Fixin' to pull the trigger

[skipperbrown]

Amortized over 10 or 20 years, $2400 isn't a bunch. I bought a bx2200 in 2001. I got it because the b7500 was about $1000 or so more and I didn't want to stretch my budget. I have missed the b7500 more than I would have missed $1000 here 18 yrs later.

 

[jeff9366]

The L4701 has a Category 1, Three Point Hitch.

The MX series has a heavier Category 2, Three Point Hitch. Category 1 implements can be readily attached to MX with Kubota toolbox provided pin shims. MX has larger wheels and tires. MX weighs 500 pounds more than L4701, bare tractor.

The only moderately heavy ground contact task you foresee now is smoothing eleven acres of rocky ground with a Disc Harrow for which MX additional weight will be helpful.

Either model will serve. Both models are work tractors without frills.

You cannot make a bad decision choosing one over the other.

 

[ddgood]

The L4701 has a Category 1, Three Point Hitch.

The MX series has a heavier Category 2, Three Point Hitch to which Category 1 implements can be attached with Kubota provided pin shims. MX also has larger wheels and tires.

The only moderately heavy ground contact task you foresee now is smoothing eleven acres of rocky ground with a Disc Harrow for which MX might be slightly more suitable.

Either model will serve. Both models are work tractors without frills. No significant difference in weight nor horsepower.

You cannot make a bad decision choosing one over the other.

The biggest difference is the LA1065 loader (MX) is rated for 25% greater lift capacities than the LA765 (L4701).

 

[jezreel]

Ohhhhh GREAT! ! ! Now y’all got me to wondering about the MX5200 having the Turbo vs. Naturally Aspirated engine. I’ve never really had the reason to think about that until now. As a couple of y’all have mentioned, going the extra $2400 for more HP, lifting capacity and bigger machine should be an easy decision, so I figure I will be more likely to choose the 5200.

Are there any concerns I should have about the Turbo Diesel as far as performance, or maintenance issues? And if any more of you want to weigh in on the “better off going a bit bigger now, than later” issue, go right ahead.

I appreciate Jeff’s last comments regarding either tractor would serve me well.

 

[tlj87]

No really worries about the turbo. It may be the only option for you in an MX as the new 5400 and 6000 are only turbocharged.

 

[rScotty]

Ohhhhh GREAT! ! ! Now y’all got me to wondering about the MX5200 having the Turbo vs. Naturally Aspirated engine. I’ve never really had the reason to think about that until now. As a couple of y’all have mentioned, going the extra $2400 for more HP, lifting capacity and bigger machine should be an easy decision, so I figure I will be more likely to choose the 5200.

Are there any concerns I should have about the Turbo Diesel as far as performance, or maintenance issues? And if any more of you want to weigh in on the “better off going a bit bigger now, than later” issue, go right ahead.

I appreciate Jeff’s last comments regarding either tractor would serve me well.

I doubt that you will even know that the turbo is there without opening the hood & looking for it. Turbos are quiet and seem to last forever. Well, not completely so....sometimes with an old turbo with 5 or 10 thousand hours running time on it you might hear a soft sigh if you shut off the motor without letting it idle down for a moment first. That sighing is the sound of the turbo winding down. I'm guilty of shutting my tractors down without the recommended cool down minute, so I probably hear the sound more than most. As far as reminders go, it is very polite.

BTW, I'm not guessing about the turbo; the motor in our M59 is the same as the M5200. For that matter, it seems that most of Kubota's 45 to 60 hp engines use the same motor. The ones with more than 50 hp seem to use the turbo to get the extra HP.

Maybe a really discriminating mechanical guy might notice a little more power at full throttle with the turbo version, or perhaps a little less diesel smoke when changing throttle settings....but probably not without a normally aspirated model right at hand for comparison.

I agree that either tractor will serve you well. However, I also agree that It would be nice to have the heavier construction and greater capability of the M series even if you never use it. Compare the M series loader mounts, axle size, and the heavier 3pt hitch construction. The ability to use category I or II implements opens up a whole new world of implements for you to borrow, rent, & swap. Extra loader lift is handy too. You will find yourself using every bit of loader lift you have more often than you think.
luck,
rScotty

 

[Kioti Dave]

I have almost always regretted "saving a few bucks" when making bigger purchases. While I was very happy with my B7800, it was too small for my needs. Now 15 years later, finally bought the right size tractor. Budgets are important, but your purchase will last many years. Bite the bullet now, and I am sure you will not regret several years down the road. Good luck.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have almost always regretted "saving a few bucks" when making bigger purchases. While I was very happy with my B7800, it was too small for my needs. Now 15 years later, finally bought the right size tractor. Budgets are important, but your purchase will last many years. Bite the bullet now, and I am sure you will not regret several years down the road. Good luck.

