daugen
Epic Contributor
Kubota's HST+ trans has been out there for about ten years now and is considered state of the art.
Lots of nanny functions like anti-stall and automatic two speed on top of basic three speed hydro.
Iseki makes equal quality equipment but less full featured. Pretty hard to find an owner unhappy with either
brand.
Many tractors are built in a horsepower range, and often you have the same capability in the hydraulics
regardless of the model in the range, but your focus then is on pto hp for a variety of implements.
I have owned tractors weighing 2500 pounds, 5000 pounds and 10,000 pounds. Each had a priority use
and you just don't need a 5 ton tractor to grow 2 acres of veggies. The comfort factor is significant here when you go
up to a larger and heavier tractor, particularly if it comes with radial tires. If you have to pull a plow or a disc, having more weight means more traction usually
I think new owners pick R4 tires like I did, pump them up to make sure they can safely use their FEL at max capacity,
and then wonder why their Kubota or Massey or John Deere rides so hard. Going from a pumped up R4 to a radial R1 or now the hybrid,
the ride, particularly with a good suspension seat included, is way more comfortable getting away from R4s with their extra thick sidewalls.
I'd focus on weight, FEL lift performance and features first, then hp second.
And get the nicest seat you can.
Massey's online build feature is weak compared to Kubota's. But no matter what you can never get all
the right add on's right, particularly with forward hydraulics for a grapple. Or the pto setup for a snowblower.
So much customization possible
Lots of nanny functions like anti-stall and automatic two speed on top of basic three speed hydro.
Iseki makes equal quality equipment but less full featured. Pretty hard to find an owner unhappy with either
brand.
Many tractors are built in a horsepower range, and often you have the same capability in the hydraulics
regardless of the model in the range, but your focus then is on pto hp for a variety of implements.
I have owned tractors weighing 2500 pounds, 5000 pounds and 10,000 pounds. Each had a priority use
and you just don't need a 5 ton tractor to grow 2 acres of veggies. The comfort factor is significant here when you go
up to a larger and heavier tractor, particularly if it comes with radial tires. If you have to pull a plow or a disc, having more weight means more traction usually
I think new owners pick R4 tires like I did, pump them up to make sure they can safely use their FEL at max capacity,
and then wonder why their Kubota or Massey or John Deere rides so hard. Going from a pumped up R4 to a radial R1 or now the hybrid,
the ride, particularly with a good suspension seat included, is way more comfortable getting away from R4s with their extra thick sidewalls.
I'd focus on weight, FEL lift performance and features first, then hp second.
And get the nicest seat you can.
Massey's online build feature is weak compared to Kubota's. But no matter what you can never get all
the right add on's right, particularly with forward hydraulics for a grapple. Or the pto setup for a snowblower.
So much customization possible
