I got my DK50SE HST yesterday!!!

[IslandTractor]

An outsider here,,,, with an opinion of course....

My Brother owns a GL3240 Kubota, I own a L4400. His tractor aggravates me when I'm using it on my 6' Rhino brushcutter.

My Son owns a 5.4L gasser Super Duty, I own a 7.3L Powerstroke. His truck aggravates me when I'm using it to pull a trailer.

Neither situation can be a logical argument for the extra cost.

Not to pick on Island, but he's tough and can take it. The cost of his brush grapple or rock grapple or whatever it's called cannot be logically justified either.

There's been a couple times my Brother and I have had both tractors running sharing a task. I seem to get the tougher jobs while he takes the easier ones.

There's been a couple times my Son and I have towed trailers on trips. I seem to get the heaviest load while he takes the lighter one.

There's not one in fifty members on TBN that use their tractors or implements to capacity, including me. But when I need HP it's good to have it. That's not a fullfilled need if I own a smaller HP tractor or truck. Each to his own. :thumbsup:

Hey, I can handle the civil difference of opinion on horsepower but criticizing my grapple...those are fighting words......

I understand your points. There will be occasions when tasks can benefit from more power. The question is how often do those occasions come up and what is the downside of not having the extra power. Your son obviously manages to mow with his six foot mower (somewhat oversized by the way for a Kubota 3240) even though your tractor is a better match. The better question is whether you would find any benefit to having a L5000 (if Kubota made one) rather than your 4400 when using that same mower. I would imagine not because the L4400 is already a good match for the mower just as a DK40 is a good match for a 6ft mower.

Regarding the gasser vs diesel pickup, I think we all know that diesel torque is the cat's pajamas when it comes to towing. No big shock that the bigger load gets put on the diesel truck. More to the point, if you were not there to help, would your son have been able to tow the bigger load occasionally. He certainly saved some bucks by getting the gasser.

And, no more below the belt grapple remarks or I'll start posting photos of things my grapple can do that your wimpy bucket cannot handle. :laughing:

 

[grsthegreat]

Well when im running my 3 point hitch power pack to power my snowblower it will be at 540 rpm..... i then may wish i held out for the DK50.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

As the OP here, I will reiterate that I personally LOVE my DK50.

I have to say there was almost NOBODY in the threads I started who advised me to go smaller, and PTO HP was one of the MAIN items that got me interested in the 50 vs a smaller tractor like the 40.

I will say in hindsight I wish I had been more open to a geared tractor, but I am very happy with this being my 1st tractor.

I will also say, that when I do start looking for a 2nd tractor someday I suspect it will be BIGGER, not smaller.

PS - I always run my 6' cutter at 540, and I run my stump grinder at 540 or just below. The cutter cuts like a hot knife through butter, and the stump grinder rocks my world.

So far the ONLY item that needs lower HP to run is my GRAPPLE!! (and the bucket of course).

I will also say my dealer said clear as a bell that a 40 would need to be at much higher RPMs just to climb my driveway. 95% of my property is up the driveway...

So, 'Nuff said.

We all love our tractors, and we don't need to pick on each other or disparage other's who fell for "Marketing".

Cool?

Be well all o-Y'all!
David

 

[ovrszd]

Hey, I can handle the civil difference of opinion on horsepower but criticizing my grapple...those are fighting words......

I understand your points. There will be occasions when tasks can benefit from more power. The question is how often do those occasions come up and what is the downside of not having the extra power. Your son obviously manages to mow with his six foot mower (somewhat oversized by the way for a Kubota 3240) even though your tractor is a better match. The better question is whether you would find any benefit to having a L5000 (if Kubota made one) rather than your 4400 when using that same mower. I would imagine not because the L4400 is already a good match for the mower just as a DK40 is a good match for a 6ft mower.

Regarding the gasser vs diesel pickup, I think we all know that diesel torque is the cat's pajamas when it comes to towing. No big shock that the bigger load gets put on the diesel truck. More to the point, if you were not there to help, would your son have been able to tow the bigger load occasionally. He certainly saved some bucks by getting the gasser.

And, no more below the belt grapple remarks or I'll start posting photos of things my grapple can do that your wimpy bucket cannot handle. :laughing:

I knew you would take it well!!!!

