Difference between CUT and UT

mrlullabye · Jul 22, 2009

Just curious is there really any specific difference between a Compact Utility Tractor and a Utility tractor.

I just bought the Farmtrac 360 DTC a 39 HP 4wd machine that by my measure is pretty large, but I think it is marketed as a CUT. With the tires full of water and the FEL mounted I would have to think it is pushing 4000 pounds and I have a hard time calling that a compact anything.

Just curious if there is a true definition.

AndyMA · Jul 22, 2009

That definitely a Compact. A Utility has a much larger frame, tires and is usually a Category 2 hitch.

Andy

Farmwithjunk · Jul 22, 2009

AndyMA said:
That definitely a Compact. A Utility has a much larger frame, tires and is usually a Category 2 hitch.

Andy

Gotta (ever-so-slightly) disagree with part of that. (But not so much as to say you're wrong....) I've seen many a utility tractor with CAT I hitch. I happen to own 3 of 'em myself.

Not sure there is a true "line in the sand" that defines the difference between a utility tractor and a CUT. I suppose it's more to do with WHO uses it and WHAT they use it for.

LoneCowboy · Jul 22, 2009

A utility tractor will have WAY longer service intervals than a CUT

If you back up a CUT to a UT and compare the size of the rear diff, you'll immediately see the difference.

There are some really high HP compacts (55+) and some pretty small hp UT's (I know i've seen at least 55, I'm sure there are smaller than that)

thatguy · Jul 23, 2009

I thought I read someplace that a CUT became an UT at around 35 to 40 horsepower (or maybe down a little)

brian

Opti-Mist · Jul 23, 2009

The terminology goes back to the early 1970's when the then major tractor manufacturers introduced imported (Japanese) tractors that were then smaller in size (and horsepower) than the smallest domestically produced tractors which were right around 30 -35 hp. Since then the differences have become blurred to non-existent with imports reaching hp in the 70s and domestics below 30. So, let's just say that CUT was a polite way of saying import back then.

flusher · Jul 23, 2009

mrlullabye said:
Just curious is there really any specific difference between a Compact Utility Tractor and a Utility tractor.

I just bought the Farmtrac 360 DTC a 39 HP 4wd machine that by my measure is pretty large, but I think it is marketed as a CUT. With the tires full of water and the FEL mounted I would have to think it is pushing 4000 pounds and I have a hard time calling that a compact anything.

Just curious if there is a true definition.

If you can climb into the seat by putting your left foot directly on the floorboard, its a CUT.
If you need to put your left foot on a step and then your right foot on the floorboard, it's a UT.

Case in point--my UT, a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine)

Charlesaf3 · Jul 23, 2009

my m59 is 60 hp, uses a step, I still think of it as a CUT though. Always thought UT started in the 60hp range. But all of that is really just guessing on my part

Ivan1547 · Jul 24, 2009

Good question with no clear answer.

Wikipedia states "A Compact Utility Tractor, also called a CUT is a smaller version of an agricultural tractor but designed primarily for landscaping and estate management type tasks rather than for planting and harvesting on a commercial scale. Typical CUTs range in from 20 to 50 horsepower."

There is no mention of Utility Tractors on Wikipedia.

The Massey Website breaks down the tractors into the following:

High Horsepower (100 - 275 HP)
Mid Range Tractors (95 - 115 HP)
Utility Tractors (38- 85 HP)
Compact Tractors (23- 60 HP)
Sub Compact Tractors (22.5 and 25 HP), and
Specialty Tractors (57- 88 HP)

There are so many differences and similaritys between all the tractors, I do not think one can classify the differences.

Ivan

AndyMA · Jul 24, 2009

flusher said:
If you can climb into the seat by putting your left foot directly on the floorboard, its a CUT.
If you need to put your left foot on a step and then your right foot on the floorboard, it's a UT.

Case in point--my UT, a 2008 Mahindra 5525 (54 hp engine)

??? That Mahindra looks like a Compact to me. My Ford 2120 which I need a step to get on is also a Compact. My TN 75D with both a step and a serious climb to get on is a Utility.

From Mahindra's own website "Tractor Overview: A superior performing tractor at a great value - the 5525 is an economical, rugged, compact 2WD utility tractor that offers versatility and ergonomic comfort."

If you see this Mahindra web site you'll see Mahindra plays it kinda loose with it's verbage: What's a Compact Utility--- a Hybrid?

