Kubota L4802 vs MX5400

[Jrasband]

With steering brakes you should have no problem maneuvering around the woods with the MX. The only thing that should be on the back is a boom pole or logging winch. If you get a grapple do not get one that is as wide as the wheels as it greatly reduce your maneuverability . It sounds to me like the L series would not be much of a upgrade from your current machine.

Do not base your decision on what can fit in your garage!

 

[John_Mc]

With steering brakes you should have no problem maneuvering around the woods with the MX. The only thing that should be on the back is a boom pole or logging winch. If you get a grapple do not get one that is as wide as the wheels as it greatly reduce your maneuverability . It sounds to me like the L series would not be much of a upgrade from your current machine.

Do not base your decision on what can fit in your garage!

I use a logging winch some of the time, and pull a forwarding trailer at other times. On rare occasions, I have both on the back (as seen in the picture.) I don't like attaching the trailer to the logging winch - just makes everything longer and less manueverable.

I hear you about the wide grapple. That's why I use a forestry grapple on my TC33D: narrow and easy to maneuver (at least when I'm not carrying a log). I was amazed at how much easier it is to get around in the woods as compared to when I have my 66" wide bucket on.

 

[2manyrocks]

Question for my education. Since your forwarding trailer has a grapple on it, do you actually need more grapple lifting capacity than what you already have?

 

[5030]

I'd keep what you already have (I presume it's paid for) and save up some bucks and buy a Clearspan arch building to keep ALL your equipment in. I own a Clearspan arch building my wife and I and one more helper put up many years ago and I just had to replace the cover (which they guarantee for 10 years), mine went 20 years before I replaced it.

I keep all my tractors, hay tools as well as my tractor trailer in it, totally out of the weather. Mine has a 15 foot high rollup metal door as well as a man door. Best investment I ever made and at least in this state, it's not considered a permanent building so it's exempt from all property taxes. No pictures but mine is 100 feet long by 45 feet wide by16 feet high.

 

[5030]

IMO, now is not a good time to buy a new (over 25 horsepower tractor) anyway. Over 25 horse puts you in the emissions realm and from what I read, emissions on tractors in general are a PITA. That and the current tariff squabbles will cost you additional funds.

 

[John_Mc]

Question for my education. Since your forwarding trailer has a grapple on it, do you actually need more grapple lifting capacity than what you already have?

Forwarding trailer is a small one. Lifts about 600# at full reach, and 1500# at 4' out (essentially, right next to the trailer). I can get bigger logs on with. bit more effort: remove all but the front log bolster from one side of the trailer, lift up one end of the log and tuck it in behind that one bolster, then lift up the other end, put it on the trailer, and reinstall the other bolsters (unless I have another large log to load). The loader on my tractor will lift up about 1100# (more if I'm only trying to get. foot or two off the ground)

 

[Carl_NH]

You have some options nearby used Log into Facebook

Then there is a Kubota MX5200 1995 restored in VT for $16K on FBM - and keep your existing machine!

 

[MJZ]

I currently have a New Holland TC33D that is set up for work in the woods: limb risers with Falling Object Protection of sorts (won't stop a large tree, but will stop a good sized limb), belly pan, grapple for FEL, logging winch, forwarding trailer). I did not like the NH 7308 loader, so ordered mine with the Woods 1012 Loader (slightly larger lift capacity and larger dump & rollback angles). I did not originally buy this tractor with forestry work in mind, but my needs have grown over the years. I now use it working in the woods a lot, and picking up some of the larger logs can be a challenge. I do like that it can get in to space where a larger tractor could never go, but the limitations become an issue at times. I get by with what I have (the forestry work started in about 2006, about 5 years after I bought the tractor). I really should be using something bigger, but since I'm not logging for a living, cutting the big diameter logs shorter, taking more trips and taking my time has worked out - though I did manage to crack the clutch housing a few years ago.

I'd have to start over on the modifications if I got a new tractor. I would also most likely want a larger brush hog and boxblade. My old 5' brush hog has been beat to death and really needs to be retired anyway - I would have replaced it before now, but have been putting it off while trying to make the decision about whether to upgrade to a larger tractor.

I've been considering a Kubota L4701/L4802 or an MX5400. The L4701/L4802 only has about 500+ lbs greater lift capacity to full height than what I have now. The MX5400 has about double my current lift capacity (about 1100# more than my TC33D). The downside is that the MX5400 is physically bigger than I would like to go (almost 70" wide). The real kicker is that one of my favorite modification is the Limb Risers and Falling Object Protection. Adding them means I can no longer fold down the ROPS. At 95.7" tall, there is no way the MX5400 will fit into my garage.

I've been getting by with my TC33D, so I'm sure I could get by a little better with the L4802. The best fit for my forestry work would be the MX5400. However, I'm just not sure I want to go that big, and really don't want to leave a new tractor outside full time. I can afford either tractor, but I'm having trouble justifying a new, larger tractor, when I could continue to "get by" with what I have now. I really can't justify a new tractor PLUS a new building.

I'm having a tough time deciding which way to go: I don't want to buy the L4802 now and then wish I'd gone bigger a couple of years down the road. However, that MX5400 is just so dang big for my other needs. I'm not getting any younger, and sooner or later I'll need to cut back on what I'm doing in the woods anyway... in fact, I probably could just continue to get by with the trusty old TC33D if I had to.

I have a good relationship with my dealer, who sells both NH and Kubota. I looked at New Holland offerings, but really don't like how exposed the hydraulics are on their offerings in this size range. I've not had great experiences with the JD dealer in my area, so I'm not considering them. Nearest TYM Dealer is an hour away and in a direction I rarely travel - further than I want to go if I need something. Nearest Kioti dealer is about 1/2 hour away. Close enough for me to consider, but I know nothing about them - I'd consider them after researching their reputation a bit.

John, I may be the counterpoint in all this...based on what I'm hearing a new, bigger tractor sounds like a big trade off. Navigating it through the woods and all the mods sound like big drawbacks considering you're doing fine now. I'm actually looking for a smaller tractor to navigate my woods. A bigger tractor may just mean you're doing more, unplanned work to get where you need to go.

Perhaps the new building with a fridge would bring more return

 

[drumminj]

You could split the difference with a L3560. A little more weight and lift capacity than the L4802, not as big as an MX or larger framed Grand L. The L3560 costs less than a L4802 too.

And the 3560 can lift a bit more than the L4701 with the 805 loader

 

[jyoutz]

And the 3560 can lift a bit more than the L4701 with the 805 loader

Neither the L3560 or L4701 (4802) are significantly smaller than the MX in terms of footprint. The difference is mere inches and should not be criteria for the decision.