Help choosing correct 45-50hp Kubota

mfrankm · May 14, 2016

Hello all. 6-month lurker while researching first tractor purchase. Almost time to buy. Would appreciate any advice you guys might have for me. Several Kubota dealers around me from 40-75 miles away, they seem to dominate the market here. There are three that have competitive prices on my first round of calls.

120 acres in the southern Appalachians. Approx 16ac hilly fields (bush hog), 4ac lawn and garden (loader/bucket), 3/4 mile gravel driveways (scraper), and the other 100 acres is heavily forested. I heat with wood (OWB), and in the next decade and beyond I hope to thin considerably for long term forest health, as well as sell some timber that was planted for sale by my great-grandfather. A sawmill is on the drawing board, as are firewood and mulch/leaf compost sales; all loader work. So skidding logs needs to happen. My goal is a small, steady trickle of income from several sources the land provides over a long period of time. (Hydropower, maybe solar, etc. blah blah)

That's the purpose of the tractor. I think 45-50 hp PTO is the correct range, but am open to suggestions. Got prices on a MX5200 to compare to online pricing. 2 dealers are at $27k with loader/bucket and extra valve, 4wd, gear trans. Online price is $32.5k, so roughly 17% lower at the dealer on that tractor.

But I am also very interested in the m5660suhd for about $4,500 more. Not sure if I need the extra size. Even looked at the 6060 but think its too big and expensive.

One dealer has a used 2015 L4701: 130hrs, comes with landpride grapple, bucket, 6' landpride cutter, gear drive 4wd, for $28,500 no tax. Great deal, but only 39hp pto and smaller all around tractor. Maybe would be enough for me?

I'll stop there and see if anyone has advice. Thanks in advance,
Frank

Luke'sScreenName · May 14, 2016

I will be the first to second-guess your choice of a geared tractor if you go with the MX. You described mostly loader and woods work where the HST shines.

The MX5200hst will run a 8' brush hog easily and even a 10' if just grass and 3+ times per year (even on hills). The HST should be much more precise and controlled doing things like placing logs on a Sawmill.

I've been extreamly happy and impressed with my MX (especially loader and woods performance)

TSO · May 14, 2016

M5660

Code54 · May 14, 2016

Luke'sScreenName said:
I will be the first to second-guess your choice of a geared tractor if you go with the MX. You described mostly loader and woods work where the HST shines.

The MX5200hst will run a 8' brush hog easily and even a 10' if just grass and 3+ times per year (even on hills). The HST should be much more precise and controlled doing things like placing logs on a Sawmill.

I've been extreamly happy and impressed with my MX (especially loader and woods performance)

I would have to agree - I use mine (MX5100) on a 120 acre tract for firewood work, trail clearing and brush hogging and the Hydro makes it a breeze. Around the house working on our gravel lane (about ¾ mile total) the hydro is great and makes precise loader work an easy task.

mfrankm · May 14, 2016

OK point taken, I was going to mention that I am not completely opposed to HST. Thank you guys for that. Some of my advice has come from old-timers who think HST is a "bell & whistle" that won't last as long as standard gears. And they mow a lot and wouldn't have it without gears. Does the cruise control work pretty well on hills?

I agree that a lot of the work it will do over the years will be easier with HST. I just want this tractor to be my first and last if that is possible. I know that sounds like a joke, but a man has to have dreams.

Do you guys think this is the right size (hp)?

How about physical size? The 5660 is larger and I am leaning toward that is a good thing. But some people on these boards say smaller is better in the woods.

Thanks so much, I appreciate all of your advice.

big bubba · May 14, 2016

either one will do you well. have same amt acreage in similar mts (ozarks). finally chose M series & never looked back. had the MX as well prior, but too light on it's feet for me. that is if you're comfortable w/gear..... best of luck

Code54 · May 14, 2016

I agree either will work well. A lot depends on your property. We have a lot of tight woods and even the MX is a tight fit at time
As for the cruise - I really never used it, even in fields I never paid much attention to keeping my foot on the pedal... sorry I am not a good person to help on that one....

bryanduke · May 14, 2016

Really like my MX HST, and would not go with a gear tractor if doing much loader work. HST makes it SO much easier. I can't think of any reason why I would ever go back to a gear tractor. Good luck.

mfrankm · May 16, 2016

So the obvious consensus is HST. I am going to start pricing that way for comparison.

When looking a the M5660 HST is not an option, however it has hydro-shuttle reverse. Does that work almost as well for loader work, or is that a step down?

Hung up on size. I hear some people say bigger is better, then others say even the MX is tight in the woods. Unfortunately I do not have anything for reference to compare to.

So far the only post supporting the larger option, the M5660, comes from TSO who obviously has been around here awhile. Care to convince me a little about the pros of this larger tractor? I'd be giving up HST and probably the ability to tow it, as well as accepting a larger footprint and higher weight. Better on hills because of the weight? I know it will pull better, but do I need that for bush hogging 20 acres and pulling logs?

I have a '96 F-150 with the 300 I6, pretty good puller but not a massive beast. It would be great to be able to tow the tractor with it but not a deal-breaker. Doesn't seem like pulling the M is possible, but perhaps the MX or L4701.

The L4701 with 130hrs and grapple/bucket/bush hog for $28.5k bottom line is tough to ignore. 4-5 thousand less than the other options. Smaller footprint than the MX by about 6" in length and width, and over a foot smaller than the M. Weighs 500lbs less than the MX. Would this tractor be more "tippy" than the MX or M? Only 39hp pto, would probably still work for 6' hog on ~20 acres? Just not sure about skidding logs with drawbar or logging winch.

Sorry about all the repetitive questions but I am struggling with prioritizing pros and cons. Also now have a friend trying to convince me to look at JDs, and another saying Kiotis and MF are just as good and cheaper. Typically I would be thinking used equipment like my truck, polaris ranger, etc. but for some reason I am inclined to buy this tractor new. I know you guys have heard all this before but it is helpful to just have a place to discuss with experienced users. Thank you for your help and advice.

bryanduke · May 16, 2016

I choose Kubota because of the ease of getting service and parts. There are 4 Kubota dealerships within 50 miles of me. Keep that in mind. I have owned both an L and an MX, both had no problems with a 6' brush hog. I have had a grapple on both also. It is VERY handy. I prefer the larger MX, but for my needs an M would have been to large. I know it's tough weighing all the options. Good luck.