Comparison differance between compact and utility tractor

[MHarryE]

I have a Kubota L5740 CUT for working around my home and we have a John Deere 6230 utility for our farm. The Kubota can handle most things both do but the Deere is quicker and it has a lot more loader capacity. The Kubota is nimble enough to get in and out of places you can't get to with the bigger and heavier Deere. And even though the Deere has an excellent shuttle transmission, it can't compare to the Kubota's hydro. Having to choose one would be tough but I think the nod would have to go to the Deere because of it's increased capabilities for heavy work. It can easily lift a 2400# tote of wheat while the Kubota will only take enough weight off the load that I can slide it. That doesn't cut it if I need to load or unload the totes from a truck or trailer.

 

[texasjohn]

so...bigger is better, unless you know it would be too big.

 

[slowzuki]

We replaced a 52 hp utility with a Kubota L5030hstc of a bit less hp. The loader is weaker (but faster) but the tractor is so much more nimble and fast in tight quarters it can do many things better than the bigger tractor. Unfortunately in field work it can't so we also now have a 100 hp utility/ag tractor. As an example backfilling a foundation with crushed rock, the Kubota was able to do this in about 1/3 of the time of the larger tractors because of navigating the site and inching back and forth on the slopes. Also snowblowing, the hydro means the our 100 hp tractor doesn't have that much advantage in running our 7 ft blower.

I have a Kubota L5740 CUT for working around my home and we have a John Deere 6230 utility for our farm. The Kubota can handle most things both do but the Deere is quicker and it has a lot more loader capacity. The Kubota is nimble enough to get in and out of places you can't get to with the bigger and heavier Deere. And even though the Deere has an excellent shuttle transmission, it can't compare to the Kubota's hydro. Having to choose one would be tough but I think the nod would have to go to the Deere because of it's increased capabilities for heavy work. It can easily lift a 2400# tote of wheat while the Kubota will only take enough weight off the load that I can slide it. That doesn't cut it if I need to load or unload the totes from a truck or trailer.

 

[TripleR]

3R i think when it came down to it youd choose the 8540.

You may very well be right; fortunately I don't have to.:thumbsup:

Over the years, we have learned there is no such thing as a "do it all well" tractor.

 

[texasjohn]

Slowzuki, on my 5030, I felt it was weak and had the dealer check the hydraulic pressure. It was under spec and they inserted a "shim," actually a washer, and it now is just a tad over spec. It made a huge difference in lifting power, and I MUST have almost 1000 lbs on 3ph plus loaded tires to counterbalance a full FEL load, else it's a tricycle. So, if you haven't had the pressure checked, might think about it if you need more lift capability.

 

[94BULLITT]

A utility will also have a better hydraulic system.

 

[Agent Blue]

Why would someone get hung up on descriptive titles ? Common sense would scan the tasks, look in the future for upcoming projects and usage to determine size, hp, operator convenience, in a model best suited to the needs. I also considered parts, reliable dealer, service, and resale for later update to a newer model. Factor in company history if the machine has lived up to its name with infrequent recalls, known problems, and standing behind their product. If your tasks are too varied one may consider two or more tractors as mentioned .... there is no model that will do everything at its greatest potential.

 

[Gary Fowler]

As others have said, no one tractor will do everything that you need done, however sometimes a small CUT can do much more than a larger tractor due to agility and smaller footprint. To be really versatile, you need both a large Utility tractor for heavy lifting/moving of material with the FEL and a small CUT for getting into small places and finesse work. I find that for final grading etc, I can do better with my B26 than my big LS P7010. From the high work platform and cab, I cant see what I am doing with the bucket on the LS nearly as well as the Kubota. Many times I will have both tractors to work a task using the LS to haul of spoils and the B26 to smooth the area afterward. I can almost get the B 26 under any tree limbs that I can walk under(almost) and the narrow wheelbase allows for getting in small narrow spaces where the LS needs about 8.5 feet minimum height and 84" clearance in width. For ground engaging work, the LS is tops with much more power and traction and comfort with the Cab.
All in all if I had to choose just one I think it would have to be the Kubota TLB for now as most of my heavy lifting and tree clearance is done. A TLB (tractor/loader/backhoe) is so handy when needed I cant believe I didnt get one sooner.

 

[sal64]

the utility tractor has bigger weels in the front compared to the compact, any advantage to that?

 

[rScotty]

the utility tractor has bigger weels in the front compared to the compact, any advantage to that?

The advantage of the larger tires is stability when you are trying to turn out of a rut or when you are sideways on a hill (hillside stability). Stability on rough ground is an area where the utility tractors generally have quite an advantage over compacts. The compact tractor design enables it to be nimble in tight areas, but with its smaller wheels, higher center of gravity, lower weight, and shorter wheelbase the compact does trade away stability. Ag tractors are just the opposite in all those areas, with utility tractors being what you originally bought for use around the farm instead of the field. It was the original compromise.

The line has become blurred between the ability of the original utility tractors and the largest compacts. If you have more open land without the need to work in tight places you will be amazed at how much tractor your dollar will buy in the utility tractor market. If your land requires working in a lot of tight places with restricted turnaround space then you will thank yourself for going with a compact.
WHY NOT GET BOTH? You'll see from our signatures that's what a lot of us older owners have done. It's not just tractor love; there's a reason we did it.
rScotty