Help me pick a tractor (25-45 HP)

[airbiscuit]

I think you should go with as large a tractor as you can within your weight limits. That said, the Kubota LX 3520 LX special edition might be a consideration on the lower end, and an MX 5400 on the higher end.

The Kioti DK4720SEH would be a leading contender for me

 

[jeff9366]

My pick out of the tractors under consideration would be the Kubota L3901. It's a solid, no frills tractor that enjoys a good reputation. It's also capable of handling the tasks mentioned, as well as running the 7' flail under reasonable conditions.

If you decide on the equal weight L2501 or L3901 add 3" rear wheel spacers to enhance stability.

I owned a previous iteration of this series. They are pretty tippy.

 

[oosik]

Well - shazbot. I have a mile long gravel driveway that ends at my 80 acres of open range land. Grassy meadows and stands of Ponderosa pines. The 80 acres is a pure rectangle - 1320 x 2640.

We moved onto the property in 1982. Had the driveway constructed and built our house. All in 1982. Same year I bought a brand new Ford 1700 4WD. Kept it until 2009. That year I traded the Ford in for a brand new Kubota M6040. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the Ford. It simply was not big enough to handle some of my projects.

Bigger tractor - bigger projects - significantly greater stability. I have a very heavy duty grapple on the FEL and a HD rear blade on the 3-point. The rear tires have 775 pounds of RimGuard in each tire. The rear wheels are set at max width - 80 inches, outside to outside.

I completely agree with airbiscuit - post 21. Go as big as you can - within the limits of your trailer. As shown in the attached photo - the tractor weighs - 10,000 + pounds.

 

[aesanders]

Agree, but JD and Kubota are more like 20% most expensive, not 50-75% more.

I was quoted @37k for a Kubota l3902 with loader and 3rd function valve added. This is an open station more economy model Kubota with about a 5 foot frame width. I looked at at an Grand L3560 open station and it was order only and would have been over 40k.

I bought the LS MT342 cab tractor with a 3rd function added for 34.5 k. This is a premium featured tractor with extendable link ends, 2 rear hydraulic ports, cab with lots of niceties etc. It’s also wider at 6’ and a little longer and quite a bit heavier. Loader on the Kubota rated at @ 1100 pounds, and @2600 on the LS.

In my opinion, the 50-75% price on Kubota and Deere are right on the money. Maybe closer to 50%, than 75% on these larger ‘Compact’ machines. Oh, and I traded in a Deere I bought new back in 2007 on the LS. Back then the Deere’s and Kubotas were a little more expensive. Now they are crazy more expensive.

 

[TractorNoob85]

I got the DK4520 for $31k with FEL w/ 72" bucket and loaded R14 tires. An excellent tractor for the money as long as you don't mind a manual.

 

[fc1]

I'm with the go bigger set. I have 10 heavily wooded acres and a new to me L3940. It's big in the thick woods, for sure, but I wouldn't mind another 5-800# of lift capability sometimes. With your property, I think 39hp will come up short.

 

[jyoutz]

You need to compare more recently and closely, my friend.

I just did an online comparison. My MX6000 open station with loader is $42.5k and your T574H open station is $33k. If my math is correct, that is a difference of 22%. If you compare the T574H to a grand L6060, then yeah the spread is considerably more.

 

[Williy]

our YT 235C 34hp with 148 hours 2 regens so far

willy

 

[2manyrocks]

500 miles is a heck of a long way to tow a tractor.

Happen to have L2501 and MX5200. IMO, MX5200 is so much more stable on slopes and has plenty of power to run a 6' cutter. Also surprising for how well it turns in a field.

 

[airbiscuit]

What is unspoken here, is that we are advising him on buying his first tractor.