45-50hp Help

[Mudlick]

My neighbor to the east has a JD 4052 that he calls his Lamborghini tractor.

I like the Deere’s, they just seem more expensive than everything else

 

[jyoutz]

I like the Deere’s, they just seem more expensive than everything else

I have a small JD4100 that I’ve had for 20 years. A great little tractor. But now I’m buying a Kubota MX to replace it. One of the things I saw when I checked out the new JDs that are comparable in price and HP as the MX: the JDs have plastic body parts and cast aluminum housings underneath. To get a robust JD machine with steel/cast iron, the cost of the comparable JD was thousands more than Kubota.

 

[Mudlick]

I have a small JD4100 that I’ve had for 20 years. A great little tractor. But now I’m buying a Kubota MX to replace it. One of the things I saw when I checked out the new JDs that are comparable in price and HP as the MX: the JDs have plastic body parts and cast aluminum housings underneath. To get a robust JD machine with steel/cast iron, the cost of the comparable JD was thousands more than Kubota.

Yes exactly!

 

[jyoutz]

Yes exactly!

Check out a Kubota MX5400

 

[jeff9366]

Check out a Kubota MX5400

MX VIDEOS: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Kubota+MX

 

[ljjhouser]

I think I would see what dealers are interested in talking with you about the tractor you want. The first dealer I spoke with was not interested in selling a 50 hp tractor when I attempted to visit them. A good dealer may be worth the 45 minute drive.

Also, just for information - look at the foot print when you look at tractors. Talk with the dealer about setting the wheel rims to the widest footprint. My 4701 is used in Branson mo, the Ozark Mtns. It does very well on those places that make me feel uncomfortable.
Also, talk with the dealer about ballast options and benefits while operating on hilly terrain. Best Wishes.

 

[Mudlick]

I think I would see what dealers are interested in talking with you about the tractor you want. The first dealer I spoke with was not interested in selling a 50 hp tractor when I attempted to visit them. A good dealer may be worth the 45 minute drive.

Also, just for information - look at the foot print when you look at tractors. Talk with the dealer about setting the wheel rims to the widest footprint. My 4701 is used in Branson mo, the Ozark Mtns. It does very well on those places that make me feel uncomfortable.
Also, talk with the dealer about ballast options and benefits while operating on hilly terrain. Best Wishes.

Good ideas, thank you!

 

[tbergman]

I have 57 acres, mixed woods and open fields. I have a smaller Kubota (B7800, hst, 30 hp) and a bit larger Branson (4720, hst, 47 hp) The Kubota is a lot more nimble and most importantly, much faster when working with the FEL, which will raise/lower, while also tipping the bucket. The Branson has a nearly useless high gear, which only works on flat or downhill, so second gear is where I stay unless loading the bucket, then first. Uphill, the tractor will not pull its own weight in high gear. The FEL is slower because it will either raise/lower or tip the bucket, so these operations are sequential, rather than simultaneous as on the Kubota, which really slows things down a surprising amount.

Both machines are durable, and I am spoiled to the hydrostat drive system. My main use case is brush-hogging 30 acres or so, and I would rather have a larger mower to make that go faster, but what I have is good enough for this property, especially since I am retired at 73 and free to hobby farm as slow as I wish.

Hope that helps.

Tom

 

[OzarkChris]

Looking at 45-50 hp tractor to manage 10 acres of mixed wooded/mowing property. Primarily interested in Loader and grapple work. Only dealers close are Kioti, New Holland, JD, and a Massey rep. Like Kubota but nearest rep is 45-minute drive. Not looking for top of line models, but one with hst. Thoughts?

I've said this in other posts, but for me, it isn't the color of the the tractor that counts, it's the service department and really the entire dealership that counts.

You can buy the "best" tractor in the world, but have the worst dealer and have the most miserable experience ever. Find a really good dealer with great service and a good tractor becomes a stellar purchase.

I've been through a rainbow of tractors and pretty much they have all done their job. Purchase prices vary depending on color - for some reason green paint must just cost more these days , but except for a possible trade-in value argument, all of the colors I've personally owned have done what they are supposed to do and have done those tasks until I traded them in.

 

[Mudlick]

I've said this in other posts, but for me, it isn't the color of the the tractor that counts, it's the service department and really the entire dealership that counts.

You can buy the "best" tractor in the world, but have the worst dealer and have the most miserable experience ever. Find a really good dealer with great service and a good tractor becomes a stellar purchase.

I've been through a rainbow of tractors and pretty much they have all done their job. Purchase prices vary depending on color - for some reason green paint must just cost more these days , but except for a possible trade-in value argument, all of the colors I've personally owned have done what they are supposed to do and have done those tasks until I traded them in.

Thank you. I’m not picky about color, just want a reliable tractor with good service as needed without breaking the bank

 

[Herb46]

First post.
I have an MX5200 and am pleased with it. Both Kubota dealers are at least 45 min. away. For $150.00 one will come to you. Price has most likely gone up a bit.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

Talk to other tractor owners. Find out what dealership has the best service department...that is critcal. It's even worth another 40 minute drive.

