Help choosing correct 45-50hp Kubota

[Code54]

I know there is a LOT of questions on what size and everyone makes some good points but try this. Go get a 2x2 and cut it 79", hold it horizontal and take a walk where you plan on using it (between the big trees, around the house, etc) and see how it fits. This is the width on my MX5100 with the wheels set all the way out. Now do the same with the other models you are looking at and you will see what width works for you in your situation. I know in mine a larger machine would be a problem - would love the extra weight and power but if I can't fit it where I need to go it is sort of useless. Been a few times where I have had to cut trees and move dirt just to get my MX in an area i needed to. That is why I mention for you to see what works best for you. If a larger machine fits 95% of the places and you can swing the extra money go for it.
As for makes, Massey, Deere, Kubota - they are all good. I buy Kubota's because we have a BUNCH of dealers nearby and I have had outstanding reliability on everyone I have owned. Would have looked closer at Massey but only had one dealer over an hour away so that was a deal killer for me. Used them for years at work and always liked them and had minimal problems (lots of operators so that is a big factor).
Good luck on your search and you are getting a lot of good info in this thread!

 

[newbury]

Oh and across town or just to the dealer for service with the lightest trailer possible is exactly what I was thinking with towing, but we'll just have to see how that pans out. Not gonna complicate it further with that. Can usually borrow a rig to haul if in a pinch.

This is a major point. How often do you expect to take it to the dealer?

I've 2 tractors, a 2007 B7610 bought in '09 with 300 hours on it and a 1995 M4700 w/ < 1500 hours on it. I do my own fluids, filters, grease, hoses etc.
My B7610 went to the dealer once for rear remote and a backhoe. I had to rent a trailer ($65) for a day when I picked up my $12,000 M4700 because the wheels were set to wide for my trailer (later I narrowed the wheels).

You've picked about the right size tractor. My M4700 does great in the woods. For me much bigger would be a pain to maneuver with little gain.

I envy being able to spend that much on a new tractor, but my usage (< 500 hours a year) wouldn't justify it because I couldn't write it off on taxes. And I needed lot's of implements (chipper, tiller, plow, pallet forks, rotary cutter, etc.).

Plus several chainsaws, a sawmill

and a few woodworking tools.

.

After all, what's a tractor good for if you can't process what you bring home?

Have you looked at Barlow's ?

In 2013, when I was looking, they had excellent prices, a sterling reputation, and delivered nationwide. Now they don't post their prices, you have to call or email.

 

[Fallon]

you will only find hydraulic shuttle in larger utility tractors, not HST, that should say something there.

I'd go with the M5660. Don't think the M7040SU is still offered in the US new, but the back half of the M5660 looks the same as the last M7040SUs and the M7040SU did not have DPF etc like the M5660 has.

It says something about the target audience. BIG tractors are for pulling implements doing field work period end of story. They don't do utility work, so the 15% HP penalty isn't worth it at all.

Smaller utility tractors do a lot of back & forth work & precision work that benefits from the ease & flexibility of the HST.

HSTs are as durable as gear machines & have fewer issues than the complex GST & PowerShift trannys. They are putting HSTs on 800hp + dozers these days, so it's not an issue about durability or strength.

 

[Wild Bill the 2nd]

I've got 100 acres with 60 acres of woods. As others have said, go with the largest frame size you can. It will add to stability immensely on hills and when doing loader work, and especially grapple work where you sometimes need to lift higher than you would like to when traveling with limbs and vines. You also want the stability for handling longer logs. Whatever you do load the tires.
Sounds like you are already planning on getting the 3rd function for the loader. I 100% agree. Note, that is one of the downfalls of Massy, they didn't offer third function 1749 I was looking at. You can always do it aftermarket though.

Are you planning on plowing with the tractor? If so a gear drive will direct power to the ground much better. If you want to use a tiller the HST will excel.

I think you mentioned 4 acres finished. Do you plan to finish mow with this tractor? If mowing HST is a big advantage, especially with a lot of trees. After 13 years of mowing I damaged the shuttle shift tranny of my old tractor due to all of my shifting.

Got a L6060 last year (was looking for a L47 or L54 but none were available and they cut me a deal on the L60) The tractor will pull a 7' finish mower up pretty good hills running 5-6 mph. I have a 6' brush hog from my last tractor but would definitely say this could handle 8' to 10' no problem.

From your description it looks like mowing is the primary requirement for horsepower. How often will you be brush hogging? how wide of a rotary cutter are you looking at? If it is only 6' I would give up some HP to go with a larger frame if it came down to it when spending money.

Also remember that when comparing gear to HST you will want 5 more (engine) ponies in the HST to get the equivalent work out of them.

The L that I got does have a lot of bells and whistles that could go wrong and I was/am wary, but I will say, I do use most all of them. I am happy with my purchase.

There are so many things to look at and consider. Take your time and figure out what will work the best for you.

 

[newbury]

It says something about the target audience. BIG tractors are for pulling implements doing field work period end of story. They don't do utility work, so the 15% HP penalty isn't worth it at all.

Smaller utility tractors do a lot of back & forth work & precision work that benefits from the ease & flexibility of the HST.

HSTs are as durable as gear machines & have fewer issues than the complex GST & PowerShift trannys. They are putting HSTs on 800hp + dozers these days, so it's not an issue about durability or strength.

HST is "creeping up" in HP. My M4700 (50HP) was only available as geared, it's successors (like the MX5800) and larger are available as HST. The work hasn't changed.

 

[Farmer495]

I had the straight-6 300ci in my '86 F150 with 4spd auto. Good truck, great engine, mine was Carb, valve covers leaked like crazy. Never pulled a whole lot with it, but I can't imagine loading up a bunch of weight behind it. In contrast, my '86 Bronco with the 302ci V8 and 4spd manual (with 1st as a creeper) was a much stronger puller.

