Kubota 5740 HST performance

nebraskasparks · Sep 28, 2010

Well...I've put 12 hours on the machine since it arrived. The strength of the machine...even though I test drove and lifted a few things with one is better than expected.
How I operated around here without a grapple makes me want to nearly cry when I see how much time it would have saved me but raising kids takes money and it wasn't there...so glad I have it now. Anbo grapple ran $3350 delivered,66 inches wide, teeth 6 inches apart, made with superior steel and weighs about 860 lbs. Expensive...yes and it's the best money I've spent in my life for a piece of farm equipment other than on this new tractor. I got more done in three hours than I've done in two days with the old stuff. You can use those jaws to pick up almost anything...bales, trees, rocks...no limit to its usefulness here on the farm.
Thanks sbakf for that great recommendation.

Fuel consumption is better than expected. 12 hours of operation and I'm down to about 1/3 of a tank. Without a doubt...they designed this baby to work all day and not run out of fuel...excellent thinking.

Thanks for the heads up...caught a root like sbakf and others mentioned to look out for but I was taking it slow even though the left rear came off the ground...talk about a strong FEL:thumbsup:

No close calls other than the dead cottonwood I took down. Chain sawed the tree...left enough I thought to hold while I repositioned. Heard the crack and was able to get out of the way. My response time was under 5 seconds for that one!:laughing:

Lots of experience and training in this category. No real cognitive reasoning needed

Lesson learned...I'm not as fast as I was when I was 24.

The brush cutter I put on the back is in fact a tank and that's what I wanted. I did quite a bit of research before settling on theWoods Brush Bull 7200. Made right down the road from me here in Oregon, IL, USA (can you believe it!) metal is thick, the transmission is a tank and it weighs about 1300 lbs plus change. After beating up the Howse brush cutter I wanted something that would take saplings without any problems and that's what it does. The strength of the three point handles it great. Just have to ride the 3 pt control over rough ground. I can trim right up to the edge of the creek with it slightly elevated...

LOVE the HST for smooth, slow operation around all obstacles.

Cruise control lever for cutting hayfield etc...also well thought out.

Only critique so far...would prefer a pto lever versus a yellow knob when I'm looking backwards...and the owners manual that was designed for the 5th grade..."Do not operate tractor on slope or hill to steep for safe operation". Still burns me. Kubota and others could do much better giving basic weight and balance information.

Today I had to change back and forth a couple of times with the grapple and bucket...piece of cake..you don't dread having to change a piece of equipment. A few minutes and you're on your way.
Thanks for the heads up and bleeding down the 3rd function valve on the grapple hydraulics with the key on. IT would have taken much longer had it not been pointed out.

Tractor exceeds my expectations. I did not expect this much strength with a compact tractor. Well designed right down to the intellipanel that tells me to push in the 3 speed clutch to start. Love my canopy which keeps the sun off my head!

ALL your recommendations from you guys were spot on. Thanks a million.

Greg

bilrus61 · Sep 28, 2010

I have some issues with my operator presence control. Sometimes when I lean foward to give it gas it will "tick" and the engine starts to die. I've got about 21 hours on my new L5040 and love it to death. When are you going to do the first engine oil change? I'im thinking 25 hours and then 100.

texasjohn · Sep 28, 2010

Good to know your impressions of the tractor. If I were going to get a new tractor, I'd likely get the same one.

Hint...when my tractor rear came off the ground with FEL pressure, I took that as a clue that I needed more rear weight....box blade plus added weights is approx 1000lbs now, if FEL is hung up, the hydraulic relief valve pops and the rear stays on the ground.

Wish I had a grapple

nebraskasparks · Sep 29, 2010

bilrus61 said:
I have some issues with my operator presence control. Sometimes when I lean foward to give it gas it will "tick" and the engine starts to die. I've got about 21 hours on my new L5040 and love it to death. When are you going to do the first engine oil change? I'im thinking 25 hours and then 100.

The manual says 50 hours....I'll give the dealership a call and talk to one of the mechanics and see what they have to say. I'll get back to you when I find out.
I agree that the seat switch is a bit sensitive...leaning sideways to check your FEL...I get the same thing on the L5740 with the OP presence control.

TripleR · Sep 29, 2010

I'm with TEXASJOHN, my next one will be a L5740 HSTC, but I will have to wear my L5030 out first. I can't afford a grapple either.

These tractors are very easy to service.

KnuckleDragger · Sep 30, 2010

Enjoy your 5740. You are going to hit that 50 hr mark in what seems about 20 hours. That is how pleasant it is to use. I taught my wife to use the mower and box blade, now I never get to use it.

How is the grapple for brush piles?

LostInTheWoods · Sep 30, 2010

nebraskasparks said:
How I operated around here without a grapple makes me want to nearly cry when I see how much time it would have saved me but raising kids takes money and it wasn't there...so glad I have it now.

Rub it in, why don't ya sparks! :laughing: What I wouldn't give for room in the budget for a grapple on my little 2660... *sigh* But like you said, kids gotta eat.

Very glad you're getting such good use out of your new tractor! Best wishes, and be careful.

nebraskasparks · Sep 30, 2010

Hey fellas...growing up on a farm and using all sorts of neat equipment...we never had a grapple.

After sbakf told me to get a grapple and what brand he preferred...I ate the cost and here's what I've done with it with just 15 hours of getting used to a new tractor.

Brush piles...how far do you want to move them and how big do youo want to make them?:thumbsup:
8' Fence posts...pulled right under the pile picked them up and moved them.
Telephone poles moved no problem with plenty of weight on rear of tractor.
Willow tree stumps that I could not budge with chain saws, chains and my old Ford...Gone.
Small scrub trees covered with wild grape vine, poison ivy etc...pull out by the roots.
Rocks and old concrete...gone.
Big water saturated willow logs 26" across and 7 to 8' long...moved with ease.
5740 plus a grapple has been an amazing demo of what an empty nester can get done. Even my wife is impressed with what's getting done.

So far as getting a grapple that doesn't cost as much. The used 5740 I looked at before I decided to go new had a grapple (manufacturer unknown) and he wanted $1400 for it. I haven't researched the market for other used grapples...obviously you would want to make sure that the hydraulic pistons weren't leaking etc.
Steve and I both would agree that the grapple is one of the most favorite pieces of equipment that we have now.

dex3361 · Sep 30, 2010

Nice looking 5740. I have a L4400hst and I love it. I also have ans Anbo grapple and they are impressive. I have the GRM series which is a little lighter than the grapple you have. Which series is your?

nebraskasparks · Sep 30, 2010

dex3361 said:
Nice looking 5740. I have a L4400hst and I love it. I also have ans Anbo grapple and they are impressive. I have the GRM series which is a little lighter than the grapple you have. Which series is your?

It's the ANBO GR-S series. I would not want one any bigger than it is now on there. I researched users with them and they all agreed that it was a quality piece of equipment. 6 inch spacing on teeth, 66 inches wide.