Tractor Sizing 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200

   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200 #1  

hammackw

New member
Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Messages
5
Location
tallahassee, florida
Tractor
ford 800
Hi everyone, new to the forum. I am looking for some opinions/advice on a tractor purchase we are making. A little background, we have 35 acres in south Georgia that we are cleaning up. We have done a good bit of backhoe and bulldozer work. My dad is very experience with heavy equipment and we had a small farm before. We are currently replacing our older farm tractor, an 800 series diesel Ford. It was great, but it is tired and I want to get something a little nicer for by dad to use. We have about 10 acres of open field that we will be bushhogging, maintaining about a half mile of dirt road, skidding some down trees, some disking/harrowing, light gardening, etc.. Eventually we will probably do some heavier bushhog work in our forest to clear out underbrush, maintain firebreaks. Any really serious work we use serious heavy equipment as my dad has done this for a living for 40 plus years and knows his business. So, we want a small farm tractor and we have decided on a Kubota of some flavor. We are not getting a FEL or backhoe at this time. Cost is a factor as we have more heavy equipment work to do on the property that just can't be done with a tractor. My dad wants a gear tractor, not the HST. He has used the HST Kubota's a good bit and likes them but his preference is a gear.

So, we have been offered a 2wd MX4700 gear or a 4wd L3200 gear for the same price at the dealer we like, around 14K. Our property is not swamp, but it is on a creek and is not flat, it can get wet and boggy in some areas. On our farm I can't recall but once or twice sticking our farm tractors, even though they were 2wd. They had some weight, about 5000 pounds when ballasted, but not that much. Locking the rear diff usually solved most of our problems. I know the MX 4700 is significantly more tractor than the L3200 in size, but should we consider it simply because of the 4wd? I think I know the answer, but I would like to see what other think who have more experience with the compacts and 4wd on a tractor. I know a lighter 4wd can do the work of a somewhat heavier 2wd, but can the 4wd L3200 match the 2wd MX4700? I know this is sort of apples and oranges, lift capacity is significantly more on the MX, but sometimes that's the choice we have to make. Thanks in advance for any advice or opinions.
 
   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200 #2  
The M series are real farm tractors. The L series are wannabees.
 
   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200 #3  
For pulling power they will be fairly equal. For PTO HP the MX is higher. If no FEL is needed I'd likely go with the MX. 4WD is not needed for mowing and such and the MX will handle a wider mower. I'll never go 2wd again, but I'm in the hills and need FEL, In south Ga the 2wd MX will be fine.
 
   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200 #4  
id go with the mx4700 fel an 4x4.i know going 4x4 will cost more but itll be more than worth it on your farm.
 
   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200 #5  
The MX is very similar to my 5240 and would strongly suggest it for the work you will be doing. My only change would be to spend the extra for the four wheel drive, at my place I couldn't live without it but even on flat ground I think it it money well spent. If you ever think you might sell this tractor in the future the resale will be much better with 4x4 also. The MX series are definitely workhorses.
 
   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200 #6  
If those two tractors were my only choices and I had the same needs you did, I'd go with the MX4700. I think the size/power limitations of the L3200 would be a factor much more often than the 2wd limitation of the MX4700.
 
   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200
  • Thread Starter
#7  
If those two tractors were my only choices and I had the same needs you did, I'd go with the MX4700. I think the size/power limitations of the L3200 would be a factor much more often than the 2wd limitation of the MX4700.




Thanks again to everyone who replied. We'll make a decision this weekend.
 
   / 2wd MX4700 vs 4wd L3200 #9  
That would be an excellent compromise.

I don't think so Ham. All a 3800 is a 3200 with more hp. Same frame otherwise. A compromise would be the L4600.
 
 
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