First Tractor Purchase - What do you think of the Kubota MX5100 HST?

[airbiscuit]

It's not an old tractor. No need to pay sales tax or delivery?

 

[TNCitySlicker]

It's not an old tractor. No need to pay sales tax or delivery?

You're definitely right. I would technically save on the sales tax. I just thought an almost 7 year old tractor would depreciate more? I know this is tricky because the tractor only has 100 hours and means all the other attachments have little to no hours on them also, but they are not "new". I know everyone has their own opinion on a "good deal". I just don't want to kick myself for paying a premium for a used tractor when I could nearly buy a new one for the same price.

Anymore feedback would be appreciated.

I'm a big Jeep guy and Jeeps have just about the best resale value of any vehicle. I mean, people are selling 20+ year old Jeep Wrangler rust buckets for 10K. Are tractors similar in resale value?

 

[jeff9366]

I'm a big Jeep guy and Jeeps have just about the best resale value of any vehicle. I mean, people are selling 20+ year old Jeep Wrangler rust buckets for 10K. Are tractors similar in resale value?

I have no experience with Jeeps.

Tractors are produced in minuscule unit volume relative to highway vehicles but with a great number of individual models relative to unit volume.

This model disbursion has been the case since the late 1950's, when Harry Ferguson's patents on the Three Point Hitch expired, the TPH entered public domain and basic tractor design became almost generic.

If you have an old tractor that was sold in volume parts are probably still available. If you have an old tractor that was dropped after only a few thousand were produced, parts are probably not available. (Deere is a partial exception to this, as Deere has a dedicated plant in Waterloo, Iowa, which fabricates parts for what are termed Deere "legacy" models. As logic would indicate, legacy parts produced in low volume production runs are very expensive.)

The Kubota MX has been around a number of years and has sold in large unit volume. Parts for early MX models mostly interchange with parts for today's MX models.

So parts availability affects resale.

As do tractor improvements since Ferguson licensed his Three Point Hitch patents to Henry Ford in 1939. Improvements in approximate order: 4-WD, Industrial Tires, Power Steering, "independent" PTO, Loaders, Diesel Engines, Category 2-3-4-5 TPH, Landscaping tractors <2,000 pounds bare tractor weight, hydrostatic transmissions, Cabs with heat and AC. And, continuously, shields separating operator from moving parts.

I have operated several generations of basic Deere tractors for neighbors, a few days on each. I hugely prefer my de Luxe Kubota 'Grand L'. This is not to disparage Deere, it is a comment on continuous minor improvements in tractors across surviving tractor brands.


DEFUNCT TRACTOR BRANDS: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-tractor-manufacturers.html?highlight=defunct

 

[rScotty]

You're definitely right. I would technically save on the sales tax. I just thought an almost 7 year old tractor would depreciate more? I know this is tricky because the tractor only has 100 hours and means all the other attachments have little to no hours on them also, but they are not "new". I know everyone has their own opinion on a "good deal". I just don't want to kick myself for paying a premium for a used tractor when I could nearly buy a new one for the same price.
Anymore feedback would be appreciated.

I'm a big Jeep guy and Jeeps have just about the best resale value of any vehicle. I mean, people are selling 20+ year old Jeep Wrangler rust buckets for 10K. Are tractors similar in resale value?

You are assuming that in the tractor world something new and untested is better than something 7 years old with 100 hrs on it. That may be true of some machines, but is not necessarily true of tractors and it is especially not true of implements. New isn't always better, although we are taught to believe it is.
Just for curiosity, what would that combo cost new today? I bet you have done the figures.
rScotty

I have no idea about Jeeps. In the rural Rocky Mountains old LandCruisers hold their value well.

 

[Donwestmx]

The tractor you are looking at has the optional quick disconnect backhoe coupler and buckets. That coupler adds about $500.00 to the backhoe. The older model front end loader capacity was only 854 kg vs the newer models at 1054 kg. I purchased a new MX4800 HST with loader and backhoe in summer of 2018 37K.

 

[Carl_NH]

Yeah, those are the numbers I was thinking. Man, the $45,000 he is asking is darn near retail on a new one. I guess that's why I'm here asking if it's over priced or not? LOL Not sure if they are negotiable on price or not

As airbiscuit indicates the TLB alone is $44K and you are getting another 9-10K of implements for $1K vs new. Here is another example of the MX5400 with a trailer, box blade, and brush hog, w/o the BH and Forks for $48K 2 Kubota MX54 HSTCab Trailer Package TP19 | Scholten's Equipment

 

[TNCitySlicker]

I cannot speak to Jeeps.

Tractors are produced in minuscule unit volume relative to highway vehicles but with a great number of individual models relative to unit volume.

This model disbursion has been the case since the late 1950's, when Harry Ferguson's patents on the Three Point Hitch expired and the TPH became public domain.

If you have an old tractor that was sold in volume parts are probably still available. If you have an old tractor that was dropped after only a few thousand were produced, parts are probably not available. (Deere is a partial exception to this, as Deere has a dedicated plant in Waterloo, Iowa, which fabricates parts for what are termed Deere "legacy" models. As logic would indicate, legacy parts produced in short production runs are very expensive.)

So parts availability affects resale.

As do tractor improvements since Ferguson licensed his TPH to Henry Ford in 1939. In approximate order: 4-WD, Power Steering, Industrial Tires, Loaders, Diesel Engines, Landscaping tractors <2,000 pounds bare tractor weight, Cabs with heat and AC, "independent" PTO. And, continuously, shielding separating operator from revolving parts.

