Buying Advice L, M, or MX series? Can you offer guidance?

[LD1]

Philip.

Yea, dont take it personal or the wrong way. It just makes it easier on everyone else to enjoy the great info you have given the OP instead of just skipping it.

PS: you can still edit the post. All you have to do is highlight what you wrote and click a color.

 

[bucktaker]

OP Just a thought whats wrong with what you have? The MF231 is a rugged platform and if its in good shape will perform all the duties you have described very well. the BX is small and manuverable 4wd and has a fel. How do you think you can improve this with a single tractor? I used a mf35 deluxe with FEL for many years on my 10ac Sw ohio flat land and replaced it with a L5740 w/fel. Partly because I still have the mf35 and Im in the process of overhauling the engine with complete sleeves, pistons, bearings etc. I wonder if I had gone the route of maybe a b series kubota with fel for my utility duties and the mf for the occassional heavy work (mowing) would I have a better fit for each task? I really like my L5740 and got it bought for a relatively great price,but after having it for a almost a year now I have not even come close to using it to its full ability.

My suggestion if you want/need a new tractor is a Large B (3200 or 3300) and keep the MF231 until you determine you only need one tractor. The price of older tractors are way down justifying to me to keep my old MF35 Deluxe as I have more in it than the current market. I guess I may make it a parade tractor. dont tell my wife

 

[TripleR]

I sure wish I could be of more help, but there are just so many models just within the Kubota line to pick a "best tractor" for your needs. I have used and looked at quite a few tractors and now primarily use a L5740 and M8540; both are perfect for our needs/"wants". That having been said, they have all the "bells and whistles" you don't want that I find essential.

The L3700SU, L3800, L4400, L4600, GL3540-L5040, MX4700, MX5100 and M5140 will all do what you want and can be equipped to your specs. Obviously I prefer Kubota, but would recommend looking at all top brands with good dealers in your area; hard to overstate how important a good dealer is.

Loaded tires/wheel weights: For me I prefer fluid, but there is nothing wrong with weights other than cost. We have a tractor with both and I may add weights to my L5740 if needed; use depends, so modifications can be made later.

4 wheel drive: A must have when working in hills, tried both.

HST: I have driven a couple of pretty old HST's and I personally have no concerns about long term reliability. I drive an HST+ and 12/12 Hydraulic Shuttle Shift and like both though the HST is easier to use. Some prefer one, some prefer the other and still some really like the GST.

New Kubota Engines: I honestly don't know, but I traded this year to get ahead of the Tier IV engines; smart move or stupid, time will tell.

Turbos: I live in farm country and turbos are nothing new, our renters have some older tractors with them and both my primary tractors have them. There again, some people don't like them, some do.

FEL: We have tractors with them and some without, I won't buy another without one.

Remotes: I put three sets on my last tractor as I have Top and Tilt. I consider a hydraulic top link as one of the best things you can do, so I would go with at least one set, preferably two sets.

Sorry, but I just have to address the area of "frills" as you mention long term use/ownership. I am 65 and can't drive any of the tractors I was driving when I was 45 and they are all at another farm being used by other family members and I had to buy new in spite of fully serviceable tractors on hand.

I am certainly no expert, so don't take my opinions too seriously.

If you can pick a tractor with:

1. Just the right horsepower, no more no less.
2. Just the right weight, no more no less.
3. Just the right loader/backhoe performance, no more no less.
4. Just the right tires.
5. Just the right transmission for ALL of your needs.
6. Just the right price, no more; don't worry about the "less" part, won't happen.
7. Just the right size; not too big and not too small, just right.

If you can do all this and more that you aspire to in your tractor selection, you can retire from your present job and become a very successful tractor consultant.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Yea, dont take it personal or the wrong way. It just makes it easier on everyone else to enjoy the great info you have given the OP instead of just skipping it.

PS: you can still edit the post. All you have to do is highlight what you wrote and click a color.

I did not, glad you pointed it out and made me learn how to do it. Philip.

 

[KYDan]

I have had the MX5100, 4WD, HST, for a little over a year now and I love it. It is my 2nd Kubota, the first one was an L2900. They are the most reliable tractors that I have ever owned or used. The MX5100 is a great tractor and one of the best value tractors Kubota offers (I really think it is the best value tractor they offer.) I have 150 hours on it and it has performed flawlessly. I just posted a review on it this morning. The petty things that I have to say about it are that like all Kubotas it is light, it is a little thirsty, but it is a 51HP, HST, turbocharged machine. It is noisy, ear protection is a must. The seat safety switch is a pain, and there is no brake on warning light. I have a great dealer only 8 miles from my home so that really sweetens the deal. If you are going to purchase a new one get it before Tier 4 kicks in as it will add significant cost and complexity. Good luck.

 

[LD1]

I did not, glad you pointed it out and made me learn how to do it. Philip.

No problem. Heck, I am still learning new things about the forum. But it is MUCH easier to distinguish between YOUR writing and the OP's when you answer his questions within a post like that:thumbsup: I just didnt want to sound like a smart@$$ or anything, cause I see you have been around a few years and several posts, and though you knew that but just chose not to use the features:confused3: Glad I was truly helpful

 

[94BULLITT]

Were you planning on keeping the bx? I think you may miss it if you got rid of it?

 

[Bluegill2]

No worries with the 'new' Kubotas. Just pick the size/price you want.

Two tractors is better than one.

 

[Katahdin]

I just bought a Yanmar LX, I figure it compares to a Kubota L series. You can get some really good discounts and a better warranty (5 years for the powertrain 2 years for the other tractor components). I test drove a Kubota HST and the Yanmar version just seemed smoother to me. Yanmar is a well established global company that also supplies industrial, marine, and John Deere engines so parts availability shouldn't be an issue. Go have some fun and test drive as many makes and models as you can!

I opted not to go with a turbo engine model. The parts (starters, alternators, etc) for the smaller displacement turbo engine seemed more expensive. I also know from experience that turbos need to be cooled down after use and running them at idle speeds leads to wet stacking issues.

 

[cmikewil]

Were you planning on keeping the bx? I think you may miss it if you got rid of it?

I'm certain I will miss it, but really don't want to be maintaining 2 or more tractors.

I just keep thinking that ,"If only this BX would pull my brush hog". I really like it; just wish my larger utility tractor were a large Kubota.

I have only 45 hours on the BX; it would make sense to use the value on a replacement now.

In short, when I bought the Massey, I bought what I could afford. And recently, I bought the BX to supplement it just because I could. I didn't foresee liking it so well.