch to allow quick connect/disconnect from bucket to pallet forks (just purchased). I'm in process of building a house and wanted to purchase for use in building the house a putting in yard etc on 3 acres and move building materials around. My inclination was to purchase L3010 size, but after using the M4700, I don't regret the extra size or power. I was planning on selling when I finish the house - but, I'm adding perminant space in my garage for tractor.

dullpain · Aug 22, 2000

If you don't mind my asking - what did you give for the 2120. What options , loader, etc. thanks

Rowski · Aug 22, 2000

McCallum,

No, I don't mind. The tractor HN 2120 with gears, 7309 loader (72" hd bucket), 759C backhoe (hd hoe with 24" bucket) came to $27k. Took delivery in the end of June and have just under 80hrs on it now. I have all my implements listed under my profile. Hope this info helps! Let me know if you have any questions about it.

Derek

W5FL · Aug 23, 2000

Thomasre,

Tell me a little about the quick attach system you bought for the loader bucket. I have nearly the same loader on my M6800SD (LA1002 loader)and bought the Kubota quick attach system. It works great on the bucket and plan to buy the hay spear and hope to buy the pallet forks, although they are a little pricey.

Thomasre · Aug 23, 2000

I wanted a quick attach system, but didn't want to pay Kubota price. I purchased UH2 - attaches to your loader - with new pins that are supplied by Kasco. This hitch then enables your loader to use any skidsteer attachments. I purchased a set of 4ft. very heavy duty skid steer pallet forks from local distributor ($425.00). Additionally, I purchased an adapter for my bucket from Kasco (uses your old pins to "pin on skidsteer type attachment"). Thus, your old bucket is now skid steer attachable. I can swap bucket / pallet forks in a minute or so. Simply drop bucket, pull up two levers, get back on tractor back away from bucket center and pull up to forks and leading edge of UH will lift forks, get off tractor and push two levers down and your forks are secure. Any other attachments you purchase - should then be skid steer attach. My buddy has a JD 4400 with quick attach - I like the Uni-hitch system better.

The only drawback I can think of to Uni-hitch is the extra weight the Uni-hitch adds to loader. With the adapter on origional bucket and the Uni-hitch on loader - probably 150 lbs + over the bucket attached without Uni-hitch system. With other attachments forks etc. Just the weight of the Uni-hitch itself 75 lbs to 100 lbs? But with M4700 M6800 size - not too much weight relative to capacity. Check out attached link, If you want, I can take couple of digital pics and email them or post them here as attachment. Total cost of UH-2 and bucket adapter $690 more or less. Let me know if you need more info or pics

http://www.kascomfg.com/prod06.htm
Kasco
shelbyville, Indiana 46176
317-398-7973

Nice folks to deal with - they shipped wrong pins first time UPS lost part of contents - Kasco had correct pins and new parts within two days of my call. Good customer support, at least they were good to me.

W5FL · Aug 24, 2000

I think I will stick with what I bought from Kubota as it is pretty slick. Their quick attach kit is light, attaches directly between the loader and bucket without extending the bucket more than a couple of inches and costs about $260.00. The forks are really nice (too nice) with adjustable width and back stop and cost over $1000. The two systems are closer in price than I thought and the Kubota system doesn't add as much weight.

My dad made his forks for his John Deere. He welded them out of heavy wall 2x4 rect tubing and cost $40. He uses them primarily to lift pallets of feed which are only about 1000# or so. That may be what I wind up doing as pallets are a very small part of my work.