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������
Couple of things I've learned after 50 hrs of use on my tractor and new to country life:
1) I'm glad I have Texas Farm Bureau for homeowners and auto insurance. Check the premiums vs others.
2) Finance through Kubota because 0% is a no brainer and having the extra cash on hand is a benefit with a new home .
3) Get a side by side (UTV) vs an ATV. I bought a 4 door with a dump bed and wish I would have originally got one instead of the Yahama Grizzly ATV.
4) I should have bought my grapple through Everything Attachment. Heavier duty and cheaper than Kubota.
5) I think I could have gone with the MX4800 instead of my
L3301. I can run the RCR2660 OK but as much brush hogging I'm doing the extra PTO hp would have helped.
6) As much as I wanted a cab I just don't think it would have worked with as much work in the woods as I am doing. If you can swing the cab do it! The heat and dust is oppressive the older I'm getting.
7) At a minimum get the 4 cylinder version of the Kubota (
L4701 and bigger). Should be quieter.
8) Get you a good burn barrel. We burn 90% of our waste.
Pyro Cage Incinerator XXL – Bad Idea Supply Co.
9) I'm glad I bought a boxed eaved shed for my tractor and implements.
10) Outdoor cats are great for mice and mole control.
11) We deal with a lot of leaves and so far am finding that mulching weekly with the zero turn (once the leaves are starting to fall) is better than raking and burning.
12) You have a new home so home buyers warranty might not make sense but I keep mine renewed each year on our 40 yr old house and its paid for itself each year.
13) R1 tires for your tractor all day long if most or all of your work will be done on your property. You can get them for your new tractor so don't let the dealer say you can't. I got mine filled at no extra charge.
I sent you my cell number since we live about an hour from each other so if I can help you at all let me know.