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Z-Michigan · 02-06-2007, 10:30 AM

Funny because I am making basically the same choice. IMHO the Kubota has several more features which make it much more deluxe. However, in driving both of them I find the Deere to be much more heavily built, almost in a class up in terms of sturdiness. That's not to say there's anything wrong with the M5040 - I doubt you will strain it unless you are doing demolition or foresting.

Personally I am probably going to go with a JD 5105 because I like the ergonomics and general construction better - to me, everything feels more solid. That being said, I will miss the fully-synchronized main shift and the shift on fly 4wd that you get on the Kubota (I think you would have to go up to a 5125 JD to get these features, which is a major bump in price). I will not miss the digital dash which I view as something that will break in 10 or 15 years when the rest of the tractor should still be young. I also think, from driving both of them, that the Kubota has a tighter turning radius, even though the paper specs are pretty close on that.

If you do get the Kubota, you might want to consider getting the hydraulic shuttle instead of the plain dry clutch shuttle. It is a bit easier to use and should last longer if you're doing lots of reversing, which seems likely if you're preparing a site to build a house. My local dealer quoted me $1200 to upgrade from dry shuttle to hydro-shuttle on the M5040.

One other thing - be sure to read the owning/operating forums for Kubota before you buy the M5040. There have been some issues with the Mxx40 series. It appears that they are mostly minor and don't exist in the later production models, but read up and be sure it won't be an issue for you.

02-06-2007, 10:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Z-Michigan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Lower Michigan Posts: 1,483	Re: Kubota M5040 vs. JD 5105 Funny because I am making basically the same choice. IMHO the Kubota has several more features which make it much more deluxe. However, in driving both of them I find the Deere to be much more heavily built, almost in a class up in terms of sturdiness. That's not to say there's anything wrong with the M5040 - I doubt you will strain it unless you are doing demolition or foresting. Personally I am probably going to go with a JD 5105 because I like the ergonomics and general construction better - to me, everything feels more solid. That being said, I will miss the fully-synchronized main shift and the shift on fly 4wd that you get on the Kubota (I think you would have to go up to a 5125 JD to get these features, which is a major bump in price). I will not miss the digital dash which I view as something that will break in 10 or 15 years when the rest of the tractor should still be young. I also think, from driving both of them, that the Kubota has a tighter turning radius, even though the paper specs are pretty close on that. If you do get the Kubota, you might want to consider getting the hydraulic shuttle instead of the plain dry clutch shuttle. It is a bit easier to use and should last longer if you're doing lots of reversing, which seems likely if you're preparing a site to build a house. My local dealer quoted me $1200 to upgrade from dry shuttle to hydro-shuttle on the M5040. One other thing - be sure to read the owning/operating forums for Kubota before you buy the M5040. There have been some issues with the Mxx40 series. It appears that they are mostly minor and don't exist in the later production models, but read up and be sure it won't be an issue for you.