Comparison Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates!

   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates! #1  

MechanicalGuy

Platinum Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2019
Messages
587
Location
Beautiful South
Tractor
Kubota mx5200
Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me choose- UPDATED wtith Land Pic

So I've made a matrix to identify important parameters and characteristics of potential tractors. I'm looking at models in the 45-50HP range specifically, but I've included some above and below that threshold because they've given me an idea of physical sizing that I can use in this matrix to help me understand how a potential tractor that I've not demo'ed will physically fit my size before I bother driving hours to go test one out and see immediately that it's too small. I'm a really tall guy, 6'8", and comfort is first and foremost. The tractors that I like the size of, the Kubota L4701 and the JD 4044 seem to be a good minimum that I could live with. I've left the JD off this matrix because I won't be buying one. I have left of the Mahindras as well, because I was not happy with the "sit in" experience that I had on the 1626 and the 2640. I don't know who makes what, but I'd be glad to hear people recommend tractors that fit my criteria that I may not have considered and that I do not know about.

I'm looking mainly for tractors with no cab, 4wd is a must, loader is a must, and I'm really thinking a hydrostatic transmission is a must, although I have no idea what the CVT in the New Hollands would offer, and the Yanmar YT347 with it's hybrid transmission seems like it would be the best transmission available in a tractor.

Look over the matrix and see the color conditioning that I've used to kind of identify the sizing that I'd like the most. the lighter color suggests that the tractor is physically smaller, and the greener the cells are colored, the bigger the dimensions are. The first sections are physical size related and highlighted in light red. They are more heavily weighted because the tractor has to fit me first and foremost.

Slide1.JPG
updated matrix:
Slide1.JPG

The tractor will be used with a bush hog, a grapple, a box blade, and the loader mainly. I may use a haro or a plow for small gardens, but the main uses will be keeping up roads and maintaining a few small acreage flats on a very hilly mountainous 128 acre plot. We have lots and lots of crappy scrub pines cut down and more to go. Big piles of 'em. The grapple will work well.

Please be easy on me. I've never had a tractor, drivin or used a tractor. But we have this big plot and lots of stuff needs to get done, and my back won't do it.

There are probably several errors on the matrix, but hopefully none very egregious.

Options that I'm going to opt for are 3rd function hyd in front and at least one rear remote and a removable sun shade. I really don't wanna spend more that $32k on Tractor with loader and an inexpensive bush hog implement, but that's not set in stone.

Here is a look at what we're dealing with:

Screenshot_20190630-131045_Gallery.jpg
 
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   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates! #2  
I think you should consider Kubota MX series as well as Kubota L4701.

Close in weight. Very close in price.

Larger wheels/tires on MX. Less ground loading. More traction. Greater support for grapple loads.

Category I/II Three Point Hitch on MX, more robust than Category I hitch on L4701; but both are strong.

Three nearly identical tractors in MX series with 85% (?) common parts. Faster parts supply.

Nearly flat floor in MX.



Budget does not seem controlling in your considerations.

Also consider Kubota L3560, smallest of Kubota 'Grand L' models. This is a heavy-for-its-size, full featured tractor. About $30,000 with FEL. Grand L HST/PLUS transmission is tractor industry's best.

VIDEOS: Kubota Standard L-Series. L251 L331 L391 L471 features and operation. - YouTube

Kubota MX series walk around and features by Messicks. | MX48 MX52 MX58 - YouTube

Kubota Standard L Series VS. Grand L Series - YouTube
 
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   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates!
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I think you should consider Kubota MX series as well as Kubota L4701.

Close in weight.

Larger wheels/tires on MX. Less ground loading. More traction.

Category I/II Three Point Hitch on MX, more robust than Category I hitch on L4701; but both are strong.

Three nearly identical tractors in MX series with mostly common parts. Faster parts supply.

Nearly flat floor in MX.

done. I've yet to see one on a lot, but I like what I see about them. Higher end of my price range though. I guess I need to go list that in my OP.
 
   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates! #4  
I may use a tandem disc harrow or a plow for small gardens.

For three acres or less a PTO-powered roto-tiller will be a better choice.