I have operated several generations of Deere tractors for neighbors, a few days on each. I hugely prefer my Kubota Grand L. This is not to disparage Deere, it is a comment on continuous minor improvements in tractors across surviving tractor brands.

DEFUNCT TRACTOR BRANDS: https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...-tractor-manufacturers.html?highlight=defunct

Jeff, Thanks for the information! Very informative. Whenever I make a purchase, especially large purchases, I do a lot of research. I've learned a lot reading on the different forums and online. I know your first post mentioned that the MX series has been around a long time and is a popular model. My assumption then is that Kubota has a good supply of parts for this MX5100 model if needed in the future.

Being new to tractors I have been researching many brands, but I consistently keep leaning forward the Kubota brand. There is a fairly local Kioti dealer that has tempted me, but I feel Kubota has been in this game longer and may be the better of the two brands.

We have some serious hills on the property that will have to be traversed on the tractor. I'm gonna say some of the areas that are bush hogged are 30 degree slopes. I've driven them in the Jeep and currently have had my neighbor bush hog them until I get the tractor (so I know it can be done). Neighbor has a fairly large cab tractor (maybe 60 to 70 HP). Obviously on that kind of slope you would only drive straight up or down the hill side. Never from the side.

One question to the experts, is a 50HP tractor overkill for my property or is the increased weight of the tractor and HP a good thing when working on hills? I also plan on using the pallet forks and I know the increased size of the tractor increases the lift capacity of FEL. The backhoe is also something I plan on using often and would imagine it works much more efficiently at digging than a smaller tractor with backhoe. I've got quite a few trails through the woods I would want to maintain as well - a smaller tractor would be better than bigger, but don't want to compromise on HP if I don't have to.

 

[jeff9366]

The MX really has everything I would like to have in a tractor. I think it is right around the HP I want. I was thinking 40- 50 HP. I don't want to get a 20-30 HP tractor and wish I had something more powerful.

The fundamental importance of TRACTOR WEIGHT eludes many tractor shoppers. Tractor weight is more important identifying compact tractor capability than tractor horsepower.

The most efficient way to shop for tractors is to first identify potential tractor applications, then, through consulataton, establish bare tractor weight necessary to safely accomplish your applications. Tractor dealers, experienced tractor owners and TractorByNet.com are sources for weight recommendations.

Bare tractor weight is a fundamental tractor specification easily found in sales brochures and web sites, readily comparable across tractor brands and tractor models, new and used. Shop your weight range within tractor brands. Budget will eliminate some choices. Collect a dealer brochure for each tractor model in your weight range.

I spreadsheet tractor and implement specs, often a revealing exercise which cuts through specification clutter. I have a column for cost per pound.

Selling a used tractor is easy. Selling multiple light implements in order to buy heavier, wider implements for a new, heavier tractor requires a lot of time. Depreciation on implements is worse than depreciation on a tractor.

A quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important for tractor neophytes. Most new tractors are delivered with a glitch or two requiring correction. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment after seven years. Dealer proximity is less important for those experienced with tractors and qualified to perform their own maintenance.

Tractors are inherently unstable operating on sloped ground. Tractor rear wheel/tire spread, sometimes adjustable, is a critical factor increasing compact tractor stability working sloped or uneven ground. Rear axle is the tractor component on which rear wheels/tires mount. A 6" to 10" wider rear axle substantially decreases tractor rollover potential.

When considering a tractor purchase, bare tractor weight first, tractor horsepower second, rear axle width third.



Kubota MX series has been around a long time. Gradually horsepower has increased, gradually pollution controls have increased. This MX would be very stable working your hilly property, eight acres open, fourteen acres wooded. Ample, ample horsepower for any imaginable tractor application on twenty-two acres. Enough tractor to farm thirty open acres of crops. MX series is 3,700 pounds bare tractor weight.

VIDEO: Kubota MX series walk around and features by Messicks. | MX48 MX52 MX58 - YouTube

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Kioti if the Kioti dealer has longevity. Kioti is a strong competitor to Kubota today.

 

[airbiscuit]

Compact Utility Tractors depreciate verrrry gradually. Every one I bought, I later sold for the same money or more!

 

[sea2summit]

From Kubota's website


MX5200HST - 4WD HST TRACTOR W/FOLDABLE ROPS

Price As Low As
$45,601
View Standard Features
1 FRONT - 12-16.5 R4 Titan HD-2000
REAR - 17.5L-24 R4 Titan Industrial Contractor
1 72" QUICK ATTACH SQUARE BACK BUCKET$701.00
1 42" PALLET FORKS$483.00
1 FRONT END LDR/MX4800/MX5200 W/Q.C.$4,930.00
1 9 FT BACKHOE$7,969.
1 16" pin on Bucket $755
1 PALLET FORK FRAME TWO-LEVER QUICK ATTACH TYPE$687.00
1 BH92 MOUNTING KIT$1,286.00

Woods BB72X $2,250
72" Box Blade $800 - $1,000
Post Hole Digger $500 - $800
Aerator $600?
Hudson 5 Ton Trailer $4,000?

Just for street price in Dec 2015 I paid $42,790 for my MX5800 with BH w/hydro thumb, forks, 72" bucket out the door but did have to wait a few weeks for the thumb to arrive.