Some tractor's options

nwind · Jun 9, 2014

Since I can't get tractor which I was about to buy (one year old Kubota M9960 w. FEL) because owner in the last moment decide to keep it

I would appreciate your opinion with some possible options and they real value for the new one which most likely I'm going to get.

I went to another dealership looking for used one and they offered me more attractive prices for new machines than my previous quote. Either M8560 or M9960 (Price difference is ~ $6000).

Intended tractor usage is to handle big round bales (just unload them on delivery and load them to the feeder), move manure (spread it in the feature?), bush hog, cleaning some trees, snow plow, move some dirt, fencing, clear some grounds (move stones, old tree parts, etc), dig bigger pond, pallet work, and so on.

I'm not yet to cut grass on my fields (~ 85 workable acres in 6 roughly equal fields) and start baling this year (I think) but most likely will do it starting next season and probably will try to plant some crops in one or two fields. For the hay most likely it's going to be small square bales not big rounds.

Here is the list of my questions:

1. Tires. I can get it with radial Michelin tires or ~ $2400 less with Firestone tires. I'm not anticipating put more than a few hundred hours every year on it. Mostly yard work, some field work and snow cleaning.
Are Michelin rubber really worth that extra $$?
I usually have Michelin tires on my cars and don't regret it but not sure about tractor for intended usage and for resale value later.

Shall I get it with industrial tires and save even more or they traction for the any field work and even dropping round bales will be really bad?

2. Cast centres - I'll take it for sure

3. Loaded rear tires?

4. 3rd function for FEL (~ $1700). Nice to have it for the snow blade and other implements but technically it can be connected to one of the rear remotes.

5. Self levelling loader. Most likely I will take it. Should be really handy for pallet work.

6. 82" or 72" bucket. Price difference is negligible.

7. Hooks on FEL bucket. Yes for sure.

8. Loader soft drive (technically a hydraulic damper). Can be good moving on uneven terrain with load.

9. Switch to to ON/OFF soft drive (~$300)?

10. 3rd rear remote?

11. Drawbar clevis. Yes.

12. FEL Grapple? For sure need 3rd function for that. Can be useful for clearing but not sure how much is it. Technically for occasional work can be done with either pallet fork or manure fork I guess.

13. Float function for rear remotes? Don't know how much. For scraper or blade.

14. Hydraulic top link?

15. Wide mount rear wheels?

16. Get it with 12 gears or 24 gears ($2700 extra)?

Anything else is missing what I should get together with tractor and what is easier to get now?

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!

Roadbuilder6 · Jun 9, 2014

I can tell you really like kubota, but have you considered brands like John Deere 5085m/5095m, Case 85/95/105c , Massey Fergueson 4610 etc. Kubota makes a fine tractor but you these are just as good if not better.

nwind · Jun 9, 2014

To be honest I didn't spent that much time looking for different brands details as for Kubota.
I'm sure they are as good (Kubota is better on price as I know) but I need jus something which works and don't give me any headache

and I can't complain for my last two years with Kubota L3800HST.
I can't spend another weeks looking for all of the options/prices on every other brand. It's a good season now and there are plenty of things to do

I would appreciate your opinion and suggestions on options/questions

DT86 · Jun 9, 2014

I have a 9540 open station, 12 speed.

1) Don't know about the tires, I have Titan
Radials.

2-3) I have cast wheels, loaded tires AND two sets of rear wheel weights. I thought it was a little over kill until I drove the same tractor
without the loaded tires. Huge difference in pucker factor while handling high moisture hay bales.

4) Mine has 3rd function which I use for a root grapple. In my opinion it is leaps and bounds above using a rear remote.

Buy it with the tractor and get it financed with everything else. You'll never notice the difference in cost come payment time.

5) I have the self leveling valve and wouldn't be without.

6) Honestly can't remember which bucket I have. I'm guessing the larger one. Make sure it covers the front wheel tracks.

7) Added my own for less than the dealer
wanted.

8-9) Don't have it, might be nice. Dunno.

10) Wish I'd added it when I bought it. (See second part of #4)

11) Same as #7.

12) Love mine, very handy for clearing old fences, trees, ect.

13) One with, one without for me.

14) Will have one as soon as I can.

15) Mine aren't as wide as they can go and this tractor will stick to the hills.

16) 12 is good for me, 24 would be better, IMHO.

nwind · Jun 9, 2014

Thanks a lot for your input DT86!

nwind · Jun 9, 2014

BTW do you think extra 14.5 HP on 9960 is worse an extra $6000 vs. 8560?
Otherwise both tractors are almost identical (except 24 gears can be only on M9960).

DT86 · Jun 9, 2014

$6000 sounds like a lot, and is. I got lucky and bought a very low hour 9540 demo for basically the same money as a 8540.

I've driven both (8540 & 9540) after I bought mine and to me it would be worth the money now knowing the difference in power. If I'd never driven both it's doubtful I would appreciate the extra power though.

On the other hand if you're spending a ton of money, what's another $6k? Lol

nwind · Jun 10, 2014

$6K is a $6K

Where do you see this difference? Which type of the work? Heavy field work?

TripleR · Jun 10, 2014

Here is the list of my questions:

1. Sorry, I've no experience with radials and have been happy with the Titan, I did get the same OEM size on my M8540 as come on the M9540.

"Shall I get it with industrial tires and save even more or they traction for the any field work and even dropping round bales will be really bad?" I wouldn't, we have Industrials on our L5740 and they are fine, but really need the added traction on our M8540.

2. Cast centres - I'll take it for sure. Agreed and along will filled tires you might even consider wheel weights, we don't have them and do OK with ballast on 3PH.

3. Loaded rear tires? Yes

4. 3rd function for FEL (~ $1700). Nice to have it for the snow blade and other implements but technically it can be connected to one of the rear remotes. Yes, I have third function on my L5740, but run the grapple off a rear remote, third function is much easier.

5. Self leveling loader. Most likely I will take it. Should be really handy for pallet work. Great for pallet work, we've had one and didn't need it, so one of those if you need it get it now.

6. 82" or 72" bucket. Price difference is negligible. 82"

7. Hooks on FEL bucket. Yes for sure.

8. Loader soft drive (technically a hydraulic damper). Can be good moving on uneven terrain with load. Beats me, I don't have it, but might be nice, not sure it's worth the money as ours is fine as is.

9. Switch to to ON/OFF soft drive (~$300)? See #8

10. 3rd rear remote? YES!

11. Drawbar clevis. We bought one cheaper aftermarket.

12. FEL Grapple? For sure need 3rd function for that. Can be useful for clearing but not sure how much is it. Technically for occasional work can be done with either pallet fork or manure fork I guess. That is a tough one, we just got a grapple and love it, but we have three farms and about 180 acres in woods and brush, so it saves us a bunch of time over forks which we used for yeas. We wouldn't have bothered on smaller acreage.

13. Float function for rear remotes? Don't know how much. For scraper or blade. Yes

14. Hydraulic top link? YES!

15. Wide mount rear wheels? Like DT86, ours are not at full width, next to it, ovrszd has his at full extension, so one of those "it depends".

16. Get it with 12 gears or 24 gears ($2700 extra)? We've never needed more than 12/12, not worth the money for us, but we don't "farm".

Anything else is missing what I should get together with tractor and what is easier to get now? Air ride seat, we like a rear wiper, some don't.