IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 15,802
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
I'm also new to the thread...
I'd take an MX any day over a Grand L. MX is for work, a 1980's technology Landcruiser. Grand L is a 2017 Lexus. Both superb but I'd take the tougher simpler MX. Put the $100/month into implements instead.
I noted in your first post you were talking about a 4n1 bucket. I think that is a mistake. 4n1 buckets are like Swiss Army knives. If you can only have one bucket then fine but it doesn't do anything particularly well. It is heavy and expensive compared to a standard bucket and a separate standard grapple (probably 60" single lid for the MX5200). I own both a 4n1 and a grapple. Grapple is five times as efficient as the 4n1. You cannot dig roots with a 4n1. You can only carry a fraction of the debris you could cram into a standard grapple too. The standard bucket will also hold more dirt/sand etc than an equivalent width 4n1 and weigh a lot less too so will have greater net load capacity. The only reason for a 4n1 IMO is if you are a contractor working at a distant site and can only transport one all purpose bucket. If you are working close to your barn then it is always worthwhile just driving back and changing implements. A standard bucket is part of the initial purchase and costs only $500 or so. An excellent grapple for the MX would be an Everything Attachments compact wicked 60" single lid for about $1600 or so. A 72" 4n1 will set you back over $3000. Use the savings to get a set of forks and tree boom for the FEL. (I would note too that I use a Kioti DK40se which is about the same weight and even stronger loader than the MX5200. I use a light duty 48" single lid grapple that weighs about 300lbs and is still functioning well after ten years of abuse clearing land of trees and rocks and debris. DON'T buy a "big" grapple!)
BTW, I have nothing against Kubotas except that they are expensive (and no, it isn't that they are better). If you are on the same side of the Mississippi River as Dave's Tractors, I would suggest a field trip. He sells a great brand (Mahindra) and is himself a very straight shooter. An equivalent HP/size Mahindra will save you $3-4K over Kubota in my experience (same is true of equally good Kioti and LS tractors if there are dealers around). I also wouldn't be concerned about having a nearby dealer. I was also once a noob and bought a tractor from a dealer 300 miles away. Tractor has never been back to any dealership. Cell phones, UPS/FedEx and a few wrenches is all I've needed to keep my Kioti running perfectly for ten years (and I'd never owned a diesel before).
I'd take an MX any day over a Grand L. MX is for work, a 1980's technology Landcruiser. Grand L is a 2017 Lexus. Both superb but I'd take the tougher simpler MX. Put the $100/month into implements instead.
I noted in your first post you were talking about a 4n1 bucket. I think that is a mistake. 4n1 buckets are like Swiss Army knives. If you can only have one bucket then fine but it doesn't do anything particularly well. It is heavy and expensive compared to a standard bucket and a separate standard grapple (probably 60" single lid for the MX5200). I own both a 4n1 and a grapple. Grapple is five times as efficient as the 4n1. You cannot dig roots with a 4n1. You can only carry a fraction of the debris you could cram into a standard grapple too. The standard bucket will also hold more dirt/sand etc than an equivalent width 4n1 and weigh a lot less too so will have greater net load capacity. The only reason for a 4n1 IMO is if you are a contractor working at a distant site and can only transport one all purpose bucket. If you are working close to your barn then it is always worthwhile just driving back and changing implements. A standard bucket is part of the initial purchase and costs only $500 or so. An excellent grapple for the MX would be an Everything Attachments compact wicked 60" single lid for about $1600 or so. A 72" 4n1 will set you back over $3000. Use the savings to get a set of forks and tree boom for the FEL. (I would note too that I use a Kioti DK40se which is about the same weight and even stronger loader than the MX5200. I use a light duty 48" single lid grapple that weighs about 300lbs and is still functioning well after ten years of abuse clearing land of trees and rocks and debris. DON'T buy a "big" grapple!)
BTW, I have nothing against Kubotas except that they are expensive (and no, it isn't that they are better). If you are on the same side of the Mississippi River as Dave's Tractors, I would suggest a field trip. He sells a great brand (Mahindra) and is himself a very straight shooter. An equivalent HP/size Mahindra will save you $3-4K over Kubota in my experience (same is true of equally good Kioti and LS tractors if there are dealers around). I also wouldn't be concerned about having a nearby dealer. I was also once a noob and bought a tractor from a dealer 300 miles away. Tractor has never been back to any dealership. Cell phones, UPS/FedEx and a few wrenches is all I've needed to keep my Kioti running perfectly for ten years (and I'd never owned a diesel before).