Trans makes the difference.
302 wasn't a bad engine but there was a reason the 302 was only a 1/2 ton engine and the 300 went right up to a 2 ton truck. A 302 with the T-18 4 speed would feel way stronger than the slushbox behind a 300. We had an 85 150 with 300 4-speed (granny low) and despite the 3.08 axle it hauled fine, drove a 84 with 300 4-speed (overdrive) and it was geared too high. 89 Bronco with 302 and C6 auto was doggy.

 

[jeff9366]

120 acres in the southern Appalachians.

Approx 16ac hilly fields (bush hog), 4ac lawn and garden (loader/bucket),

3/4 mile gravel driveway (scraper),

and the other 100 acres is heavily forested.


The OP has 20 open acres, only requiring mowing.

Plus a garden, perhaps 1/4 acre?

Over ten years he wants to thin his woodland.

OP only needs a tractor that can pull a batwing/dual spindle Rotary Cutter over 16 acres as its primary task, maneuver in the woods pulling a HEAVY single spindle Rotary Cutter as its secondary task and pull a LPGS as its tertiary task.

NOTHING HEAVY DUTY. Nothing requiring massive Three Point Hitch lift.

Zero turn mower for around the house.

I know there are questions on size and everyone makes good points.

Try this: get a 2x2 and cut it 79", hold it horizontal and take a walk where you plan on using it (between the big trees, around the house, etc) and see how it fits. This is the width on my MX5100 with the wheels set all the way out.

Great idea.

Consider one of kubota's Grand L series, especially one from the L3560/L4060/L4760 series. Adjustable width on this series: 51" to 60"

 

[mfrankm]

OK Opened the links again, looked harder for what I am missing on the L. Sorry to sound thick but honestly I'm still not quite seeing it. Besides the extra features I do not see the advantage unless a slightly smaller tractor is a good thing....which in some cases it must be. Maybe even in my case with the woods work I want to do? Forgive me for being slow Jeff, if you don't mind spelling out for me why you think paying the same or more $ for equal or less hp would be the right choice here? Extra features seem nice, HST would be good, but the trade off is frame size, weight, power and lifting capacity, which all seem like important items.

Farmer495 thanks for your input, the 5660 is in the middle of my sights. Might even slide over to a dealer this afternoon if possible, its rainy today. You got it right, the 300 can pull well but I do have the Mazda 5 speed. I think its 3.55. Reverse is so over-geared its hilarious, pull out the clutch and hold on tight.

TSO those sound like some nice old Fords! I was born in 84, love those mid-80s models.

Code54 that's a good tip about walking around with a stick, gonna do that. Don't think I need to get into too many tight spots while bush hogging. It would just be up the trails/logging roads into the woods that might get narrow. I am getting so much good info and advice here in this thread and on the forum in general, I am most appreciative.

Newbury I hope to never take it to the dealer haha, but we'll see if that happens. Certainly will do as much as I can myself. Would be great if the tractor never left the property. Probably not very likely though. I will be lucky to get more than 500 hrs/year on it, maybe should be thinking lower budget too. We will be able to write it off though so that helps. But I need to look harder at used tractors. You have a cool setup, love the woodworking tools and LT10. Someday I would love to have a shop with some tools like that. Right now I do everything with framer-grade table saw and a Makita dual-compound mitre saw, cheap dewalt planer. I am going to look hard at Barlow's after getting some local pricing nailed down.

Fallon you make good points about big tractors. Really not sure if my field work justifies big hp, at least not right away just for bush hogging. I would be interested in the larger tractor for loader capacity and skidding heavier loads of wood in the near term however. We have a lot of brush and deadfall to clean up. A LOT. Decades worth.

WildBill2 the largest frame would be the M5660. Absolutely going third function valve for grapple. That is a big must. 5660 makes that easy compared to the MX series. Your experience with your machine is most helpful. Given the "go with the biggest frame" idea, what made you go with the L over a MX or M?

The 4 acres of lawn I will keep mowing with a riding mower. No reason to rock the boat there. Pretty soft so won't have the tractor out there much.

To clarify on my uses: right now we have the fields bush-hogged twice a year. I would like to do it 4 times or so. It won't become more than 20 acres of fields. Don't really see a finish mower or batwing as necessary. I may start doing some food plots though down the road. Scraping the drives 3-4 times a year or more with a lot of rain.

Besides that routine work annually the rest of the work will be clearing brush and deadfall. Lots of grapple, lots of log skidding. Might get a farmi winch or similar. Later moving piles of dirt/compost and leaves, mulch, and firewood will be a constant use. Some dirt grading here and there.

Yes the garden is about 1/3 acre but all done by hand and well kept. Just might take a bucket of mulch or something in there on occasion.

Sorry gotta run, got a clogged gutter and need to get into town but will be back this afternoon. Thank you guys a million.

 

[TSO]

I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a bad idea to go to your local dealer, and see if you can rent a used tractor for a couple days. First, the larger machine with Shuttle, then maybe something smaller with HST. That might help you determine if size would become a real factor.

 

[k0ua]

Opinions are like a...... everyone has one! Here is mine. I would vote for the Kubota Grand L series. or Kioti NX series or Massey or LS. I like features, they make life much easier. I had a lot of tractors without deluxe features. They make life harder. My current tractor the DK35se has deluxe features and I like it. In your case with more ground to take care of I would have a bit larger tractor than mine, but it still would have deluxe features, and weight, but I don't know that I would go too large. Of course you are young, and I am much older, perhaps you could do more sweating, tugging, and cussing putting on 3pt implements for example, but me, I like to make it as easy as possible. Did I mention that deluxe features make life easier? Good luck in your journey. :thumbsup: