40-55hp CUT or Utility Tractor for 20 acre horse farm in Michigan

[john_bud]

It's funny, sometimes R4's can actually tear the ground up worse than R1's. If it is muddy and the R4's start to slip, they will clog with mud and turn into a big slick. The R1's may have traction, not slip and be gone leaving less of a mess.

It's really a toss up from here. I would ask the other dealers what they suggest and go with a consensus. They do sell a lot of machines and supposedly know the ground.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Ok, drove the JD 5105 and used Kubota M6800 this past weekend. Really didn't like the M6800 - the M7040 has A LOT of improvements even though I can see it was engineered by the same people. I will say that the M6800 was quieter and had less vibration than the JD5105, and had a noticeably tighter turning radius (even though I think their paper specs are pretty close for turning radius).

The JD 5105 was pretty impressive. It is basic, but it is built massively and everything seems well engineered, even if not the latest technology (e.g. dry PTO clutch). It drove nicely and everything worked great. I could definitely buy that and be happy. BUT... for a few hundred $$ more the M5040 would have several more features, including the hydroshuttle that the dealer is strongly encouraging me to get. I haven't ruled it out and I'm hoping to drive the M7040 again this weekend for more thoughts (that dealer's M5040 is still on order, he doesn't have a firm date for its arrival).

A few questions:

1) The Kubota dealer tells me you can wear out a dry clutch very fast doing FEL work, and he had one customer wear one out in under 200 hours. He tells me I should definitely get the hydroshuttle with wet clutch - a $1200 option vs. what he tells me is $2500 to replace a clutch. However, the JD dealer tells me that clutches last so long I shouldn't worry about it, and if you wear one out in 200 hours you're doing something wrong. Who's right? Do I need the wet clutch? I am planning on a decent amount of FEL work but it's definitely not the only thing I'll be doing. Are there any disadvantages to the wet clutch? Do they cost a million dollars to fix when they finally wear out or fail?

2) Is there any meaningful data on longevity and durability between JD and Kubota, or is this just a Ford vs. Chevy type thing?

3) The M5040 FEL has a skid-steer quick attach while the JD has a JD-proprietary quick attach. They seem about equally easy to use, but I would imagine that the skid steer attach gives me a lot more options for special buckets, forks etc. Is this likely to be true? I looked at the line-up of FEL attachments on the JD website and I wasn't impressed at what was available for the 522 - it looked like a bale spear and pallet forks were about it. Of course, that might be all I ever need - hard to know at this point.

4) The FEL hydraulic hoses on the JD 5105/522 loader hang down quite noticeably below the tractor. I have to think that they are at risk of getting snagged and even cut when doing fieldwork like brushhogging. Anyone have any problems with this? Or can someone convince me that this won't be an issue? It appears that the M5040 has a metal shield protecting the FEL hoses, which otherwise do appear to hang down in the same place.

5) The M5040 and virtually all Kubotas has a hydraulic PTO control, while the JD has a manual lever and a dry clutch for its independent PTO. Is there any meaningful difference here?

6) According to the Nebraska tractor tests, the JD 5105 is extremely stingy on fuel usage relative to its PTO power - a big plus with our diesel prices here (and in the future, IMHO). They don't have a test for the M5040 or any Mxx40 series. Can anyone with a 40 series tell me how their fuel usage fares?

Thanks - I'm nearing the end of my selection process.

 

[RedDog]

Z-Michigan,
I not surprised that you did not like the M6800, as I do not like it either.


Question #1, JD dealer is right. You are doing something seriously wrong if you wear out a dry clutch in 200 hours.

#2, Chevy v's Ford analogy correct.

#3 I prefer skid steer type v's JD.


RedDog

 

[AndyMA]

Just curious, what happened to New Holland's TN line in your comparisons. I know I own one and really like it. Did you try a TN with 16x16 Power Shuttle? I tried out the JD and Kubota's when I bought it thought the NH was the better tractor. My dealer who is a fairly large Kubota and New Holland dealer (and a good friend) told me that they have a lot more problems with the Kubotas in that size range. Also weight issues.

The R1's on these size tractors are tough and I always get them. Just my opinions.

Andy

 

[Z-Michigan]

Just curious, what happened to New Holland's TN line in your comparisons. I know I own one and really like it. Did you try a TN with 16x16 Power Shuttle? I tried out the JD and Kubota's when I bought it thought the NH was the better tractor. My dealer who is a fairly large Kubota and New Holland dealer (and a good friend) told me that they have a lot more problems with the Kubotas in that size range. Also weight issues.

Even though the NH TN has been recommended, it's never really been on my shopping list. I have the brochure for it, that's about it. Local NH dealer doesn't have them in stock and has been steering me towards Kubota in all size ranges (one dealer for both). I have read a number of NH problems on here, especially in the TC48/55 model which is closest to the size I'm looking at, and the Nebraska tractor test reports on those two are pretty negative (much lower 3ph lift than advertised, lower hydraulic flow than advertised, poor fuel economy if you read the charts, and apparently the fuel tank on the TC55 that they tested started leaking after the PTO hp tests!).

I have read on these forums about some apparent teething problems with the Kubota Mxx40 series, which has me a bit worried - but it seems like just the early production models. I'd appreciate any extra info you have.

Locally JD absolutely dominates the ag market and Kubota is the other big player for homeowner/landscape maintenance. There are dealers for NH and International but the Intl dealer isn't so good and is totally focused on big ag products, and like I said only one NH dealer is near me, and they keep recommending Kubota (even a mechanic who stopped to chat when I was on the lot after they closed - I doubt that he's on commission).

 

[rback33]

My wife says it would cost me less to just buy two tractors.



I do appreciate the marital advice though - even though we've been married just seven months, I already know that!

You poor thing. Seven months and you already need a tractor to keep your sanity. Women can do that to you!

I agree with the thoughts on wearing out a dry clutch in 200 hrs to involve improper use. That said, I would still lean towards the Kubota. I think you will love the added features. It's too bad you can't really consider the NH though...

 

[Doc_Bob]

Z-Michigan,
I not surprised that you did not like the M6800, as I do not like it either.


Question #1, JD dealer is right. You are doing something seriously wrong if you wear out a dry clutch in 200 hours.

#2, Chevy v's Ford analogy correct.

#3 I prefer skid steer type v's JD.


RedDog

I agree with your answers, just to lazy to type them
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

like I said only one NH dealer is near me, and they keep recommending Kubota (even a mechanic who stopped to chat when I was on the lot after they closed - I doubt that he's on commission).

You should be very suspicious of such a thing. They sell both and yet don't have a TN??????
Bob

 

[Z-Michigan]

You should be very suspicious of such a thing. They sell both and yet don't have a TN??????
Bob

For both NH and Kubota they have mini stuff up to CUTs in the 45hp range (L5030 or TC45DA) then they skip the whole standard utility range and they have a Kubota 95 and 105S and two or three NH's in the same or even larger range. They also have a used combine and some other major equipment. I don't know why they don't have, on the lot, standard utility tractors in the 50 to 80hp range. They have never badmouthed the NH, they just seem to keep recommending the Kubota.

 

[Doc_Bob]

They have never badmouthed the NH, they just seem to keep recommending the Kubota.

Okay. Sounds a little like a distinction that does not matter. I have used Kubota and NewHolland. They both are great products. I am conerned they suggest you buy the product they carry and not buy the product they don't carry. For example, you want a TN but they don't carry a TN, then suggest you go to a different tractor in another brands AG series that they do carry.
Bobwhen