Kubota MX or Kioti NX or New Holland ...?

Sid Post · Sep 29, 2020

I have a friend looking for a nominal 60hp tractor for general farm use. He has a over 100 acres of timber and maintains trails (wide enough for a pickup), ponds, dams, and other similar things with a chipper, rotary mower, and similar implements.

He doesn't want something as heavy as a Massey 47xx class tractor so, a Kubota MX is where I would start. He is looking at a Kioti NX series tractor which I have mixed feelings on, especially considering the spotty dealer network locally. Kubota and John Deere dominate the local market. Personally, I would be more inclined to speak with the local New Holland dealer over Kioti thinking that a New Holland rebranded LS tractor might be a good alternative.

Being a bit price sensitive but, wanting to make the best informed decision, what ~60Hp 'utility' class tractor would you recommend that is priced competitively with the competition? I'm looking for more than mere specmanship and price and want to make sure we are getting the best value for long term ownership and use.

Keeping in mind he will do a lot of dirt work with the loader and will likely pull a lot of timber, I think anything smaller than a Kubota MX 4x4 class tractor is too light. Also, he is looking for an open station and 3 rear hydraulic capacity with a Cat 1/2 3-point. Pricing appears to be in the high 20's to low 30's for this class tractor but, I may be off. If a ~$35K tractor for example offers a lot more than a ~$28K tractor, being able to quantify the differences would be helpful.

For me, an established brand with a long history has value all in itself so, I'm biased towards John Deere, Massey, and Kubota as primary brands but, I wouldn't shy away from a New Holland or similar tractor with a weaker but, good dealer network.

What would you recommend and why? What price range should be expected in East Texas during these Covid days and pricing / availability craziness? In my case, a Massey 4707 can't be delivered until April next year but, I can work with that.

rbtjr · Sep 29, 2020

We have a MX5800 HST with R4 tires and really like it. It is the third Kubota we have owned (owned two Massey Fergusons before the Kubotas) and we are pretty much sold on Kubotas. One reason is that we have an excellent dealer about 15 miles away. I am not familiar with the offerings of the other brands. I do know that when we bought our MX5800 we were replacing a Kubota L3800 and compared the MX5800 closely with a Kubota L4701. We obviously bought the MX and we are glad we did. It wasn't a lot more money for a lot more tractor.

jeff9366 · Sep 29, 2020

Mountain trails and lots of Loader work. Stability will be an important issue.

Unusually, the latest Kubota MX tractors come standard with two-part rear tire rims when R4 tires are ordered. Unusually, this allows R4s to be set at three or four spread widths. Widening rear wheel stance increases stability a lot.

Have the dealer "load" the rear tires and install optional iron wheel weights. Additional wheel/tire weight increases stability too, but less than a wide rear wheel stance. Sixty horsepower on a 3,700 pound bare weight tractor calls for plenty of weight on the rear wheels for traction.

If your Texas soil is particularly tough, order the optional L2296 SSQA Heavy-Duty, Round-Back Bucket.

I owned two economy tractors before buying my Kubota 'Grand L' L3560. To me $5,000 extra for a 'Grand L' L6060 over an MX6000 is money well spent, especially if the owner/operator is over fifty-five years old.

K5lwq · Sep 29, 2020

Not knowing where in East Texas I understand the weak dealer network for Kioti. That said, there is a long time, respected Kioti dealer in Lufkin that I would not be shy about using.

When I was in the market last year, I looked closely at Kubota, Deere, Mahindra, Kioti, New Holland, LS, and TYM. I went with Branson because of their simple design and wonderful dealer in Caddo Mills. It is a very well thought out Brand that has a great following. As far as I could tell, they are the only tractor not using a ECM to meet EPA standards. Very little to go wrong with this tractor. Very happy with my choice.

LouNY · Sep 29, 2020

Myself I would never consider a 60 pto hp tractor that was under 5-6000 pounds bare weight.
In the NH lineup the lowest to look at would be the Work master 75,
the T4-75 or T4-90 would be better units.

My Branson 8050 with its wheel weights and loader tips the scales at over 10,000 pounds it also has a cab.

MF2604h · Sep 29, 2020

Check out the Massey 2606h it is 65 hp. It痴 not as big as the 47 series, but a very solid tractor. I looked at JD and Ls before I bought my 2604h. The Massey to me just seems to be built better, and doesn稚 have the price tag of JD.
Good luck on the search

rademamj1 · Sep 30, 2020

East and Central Texas probably has some of the better Kioti dealers around and many of those dealers also carry the LS and Branson tractors. Kioti has the large Kioti Assembly, tractor Supply and Repair Center in Mexia East Texas. Last time I drove by, they had over a hundred tractors on location in crates awaiting assembly, and another 50+ tractors fully assembled.

My next tractor will be a Kubota, but I can assure you the Kioti NX is a highly reliable and capable tractor.

oosik · Sep 30, 2020

I have 80 acres and a mile long gravel driveway. My property is - stands of Ponderosa pines and meadows of bunch grass. My tractor is a 2009 Kubota M6040, 4WD. I have equipped it with a Land Pride grapple on the FEL, RimGuard loaded rear tires and a Rhino 950 rear blade. It weights 10,100#.

It is ideal for my situation. Plenty of weight, great traction and more than enough power.

My main projects - annual thinning and chipping of young pines. Usually around 1200 young pines per year.

Maintenance of my driveway. Both summer and winter.

And the grapple is for moving large rocks, chunks of pine trunk and general cleanup around the property.

The only down side - you certainly will be lucky to get anything near what I have for $35K.

Sid Post · Sep 30, 2020

K5lwq said:
Not knowing where in East Texas I understand the weak dealer network for Kioti. That said, there is a long time, respected Kioti dealer in Lufkin that I would not be shy about using.

When I was in the market last year, I looked closely at Kubota, Deere, Mahindra, Kioti, New Holland, LS, and TYM. I went with Branson because of their simple design and wonderful dealer in Caddo Mills. It is a very well thought out Brand that has a great following. As far as I could tell, they are the only tractor not using a ECM to meet EPA standards. Very little to go wrong with this tractor. Very happy with my choice.

Hey neighbor! I'm a bit North of you and travel through Mineola often! I appreciate the Branson reference. Where did you pick it up? Anyone local I overlooked?