Fixin' to pull the trigger

[jezreel]

I posted late last year, thinking my wife and I would be in our new house on 20 acres by late June. The rain last year kept us in a perpetual delay, but now we are 2 weeks out. I went to the Green and Orange dealer, and provided a detailed description of our property, and what we plan on doing with it. First thing I wanted to know was what size tractor they recommended. Both recommended the mid-40hp range. Skipping some details to not make this post too long, I have been focussing on the Kubota. When I left the Kubota Dealer we were talking about the L4701, but over the past week I have been exploring the MX4800. My calculations show that the price difference is quite minimal. I will be going to two other Kubota Dealers in the next couple of days to find the dealership with the friendliest and most helpful staff, and the best price.

For those who are familiar with these models, please provide any thoughts on the L4701 vs MX4800.

I will be a First Time tractor owner. Planning to get an FL, BH, BB, and DH for the attachments.

Thanks so much for your thoughts. Ask me questions that might help with any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[Roadworthy]

Not knowing what you plan to do with the property it's hard to make recommendations, so I won't. If the M series is selling for about the same price as the L series I'd probably go with the M as it's a much heavier duty unit.

 

[rScotty]

I think both are nice. Frankly if I was faced with that decision I'd probably rent one of each for a weekend. You'll learn more that weekend than in a year of discussion.
rScotty

 

[4570Man]

Grand series vs M I’d probably take the grand. Economy series vs M I’d probably take the M.

 

[jezreel]

Thanks folks. A bit of the work I will be doing right now is maintaining a 1/4 mile crushed concrete road with the box blade, cutting 11 acres with the bush hog. The pastures have been overgrown for 13 years after they were left abandoned from watermelon production, so I will be discing and leveling the pastures, ultimately this spring I will be seeding and sprigging for coastal Bermuda, then cutting the pastures once the Bermuda gets going. I have paid a man 3 times to cut the 11 acres for $600 per cutting. I have 9 acres of trees, and a percentage of them downed from a tornado, so I will be using the loader for moving those and cutting up for firewood. I have a few trails thru the woods that I will run the bush hog and hog blade thru on occasion for maintenance. I plan on starting an orchard and having a large garden. I have a new pond that will need a bit of dirt work as well.

Thanks for looking and replying.

I think that gives an accurate idea of my projects.

 

[rScotty]

OK, that gives a better idea of what you will be looking for. A lot of what you are describing is landscape or construction work rather than Ag work.

Given those jobs, I'd go for one of the Kubota TLBs rather than the L or the MX tractors. You pay a little more for the TLB, but you get more capability. More gears, more weight, greater lift, heavier construction, more hydraulics, and a large insulated canopy.
The thumb & hoe combo is particularly good for dealing with trees. And for dirt work of course.

I'm not sure just how one would maintain a crushed gravel/concrete road with a box blade. You may want to get the salesman to show you how to do that. Take a video....
rScotty

 

[4570Man]

What’s wrong with a box blade on a gravel driveway. Seems like a fine combination to me. I’m a big fan of the Kubota TLBs but the cost is pretty substantially more. My biggest complaint is the gearing is too deep and and the loader is non removable. I’ll live with those trade offs for a twice as strong machine.

 

[BearChamion]

Things change needs change. Look at the resell of each of the three tractors being three years old.

Buy the one with the best resell. I’d guess that it’s green.

 

[Diggin It]

I went to the Green and Orange dealer

Ask me questions that might help with any thoughts or suggestions.

Don't be afraid of blue. It's coooolll, especially the pricing.

XR Series – LS Tractor USA

 

[jeff9366]

For those who are familiar with these models, please provide any thoughts on the L4701 vs MX4800.

I will be a First Time tractor owner. Planning to get an FL, BH, BB, and DH for the attachments.

Either model will serve but I would favor the MX4800 over the L4701.

MX series tractor parts mostly interchange, meaning your dealer will have more MX parts in stock.

L4701 is kind of an odd man in the Kubota line, which some forecast will disappear but keeps showing up in the lineup every year. Few dealers keep an L4701 in inventory, few maintain L4701 parts inventory.

3) Will want to plant numerous fruit and pecan trees

Larger wheels and tires on the MX will make it more stable operating a Backhoe but will be less able to fit between trees. A $450 Bucket Spade is excellent for tree planting, especially mounted on optional Kubota L2296 heavy-duty, round-back bucket. Much less money than $8,000 Backhoe.

LINK: Tractor and Skidsteer bucket spade shovel


If you decide on MX4800 order optional rigid, pinned, telescoping Lower Link stabilizers, so you can PUSH with a Box Blade in prudent fashion. The standard turnbuckle/chain stabilizers only support the Lower Links when the tractor is moving forward. Turnbuckle stabilizers will bend if you attempt to push with them. (Ask me how I know.)'
VIDEO: Kubota Standard L Series L843 Telescopic Stabilizer kit (overview and install) - YouTube

MX4800 can operate a 72" heavy duty (1,000 pound) Rotary Cutter in every length of dry grass, plus cutting intrusive saplings. Here is a mowing calculator: Mowing Calcuator | How many acres can I mow in an hour


Disc Harrows rely on weight for effectiveness. Weight is in the discs/pans. You can pull a 72" wide Disc Harrow with pans 22" in diameter with an MX4800 or L4701.