All your points are valid. As are everyone else's on here. That's why I mentioned earlier that this is a valuable thread for anyone trying to make this decision. It's all good.

In regards to your grapple, you probably saved enough money by buying the 40 rather than a 50 that your grapple is free. :thumbsup:

 

[IslandTractor]

In regards to your grapple, you probably saved enough money by buying the 40 rather than a 50 that your grapple is free. :thumbsup:

Yep. Although to be fair the 50 was not even available in 2007 when I got my DK40. My big decision was the DK35 or the DK40. Loader sold me.

As I recall (vaguely), the upcharge on the DK45 was about $1500 at that time. I got a new grapple and a slightly used WRLong 4n1 bucket with a diverter valve for significantly less than that total. The 4n1 deal was a stroke of luck but I paid only about $600 delivered for the grapple.

 

[IslandTractor]

We all love our tractors, and we don't need to pick on each other or disparage other's who fell for "Marketing".

Agree. I did not ever intend to disparage anyone's decision. More like I wanted to make clear to those considering a purchase that they need to carefully consider just what HP they really will use rather than be talked into buying more than they need by a dealer who stands to profit more from the higher priced version.

By the way, I looked back at your original thread when you were asking for advice. I saw a very influential post by FarmswithJunk who is one of our most experienced members and he clearly advocated at least 50hp. My comment on that is to consider that FWJ is a real farmer. Real farmers really do use every bit of horsepower they can as they are largely doing land engaging tasks or pulling big mowers and they buy tractors sized differently IMO than the average CUT user. Most of us just maintain our land and mow, use the FEL and do relatively HP non intense tasks the vast majority of the time. Someone who is going to be plowing 100 acres every year will max out their tractor capacity way more often than typical CUT users do.

Enjoy the DK50. Those extra horses will come in handy driving up your driveway hill in high. (but a couple hundred extra RPMs would get you there in a 40 too!:thumbsup

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Agree. I did not ever intend to disparage anyone's decision. More like I wanted to make clear to those considering a purchase that they need to carefully consider just what HP they really will use rather than be talked into buying more than they need by a dealer who stands to profit more from the higher priced version.

Enjoy the DK50. Those extra horses will come in handy driving up your driveway hill in high. (but a couple hundred extra RPMs would get you there in a 40 too!:thumbsup

I do not think that I CAN climb the hill in High AT ALL. :laughing:

Let's just agree to dissagree. I firmly believe I will be less than a REAL farmer (my 42 acres of crop requires somewhat less work than plowing 100 acres), but I will also use all of my 49 HP and 38 PTO HP doing at least a bit more than a typical CUT user (I'm low on hours at the moment, but I am just getting started)...

YES, there were a couple people (might have been you) warning me that lots of people are good at spending other people's money, but I felt at the time to walk a path BETWEEN all those telling me I needed AT LEAST 50 HP at the PTO with a 50HP tractor (BTW, I did get about a $2000 price reduction because it was in stock and had 6 hours on it).

Peace brother. We are all in this together, and your advice is sound. :thumbsup:

Be well.
David

 

[CowwFace]

Hey Moss'

I think the 50 is a great machine. For the slightly higher price (~8% ???) you get ponies, and the 2 rear remotes ... that alone makes the price difference worth it in my book.

Now of coarse the DK40 is still the better LOOKING machine ... so I can't help you there! hehehehe!!

Tractor on,

I LIKE ICE CREAM!!!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

Hey Moss'

I think the 50 is a great machine. For the slightly higher price (~8% ???) you get ponies, and the 2 rear remotes ... that alone makes the price difference worth it in my book.!

All the DKse tractors come with a standard pair of rear remotes. I didn't know the 50 came with two sets. I had a second set added my my dealer before delivery for $350. One set is essential, two are nice to have.

 

[csholler]

Congratulations! I know you will love your new tractor just as I have mine! The DK50se was an excellent option! I have worked mine hard for 160hrs now and I love it! Have Fun and work it hard.
P.S. I never have to run my tractor at 540rpm. I pull everything from a 7 shank chisel to a 6' shredder. No problem! All may not agree but I even pulled a 10' disk for a couple hours (just to see if it would) and never ran over 2100rpm with no over heating issues. Again Congrats and good luck!