Choosing the right tractor

[Mej13579]

I will check out that branson dealer in caddo mills. Both the kioti and massey dealers are in Longview and I have a kubota dealer close in Atlanta tx

 

[Torvy]

I will check out that branson dealer in caddo mills. Both the kioti and massey dealers are in Longview and I have a kubota dealer close in Atlanta tx

RJPower in Longview has Kioti and TYM. The guy I spoke with there is literally named Massey. There's a Bobcat guy in Longview, too and Kioti makes them. I've heard Bobcat sells them for less. They didn't have any when I was there a few months ago. My nearest Kubota guy is in Pittsburg, but I have not been too impressed thus far. JD guy in Mt. Pleasant completely ignored me.

Let me know how the guy in Atlanta is, that is not too far to go. I'll be out that way next week and try to get on some tractors while I'm at it. Good luck!

 

[Cranblue]

I thought the L4701 would be the right (size) weight for me, but I went up one increment in weight just to make sure.

Tractor capability is more closely correlated to tractor weight than any other specification.

The 3 tractors I'm seriously considering are the massey ferguson 2850e, kioti dk45se, or the kubota l4701

I have a pond that needs cleaned up around the edges and cleaning when it gets low.


The significantly larger wheels and tires which come on a Kubota MX series tractor should be considered.

Cat I/II Three Point Hitch standard on Kubota MX series tractor is much more robust than Cat I (only) Three Point Hitch on a Kubota l4701.

Do you pull specs from Kubota or la la land ??? Rear wheels with R4s same size for MX and L4701 17.5L-24 fronts are slightly different 10-16.5 for L and MX is 12-16.5 I don’t find “significantly larger “ as you have stated. Three point hitch Cat I and Cat II for Mx is more robust ??? First let’s spec 3 point lift capacity 24 in behind lift points L4701-2,320 lbs for MX 5400 it’s 2,310 lbs I would call this close enough to even. A QH on 4701 you got Cat II if you need or want it !! I did this research 2 to 2.5 years ago and figured the Real differences between the L4701 and at the time MX5200.If somone needs the MX for FEL capacity or PTO HP it’s got that on L4701 but to paint a picture of major size difference is false and misleading.

 

[rademamj1]

I will check out that branson dealer in caddo mills. Both the kioti and massey dealers are in Longview and I have a kubota dealer close in Atlanta tx

This is off Topic...
I checked.....your right. There is an Atlanta, TX. I been to Paris, TX and Italy, TX and Moscow, TX and Bogota, TX and Dublin, TX.

 

[redman135]

Hello Mej3579, some food for thought.

1)ERGONOMICS, sit on the tractors and you will find that 1 will "fit " better than the others.

2)Hydro gearbox, go for a 3 speed oveer 2 speed. Also as you state limited experience, a hydro is easier to learn, and more forgiving of mistakes.

3)Hydraulics, 3rd service, and scv are cheaper to buy on purchase than retrofit. Also hydraulics are becoming more a requirement these days and are good future proofing.
Be aware that most manufacturers offer a budget and premium version of each model, and 1 place to cheap out is the hydraulic pump. This means that when lifting the loader arms and curling the loader and bucket you CAN'T!!! You need the premium model with it's larger hydraulic pump to lift and curl.

4) Kubota use a treadle style forward/reverse pedal, some like it, some don't, other brands use a side by side forward/reverse pedal. Sort out which suits you, it is YOUR money.

5) Get adjustable rims to increase your tractor width, it makes a huge difference to the stability/feel of the tractor,

6)loader, how high do you want to reach?
loader lift capacity, may be measured at the bucket pins(artificially high) or at about 18" in front of bucket pins(greater real world accuuracy)
Good Luck

 

[Hay Dude]

Deere and Kubota aren’t major brands?

They both make pretty much all of their own tractors in their own Factories at various locations around the world.