 

[TractorTYMe]

I bought a TYM simply because they offered the best lift on FEL, features and size/weight/hp for the $$$$ I've 153h on my TYM T474 (48.3Hp w. cab) with absolutely NO issues. I buy my filters through the dealer to give him my business.

 

[MountainBuck]

Since you have some hills, you may be interested in Power-trac

They are in North Tazewell, Virginia.

 

[JWR]

How often will you go to the dealer? Typical home use is 100 hours a year or less. You will need to do an annual engine oil change and transmission oil change every few years. That's like one trip a year to the dealer at most.

My dealer's 3 hours away. I have been there twice in four years, once to test drive and once to pick up a backhoe. They mail the filters I need for maintenance.

I see that differently. UNFORTUNATELY buying a new tractor today is totally different than buying a new car. With the car, the mass market is so large and the bugs are so thoroughly beaten out that there is very low risk. With a tractor -- Oh Dear... you will have need for the dealer to do SOMETHING on that new tractor many times in the first year (and if you don't live right on top of the tractor using it often it will be for more than the first year.) I consider the dealer and your relationship with him extremely important. Actually more so with a new tractor (having guarantee issues, etc.) than with a used one which has had the bugs taken out & the infant mortality issues solved. The factories let almost anything out the door and dealer prep before you get delivery varies all over the place. With a new tractor I say the dealer is almost more important than the differences among my top 3 choices.

Of course we customers vary widely too -- some experienced mechanics, some with a shop of mechanics employed, some Harry Homeowners who know very little about what they just bought.

 

[JWR]

You will receive better quality replies if you add Southwest Virginia to your T-B-N PROFILE.

Jeff, ALL his messages say Southwest VA at the bottom right under the post. Maybe nice to say it elsewhere in his profile (so it appears under his avatar) but the info was already there.

 

[LD1]

Jeff, ALL his messages say Southwest VA at the bottom right under the post. Maybe nice to say it elsewhere in his profile (so it appears under his avatar) but the info was already there.

The info was not there when Jeff posted that. Infact the post immediately after his (#14) you will see that jeffs post prompted the OP to fill out his location

 

[Mudlick]

I see that differently. UNFORTUNATELY buying a new tractor today is totally different than buying a new car. With the car, the mass market is so large and the bugs are so thoroughly beaten out that there is very low risk. With a tractor -- Oh Dear... you will have need for the dealer to do SOMETHING on that new tractor many times in the first year (and if you don't live right on top of the tractor using it often it will be for more than the first year.) I consider the dealer and your relationship with him extremely important. Actually more so with a new tractor (having guarantee issues, etc.) than with a used one which has had the bugs taken out & the infant mortality issues solved. The factories let almost anything out the door and dealer prep before you get delivery varies all over the place. With a new tractor I say the dealer is almost more important than the differences among my top 3 choices.

Of course we customers vary widely too -- some experienced mechanics, some with a shop of mechanics employed, some Harry Homeowners who know very little about what they just bought.

Excellent advice, thank you. What I’ve come to notice is that most of the big three (NH, Deere, Kubota) and kioti and others will do the job just fine...is that a fair assessment?

 

[jeff9366]

The design of the (Ferguson) Three Point Hitch tractor has been marketed in the USA since 1939 -- 82 years in 2021.

The basic design is generic. Ferguson's Three Point Hitch patents expired around 1955.

Kubota and Deere have most of the market through 6,000 pound bare weight tractors. But this Kubota/Deere predominance is regional.

The up and coming compact tractor brands are Korean: Kioti, LS and Branson. There are other Korean brands. You have to critically assess dealer stability while shopping minor brands. Most or all of the Korean tractor brands have AROUND 1% compact tractor market share in the USA under their primary trademark. I am skeptical even the most successful Korean tractor brand exceeds 2% market share under it's primary trademark.

Korean manufacturing labor is paid 50% of what Deere pays its union work force. Japanese manufacturing labor is paid 70% of what Deere pays its union work force. Labor costs strongly influence tractor prices.

 

[Clintock]

I see that differently. UNFORTUNATELY buying a new tractor today is totally different than buying a new car. With the car, the mass market is so large and the bugs are so thoroughly beaten out that there is very low risk. With a tractor -- Oh Dear... you will have need for the dealer to do SOMETHING on that new tractor many times in the first year (and if you don't live right on top of the tractor using it often it will be for more than the first year.) I consider the dealer and your relationship with him extremely important. Actually more so with a new tractor (having guarantee issues, etc.) than with a used one which has had the bugs taken out & the infant mortality issues solved. The factories let almost anything out the door and dealer prep before you get delivery varies all over the place. With a new tractor I say the dealer is almost more important than the differences among my top 3 choices.

Of course we customers vary widely too -- some experienced mechanics, some with a shop of mechanics employed, some Harry Homeowners who know very little about what they just bought.

Ima disagree. Taking a tractor to the “many” times in the first year would lead me to believe you got yerself a lemon. Step daddy buys new tractors like cars. And he’s only had one that he’s had to take dealer 4 times in first year. And it’s a new Holland. The bota kioti and jd none at all. My kioti is 3 years old and been to dealer once.