1) Moldboard plow takes a long time to learn to use satisfactorily. Roto-tiller = short learning curve.

2) Disc Harrow + (new) Moldboard Plow cost more than PTO-powered roto-tiller.

3) Disc Harrow requires a lot of storage space.

4) Tiller is compact. Tiller makes excellent Three Point Hitch counterbalance to FEL grapple loads.


VIDEOS: How to use a Rotary Tiller - 1 Series - YouTube

TRACTOR TILLERS - YouTube
 
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   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates!
  • Thread Starter
#5  
For three acres or less a PTO-powered roto-tiller will be a better choice.

1) Moldboard plow takes a long time to learn to use satisfactorily. Roto-tiller = short learning curve.

2) Disc Harrow + (new) Moldboard Plow cost more than PTO-powered roto-tiller.

3) Disc Harrow requires a lot of storage space.

4) Tiller is compact. Tiller make excellent Three Point Hitch counterbalance to FEL grapple loads.


VIDEOS: How to use a Rotary Tiller - 1 Series - YouTube

TRACTOR TILLERS - YouTube

Thanks. I've watched a thousand videos trying to learn about this stuff, but that was the first tiller/haro comparison video.

The fil has a haro he can let me have, so there's that.
 
   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates! #6  
A lot of work on the matrix for sure. I have done smaller ones comparing up to 4 tractors at a time with fewer specs.

Another thing you may want to consider is turning radius. Comparison of the wheelbase isn't necessarily an indicator of how sharp the tractor will turn. The circle scribed by the inside rear tire on a tight turn is 27" smaller with my L4240 than with my L3200 (71" vs. 98").

I would echo Jeff's comment on the HST/Plus. The on-the-fly range shift has been very useful.
 
   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates! #7  
The Yanmar YT347/359 come with two rear remotes standard which could put you into a top n tilt setup which would be a boon for box blade work and plowing/tilling. It’s also pre-wired for 3rd function on the loader. The iHMT transmission puts more power to the ground than a standard HST.

The Kubota Grand L’s have the HST+ which is the bomb but they may be out of your price range if purchasing new.

The new Kioti DK4710SE is an excellent high option tractor as well.
 
   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates!
  • Thread Starter
#8  
A lot of work on the matrix for sure. I have done smaller ones comparing up to 4 tractors at a time with fewer specs.

Another thing you may want to consider is turning radius. Comparison of the wheelbase isn't necessarily an indicator of how sharp the tractor will turn. The circle scribed by the inside rear tire on a tight turn is 27" smaller with my L4240 than with my L3200 (71" vs. 98").

I would echo Jeff's comment on the HST/Plus. The on-the-fly range shift has been very useful.
Ah yes, I just revisited the HDS HST trans video, and I had forgotten about that special feature. It definitely is a great feature. I wonder if it truly is the best trans in the industry or just more popular than Yanmars transmission due to dealer prevalence and tractor popularity. The Yanmar hybrid trans looks to be very awesome as well.
 
   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates! #9  
L3560 is my third tractor.

Two predecessors were economy tractors, a Kubota B3300SU and a Deere/Yanmar 750.

When doing Loader work I used to stall twenty times per day.

With HST/PLUS, which includes STALL GUARD, I stall the L3560 perhaps twice per month. I operate 200 engine hours to 300 engine hours per year.

HST/PLUS greatly improves tractor productivity.

VIDEO: Kubota HST Plus Transmission Features - YouTube
 
   / Tractor sizing and comparison and choices...Help me identify potential candidates! #10  
Please be easy on me. I've never had a tractor, drivin or used a tractor. But we have this big plot and lots of stuff needs to get done, and my back won't do it.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My Kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

Transporting a tractor for non-warranty service is expensive and one of the services that slows tractor service departments. If tractor service is 30 miles away it often requires the dealer make four trips, two laden with the tractor and two empty. So 30 miles is actually 120 miles for service; at $2.00 (varies) per mile transport alone will cost ~~$240.00. When you have to wait for dealer transport it may be because dealer wants to schedule a tractor return in your direction prior to picking up your tractor.


While you are shopping tractors research the best local welder.
 
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