Buying Advice Kubota 5740 potential purchase

[KubotaTrev]

Ok, I'll admit, I'm green as fresh willow stick. Need some advice on a used tractor now.

Initially I looked at a Grand L60, a 6060 to be specific, tractor and loader, turf tires, mid pto, work lights, but after finding out the price of the Kubota quick hitch and front mount snowblower, I've given up on that dream. I think I can clear snow with loader and bucket and front blade if needed.

So I stumbled across a (what I think is anyway) good deal on a used unit, 400hrs, R4's (not my favorite but beggars can't be choosers, might have to load them up for winter snow clearing?) loader with SSQA, 6' bucket, 7' front blade with kubota quick hitch, and 6' finish mower (not really needed since I have an 84", but it's included anyway) 45k CAD all in before dealing (which I'm not good at admittedly)

I'm a bit confused so need some help here. I haven't test drove it yet but from the pictures, it looks to have a clutch pedal, the earlier HST+ units had a clutch as well? Is that just used for starting? Any worries about the clutch being an extra maintenance item (just curious why the dropped it in the newer units) Any issues with the brakes and HST pedal being on the right side as opposed to the newer units being left side brakes? Just seems like a bit of a weird pedal setup.

I really like the swivel seat it has, so you can swivel to the side to keep an eye on rear implements I assume?

It doesn't have 3rd function but has two rear remotes, is adding 3rd function easy? Or dealer has to do that?

I'm just looking for something to clear snow and mow, and this units quite a bit cheaper than buying a new one so that extra money I can add a grapple and 3rd function. I like the no DPF and the HP range is right what I'm looking for. Any advice is surly appreciated.

 

[Al 2]

Check out Paul Short on Youtube. I think he has a 5740 with numerous upgrades and many 'how he 's done it' videos. I'd recommend a rear blower.
Al

 

[KubotaTrev]

Thanks! funnily enough I was just watching this video which he states the clutch is only for starting: Viewer Request: Inside The Cab Of Our Kubota 574 - YouTube Talk about pimp my tractor! (in a good way)

I'll google around TBN and scour all the 5740 posts, see what I can see.

 

[Fallon]

My L3200 was a HST & had a clutch for starting & PTO engagement. Can't speak to Lxx40s though, although I'd guess they were electro-hydraulic engagement on the PTO like the Lxx60s.

I'm content with my L4060, but a L5740 would have been tempting. No emissions to deal with and a few more HP. HP is really only usefully for PTO work (mowing) & roading. Otherwise the power on my L4060 is a good match for weight/traction.

I went with R4s on my L3200 & L4060. They are a compromise, but one I'm satisfied with. A little less traction & minimal self-ckeaning in mud for more durability, weight carrying & less turf damage.

If you want to put the power of a grand to the ground, you need loaded tires & front or rear ballast, depending on where the impliment you are using is. Kubota doesn't recommend loading front tires. Given the front axle is weaker, more complex & more expensive to replace, I tend to agree. Also given it pivots, loaded fronts do less for stability than rears.

I couldn't fit rear chains on my L3200, but when I added fronts I increased my push capacity by 25% & could finally turn when plowing. I got some front chains for my L4060 this year but have yet to use them. Got a SSQA plow last year, but no snow showed worth bothering to use it.

Weight will help in the snow, but chains will help a LOT more. R1s might be a bit better, but R4s aren't bad. Ironically R4 turf tires seem to be better than R1 or R4 in the snow & ice according to most people who have used all of them.

 

[Fallon]

Also, my L4060 doesn't have a swivel seat. I got an air ride. Don't think the stock seat swiveled either though.

What makes you say clutch pedal? Tractors have 2 brake pedals, 1 for the left rear & 1 for the right rear. They can be pinned together to operate as one when roading. The Lxx60 HSTs have the brakes on the left. My L3200 had them on the right. Not sure what the Lxx40s had for HST or gear/GST setups.

 

[KubotaTrev]

Also, my L4060 doesn't have a swivel seat. I got an air ride. Don't think the stock seat swiveled either though.

What makes you say clutch pedal? Tractors have 2 brake pedals, 1 for the left rear & 1 for the right rear. They can be pinned together to operate as one when roading. The Lxx60 HSTs have the brakes on the left. My L3200 had them on the right. Not sure what the Lxx40s had for HST or gear/GST setups.

The picture the seller sent I noticed what looked like a clutch pedal on the left side, and this video confirms that the 5740 does indeed have it: Viewer Request: Inside The Cab Of Our Kubota 5740 - YouTube I was just curious if that was something I'd have to worry about down the road.

You can see the swivel seat here: Kubota's Grand L40 - YouTube

So the floor layout is:

right side FWD/RVS hydrostatic pedal, and left/right brake pedals
Left side clutch (only used for starting it seems)

Just seemed like a weird pedal layout and they ditched the clutch in the newer L6060 I test drove

Basically it looks to me the 5740 has everything (except the weird pedal layout, but i'll get over it I'm sure) than I liked in the L6060 (HST+, stall guard, etc) but none of the emissions stuff.

 

[jeff9366]

KubotaTrev:

I stumbled across a (what I think is anyway) good deal on a used Kubota 5740, 400hrs, R4's. Might have to load rear tires up for winter snow clearing?

Tire chains, either steel or rubber, will give you a better ice grip than loading the rear tires. Buy quality snow chains.
LINK: tractor steel rubber tire chains - Google Search



I'm a bit confused so need some help here. From pictures Kubota 5740 appears to have a clutch pedal, the earlier HST+ units had a clutch as well? I like no DPF and the HP is right.

My 2011 Kubota B3300SU/HST had a clutch pedal too. The Kubota mechanic repeatedly told me clutch pedal was superfluous and that I did not need to clutch ~~~~but I clutched anyhow, having owned more clutch/gear equipped cars and trucks than auto trans equipped.

It remains open how much of a repair/replacement cost will be associated with tractor DPF as years pass. Certainly DPF added $3,000 to $4,000 to tractor prices over 25-horsepower. However the 10% increase in gross engine horsepower, cleaner exhaust, absence of soot on the front of the tractor where exhaust pipe ends and lack of diesel smell warming up in the garage and operating in the field are day-to-day positives for Tier IV.

Health hazard to operator breathing diesel particulates over 12,000 tractor engine hours also remains open. Benzene is a carcinogen.

In fifteen years it is possible new <60-horsepower tractors may be electrically powered.

 

[nybirdman]

I have a very similar L4240 HSTC;and yes it does have a clutch on the left.Only used for starting;I have never used mine for PTO engagement.Very nice tractor and not a bad price for all included(Canadian $).My third function cost $900 when new(2009).You can use the rear remotes for a grapple.
Lack of current emissions controls is a big plus.Very nice tractor and won't last long a dealers lot.

 

[moship]

Since this tractor comes with the quick hitch for the plow, it can be used on a front mounted snowblower. Of course you'll need the necessary drivetrain, snowblower and perhaps mid PTO to complete. With a bit of looking you should be able to find a compatible used snowblower and Kubota offers the drivetrain and mid PTO if needed.

Good luck with the purchase.

 

[nybirdman]

Since this tractor comes with the quick hitch for the plow, it can be used on a front mounted snowblower. Of course you'll need the necessary drivetrain, snowblower and perhaps mid PTO to complete. With a bit of looking you should be able to find a compatible used snowblower and Kubota offers the drivetrain and mid PTO if needed.

Good luck with the purchase.

O.P.didn't state if the snow plow attaches to the SS on the FEL or has the sub-frame type(that alone is worth a couple grand).