Two years ago I was tractor buying went with L4701 over a MX5200 that was only $1800.00 more at the time.I liked the size of 4701 as I use around house and yard I also have a wood lot it goes threw very well on utv trails !!! I added FEL and BH 92 which adds alot of weight to tractor same BH for MX series !!! The main difference is FEL capacity which is important to a lot of buyers myself included as pallet forks are my number one implement !!! I didn’t need more HP in engine or pto so I knew 4701 was enough for my needs. I don’t go by bare tractor weight bs that’s repeatedly brought up on this forum gravity is at play on all sizes !!! As you mentioned you need nimble for woods that app better to be on smaller side than larger.You probably would be fine with either tractor.There’s some videos on You Tube of a guy doing pond work and tree work with L2501 he definitely is experienced operator and puts bigger is better BS to rest !!!
Choosing the right tractor
- Thread starter Mej13579
- Start date
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rademamj1
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2019
- Messages
- 1,129
- Location
- Waco, Texas
- Tractor
- Kioti CK4010 SEHC, Kubota GR2120, Gravely Proturn 460
I have been working a 27 acre wooded property near Waco with a 40hp tractor. About 75% densely wooded and 25% cleared field, 1500 feet gravel road, 3 culverts and 4 stock ponds for water management. The 40hp tractor handles everything I need to do, from partial clearing to creating access pathways through the jungle. Most is Cedar, Ash, Elms, Oaks, lots of Mesquite and some dangerous looking Honey Locust trees. No Pine trees. But everything is covered with poison ivy and cat claw vines and some invasive vine species from Asia which just covers the trees up to 10 feet off the ground.
Surprised me just how many dead trees were present, that appeared struck by lightening. Perhaps two trees per acre are dead by lightening. Commonly they were split down the middle and needing haul off to a wood pile after chain saw. Pallet Forks are best for moving the wide tree trunks.
I use a medium duty rotary cutter for the high brush and has been the most useful implement. Need to repeat mowing each year , or the vines just grow back. Repeating mowing is the only way to long term removal. Other implements found useful was a grapple and narrow 60" landscape rake. A narrow rake is better for precession work in the woods. A grapple works really perfect in this type area, but I still go back to pallet forks from time to time.
Used a contract forestry mulcher service for 4-days at $1500 per day, and he did partial clearing of about 12 acres and created more pathways. The mulch keeps unwanted vines and everything else from growing back. Slowly I have been using the landscape rake to move the dried mulch into burn piles awaiting the special times for burning. After burning, the ashes provide incredible nutrients to the native grass which is Coastal Bermuda. Looks like a city park after 3 years of mowing maintenance. Now the open fields with Coastal Bermuda are mowed by a fast zero turn.
Surprised me just how many dead trees were present, that appeared struck by lightening. Perhaps two trees per acre are dead by lightening. Commonly they were split down the middle and needing haul off to a wood pile after chain saw. Pallet Forks are best for moving the wide tree trunks.
I use a medium duty rotary cutter for the high brush and has been the most useful implement. Need to repeat mowing each year , or the vines just grow back. Repeating mowing is the only way to long term removal. Other implements found useful was a grapple and narrow 60" landscape rake. A narrow rake is better for precession work in the woods. A grapple works really perfect in this type area, but I still go back to pallet forks from time to time.
Used a contract forestry mulcher service for 4-days at $1500 per day, and he did partial clearing of about 12 acres and created more pathways. The mulch keeps unwanted vines and everything else from growing back. Slowly I have been using the landscape rake to move the dried mulch into burn piles awaiting the special times for burning. After burning, the ashes provide incredible nutrients to the native grass which is Coastal Bermuda. Looks like a city park after 3 years of mowing maintenance. Now the open fields with Coastal Bermuda are mowed by a fast zero turn.
OP
Mej13579
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OP
Mej13579
Bronze Member
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- Messages
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Your situation sounds a lot like mine. I want to be prudent money wise but I dont want to make a major purchase and not have enough tractor and implements to do what I need. I need a Swiss army knife tractor and implements but I don't want to overspend for my needs. It's a hard decision to balance them both.
jeff9366
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
- Messages
- 12,777
- Tractor
- Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
| 4WD Wheelbase: | 72.6 inches 184 cm |
| 4WD Length: | 119.5 inches 303 cm |
| Width: | 62.4 inches 158 cm |
| Height (ROPS): | 91.7 inches 232 cm |
| Ground clearance: | 15.2 inches 38 cm |
| Front tread: | 50.4/54.3/58.3/62.2 inches 128/137/148/157 cm(2WD) |
| Front tread: | 45.5 inches 115 cm (4WD) |
| Rear tread: | 46.5/47.2/51.2/57.1/60.8 inches 118/119/130/145/154 cm |
Kubota MX5400 Dimensions // Corrected |
| Kubota MX5400 Weight | |
| 4WD Gear ROPS : | 3716 lbs 1685 kg |
| 4WD Gear Cab : | 4251 lbs 1928 kg |
| 4WD Hydro ROPS : | 3734 lbs 1693 kg |
| 4WD Hydro Cab : | 4268 lbs 1935 kg |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase: | 74.6 inches 189 cm |
| 4WD Length: | 125.8 inches 319 cm |
| Width: | 69.7 inches 177 cm * |
| Height (ROPS): | 95.7 inches 243 cm |
| Height (cab): | 92.7 inches 235 cm |
| Ground clearance: | 15.2 inches 38 cm |
| 4WD Front tread: | 52.2 inches 132 cm |
| Rear tread: | 54.1 to 58.7 inches 137 to 149 cm |
Last edited:
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Mej13579
Bronze Member
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That is not much difference. I do like the lift capacity of the mx better. I have been researching but so many choices can be underwhelming. It a great time as far as choices go to be shopping for a tractor.
Williy
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2020
- Messages
- 3,572
- Location
- Texas
- Tractor
- Yanmar YT 235C Yannar YRC 60 rotary cutter, Yanmar RT72 rotary tiller B75 Backhoe & bucket & thumb, LS land grader
Have you checked out the LS or Yanmar tractors??
Just might be more product for the buck????
I really enjoy using my YT235C keeps me cool in the
summer and warm in the winter. Controls easy to
get to and the seat is very comfortable. Can see all
4 tires from the cab
willy
Just might be more product for the buck????
I really enjoy using my YT235C keeps me cool in the
summer and warm in the winter. Controls easy to
get to and the seat is very comfortable. Can see all
4 tires from the cab
willy
jeff9366
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
- Messages
- 12,777
- Tractor
- Kubota Tractor Loader L3560 HST+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3,700 pounds bare tractor, 5,400 pounds operating weight, 37 horsepower
When considering a tractor purchase bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third, rear wheel/tire ballast fourth. These are the bones of a tractor purchase.
(( FEL is a tractor option.))
Once these decisions are made you can move on to tractor brands and not be overwhelmed.
(Half the tractor brands will have only 50% of their models actually available within six months due to supply chain problems.)
Last edited:
jyoutz
Super Member
There is no MX5000. Did you mean MX6000?
