seijirou
Bronze Member
Thanks everyone
For the cab? Staying the **** out of the sun and the angry ground wasps that I stir up, lol.
But in all seriousness some landscaping, some clearing of small trees and brush, getting rocks out of difficult soil, handling boulders, 1/4 to 1/3 acre of crops, and supporting my mechanical hobby where being able to add a hook on the loader with some chain and picking things like engines is super helpful.
Yeah I wondered about that. While I don't prefer it I expect you are absolutely right that I'll just get used to it. Funny story about the phantom reverse pedal. I also have that when I transition from a manual to an automatic where I'll try to put my left foot through the floor to start the vehicle.
I really like the LS tractors. My main hesitation with them is that I don't fit very well on them, but that might only be an open station problem and not a cab problem. I think the open stations put the fuel tank behind the seat where the cab models have it under the tractor to the side. That could make all the difference in room.
This is true. At the end of the day Total Cost of Ownership is the name of the game. I just want to make sure right now that I'm not missing a competitive option. For example Yanmar messaged me and I forgot to even look at their options.
What are your intended uses?
For the cab? Staying the **** out of the sun and the angry ground wasps that I stir up, lol.
But in all seriousness some landscaping, some clearing of small trees and brush, getting rocks out of difficult soil, handling boulders, 1/4 to 1/3 acre of crops, and supporting my mechanical hobby where being able to add a hook on the loader with some chain and picking things like engines is super helpful.
Don't get hung up on the treadle on the Kubota or other brands that use one. I have to alternate among several brands of tractors on a regular basis and got used to all the pedal/treadle arrangements pretty fast -- once you're in the zone doing work, it sort of fades away.
I have seen on here where some folks will complain about the Kubota treadle and it seems like they are doing it wrong. Normally you alternate between having your heel on the floor and toe on the forward peg, or your toe on the floor and heel on the reverse peg. It's a fairly natural motion. For example, here is the forward arrangement:
View attachment 534874
Some people try to put their whole foot on this style treadle, which is uncomfortable both at rest and when rocking back and forth (our ankles don't work well that way).
There are other Kubota machines (for example Grand L) that have yet a different treadle arrangement, but I don't have experience with that other than a brief test drive. It was different but didn't seem like anything I couldn't adapt to.
If I have a complaint about the Kubota treadle or the Deere twin pedals, it's that after a day of heavy tractor work, I will often get into my truck and attempt to stab a phantom "reverse" treadle or pedal to go in reverse. You kind of get spoiled by the ease of forward/reverse an HST offers.
Yeah I wondered about that. While I don't prefer it I expect you are absolutely right that I'll just get used to it. Funny story about the phantom reverse pedal. I also have that when I transition from a manual to an automatic where I'll try to put my left foot through the floor to start the vehicle.
I went through the same exercise in October of 2016. I was pretty set on a 35-45hp tractor and wanted the cab for the AC. I really liked Kioti nx4510 but my local dealer was set on $32k +$1,250 for the third function. Ended up driving to Artrac in Clarksville and got a new LS XR4040HC for $24,500 with the third function installed.
All that to say I love the LS, and saved enough to load up on implements. Fit and finish is very good and it has plenty of power for clearing land and moving logs (my main task for it).
I really like the LS tractors. My main hesitation with them is that I don't fit very well on them, but that might only be an open station problem and not a cab problem. I think the open stations put the fuel tank behind the seat where the cab models have it under the tractor to the side. That could make all the difference in room.
Affordable is subjective.
If your paying cash then looking at the out the door price is one way to gauge affordability.
If financing, then you need to take into account that financing options can make a better more expensive tractor more affordable.
Then there are other variables that play in also.
Details of the warranty.
Ease and quality of local service.
Longevity of the dealer.
Then, not very many people buy a plain tractor.
What options do you want and what is the price with those installed.
Then there are implements and maybe a trailer.
Don't sell yourself short by focusing only on the price of a base tractor with a cab.
Consider all the options.
And finally, most on here would recommend shopping for the dealer then buying what you want from him.
This is true. At the end of the day Total Cost of Ownership is the name of the game. I just want to make sure right now that I'm not missing a competitive option. For example Yanmar messaged me and I forgot to even look at their options.