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

[lipancreek]

Thanks very much for the responses. WSC9TT, that's a great set up you have there, thanks for the pic! Good to know that MX5200 owners are happy with theirs. To answer questions, I am looking used tractors also but so far seems like Kubota/JD hold their value so well it's tough to find a good bargain here locally unless it's high hours. I did look at a new JD 5055e. But 3rd function is something I want and want to do grapple work. It sounds like the only factory or JD-approved option with the JD is to run the grapple off the rear remote. Some people install diverter valves it sounds like a less desirable set up than the Kubota true 3rd function. Also I have a friend with a beautiful JD 5065e setup. He loves it, but it's been in the shop lately... And if you want the Powerreverser it's pretty pricey.

 

[Piston]

But 3rd function is something I want and want to do grapple work. It sounds like the only factory or JD-approved option with the JD is to run the grapple off the rear remote. Some people install diverter valves it sounds like a less desirable set up than the Kubota true 3rd function. Also I have a friend with a beautiful JD 5065e setup. He loves it, but it's been in the shop lately... And if you want the Powerreverser it's pretty pricey.

I can recommend the WR Long valve. It has worked excellent. I had one problem with shorting out the toggle switch but it was fixed with a new switch.

Brian "Mtnviewranch" on here, also sells these kits. He didn't when I purchased mine, but if I were to buy a new one now, I would go through him. He has great prices, really top quality components, and amazing customer service. It would work better than factory I assure you.


The fact that your planning on getting a grapple is very encouraging. I still recommend the larger tractor mostly because you are on the fence between the two, but I do always admit, that if I had to choose between a smaller tractor with grapple setup, and a larger more capable tractor with only a bucket, I wouldn't even blink an eye and would absolutely go with the smaller tractor with grapple. It is like having an entirely different machine with capabilities that far surpass a standard tractor with nothing more than a bucket or set of forks.

Certainly budget in that grapple :thumbsup:

 

[Piston]

Sounds like the exact constraints I had when shopping for a tractor about a year ago.
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.

I wonder if they mounted it backwards? It's not supposed to be that exposed. You can see a picture of mine (first couple of posts in the link in my sig "rear remotes install), which you can see the FEL isn't attached, but when it is, it hides the valve nicely and isn't exposed like that. Perhaps a call to Nelson Long would be a good idea. He's always been extremely helpful anytime I had a question.

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.

The WR Long kit, comes with a bracket that you weld to your FEL cross tube, and it holds the fittings and hoses securely. It sounds like your dealer may not be familiar with installing these kits.
Again, the link in my sig has a good picture of the bracket I'm referring to. (For some reason I'm having trouble attaching those pics to this post)

 

[newbury]

<snip> 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.

How heavy are the round bales and how many?

Round bales can weigh from about 500lb to 3,000lbs. But from my reading it seems most are a ton or under. So you should get something that will handle a ton on the FEL.

It's your money of course but I've gone used for my two tractors so I had more $$ for implements. And right now Barlow lists about a dozen used Kubota tractors at $32.5K and under that seem to fit your specs.

Also can you haul it and park it?

My M4700 w/ROP just BARELY (by about 2") fit's under one of my garage doors and I had to set the tires to narrow to get it on my equipment trailer. So bigger is not always better.

Good luck.