I hope I don't get flamed for this, but I'm taking this a whole 'nuther direction. After some PM's with TripleR (Thanks!) and talking to my wife, mother, banker, and farming uncles (not in that particular order), I'm going to focus on a utility tractor. I know I'm not comparing apples to apples, but I drove a JD 5083E and Kubota M7040 this morning. I like both of the dealers and they have solid reputations. The Kubota dealer is where I got my L3800. I'll be trading in my L3800, loader, and 6 foot cutter. Here are the stats that I would like comments on (I'll try to put them both in the same format):
The JD dealer is 10 miles away. They have 3 5083E cab, with power reverser, ag tires. PTO is 69 HP. 2 rear remotes. MFWD. 553 Loader (3604 at 800mm). MX10 pull-type mower (can go to 8' for $900 less). Price includes radio, fluid filled tires, and block heater (I think I would delete the radio (get aftermarket) and heater). 0% financing for 60 months. Insurance is $100 per year. 41,800 after trade-in. 696.70 per month.
The Kubota dealer is 40 miles away. They have 3 M7040 cabs, with hydraulic shuttle, ag tires. PTO is 60 HP. 1 rear remote. MFWD. LA1153 loader (2326# at 500mm). Land pride 10ft pull type cutter (8 ft 3pt cutter for 2600 less or 3900 less used). Price incluse fluid filled tires. 0% financing for 60 months. Insurance is $500 per year (dealer thought that high). 32,200 after trade in. 536.67 per month.
I liked both of the cabs, seats, and how they drove. I like both of the dealers. The JD had another remote, more HP, dealer is closer, and it had some sort of "efficient PTO" for 540 RPM at a lower engine speed. Some sort of gearing thing. I also noticed that the gears were synchronized and I could shift on the go. The Kubota dealer said that the M7040 can't do that, that the gears will grind? I didn't try it, but I'll PM some M7040 owners on here to see if he was right.
Is the JD $10K more tractor? I didn't do any negotiating on either - just did my test drives, got my quotes, and headed out. Thanks for everyone's input.