Few with Disc Harrows adjust them after putting them to use. If you first process the field two or three times (depending on the weight bearing on each of your disc pans) to loosen ridges, then adjust gang angles less aggressively in increments, the disc may meet your needs solo.

Moist soil will make your project go faster.

Adjust Top Link to vary disc weight distribution. Shorter = more weight on front gangs. Longer = more weight on rear gangs.

More weight on front disc gangs throws dirt OUT. Use on ridges.

More weight on rear/wider disc gangs gathers dirt in. Straddle the swales.

The faster you disc the more dirt is moved.

As the field is smoothed, reduce aggressiveness of front gang angles.
As the field is further smoothed,adjust Position Control so disc is in lighter contact with the soil.

Most pasture grass roots penetrate 7" to 9". Most pasture grass roots survive vigorous disc processing if rain arrives not long after.

If you elect to overseed I highly recommend a <$10.00 soil test and soil amendment per test result(s) prior to seeding. You need to inform testing agency what variety of grass you intend to plant for optimum amendment results.

 

[chas0218]

My father has the MX 5200 with loader and 4x4 for our 120 acre farm (40% wooded) and we are very happy with it. It has impressed us with the amount of power and versatility it has. It has no problem skidding logs for firewood. We have pulled 3 logs 24" across and around 70' long, we didn't thing it was going to be able to do it but surprised us. We also bush hog about 30 acres using a 6' bush hog. The fields are usually about 5' tall timothy and it has no problem turning that 6' bush hog in that tall thick grass. We replaced our Ford 4000 with this tractor and was a little concerned it wouldn't pull the 3 bottom 18" moldboard plow but haven't had an issue.

 

[jeff9366]

IMPLEMENTS:

https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media...aa214276e14dacb/pub2917tractorimplements1.pdf

everything attachments videos - YouTube

Iowa Farm Equipment




T-B-N ARCHIVE: Kubota MX vs L471b site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search

 

[jezreel]

Very short time to give a big THANKS for the replies so far! ! ! Tomorrow, after I get out of the deer stand, I am going to visit 2 more Orange Dealers closer to the homestead. Also, my builder has a friend who owns a business that sells LS, TYM, and Zetor. He said he would bring me by this guy's business to look at those brands. Personally, I am really leaning toward Orange, but we will see what this guy has to say.

Thanks again for the replies. I'll reply more later when I have a few more mins.

 

[jeff9366]

LS, from Korea, is a worthy competitor for Kubota. Check out the deluxe LS XU5055 models, around 4,700 pounds, bare tractor weight.

Zetor, from the Czech Republic, is probably very high quality but Zetor volume in USA is less than minuscule.

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.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I posted late last year, thinking my wife and I would be in our new house on 20 acres by late June. The rain last year kept us in a perpetual delay, but now we are 2 weeks out. I went to the Green and Orange dealer, and provided a detailed description of our property, and what we plan on doing with it. First thing I wanted to know was what size tractor they recommended. Both recommended the mid-40hp range. Skipping some details to not make this post too long, I have been focussing on the Kubota. When I left the Kubota Dealer we were talking about the L4701, but over the past week I have been exploring the MX4800. My calculations show that the price difference is quite minimal. I will be going to two other Kubota Dealers in the next couple of days to find the dealership with the friendliest and most helpful staff, and the best price.

For those who are familiar with these models, please provide any thoughts on the L4701 vs MX4800.

I will be a First Time tractor owner. Planning to get an FL, BH, BB, and DH for the attachments.

Thanks so much for your thoughts. Ask me questions that might help with any thoughts or suggestions.

The MX series are great tractors. I have a gear drive and just love the power and size. But... these are very light in the rear; load the tires and get wheel weights, makes all the difference in the world. Even Beagles love them.

 

[rScotty]

What痴 wrong with a box blade on a gravel driveway. Seems like a fine combination to me. I知 a big fan of the Kubota TLBs but the cost is pretty substantially more. My biggest complaint is the gearing is too deep and and the loader is non removable. I値l live with those trade offs for a twice as strong machine.

The problem I have with spreading gravel with a box blade is getting it leveled.... or close to even. If I leave the 3pt in float, the box blade eventually just fills up with gravel. And if I put the 3pt in position control then every time the front wheels go over a ripple the edge of the box blade moves twice that much. I end up making the divots larger.

For spreading gravel on a driveway I finally figured out that at least for my driveway what I needed was to have a heavy blade or rake with angle adjustment and two adjustable height trailing wheels. Then it's easy.

What I use is like in the picture below, except it's an older style Woods made so that the two trailing wheels are farther behind. It also has a lightweight flip-down grading blade that has pivoting end caps. Nice tool. Found it at a landscaping auction.
Around horse country it's a popular tool for working in round pens or large corrals.
Does a fair job on compacted snow that has turned to ice, too.
rScotty

 

[Trillium Farm]

Generally speaking 1st time tractor buyers underestimate the HP required, so I'd go for the MX 4800, but go and sit in both and see which one feels more comfortable to you.
Personally I'd chose orange over green any day of the week!