Nope. Wrong again.
Many Deere tractors were made by Yanmar.

 

[Mej13579]

Hello Mej3579, some food for thought.

1)ERGONOMICS, sit on the tractors and you will find that 1 will "fit " better than the others.

2)Hydro gearbox, go for a 3 speed oveer 2 speed. Also as you state limited experience, a hydro is easier to learn, and more forgiving of mistakes.

3)Hydraulics, 3rd service, and scv are cheaper to buy on purchase than retrofit. Also hydraulics are becoming more a requirement these days and are good future proofing.
Be aware that most manufacturers offer a budget and premium version of each model, and 1 place to cheap out is the hydraulic pump. This means that when lifting the loader arms and curling the loader and bucket you CAN'T!!! You need the premium model with it's larger hydraulic pump to lift and curl.

4) Kubota use a treadle style forward/reverse pedal, some like it, some don't, other brands use a side by side forward/reverse pedal. Sort out which suits you, it is YOUR money.

5) Get adjustable rims to increase your tractor width, it makes a huge difference to the stability/feel of the tractor,

6)loader, how high do you want to reach?
loader lift capacity, may be measured at the bucket pins(artificially high) or at about 18" in front of bucket pins(greater real world accuuracy)
Good Luck

Really good post. Hydraulic pump specs are definitely something to consider. A lot of people say that they don't care about the extras on a premium tractor. I'm starting to search smarter. Weight instead of just horsepower, horsepower to pto ratio and now hydraulic flow not just lift capacity help me make a better decision.

 

[Mej13579]

Ok just a update on my thread. I ended up finally on a branson 3515h. I went to Big Tex tractors in caddo mills texas and I would recommend to anyone interested in a branson to check them out if you can. They are about 1hour 45 min from my house in East Texas.
I went to the dealership to look at the tractors and I'm. Glad I did. My original thought was a 4820h but when I looked at it in person it was just too big for my property. With the tasks I need to do it was just too big of a tractor. I have a lot of wooded area. The 3520 same thing. Plus added price with all the implements I need with it I could do it with the 3515h for less money.
I ended up with a 3515h with a FEL, 5' box blade , 5' rotary mower , 5' tiller , and a 3rd function and grapple bucket and that was the top that I could afford. It was a great price for all that.
I am waiting to have it delivered should be about 2-3 weeks. The branson 20 series is nice but price and size were the main factors in getting the 3515h. I will try to post pictures when it arrives.

 

[ptsg]

Ok just a update on my thread. I ended up finally on a branson 3515h. I went to Big Tex tractors in caddo mills texas and I would recommend to anyone interested in a branson to check them out if you can. They are about 1hour 45 min from my house in East Texas.
I went to the dealership to look at the tractors and I'm. Glad I did. My original thought was a 4820h but when I looked at it in person it was just too big for my property. With the tasks I need to do it was just too big of a tractor. I have a lot of wooded area. The 3520 same thing. Plus added price with all the implements I need with it I could do it with the 3515h for less money.
I ended up with a 3515h with a FEL, 5' box blade , 5' rotary mower , 5' tiller , and a 3rd function and grapple bucket and that was the top that I could afford. It was a great price for all that.
I am waiting to have it delivered should be about 2-3 weeks. The branson 20 series is nice but price and size were the main factors in getting the 3515h. I will try to post pictures when it arrives.

Congrats on the new machine! It's a solid choice.

This is also a great example of big is not always better or the right choice. I keep seeing on the forum, people suggesting to get as big as a tractor you can afford but it doesn't always work that way. A smaller tractor can go where the bigger ones can't.

These Branson tractors have a great turning radius and maneuverability. I swear I can maneuver my F36Rn (3515R equivalent) a lot easier than I could the Kubota B7000 I had that was like three times smaller.

 

[ericm979]

My Branson 3725 was huge compared to the Kubota B7100 I had before it. But in the first few months of ownership it got smaller.