Advice on buying an upgrade tractor

texas boy · Jan 18, 2015

I have a 95 acre farm in north east Texas. I am raising hay this year and need to upgrade my Kubota L3410 because it will not move or stack round bales. I also will need to pile up some scraps from the timber cutting on a few acres. My land is a sandy loam and is pretty level except for a few large gullies. How much tractor do I need? And how much should I buy? For example, I have done the research and know that a 50 hp will do all the hay work. The lift capacity, for example, on a Kubota M5040 is the same as an M7040 but the one is 50 hp and the other is 70. I have been told by a friend to determine what I need then buy more. Can anyone tell me why that would be true? I am looking at an M5040, an M7040, and a New Holland 55 and 75 hp. Any thoughts that I can get will be much appreciated. Let me also hasten to add that I have been using tractors for a few years and am by no means an expert operator or mechanic.

RedNeckRacin · Jan 18, 2015

I think your hay equipment is going to dictate things more than the loader capacity will at this point. What are you cutting and baling with? If you have or intend to purchase a discbine I think the recommended hp is around 10pto hp/ ft if you have conditioning rolls. They are essential up north here unless you want to run a tedder twice a day for a couple days. I agree with your friend that when you step up from hobby work to production work, having a tractor bigger than the minimum is not a bad thing so long as you can afford it. Especially since there is always a good deal on something just a bit bigger than what your tractor is sized for. I pull a NH 499 center pivot 12' haybine with a 5083E (69 pto hp) and the hp is enough except on the steepest hills, but the weight of the machine comes into play! Even with loaded rears, suitcase weights and wheel weights, that older haybine will still yank that JD around if I'm not mindful of the terrain and the speed I swing it with.

Are you looking at a new machine or a used one? The older tractors before the emissions are purpose built for real tractor work and have lots of life in them if you know what you are looking for.

TripleR · Jan 18, 2015

I would be leaning toward the M7040 if you can find one and the M7060 with a 12/12 hydro shuttle. bigbull338 upgraded to a 7040 and foremanEtexas went from the 5040 to 7040 and I believe they are doing pretty much what you plan. I have an M8540 I really like, but you won't need to go bigger than the M70 I don't think.

flusher · Jan 18, 2015

texas boy said:
I have a 95 acre farm in north east Texas. I am raising hay this year and need to upgrade my Kubota L3410 because it will not move or stack round bales. I also will need to pile up some scraps from the timber cutting on a few acres. My land is a sandy loam and is pretty level except for a few large gullies. How much tractor do I need? And how much should I buy? For example, I have done the research and know that a 50 hp will do all the hay work. The lift capacity, for example, on a Kubota M5040 is the same as an M7040 but the one is 50 hp and the other is 70. I have been told by a friend to determine what I need then buy more. Can anyone tell me why that would be true? I am looking at an M5040, an M7040, and a New Holland 55 and 75 hp. Any thoughts that I can get will be much appreciated. Let me also hasten to add that I have been using tractors for a few years and am by no means an expert operator or mechanic.

How many acres in hay? Round or square bales? Size/weight of the bales? Planted crop or native grasses?

HEC · Jan 18, 2015

I agree with TripleR , I have the M5700 and would go with just a few more HP. for your needs .

texas boy · Jan 18, 2015

32 acres this year, 52 next year, and about 70 in 2017. They will be round bales of planted Bahaia. Sorry you left the farm.

texas boy · Jan 18, 2015

RedNeckRacin, I will have a contract baler for the next two years so cutting, raking, and baling is not in the immediate future. But it is certainly a consideration.

big bubba · Jan 18, 2015

i would agree w/the consensus...go with the good advice here, choose a model & go one size larger. been there before & felt the sting. always err to future needs. best of luck

flusher · Jan 19, 2015

texas boy said:
32 acres this year, 52 next year, and about 70 in 2017. They will be round bales of planted Bahaia. Sorry you left the farm.

Get the M7040 for discing, planting and raking your windrows. I'd consider buying a used self propelled swather with a 10-12 foot wide mowing head. All of the medium to large hay growers (30 to 100+ acres) around Tehama County, CA where I used to live mow with these rigs. They use a pair of left-right hand side delivery rakes to combine windrows.

texas boy · Jan 23, 2015

I really appreciate all the input. I have another question. Should I stick with the Kubota M7040 or should I go with a New Holland TT75A? Both are used. Both are the same year model. Both have about the same hours...700+. Both are about the same hp. Both from same dealer. The New Holland is about 2,000 less money. New Holland has a dealership within 20 miles of my place. Kubota dealer is about 50 miles. I have only owned Kubota, and I absolutely love that tractor--L3410. And I feel comfortable with it. But I know I am moving into a whole new world with the M7040. So, just want some advice. I am more than a little skeptical of anything that was a Ford.