55HP Tractor

[presnewt]

Looking to get a 55 hp or so tractor with loader. I want 4WD and HST. Use will mainly be bushhogging and box blade/land plane work. Dealers near me include Kubota, JD, Case and Massey Ferguson. Availability will probably be an issue as Case dealer will have no more for quite a while. MF may be several months, same for Kubota. What other brands are worth looking at? I am not familiar with Kioti, Mahindra, Yanmar etc and would rather wait a few months rather than settle for sub par quality. Thanks.

 

[jeff9366]

I consider Yanmar and Kubota, both Japan based, equal in quality.

There is a Kubota dealer within a reasonable distance of almost everyone. Kubota has important manufacturing plants in Georgia. Kubota parts will likely arrive at Georgia Kubota dealers overnight.

Yanmar dealers are widely spaced.

In Korean tractor brands I rate Kioti and Branson at the top. Near to Kubota and Yanmar in quality. Due to lower labor costs, Korean tractor brands are somewhat less expensive than Japanese tractor brands.

When shopping minor brands such as Yanmar/Kioti/Branson you must evaluate dealer viability/history carefully.

Branson HQ is located in Rome, Georgia, so Branson may be a brand to consider.


Others will differ with my recommendations.

 

[presnewt]

I consider Yanmar and Kubota, both Japan based, equal in quality.

There is a Kubota dealer within a reasonable distance of almost everyone. Kubota has important manufacturing plants in Georgia. Kubota parts will likely arrive at Georgia Kubota dealers overnight.

Yanmar dealers are widely spaced.

In Korean tractor brands I rate Kioti and Branson at the top. Near to Kubota and Yanmar in quality. Due to lower labor costs, Korean tractor brands are somewhat less expensive than Japanese tractor brands.

When shopping minor brands such as Yanmar/Kioti/Branson you must evaluate dealer viability/history carefully.


Others will differ with my recommendations.

Thanks, my first choice is Kubota. I will do some research on Yanmar and Kioti.

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks, my first choice is Kubota. I will do some research on Yanmar and Kioti.

If your first choice is Kubota, check out the current MX series.

 

[airbiscuit]

Kioti just came out with the NS series which seems to be a full featured tractor reasonably priced. It would be high on my list of tractors to consider.

https://www.kioti.com/products/tractors/ns-series/ns6010-hst/

Here is a pretty good video that shows the differences between the odels.

 

[Mrsig]

Did you check out LS?

 

[Cycledude]

I highly recommend LS tractors, my LS XR4155 with with cab, front loader and hydrostatic drive now has 180 trouble free hours, it’s 55 horsepower .

LS has replaced the XR4155 with a new improved model called MT357 it now has 2 more horsepower and a bunch of other miner but very nice improvements. They come from the factory loaded with nice features that other brand tractors usually charge a lot of extra money for like a set of 3 rear remote hydraulic hookup’s and rear view mirrors are standard equipment.

 

[LD1]

You didnt mention much in the way of loader work or even if you were gonna get a loader.

But for seat time mowing and doing some landplane work....all the 50-60HP HST offerings are gonna offer similar performance without spiraling down the rabbit hole of comparing and nitpicking specs, weights, and lift capacities.

For me and what you are wanting to do....I would focus on 2 things.....1. your dealer support and 2. the ergonomics and how the tractor "fits" you.

The later may be harder to do with current market conditions and limited stock. The deere 4r or 4m series as well as the kubota MX series will check all the boxes you want. Cant speak to other MFG's models.

 

[presnewt]

You didnt mention much in the way of loader work or even if you were gonna get a loader.

But for seat time mowing and doing some landplane work....all the 50-60HP HST offerings are gonna offer similar performance without spiraling down the rabbit hole of comparing and nitpicking specs, weights, and lift capacities.

For me and what you are wanting to do....I would focus on 2 things.....1. your dealer support and 2. the ergonomics and how the tractor "fits" you.

The later may be harder to do with current market conditions and limited stock. The deere 4r or 4m series as well as the kubota MX series will check all the boxes you want. Cant speak to other MFG's models.

Thanks, I will be getting a loader for the tractor and I am trying to use the specs of the MX series as my basis for any other tractors I look at. Availability is the biggest question right now. I did a little more research last night and it looks like Kioti may be a contender also. JD makes a good tractor but I have had some issues with one of my JD dealers plus their tractors seem a little pricier than the others. I think I am gonna put Kubota as my first choice and Kioti as my fall back choice.

 

[jyoutz]

Thanks, I will be getting a loader for the tractor and I am trying to use the specs of the MX series as my basis for any other tractors I look at. Availability is the biggest question right now. I did a little more research last night and it looks like Kioti may be a contender also. JD makes a good tractor but I have had some issues with one of my JD dealers plus their tractors seem a little pricier than the others. I think I am gonna put Kubota as my first choice and Kioti as my fall back choice.

In order to find a MX to buy last year, I contacted 5 dealers within several hundred miles, including my local dealer. One of the adjacent state dealers called me and asked if I wanted one that was ordered 6 months prior but the buyer backed out. In today’s market, you might want to expand your search beyond your local dealer.

 

[JJT]

Get on the list now if you want a tractor in the next 6 months. I'm on the wait list for a UTV, having been told the wait is 10 - 12 months.

 

[ptsg]

Looks like you're located in Georgia. Branson HQ is located in Rome, Georgia, so it maybe a brand to consider.

They have the 5520H, both Cab or ROPS, 55 HP tractor, 4 speed hydrostatic transmission, 2700 lbs lifting capacity at max height, probably the best turning radius of the market, Kukje/Cummins engine, very little electronics with a really heavy duty construction.

 

[BackRoad]

Two year old MX6000 ROPS model - now with 475 hours from finish mowing, brush hogging, grappling, tree hauling and clearing on 35 acres.

It's been a good-un. It's done everything I've asked with no issues...and enjoyable to operate.

I ordered it with the 3rd Function kit for the grapple...added (3) rear remotes after the purchase. Both features have added immensely to its productivity.

Just my experience - not intended to suggest Kubota over any other brand.

..//Terry

 

[5030]

They are all good... Until they break that is. Not all break but some do. I base my tractor purchases ENTIRELY on the how good the dealer is, not the brand. A poor dealer will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth (experience) eventually. Non issue with me.

 

[mo1]

Looking to get a 55 hp or so tractor with loader. I want 4WD and HST. Use will mainly be bushhogging and box blade/land plane work. Dealers near me include Kubota, JD, Case and Massey Ferguson. Availability will probably be an issue as Case dealer will have no more for quite a while. MF may be several months, same for Kubota. What other brands are worth looking at? I am not familiar with Kioti, Mahindra, Yanmar etc and would rather wait a few months rather than settle for sub par quality. Thanks.

Ever consider going up a size to a full sized 55 HP utility tractor if you are looking at a 55 HP machine, doing ground-engaging work, and running a brush hog? At least around here, they are much easier to come by than a larger compact. I personally have a Deere of that size and find that it does an excellent job at brush hogging and using a box blade, and it has been a solid machine. Kubota, CaseIH/New Holland, and Massey-Ferguson all make a 55ish HP utility tractor as well.

 

[LD1]

Ever consider going up a size to a full sized 55 HP utility tractor if you are looking at a 55 HP machine, doing ground-engaging work, and running a brush hog? At least around here, they are much easier to come by than a larger compact. I personally have a Deere of that size and find that it does an excellent job at brush hogging and using a box blade, and it has been a solid machine. Kubota, CaseIH/New Holland, and Massey-Ferguson all make a 55ish HP utility tractor as well.

You loose HST when moving up to a utility.

I'd upgrade my MX in a heartbeat if they started offering the small utilities with a HST.

 

[presnewt]

You loose HST when moving up to a utility.

I'd upgrade my MX in a heartbeat if they started offering the small utilities with a HST.

My thoughts exactly, I know you probably lose a little power with the HST but I am not getting any younger so the simpler controls are important for me.

 

[LD1]

My thoughts exactly, I know you probably lose a little power with the HST but I am not getting any younger so the simpler controls are important for me.

Yup. And for mowing or loader work it really dont get any better for the speed and precision control of HST

 

[IndyJay]

They are all good... Until they break that is. Not all break but some do. I base my tractor purchases ENTIRELY on the how good the dealer is, not the brand. A poor dealer will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth (experience) eventually. Non issue with me.

When I bought my Massey 1250 some 28 years ago the dealer was only 45 minutes away. A year later that dealer went out of business and the nearest was now 90 minutes away and not really all that good.

I'd say it is not good to base a tractor (or any other) purchase on any one SINGLE factor, especially one potentailly as transient as that.

 

[oosik]

I've always been with the same dealer. An old, long established, farming family. They know how to and will treat a customer right.

Forty years ago - my first tractor - Ford 1700 4WD. Upgraded to a Kubota M6040 in 2009. The only shocker - upgrading most all my implements to Class 2 - $$$$.

Both my tractor were/are geared.