Buying Advice Best 50+ HP new Kubota with FEL for 30k or less

[lipancreek]

I've looked on paper at the M5660SUHD, M5640SU, MX5200, MX5800, M6060, etc. I want a loader with a true third function valve, at least two rear remotes and must be 4wd. Would be nice to have the hydraulic shuttle but not required. Any thoughts on what 50+ hp Kubota 4wd model would be most bang for the buck for roughly 30k or less with these options? Looks like most of the new models are much higher than that on the "build your own" site. I will use the tractor for using grapple on brush piles, shredding, road maintenance, and moving a small number of round bales each year. In other words I'd prefer the beefiest tractor I can get in this price range, but the options are confusing especially now that everything is changed for tier 4. I would appreciate any thoughts or experience.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

for value, if you can find an M5140 or M5640 tier 3 that's going to be about your best value. There are still come out there. Or L4600DT, there a few of those around too.

 

[big bubba]

personally, spending that kind of money on a new model, having a hydraulic shuttle would be a must for me for fel & soil engagement. look @ the 12speed option that will also increase the 3ph capacity (if avail in those models)...things certainly have changed in recent years from my 2 tier 8540 including price..... lots to chose from, best regards

 

[Mike Legg]

for value, if you can find an M5140 or M5640 tier 3 that's going to be about your best value. There are still come out there. Or L4600DT, there a few of those around too.

I bought an M5140HD Kubota last year. Tractor with FEL was $29.5K. I also bought an 8" Rotary Cutter for bush hogging hills and pasture. I can tell you I am very pleased with this tractor and it's capabilities.

The Hydraulic Shuttle is wonderful and I highly recommend! I was a little worried if the 5140 engine would be powerful enough for the 8' cutter. The power output of this little engine is amazing! It will walk through the tallest buck grass and never stall. I even wonder sometimes why someone would want more power, of course I am sure sometimes you would want more than 55 HP.

So anyway, if you are looking for a beefy 55 HP tractor, no computers, no DPF, etc, then the M5140 is your tractor!

 

[lipancreek]

Thank you to everyone who responded. I finally got time to go shopping a little. Looks like the two local dealers have only MX5200 or M5660SUHD in this range (and the 5660 has to be ordered). No tier 3's around locally that I've found. I am supposed to get quotes on Monday. I liked the MX5200, but I'm concerned it would be too light to use a box blade effectively. One dealer said he personally just uses the MX5100 on his own farm and it's plenty of tractor for general use including limited number of round bales. So maybe the 5200 would be plenty. But it sure looks light compared with my old IH! Finally, I was also told if you start adding remotes and options you ought to just order the M5660 because adding those options to the MX5200 would probably make it as high as the 5660. Not sure if that's true but is what one guy at dealership said.

 

[newbury]

Have you called Barlow?
Home | Barlow Equipment

 

[lipancreek]

I'm going to call them when I have the numbers from local dealers to know how much higher locals are than an aggressive discounter. Sounds like a lot of local dealers are "take it or leave it" attitude, so we'll see.

 

[Piston]

I know this is in the Kubota section of the forum, but have you considered other makes? Or are you dead set on Kubota?


If you are questioning whether the MX will be big enough for your needs, I would pass on it, and go with the bigger tractor. The first time you try something that overwhelms the tractor, you will regret settling for the less capable model.

Also, are you opposed to buying used? You may be able to find a really nice tractor for a substantial savings over new. For instance, a fair amount of M7040's come up for sale, and many are barely used, for a good savings over buying new, also the extra power at the PTO could be helpful depending on uses.


Since your planning on grapple work, I would not settle for anything less than hydraulic shuttle shift.

 

[wsc9tt]

Sounds like the exact constraints I had when shopping for a tractor about a year ago.
I got a the following
mx5100hst 4wd
2 factory rear remotes
front qa heavy duty bucket with the optional cutting bar
dealer installed 3rd function front remote (wrlong kit w thumb switch)
block heater
filled R-4 tires

It was under your budget.

I was replacing a 40 year old 30hp Ford and this was a huge upgrade. Technically it has the same footprint as the Ford but is feels way bigger.
I was very skeptical of the Hydrostat but I have nothing to complain about on power. You do have to switch into the low range when real power
is required which is annoying because that H-M-L lever is not nearly as smooth as a manual transmission, but you need to use it much less frequently.
I often forget to switch to L and then wonder why the tractor is straining to push a huge snow pile or pull a monster tree. I don't forget to switch back to M
because the ground speed it so slow.

I got a EA wicked grapple 66" and a EA exteme box 76" and have nothing but praise for EA and those two implements.

The wrlong kit works really well but the place where it was mounted by the dealer was awkward.
You can see in right behind the loader frame in this picture. It would be nice in the valves were tucked in better.

(this picture was from a very muddy time in the spring)

And the dealer just left the front connectors zip tied to the loader frame and hanging. It makes attaching the grapple hard. It would be much better to have the same
type of connectors as the rear remotes and have those bolted to the frame. I may go buy the right stuff a tractor supply and switch it.

I was also skeptical of the R-4 tires vs full ag tires. I still believe the R-1s would have better traction, but I have nothing to complain about the R4s and they are more practical.
(less likely to get a flat, bigger so filling adds more weight, less likely to rip up yard, actually has traction in reverse)
I did end up buying chains for winter plowing.

You do what the bigger bucket with the cutting bar. For a while the dealer loaned me a the standard bucket and while I was removing snow from my gravel drive it got totally ripped up.
Yeah, I was a novice and could do less damage now, but I wasn't impressed with the durability of the standard bucket. Of course bucket teeth would be better for digging.

I got the block heater because I often had troubles starting my Ford in the dead of winter and diesels should be harder to start. You don't even need the glow plugs on this thing until it gets below freezing and I had no trouble starting the tractor at -10F so I haven't actually used the block heater yet. But it was only $75 and if the dealer installs it I don't need to drain the coolant later when I decide I needed it.

I still wonder if I should have gotten the $275 grill guard.

 

[dbaer78]

Just for reference I have an mx5100 and am very pleased with it. It handles a heavy duty 72" Woods hinged back box blade easily. I use it as a mini log skidder as well with a wallenstein skidding winch and it's surprisingly strong. If I was buying today I'd look at the mx5200hst , mx5800hst, and the m5660 with hydraulic shuttle.