Which Kubota to get

[lab owner]

I have never owned a tractor before, so I need a little help. I have 45 acres 40 of it being open pasture. It is mostly flat. I need a tractor for cutting the grass. What size tractor do I need. The dealers say to get one between 30 and 40 hp. Well there are a lot of tractors in that range. From what I've read I want a Kubota with a FNL, but which one. Also what size rotery cutter. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ByronBob]

Wow, We love this type of question. The only concensus you'll get here is "whatever you think is the right sized tractor, go one size bigger"

I would think a B3030 wouldn't be nearly big enough for that land type. So IMO 40hp should be the starting minimum. Look over the L or M series and visit a dealer or 2 (or 3) to start.

Happy shopping. We love helping you spend your money.

 

[RussMan]

what is your budget? If you have 40 acreas, that is a lot of mowing. I have a B3030 which has the "cruise control" feature which I imagine would be convenient to have with that much mowing.

 

[hazmat]

If you are sold on a compact tractor, I'd say you want the "biggest" of those.

I've had a "small" compact (TC18), a "medium" (B3030) & dad has a "large" (TC40)


Large compacts

Kubota L series (some are bigger than others)
New Holland TC40 / 45DA
Deere 4x20
etc.

If you don't mind a gear tranny - I'd look at a utility tractor

Kubota M
New Holland TC48/55 or TN
Deere 5XXX
etc.

How often do you expect to cut the grass?

PS - welcome to tbn & share a pic of your lab

 

[canoetrpr]

Hi lab_owner:

All depends on what you plan to do with your land. If you are planning to keep your 40 acres in pasture for animals (horses etc.) vs. leasing out the land for hay that someone else will harvest, then I would go with a bigger machine for sure.

I have 26 acres and 14 in pasture - the rest are woods that I never do anything in. I have a L3400HST - 35hp which I think is just about the right size for me.

Most importantly you need to figure out what you want to do with your land / tractor. I am guessing that at the very least you wil be bush hogging.
My very general thoughts would be to look over 40hp at a tractor that can handle at least a 6ft bush hog. I think I would want at least 7ft.

If you don't mind gear driven vs. HST then the L4400 is about the best deal around and should be able to handle a light/med duty bush hog like the Woods BB84 or similar.

You most DEFINATELY want a loader. Don't think twice about it. I didn't think I did until the rest here convinced me on it and am I ever glad I got it. Much better getting ths stuff upfront like a loader, remotes etc. IMHO. and working it into the deal.

Despite your question and the fact that this is a Kubota forum I would encourage you to check out all the major brands in the class of machines you end up looking at. The Kioti DK45 is also an excellent machine as are the JD4000 series. Proximity to dealers is likely to be important so bear that in mind.

Personally I had a hard time trying to judge which dealer would be good for service. None are in my area and I actually think it is hard to find out until it comes time for something other than normal service. Word of mouth is the best way IMHO. Best to go with your gut feel when you interact with the dealer. How knowledgable are they about the products and your needs? etc.

Good luck.

 

[canoetrpr]

I second hazmat on the suggestion to look at some larger machines also. I think that the M series look quite nice with the hydraulic shuttle transmissions particularly.

 

[n8wrl]

Oh boy, a chance to spend someone else's money! Big fun.

Byron is right on about buying bigger than you think. I traded an L3130 in on an L5030 and haven't looked back. My reason was comfort running a bigger bush hog, and with 40 acres that would be an even bigger concern for you!

I'm an HST fan but I have never owned anything else. I just love the convenience and comfort. My wife can drive it and precision loader work is a breeze. You'll also be amazed at the variety of impelements out there, as well as tasks you can perform you never thought of before.

Have fun and keep us posted!

-Brian

 

[RayCo]

If I had 45 acres that I needed to mow, I'd probably consider a totally different route, such as finding an old International Scout and using the PTO for as large of a mower as I could afford. Then, I'd get a tractor that was best suited for non-mowing tasks. If it so happened that that tractor turned out to be a very large one and it would make sense to use it to mow, then great, I'd NOT get the truck then. But, mowing is such a lame task, imo, and I like to keep my tractor purposes separate so that I don't have to compromise too much.

 

[The Gardener]

With that much acreage of cutting,

[1] I would place a cab with A/C at the TOP of your needs list.

[2] I would settle for nothing less than an 84" cutting width on a RFM. That would be the SECOND item on my needs list.

[3] I would definitely get cruise control. That would be the THIRD item on my needs list.

I suggest that you use these three required needs [A/C, 84" minimum cutting width, cruise control] as your search tools as you explore all brands and all options.

These three required needs will immediately rule out certain tractors and narrow down your choices very quickly. If it were my choice, I would buy the largest Kubota GRAND L series tractor that you can afford.

I am eventually planning for 7+/- acres of grass cutting, and I have set my required needs almost identical to what I am suggesting for you. The only difference is my target of a 72" cut width due to other obstacles that I must contend with.

Best of Luck!
The Gardener

 

[GA WTDeer]

I have never owned a tractor before, so I need a little help. I have 45 acres 40 of it being open pasture. It is mostly flat. I need a tractor for cutting the grass. What size tractor do I need. The dealers say to get one between 30 and 40 hp. Well there are a lot of tractors in that range. From what I've read I want a Kubota with a FNL, but which one. Also what size rotery cutter. Any help would be appreciated.

How much $$$ are you looking to spend? That way it will be easer for me to spend your $$. Clay