M Series Kubotas

   / M Series Kubotas #1  

W5FL

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2000
Messages
1,558
Location
Central Texas
Tractor
TYM T-1104/TX10 Loader Kubota M6800SD/LA1002 Loader Kubota RTV900
Started this thread to answer Gordon's comments concerning M Series Kubota Tractors.

The M4700 was replaced this year with the M4900. The differences are significant. The large "compact" and medium utility tractors in this line are quite similar including the M4900, M5700, and M6800SD. They all come equipped with the dash mounted reverse/forward shuttle lever mounted on the dash where you can reach it while looking over your shoulder or anywhere else. It is synchronized as are ALL 4 forward gears. The Low Range/High Range is not synchronized (I don't think) giving you 8 forward and 8 reverse gears. You no longer have to stop to shift gears (that is what the S is in the 6800SD model number!

The dealer will install low profile R1 tires if you want the added stability at the expense of slightly decreased clearance under the tractor. Makes it look more like a compact, but there is also a small decrease in traction since the foot print is a little smaller. If you are considering R4 tires, then traction is probably not an issue anyway.

The Ag tires that came on mine were the Firestone Road and Field (or something like that) that have overlapping bars on the tires. The run fine on hard or soft surfaces. You couldn't give me a R4 tire, but I don't have many nails on my property or operate on concrete and I can think of any other reason for having them.

The R1 Ags are self cleaning in mud and the R4's don't have as much traction as the R1's.

Interestingly, I see many posts about people wanting lighter tractors to not sink in grassy areas, but most of the M Series have large tires both in width and surface area, where the weight per sq ft is comparable to many lighter tractors. My tractor with the tires filled and a loader and rear implement weighs about 8500 pounds but spread across the 16.5 inch wide tires lays a very light footprint on grass.

The M4900 is a fine tractor as are the M5700 and M6800SD. All three are very similar in wheelbase with the M6800SD just a little larger. The tractor width is primarily determined by the width of the tires. They are wide and have wonderful traction. I have the M6800SD and am very happy with the choice.

The Kubota loaders work properly with the 4WD tractors. The loader is designed to adequately clear the front tires. After you use a 4WD with a loader you will see why no manufacturer ever showed a 2WD tractor with a loader in their brochure.

The M6800SD has adjustable three point links and a 4 cylinder engine where the others have a 5 cylinder engine.

On the M series you can't get Mark's Hydrostatic transmission, tilt steering wheel or air bags (or was that light for the BRAKE)! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / M Series Kubotas #2  
Wen - my L4310HST doesn't have an air bag, either, but it does have a parking brake warning light. I think the air bag will be available on the L5010HST, though. (But not the L5010GST - they figure that the GST owners don't care about safety anyway. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif)

Mark "Bigger is better, even if it's bigger than mine, as long as it has HST" Chalkley
 
   / M Series Kubotas #3  
Wen, thank you very much for the detailed information on the M series Kubotas. I have a L3750 with a loader but she's not as dependable as she used to be. It now has over 7000 on it so in no way can I complain. Afterall I've put that tractor through .... and then some.

Now it's time to upgrade and I would appreciate any and all good, bad points on the M series tractors---Thank's in advance to all who post. Gordon /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / M Series Kubotas #4  
Mark---If I didn't know better I'd say Wen was funnin u--me thinks so /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / M Series Kubotas #5  
What goes around comes around. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Mark
 
   / M Series Kubotas
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Yeah these Kubota's present a real problem. I make a living testing stuff and it is downright aggravating to have a complex piece of equipment and after weeks and weeks you still can't find anything wrong with it! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif With my last tractor I could make you a list of the things that I didn't like the way they designed things, and the M Series just doesn't have any of those things. I couldn't see why they used the rubber floor mats since I like the John Deere yellow steel floorboard with holes in it UNTIL the tractors got hot and the rubber floormat insulates the hot air from the engine. Those Kubota engineers just don't seem to have missed much.

