Buying Advice Trying to decide if a cab is worth the extra $$

[TripleR]

I am still trying to decide between a larger CUT or a Utility sized tractor. I have been looking at the JD 5055e and the Kubota M5140 for the Utility sized tractors and the JD 4320 and Kubota Grand L series for the CUT. Looking in the 50 hp / 45 PTO range.

I am thinking that I would need at least an 8 or 10ft cutter to mow 20 acres in a reasonable amount of time, but I am not sure, I may be ok with something smaller. I think the CUTs have the HP I would need, but am concerned they may be not be heavy enough. Any opinions on these models in general or what size cutter would be appropriate for 20 acres?

Besides mowing, what else will you be doing and what is your total acreage?

 

[foreman Etexas]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/253282-hp-recommendation-8-ft-cutter.html JBowie just got a 5140

 

[3boys865]

Besides mowing, what else will you be doing and what is your total acreage?

Total acreage is 26 acres with about 4 acres of woods. Have another 5 acres of woods at another site. I do cut firewood for personal and family member use, but nothing on a big scale. Will have some potential use in the woods maintaing trails and pulling logs, but that would be a small percentage of the overall use. Other tasks would be some light plowing / tilling for a garden, about 600 feet of gravel driveway to maintain, fence building and occasional FEL work moving dirt.

 

[TripleR]

Total acreage is 26 acres with about 4 acres of woods. Have another 5 acres of woods at another site. I do cut firewood for personal and family member use, but nothing on a big scale. Will have some potential use in the woods maintaing trails and pulling logs, but that would be a small percentage of the overall use. Other tasks would be some light plowing / tilling for a garden, about 600 feet of gravel driveway to maintain, fence building and occasional FEL work moving dirt.

I almost exclusively use a Kubota Grand L5740 HSTC, but only had it a short time and before that a GL5030 HSTC and an M8540 HDC. I pull a RCR2672 with the GL and Woods DS1260 with the M. We have quite a bit of ground, so we need the additional tractor(s), but I believe were I picking something for your situation, it would be a CUT from an L4240 up or equivalent in John Deere, Kioti etc.

The GL or equivalent in another brand is lighter than the utility models, but are very capable and you can always add weight; hard to take it away. There are other capable models, but my assumption is you want a cab.

foreman Etexas posted a good thread to consider as to size of cutter.

 

[94BULLITT]

My L4240 cab with a loader and close to 55 gallons of fluid in each rear tire is close to 7000lbs. I don't know what a m would weigh.

 

[foreman Etexas]

My L4240 cab with a loader and close to 55 gallons of fluid in each rear tire is close to 7000lbs. I don't know what a m would weigh.

We figured it up my 7040/cab/4x4/ldr(hay forks) & loaded tires would be around 7,200lbs.

L4240(cab only)4001lbs.....M7040(cab only)5450lbs,so my figures may be wrong 94BULLITT,me and another guy done it at work setting around just talking,hes a DEERE owner

 

[94BULLITT]

We figured it up my 7040/cab/4x4/ldr(hay forks) & loaded tires would be around 7,200lbs.

L4240(cab only)4001lbs.....M7040(cab only)5450lbs,so my figures may be wrong 94BULLITT,me and another guy done it at work setting around just talking,hes a DEERE owner

L4240 cab 4001+ LA854 Loader 1300 + Standard Bucket 331+ SSQA 265 + Fluid 880 all adds up to 6777. So you are 400lbs heavier than me.

 

[crazyal]

I mean so you can see where you are pouring. I heard a alarm go off I thought it was for full, I'm still on my second tank.

I use a pump with a nozzle but even before I used a jug with a spout. The only thing I've ever needed to see was if I was full, with the alarm that's not the case.

 

[94BULLITT]

I use a pump with a nozzle but even before I used a jug with a spout. The only thing I've ever needed to see was if I was full, with the alarm that's not the case.

These tractors are a pain to fuel up. I stand on the tire with a 5 gal can. I have to figure out a better way.

 

[MHarryE]

Back on this cab business, I see that I am not the only one who has knocked the amber lenses out of the warning flashers on the rear of the cab (Kubota Grand L). Maybe if they built them in more like they do on the front. The combine I am running has the same problem - same style flasher, mounted on the side, and I knocked the lens off somewhere on an outside round. Kubota's Grand L rear warning lights and optional rear work lights are a definite afterthought.