 

[rScotty]

Jezreel, I was thinking about your tractor search.... Some things are hard to quantify, but make a difference. For example, I just love the loader and backhoe controls on our Kubota. They are very precise - more so than any tractor I've ever used. I'm constantly making little quarter inch adjustments in the way the loader edge is picking up dirt. Previous tractors just didn't do that.

What transmission? I don't do much mowing or field work. Most of mine is what I'd call woodlot and homeowner landscaping. For what I do, the HST+ is one great transmission.
But a good power-shifting/glideshifting multispeed manual transmission with power reverser has its good points too. For one, it is often a lot less expensive. Very durable too. With just a little learning, that transmission comes very close to the HST in ease of loader use.....particularly when you learn to feather the foot clutch. Tractors often have a very light and responsive foot clutch.... although with power shift you don't really need to use it.

For mowing and any field work many prefer the powershift transmission over the HST. Manual transmissions really came into their own when they became "clutch-optional" and added a handy power reversing feature.

And then there is the canopy. I don't know how you feel about cabs, but everyone I know likes a good insulated canopy.
rScotty

 

[fried1765]

The MX series are great tractors. I have a gear drive and just love the power and size. But... these are very light in the rear; load the tires and get wheel weights, makes all the difference in the world. View attachment 628016 Even Beagles love them.

That Beagle looks like it has never missed a meal.

 

[jezreel]

Okey Doke. . . So I got out of my deer stand this morn, spread some rye seed around the new house, and then went to my second Kubota Dealer. Made it by 15mins. I didn't know tractor dealers close at Noon on Saturday. Here are some comments about today, and some questions.

1: The dealer was putting me into the Medium Duty Disc Harrow, Box Blade and Rotary Cutter. The reason he did that was I was telling him that my pastures were under watermelon production until 13 years ago, and have been totally (other than the occasional mowing) abandoned for 13 years. There is NOTHING but weeds in my pastures, and if I let them, they would grow 8' tall, with some pretty hefty stalks. Right now the pastures are cut, and I had them 100% weed killed for every weed that was out there. My plan, after getting guidance, is to disc the field very well in order to be ready to sprig and seed for coastal Bermuda this coming spring. I should NOT have those weeds grow up with the heavy stalks again, and I have no small trees. He explained that the light duty would be for 1" and the medium duty would be for 2" stalks. I do have iron ore rocks under the surface of my pastures (some the size of a cantaloupe), so I might need the medium duty disc harrow. Box Blade will be for the road and scraping trails through the woods.

QUESTION: Do I need the Medium Duty Implements. Of Course Medium Duty Implements are better than light duty, but I don't know that I necessarily need to spend the money on them.

2: Every post I read for Newbies always say. . . Go with the dealer that will provide you with the best service. So, when I was sitting down with the salesman I asked him. . . "What kind of service will you provide me in the future?" He looked at me funny, and said, "Well we will provide great service. And as far as customer service, once again, Great service." He didn't come out and give me reasons WHY I should buy from his dealership.

QUESTION: When buying a new tractor, what type of Great Service should I expect? The posts in the forums ALWAYS say, go with the dealership who will give you great service. So, I am just curious. The only thing he said that he would do for me was deliver the equipment for free. And that answer was not given with excitement. And it was not offered.

3: I asked about getting R4 rather than R1 Ag tires filled with water/antifreeze. He stated that he didn't have any MX4800s with R4s on his lot, but could look to find where find one to get one transferred in. He looked to see if he could order one from the factory with the R4s, but was unable, as it seems they are about to start making new tractors. I asked him if there would be a transfer fee for that, and he was a bit vague on that, but said, we could figure that out when I ordered depending on where the tractor was. He then mentioned, maybe he could put some R4s on the tractor out on the lot, and I commented that I assumed that is what he would do rather than transfer one in. It appeared that he felt he would then be stuck with the R1s, and have to find a rig to put them on.

QUESTION: Does this sound normal? Seems to me, buying a tractor that was Spec'd-out at $38,125 (with the Medium Duty Implements), putting the R4s on the tractor shouldn't even be an issue.

4: Right now, I Really like the Orange over the Green. And I think I think there are benefits of the two, but I am willing to look at the LS, TYM, and Zetor at my friend's friend's dealership. I plan on having this rig for many years, and at this point with the amount of property I have, and the work I will be doing, I don't believe I will need to upgrade to more HP. One or two of you have already commented on looking at the others, so I feel I should at least look.

QUESTION: Am I looking at Apples vs. Oranges when considering a Kubota vs. LS or TYM? I know this question promotes personal opinions and sometimes breeds arguments, but I don't want it to be that way. I just wanted some thoughts on life, durability and resale (if I had to) of the TYM and LS.

I think that is it for now. I really am ready to pull the trigger, so that is why all the questions. I should be buying one within the next 4 weeks. Gotta get moved in to the house, and then probly first week of December, I will have to make my decision.

Thanks SO much for all who have responded.