Buying Advice I want to buy a new Tier 4 tractor this year!

[W5FL]

My open M6800 is in good shape and only 21 years old, but I plan to upgrade from 68 hp to 111 hp with an a/c cab. I really want a new Tier 4 (like I have a choice) tractor with a good loader. Choices seem to me to be:
1) Kubota M6-111
2) Kioti PX-1153PC
3) TYM T-1104

I would like to do all the maintenance at the farm. Workshop manuals are available, but I am not certain that any other tools are available. Are these models reliable enough to risk the amount of cash necessary to purchase them?

Raise livestock, plant crops, feed round bales, farm maintenance, loading and unloading are regular choirs. All suggestions are sincerely appreciated.

 

[deserteagle71]

I've not seen any data to support that new Tier IV tractors are having reliability problems as long as they are operated according to the instructions in the owners manuals. I think that is the key - with the new emissions controls these new tractors have to be operated a bit differently than pre-Tier IV units.

I too was very apprehensive when I bought my M7060HDC12. But I read the owners manual thoroughly and follow it religiously and in 500+ hours of operation have had absolutely no problems at all. I know the tractor goes through a regeneration cycle occasionally because I see the light is on in the dash but otherwise I cannot tell the difference. I just make sure I don't shut it down when the regen cycle is going on because according to the owners manual that is a no-no.

 

[sea2summit]

Double the HP, quadruple the fun!

I’ve had no issues with manuals or turning my own wrenches on my MX and M4 so far. Can’t speak to the others. I’m not super high hours, I’ll hit 400 late June on the M4 and it will be about 17 months old. MX I’ve had six years and other than an improperly tightened oil drain plug…has been easy to keep running with the workshop manuals and only money I’ve had to spend other than routine maint was to replace the rubber boots on the steering rod.

After I found messicks I kind of doubled down on Kubota because my job moves me all the time. Lived here longer than anywhere else so far. I did just pick up an MF baler though and briefly took a look at tractors while I was waiting on paperwork and was really impressed from the looks, appearance and layout seemed much better than Deere, if I get another big one MF may be on the choices list.

 

[EddieWalker]

I looked at most of the brands and decided on Massey Ferguson. I ordered it in November and it could be here any day, or next month. Right now, it's just a waiting game.

 

[W5FL]

I've not seen any data to support that new Tier IV tractors are having reliability problems as long as they are operated according to the instructions in the owners manuals. I think that is the key - with the new emissions controls these new tractors have to be operated a bit differently than pre-Tier IV units.

I too was very apprehensive when I bought my M7060HDC12. But I read the owners manual thoroughly and follow it religiously and in 500+ hours of operation have had absolutely no problems at all. I know the tractor goes through a regeneration cycle occasionally because I see the light is on in the dash but otherwise I cannot tell the difference. I just make sure I don't shut it down when the regen cycle is going on because according to the owners manual that is a no-no.

That is good information to know since you read so many stories of equipment that cannot be repaired. I found the owners manuals, and looks like the workshop manuals are available, but are still pretty expensive just to study them. Any good sources?

 

[RoyJackson]

Think the main thing is, don't run 'em at low idle for an extended time...
I always increase RPM to 1500 or so, once the oil pressure is OK

 

[W5FL]

Double the HP, quadruple the fun!

I’ve had no issues with manuals or turning my own wrenches on my MX and M4 so far. Can’t speak to the others. I’m not super high hours, I’ll hit 400 late June on the M4 and it will be about 17 months old. MX I’ve had six years and other than an improperly tightened oil drain plug…has been easy to keep running with the workshop manuals and only money I’ve had to spend other than routine maint was to replace the rubber boots on the steering rod.

After I found messicks I kind of doubled down on Kubota because my job moves me all the time. Lived here longer than anywhere else so far. I did just pick up an MF baler though and briefly took a look at tractors while I was waiting on paperwork and was really impressed from the looks, appearance and layout seemed much better than Deere, if I get another big one MF may be on the choices list.

Doubling the HP allows more work to be done at higher speeds. I have not found anyone who is familiar with all three tractors to help make a decision since the cost differences are significant.

I really like the M4. It is probably more reliable since it does not use DEF fluid, but sure hate not to get the HP jump at the same time as the cab upgrade.

My M6800 is too light for handling a lot of 5x5 bales or over a ton on the pallet forks even with loaded tires.

Messicks has always been a good supplier to me.

Does the workshop manual include the engine?

 

[jaydee325]

Need or want?

I hate to be the preverbal turd in the punch bowl, but buying anything that rides one wheels right now is pretty much MSRP+. Yes, there are exceptions and if you find one, go for it and count yourself lucky.

I certainly don't have a crystal ball, but I think I would wait until the market rights itself before making a purchase. Might save thousands.

 

[RoyJackson]

Need or want?

I hate to be the preverbal turd in the punch bowl, but buying anything that rides one wheels right now is pretty much MSRP+. Yes, there are exceptions and if you find one, go for it and count yourself lucky.

I certainly don't have a crystal ball, but I think I would wait until the market rights itself before making a purchase. Might save thousands.

Good point! Prices are up dramatically...almost doubled, in some cases..
I think everyone who reads a newspaper (paper or online) or watches TV can figure out why...

 

[3gunr]

Looked at a new Ls the other day .4k more than a yr ago.

