Questions on MX machines

[ChemE]

Hi All,

I currently have a L2501 that I will be upgrading to a MX machine. Initially was going to get the MX4800 to stay away from a turbo. My concern was that if not used a lot a turbo would have problems like newer diesel trucks (the fuel is the lubricant), is this a problem with tractors also? I have 170 hrs on my 3 year old L2501.

Next question, is if I did go with a MX5200 or 5800 what is the largest rotary cutter I could use? Maybe a twin spindle 10 fter or larger. This would be grass hay fields as the guy who cuts my hay is not paying anything, so I may just cut it myself a couple times a year (26 acres of field).

Thanks

ChemE

 

[flashpuppy]

Your understanding of turbo vs reliability is skewed. Forget whatever horse honkey you have heard. If anything, a turbo will be more reliable for you as the turbo eases the strain on your engine to create the same horsepower.

Rule of thumb is 5hp per foot of rotary cutter. A lot depends upon what you are cutting.

To me, in my opinion, you get the most horsepower you can afford. The MX series is a good tractor. I would not consider anything less than the MX5800.

 

[ning]

If anything, a turbo will be more reliable for you as the turbo eases the strain on your engine to create the same horsepower.

I suspect you may be wrong here.

A turbo essentially lets a smaller engine create the same horsepower as a larger one... but it's still the engine "creating" the horsepower; all the turbo does is push more air into the engine.
If anything, the smaller engine is going to be under more stress than a larger one at the same hp. This is the reason why medium duty trucks get "de-rated" engines compared to the higher hp light duty trucks -- bigger engine with less hp equals less stress.

Turbos engines also can have problems if they're run hot and then turned off, the oil in the turbo can "coke"; it's essential to idle a bit so that the turbo isn't super hot before shutting down... this is a failure mode which non-turbo engines don't have. It's probably less of a concern with tractors than with sports cars, though; a car may be run hard right up to a parking lot and shut off quickly (... to evade capture? i certainly don't have personal experience with this...), but a tractor that's run hard is typically run hard in a field, and typically it's working much less hard before being put away. Anyways, it's something to keep in mind with turbos, especially as tractors probably don't have temperature dependent oil pumps that will continue to circulate the oil after the key is turned off.

Regardless, in any of our hands, there should be a negligible difference in reliability as all of these engines are built well to produce their relatively pokey hp.

 

[jeff9366]

I would want a cab on the tractor mowing 26 acres. Heat, humidity, sun, bees, dust and pollen too awful mowing that much area. Kubota does not offer cabs on the MX series tractors.

Operating a Rotary Cutter is one tractor application where tractor horsepower, particularly tractor PTO horsepower, should be your first consdieration.

Most mowing is done in HST/MEDIUM range.
Calculate mowing time with various width mowing implements:

Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour

 

[big bubba]

Maybe a twin spindle 10 fter or larger ChemE

10' twin spindle? assume you mean the pull behind finish? certainly not 3ph.... even so, that's a lot of cutter for the MX series. high growth will bog it down & increase mowing time..... imho a 6' 3ph cutter would be my choice with that set up
(that was my previous set up w/an MX5000). imho a 3ph is more versatile than drag type cutter, but each circumstance is different.

and yes, go the largest of the MX series. many here will advise cab. my preference would be take the money you'd spend on an MX cab and go with a 60-70 hp M series open station that would give you more rotary cutter options
but that's just personal, i tolerate the elements just fine as long as the machine is properly matched to the task. after all, you don't make a living with your tractor...i just save the a/c & heater for my vehicle & home. best regards

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Turbos engines also can have problems if they're run hot and then turned off, the oil in the turbo can "coke"; it's essential to idle a bit so that the turbo isn't super hot before shutting down...

You don't idle them because the turbo is "super hot", it's because the turbo needs oil moving to the bearings while the turbo spins down...

Turning the engine off, stops oil pressure, then "that" oil stops going to the turbo bearings with the turbo still spinning for several minutes after the engine is off. BUT, letting the engine idle, keeps oil going to the turbo bearings and gives the turbo time to spin down...

SR

 

[Ortimber]

The MX series tractors almost always get great reviews. I wouldn't be afraid of owning one.

It surprises me how many people are afraid of turbos. They are a simple device that doesn't require any maintenance and failures
in heavy equipment and farm machinery seem fairly rare.

Keep your engine oil in good condition and you would likely never see turbo issues.

 

[ChemE]

Thanks Everyone! I currently use a Landpride 2660 cutter with my L2501 and have cut the fields once before, but mostly trim the field edges and have been taking back briar filled areas. I assumed since L2501 could handle the 5 ft. cutter in pretty tall stuff, that a MX5200 or 5800 could handle a 10 ft rotary cutter (yes a pull behind, but wasn't going to get a finish mower). I would prefer an open station because the rest of the 356 acres is woods and don't really want to beat up a cab with branches.

LOL, the only diesel I own is the tractor as my F350 is a gas motor. I have several friends who advised me to go gas when upgrading trucks (they all have diesels), due to not driving it much. So no, I'm not an expert, haha. My truck does pull an 11,000 pound skidloader fine, but its right at the max conventional towing load of 15k with the trailer. And true, of all 4 skidloaders I have pulled the older Case 85XT is a turbo and still kicking at around 3,000 hrs, leaks hydraulic fluid like a sieve.

I was fine with the quotes I got for the MX4800, not just need to see what the difference is to the MX5800. Thought is was an additional $1200 to $1500 to go to the MX5200.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

You want to run a 10' rotary cutter with a 45 or 50hp tractor???

Don't count on that working out too well!!

SR

 

[big bubba]

You want to run a 10' rotary cutter with a 45 or 50hp tractor???

Don't count on that working out too well!!

SR

agree. no brainer. esp w/dull cutters & heavy growth. can't have it all....imho many members are too ambitious w/under powered machines. now is the time when buying new to select the right machine for the task at hand. if you want an MX, get the 5800 w/a 6' heavy duty rotary 3ph
or step up to the M series that will expand rotary options. best regards