Farm tractors for Ag Farmers, Hobby Farmers - Sub Compact, Compact & Full Size 2WD & 4WD Utility Tractors

Just busting ya..

Andy

Charlesaf3 · Jul 24, 2009

I think its easier with individual lines. For example, with Kubotas, I'd say the UTs start with the M series. Interestingly, HST seems never to be an option with an UT - maybe one could divide it up that way. The UTs don't want the HP loss to the PTO...

flusher · Jul 24, 2009

AndyMA said:
??? That Mahindra looks like a Compact to me. My Ford 2120 which I need a step to get on is also a Compact. Mu TN 75D with both a step and a serious climb to get on is a Utility.

From Mahindra's own website "Tractor Overview: A superior performing tractor at a great value - the 5525 is an economical, rugged, compact 2WD utility tractor that offers versatility and ergonomic comfort."

Just sales yada yada. Mahindra doesn't want to scare away the CUT buyer, so they call the 5525 "compact". It ain't, at least not in my book.

CDsdad · Jul 25, 2009

I thought CUT or UT referred to frame or chassis size, and less than 100 hp, with some 45-100 hp tractors being also considered Ag tractors.

The Kubota M and MX series are larger framed than the L series.
The Massey 1600s and 1500s are definitely smaller than the 400, 500, and 54xx series.

I will say the larger L series tractors (5030) and 1500s (1557, 1560) make me think UT. The clearest difference I've seen between tractors of similar dimensions that were sitting side-by-side, was the difference between a Kubota L5030 and MX5000. The 5030 was big, but the 5000 just looked heavier duty.

If I farmed, I definitely would have what I consider an Ag or UT.

That's just my 2 cents.

Hematite · Jul 25, 2009

Opti-Mist said:
The terminology goes back to the early 1970's when the then major tractor manufacturers introduced imported (Japanese) tractors that were then smaller in size (and horsepower) than the smallest domestically produced tractors which were right around 30 -35 hp. Since then the differences have become blurred to non-existent with imports reaching hp in the 70s and domestics below 30. So, let's just say that CUT was a polite way of saying import back then.

I believe that is absolutely correct.

MarkV · Jul 25, 2009

Interesting thread. For years I have always considered a CUT to be 50 hp or less. After that you get in to UT or AG tractors. Now a days they are marketing CUTS with more than 50 hp so I guess the definition has gotten cloudy.

MarkV

BrentD · Jul 25, 2009

I personally believe that it is 100% marketing terminology. Each manufacturer makes the delineation for their product lines. For instance, Montana designates everything from their 2740 to their 3940 and the 4540 (all without a cab) as compacts. The 4340C up to the U5784C are designated as Utility tractors. They also have a T2334 and T2734 that are designated as "subcompacts" and then several other models that are not clearly slotted into a category other than having a C, R, I, or P series designation.

I guess the only thing that keeps the 4540 from being designated as "Utility" rather than "compact Utility" is the lack of a cab, and the 4340C's cab pushes it out of the "Compact" range. Either way, the line does seem rather arbitrary.

tessiers · Jul 25, 2009

I always considered the old 8N a utility tractor at 23 hp while we raked 5000 bales of hay a year with it for 50+ years. I think it has more to do with use than size, Farm and Agricultural tractors are utility tractors, and homeowner tractors are CUT when they never leave the yard and they sit in a heated garage all winter. All the HP you can afford can't make a Tractor a utility tractor. Utility means to USE.

AndyMA · Jul 26, 2009

MarkV said:
Interesting thread. For years I have always considered a CUT to be 50 hp or less. After that you get in to UT or AG tractors. Now a days they are marketing CUTS with more than 50 hp so I guess the definition has gotten cloudy.

MarkV

I just don't see any tractor that only weighs 4000lbs as being a Utility. That's a pretty ligtht machine.

Andy

Farmwithjunk · Jul 26, 2009

tessiers said:
I always considered the old 8N a utility tractor at 23 hp while we raked 5000 bales of hay a year with it for 50+ years. I think it has more to do with use than size, Farm and Agricultural tractors are utility tractors, and homeowner tractors are CUT when they never leave the yard and they sit in a heated garage all winter. All the HP you can afford can't make a Tractor a utility tractor. Utility means to USE.

BINGO!

Gary Fowler · Jul 26, 2009

I always think of Utility and Ag tractors as being able to adjust the tire spacing to accomodate row crop farming with 76" - 80" tire centerline adjustments being the normal distance for the tires. Most CUT even on the widest tire spacing cant accomodate that wide of a stance.