This is good advice! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[jezreel]

Thanks for all the help! ! !

My desire all along was to buy a Kubota, but I needed to make sure I went into this tractor purchase with an open mind and explore all my options, especially with the $$$$ in mind. When I started reading the forums, and watching YouTube, I thought my purchase would be in the mid to high 30hp range. After describing my homestead and my plans for the place to some knowledgeable folks, I then found myself in the mid to high 40hp range.

I appreciate Jeff’s comments about the 4701 or the 5200 serving my purposes sufficiently, but as a number of you have suggested in the long haul, $2400 over the 60mos, is not too much to bite off to get the bigger machine. I once bought a nice Benelli shotgun, and didn’t spend the extra $350 to get the Super Black Eagle. Regretted it ever since. Not gonna do it with this investment.

All that said, I have decided on the MX5200. Unfortunately I am still about 3 weeks away from closing on my new home mortgage, and the banker told me not to take out the Kubota loan till we close. The Kubota dealer I am going to deal with has 2 MX 5200s on the lot. I sure hate the thought of them being sold in the next two weeks, being that they can’t get any more new ones from the factory. I don’t know if they would accept a reasonable deposit to hold it a few weeks. I’ll see what the Kubota guy says on Monday.

I feel confident in my decision. Most of that confidence comes from mulling these things over with all of you folks that have personal experience around tractors. This thread is up to seven pages, and I really appreciate all the input.

One more thing regarding my first visit with this dealer. That price he gave me for the tractor, two implements and quick hitch. Do ya think THAT is it? I did discuss with him that the price he gave me was not as much as I expected to see Kubota come off. He said that was all he could do. What do y’all think? Think he gave me rock bottom, or was he just blowing the froth off the beer first? If so, how should I approach him when I talk to him again? I know how to deal for cars. . . Not tractors������

 

[Trillium Farm]

Thanks for all the help! ! !
My desire all along was to buy a Kubota, but I needed to make sure I went into this tractor purchase with an open mind and explore all my options, especially with the $$$$ in mind. When I started reading the forums, and watching YouTube, I thought my purchase would be in the mid to high 30hp range. After describing my homestead and my plans for the place to some knowledgeable folks, I then found myself in the mid to high 40hp range.
I appreciate Jeff痴 comments about the 4701 or the 5200 serving my purposes sufficiently, but as a number of you have suggested in the long haul, $2400 over the 60mos, is not too much to bite off to get the bigger machine. I once bought a nice Benelli shotgun, and didn稚 spend the extra $350 to get the Super Black Eagle. Regretted it ever since. Not gonna do it with this investment.
All that said, I have decided on the MX5200. Unfortunately I am still about 3 weeks away from closing on my new home mortgage, and the banker told me not to take out the Kubota loan till we close. The Kubota dealer I am going to deal with has 2 MX 5200s on the lot. I sure hate the thought of them being sold in the next two weeks, being that they can稚 get any more new ones from the factory. I don稚 know if they would accept a reasonable deposit to hold it a few weeks. I値l see what the Kubota guy says on Monday.
I feel confident in my decision. Most of that confidence comes from mulling these things over with all of you folks that have personal experience around tractors. This thread is up to seven pages, and I really appreciate all the input.
One more thing regarding my first visit with this dealer. That price he gave me for the tractor, two implements and quick hitch. Do ya think THAT is it? I did discuss with him that the price he gave me was not as much as I expected to see Kubota come off. He said that was all he could do. What do y誕ll think? Think he gave me rock bottom, or was he just blowing the froth off the beer first? If so, how should I approach him when I talk to him again? I know how to deal for cars. . . Not tractors������

Do it when it's right and if this MX 5200 is no longer there I can see a MX 5400 peeking around the corner
IMO the price he gave is NOT his ultimate price, very very few do that till you sit down to sign the deal. I would also get quote from another or more dealers and if better make it work in your favour. You can say: look I got a lower quote, I'd rather do business with you, but also I don't want to feel like a chump so what can YOU do to keep my business. See what he says and remember that the dealer must make money to stay in business and that all dealers have different overhead & expenses.
BTW those Benellis are awsome guns.