canoetrpr
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2005
- Messages
- 2,396
- Location
- Ontario, Canada
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040 cab/hyd shuttle - current, Kubota L3400 - traded
If you read one if my previous threads you know that I was lined up to be picking up a slightly used JD 4520. I'm sorry to say that is not to be and unfortunately can't go into the reason why at this time.
I've decided to begin evaluating new machines from dealers this time around and am trying to keep myself open to brands and models. I do find myself having a heavy bias toward Kubota again as the dealer I purchase parts for is on my way to work and had a GREAT parts dept and a very good sales manager who I have worked with on a smaller item. He's been very responsive to my requests so far.
I have 26 acres - 10 pasture rest woods. I have about a dozen cattle and feed 4x5 bales. The only place I find my L3400 falling short is a cab for comfort blowing snow and getting bales off a semi. Second layer of bales is tricky but I do manage with technique. Likely not the best for my front axles or safety. My neighbour thinks I'm nuts and should be pulling them off with a rope instead of justifying a new tractor.
My first inclination is the Kubota 4740HSTC. The machine feels well built to me. I am going to be spending time in one soon to evaluate my ergonomic impression. The LA854 loader should be a lot more secure to lift bales with and give me more height. If I'm managing to get them off a semi with my L3400 - this should be a huge improvement.
I also drove a MF1643 yesterday to get a feel for what a 1648 would be like. It prices out around $3k less than a L4740. I believe the loader height is better. I liked the machine but I like the HST+ hi lo lever on the Kubota. Still under consideration. The loader on the MF was real beefy.
An alternate thought was to really go big. The M5040 sounded neat until I found out they don't make them anymore. The replacement M5140 looks nice but we don't get the cab model in Canada. The M6040 looks good but is $7k more. These would not fit into a pole barn that I clear every year (8" short) and I don't fancy doing that by hand. Although I could do that chore with my new MF 255 since it has no ROPS. Might take me some time to develop finesse with it though.
I could search for a slightly used M5040 at a dealer in the USA and pay for hauling but I prefer to purchase locally.
Another consideration is that I hope to move to a 50-100 acre place some day (5 or so years). Ideally it would be nice to have a tractor I'd be happy with there. An M gets a nod for that though L4740 is really at my budget.
Would appreciate any thoughts anyone here can offer on these or other models regardless of colour. Local Kioti dealer is VERY good but my concern is that he is the only decent dealer for a LONG way. I have no idea where he or Kioti will be 20 years from now but they seem to be getting traction around here.
I am only aware of one Mahindra dealer 90 min away and they don't seem to have as much traction here even as Kioti.
As you can tell, I am inclined to stay with one of the major players.
I am REALLY dissapointed that NH compacts are no longer being built by Shibaru. The tractors seemed real well designed. Is there anything in their line up that I ought to look at that was not being made by Shibaru?
At this point my strongest inclination is Kubota and the dealer has a lot to do with it. The parts guys have reopened on a Saturday while on their way out just so that I could purchase a $1.24 pin. I remember thinking back then that that ought to be enough reason to do my next purchase from this dealer.
I've decided to begin evaluating new machines from dealers this time around and am trying to keep myself open to brands and models. I do find myself having a heavy bias toward Kubota again as the dealer I purchase parts for is on my way to work and had a GREAT parts dept and a very good sales manager who I have worked with on a smaller item. He's been very responsive to my requests so far.
I have 26 acres - 10 pasture rest woods. I have about a dozen cattle and feed 4x5 bales. The only place I find my L3400 falling short is a cab for comfort blowing snow and getting bales off a semi. Second layer of bales is tricky but I do manage with technique. Likely not the best for my front axles or safety. My neighbour thinks I'm nuts and should be pulling them off with a rope instead of justifying a new tractor.
My first inclination is the Kubota 4740HSTC. The machine feels well built to me. I am going to be spending time in one soon to evaluate my ergonomic impression. The LA854 loader should be a lot more secure to lift bales with and give me more height. If I'm managing to get them off a semi with my L3400 - this should be a huge improvement.
I also drove a MF1643 yesterday to get a feel for what a 1648 would be like. It prices out around $3k less than a L4740. I believe the loader height is better. I liked the machine but I like the HST+ hi lo lever on the Kubota. Still under consideration. The loader on the MF was real beefy.
An alternate thought was to really go big. The M5040 sounded neat until I found out they don't make them anymore. The replacement M5140 looks nice but we don't get the cab model in Canada. The M6040 looks good but is $7k more. These would not fit into a pole barn that I clear every year (8" short) and I don't fancy doing that by hand. Although I could do that chore with my new MF 255 since it has no ROPS. Might take me some time to develop finesse with it though.
I could search for a slightly used M5040 at a dealer in the USA and pay for hauling but I prefer to purchase locally.
Another consideration is that I hope to move to a 50-100 acre place some day (5 or so years). Ideally it would be nice to have a tractor I'd be happy with there. An M gets a nod for that though L4740 is really at my budget.
Would appreciate any thoughts anyone here can offer on these or other models regardless of colour. Local Kioti dealer is VERY good but my concern is that he is the only decent dealer for a LONG way. I have no idea where he or Kioti will be 20 years from now but they seem to be getting traction around here.
I am only aware of one Mahindra dealer 90 min away and they don't seem to have as much traction here even as Kioti.
As you can tell, I am inclined to stay with one of the major players.
I am REALLY dissapointed that NH compacts are no longer being built by Shibaru. The tractors seemed real well designed. Is there anything in their line up that I ought to look at that was not being made by Shibaru?
At this point my strongest inclination is Kubota and the dealer has a lot to do with it. The parts guys have reopened on a Saturday while on their way out just so that I could purchase a $1.24 pin. I remember thinking back then that that ought to be enough reason to do my next purchase from this dealer.
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