Buying Advice Grand L versus M

[rasimmo]

According to tractordata.com the L5740 has the same turning radius as your 3320. Maybe you can get the dealer to let you use the tractor on your place and see how you like each. Some of the dealers around here will do that. Especially if they have a used one for you to try out. Try both models and see which one works best.

 

[canoetrpr]

Ok - to reply about the size issue - I do a lot of work in the bush where the trails are quite narrow and turning around at the end of the trail is ok in my JD 3320. Maybe I'd have real trouble in a Kubota M7040?

It sounds as though I might just eat the tax and upgrade to a Grand L model?

I doubt you'd have trouble turning where your 3320 is turning fine. My last tractor was an L3400 which is about the same size as your 3320. I find the turning radius of the M surprisingly good.

IMHO your decision should be based on how badly you think you NEED the HST. That and if there is a specific building you need to fit into that the 5740 will not. Dimensionally the difference between the two is not large enough otherwise IMHO to pass up on so much more tractor for no additional price differencephalitis cause of the tax implications.

My suggestion is try to find a dealer with both on the lot and spend time on them side by side.

 

[TripleR]

I understand that, but the OP has not said anything in this thread about having tight places to get into. I was just trying to say the size difference was minimal for the amount of power and capacity the upgrade offered.
A lot of that depends on who is in the seat. My wife keeps hitting the corner of my barn with a 4' finish mower behind a 155 Yanmar in a spot I frequently drive a M9540 with a 7' cutter through. I guess that's the trade off for not having to mow the lawn myself.

Agreed, I am just throwing things out for consideration; just too many variables/unknowns for any of us to point to the "best" tractor for someone else with certainty.

We have three farms and about ten tractors from 23 to 85 HP, 2WD and 4WD, with DEL and without from 50+ years old to one year old and what works great on one property may not on another.

If it will get me out of mowing the yard, my wife can ricochet off stuff and I won't say a word, we are on our fourth set of tail lights and hazard flashers on our BX and have a spare set in the garage.:laughing:

 

[rScotty]

hst is not available on the m series, it is more of a small ag tractor.

Well, it's not quite fair for me make this comparison, because Kubota's M59 is really a TLB rather than a tractor...... even though it does have a Cat II 3pt.
But it is an M series, and it does come with a hydrostat. I don't know about other M's, maybe it's the only one. This one has a L/M/H hydrostat with split shift in each range. For a total of 6 speeds forward or reverse.

FWIW, it also has the foot rocker which would sure work better for me if it wasn't so far out to the right side. I prefer JD's twin touch. Maybe some day I'll convert this one. But first it needs a vertical stack.
Another difference I find which nobody has commented on is that JD's might be a more comfortable fit for a larger size person than the Kubota. I'm only 6' and 190 and even so the M59 needed for the seat to be raised and set back beyond the factory settings. For a big guy this could be a factor.
rScotty