My Kubota fills diesel from the rear so for the first time in six years I don't have to crawl up over the loader on the hood with a 5 gallon diesel can to fill up the tractor.

Also wonderful to have a tractor that the brakes WORK. (no brake warning light though, but I bet when you get an airbag, they will activate the brake light) /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

That all synchronized gearbox is bound to be worth almost as much as a hydrostatic transmission, especially since the hydrostatic is not available in any of the higher HP tractors and you catch yourself changing gears when you would NOT have without the sync transmission. I don't do landscaping work so usually use the loader for an hour and then drive in a single gear for several more hours so there is very little shifting for me to do. Matter of fact, I seldom use any of the gears for 5-8.

The new M Series Loaders are re-designed to remove easier than a 3 point implement with no tools. I also bought the quick attach system for the bucket which allows the bucket to be removed in a couple of minutes. Amazing that the lights work very well with the bucket removed. This also makes it possible to add pallet forks or a hay spear or a lifting boom very easily. The 6 ft bucket on the M Series is also very well made with reinformcements welded to the bucket edge and bottom. It also holds well over 1/2 yard (which is twice what my 5 ft bucket would hold before). Push into a pile and roll back and raise it (and the rear wheels stay on the ground) /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

The big front tires on the 4WD navigate small ditches where the 2WD tires I had before would just slide sideways and made it really hard to get out the other side. Would still be kicking myself, if I had been talked out of the 4WD. It really works well.

Ask away, there are about 1000 more subjects to cover and quite a few owners of the M Series on this board./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 
   / M Series Kubotas #7  
I hate to pick out a tractor or should I say the final decision on which model to buy. I do know that it will either be a large L series or a small M series tractor. My mind is not totally set for the glide shift or hydro yet either after thinking about how much loader work and blade work I do, it would be the L-hydro hands down I guess. But the M series seems to be alot of tractor for the money to me I will be going down to the tractor dealer either tomorrow or Thursday to pick up the pretty pictures of both.

Now for what I plan to use the tractor for I do custom cutting and skidding also grading and bush hogging. It will have four-wheel drive reguardless of model chosen. I own 43 acres 40 of which are woods and the other three are a weed garden. I also own a separate 16 acre woodlot. The 43 acre parcel was higrade logged a few years ago by the previous owner and I'm in the process of getting that parcel of woods into something I could call a woodlot. The-I-needs on this property are many but over time they will be taken care of. But for me a tractor has to do alittle of everything to make me happy.

My L3750 has been a great tractor but it's time to give her the rest she deserves.
 
   / M Series Kubotas #8  
I did about 4 hours of fine grading yesterday for the same construction company I mentioned in a couple other posts. While I was repeatedly creeping up to the foundation to spread topsoil, I thought about how much riding the clutch I'd be doing and how much it would've cost me if I'd bumped the foundation good and hard with a GST. I've done that kind of job with a GST before, and it was hugely more stressful than with the HST. With it, I ran in Medium range the whole time. In 4 hours I moved and spread 74 tons of topsoil with at least 75% of if being picked up in the bucket and carried to its final resting place. Never once did I even come close to hitting something I shouldn't have, even though I was hustling. Never once did I even hit the brake, for that matter. And did I mention that I prefer the HST transmission? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Mark
 
   / M Series Kubotas #9  
You know, it just occurred to me that I may be shooting myself in the as I shoot my mouth off. I hope nobody who lives near me and is in the landscaping business sees my posts - I'd just as soon they not buy an HST tractor, if you know what I mean. I'm all for competition, as long as it's not with me. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Mark
 
   / M Series Kubotas #10  
Don't worry I live way far away from you. I think
When your doing loader & grade work what rpm do you leave the engine at? If you leave it revved to high does it make the trans to jumpy? Not to sound dumb but does your foot get tired or cramped from using the trans pedal all day? Almost forgot to say you were busting a move good job. Gordon
 
 
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