 

[W5FL]

I looked at most of the brands and decided on Massey Ferguson. I ordered it in November and it could be here any day, or next month. Right now, it's just a waiting game.

My first tractor was a Massey Ferguson 245 with an aftermarket loader. It BROKE in half at the front axle pivot while brush hogging. My son and I put the new casting on the tractor in his front yard! It had so many idiosyncrasies to the hydraulic systems that using both the 3 point and loader at the same time was not practical. I gave up and sold it and bought the Kubota M6800.

I also looked very hard at the new global Massey 47xx,57xx, or 67xx series. Noticed that the manuals were different whether the county of origin was China, Brazil, or Europe. I could not find one with the FL series loaders and the 931x loaders would not lift as much as I needed, although these specs were difficult for me to find. Massey dealers are few and far between here. Massey seem about the same as the Kioti and TYM, except Massey tries to have a wide spectrum of models and capabilities.

This seems like another typical company run by marketing rather than engineers. Dyna 2 is everywhere, but try to find out what Dyna 2 actually is! Hope you are very happy with your 4707.

 

[sea2summit]

Doubling the HP allows more work to be done at higher speeds. I have not found anyone who is familiar with all three tractors to help make a decision since the cost differences are significant.

I really like the M4. It is probably more reliable since it does not use DEF fluid, but sure hate not to get the HP jump at the same time as the cab upgrade.

My M6800 is too light for handling a lot of 5x5 bales or over a ton on the pallet forks even with loaded tires.

Messicks has always been a good supplier to me.

Does the workshop manual include the engine?

I love my M4. First cabbed tractor, first “modern” transmission. Great tractor. However there are many times I’ve wished I had the M5 and looked at trading it last year hoping I wouldn’t loose money but too many other irons in the fire.

The manual does show a full tear down of the engine.

 

[Boss 302]

All of those are good choices and would recommend checking out the Massey Ferguson's

 

[LouNY]

Just got a CaseIH flyer in my latest County Folks paper, no prices listed but 0% for 5-7 years for several models.

 

[jyoutz]

Good point! Prices are up dramatically...almost doubled, in some cases..
I think everyone who reads a newspaper (paper or online) or watches TV can figure out why...

The steel tariffs increased the prices of both foreign and domestic steel, and once they increased they never went back down.

 

[Torvy]

The steel tariffs increased the prices of both foreign and domestic steel, and once they increased they never went back down.

That isn't when prices went up though. I'm not a fan of tariffs, but free markets don't work well when the field is tilted toward a government owned and/or subsidized player...especially when those players are not subject to the same international protocols as the rest of their competitors.

The mantra about steel tariffs causing the huge price increases is a false flag being peddled as a political statement rather than an actual root cause. The tariffs had a small impact on the prices, for sure, but not the primary source of higher prices and certainly not an inflationary cause at all.

 

[hseII]

My open M6800 is in good shape and only 21 years old, but I plan to upgrade from 68 hp to 111 hp with an a/c cab. I really want a new Tier 4 (like I have a choice) tractor with a good loader. Choices seem to me to be:
1) Kubota M6-111
2) Kioti PX-1153PC
3) TYM T-1104

I would like to do all the maintenance at the farm. Workshop manuals are available, but I am not certain that any other tools are available. Are these models reliable enough to risk the amount of cash necessary to purchase them?

Raise livestock, plant crops, feed round bales, farm maintenance, loading and unloading are regular choirs. All suggestions are sincerely appreciated.

I wouldn’t touch anything that did not come with KTAC Insurance.

I’ve owned 2 that did & plan to be getting a 3rd soon.

No way in the world I’d consider your #2 or #3.

Green has soured around this hill even though there’s 12 between all the farms.

 

[jyoutz]

That isn't when prices went up though. I'm not a fan of tariffs, but free markets don't work well when the field is tilted toward a government owned and/or subsidized player...especially when those players are not subject to the same international protocols as the rest of their competitors.

The mantra about steel tariffs causing the huge price increases is a false flag being peddled as a political statement rather than an actual root cause. The tariffs had a small impact on the prices, for sure, but not the primary source of higher prices and certainly not an inflationary cause at all.

When the tariffs on imported steel were imposed, it was supposed to help domestic producers compete, but instead domestic producers raised prices. This is indeed a fact. I have family in the steel fabrication business, and they saw this happening soon after tariffs were imposed. It affected their business also because they had to raise prices and lost some business.

 

[Torvy]

When the tariffs on imported steel were imposed, it was supposed to help domestic producers compete, but instead domestic producers raised prices. This is indeed a fact. I have family in the steel fabrication business, and they saw this happening soon after tariffs were imposed. It affected their business also because they had to raise prices and lost some business.

True, I never said it didn't raise prices, what I said is that it is not the primary cause of high tractor prices, nor of inflation.

 

[Torvy]

I wouldn’t touch anything that did not come with KTAC Insurance.

I’ve owned 2 that did & plan to be getting a 3rd soon.

No way in the world I’d consider your #2 or #3.

Green has soured around this hill even though there’s 12 between all the farms.

I guess if you compare the prices for what you get, you may find you have enough money to more than cover what KTAC covers. If you don't need to file a claim, you can spend the extra cash on implements.

Kubota seems to be trying to catch JD in worst cost-benefit. The only way I would buy either would be if the dealer was head and shoulders better AND they had a deal getting the prices inside 5% of competition.