How much tractor for my existing attachments?

[texasjohn]

Is there a FEL on that 7040? Don't buy a tractor without one!

 

[jenkinsph]

Those old 4020's were great tractors that were built to last a lifetime, and will pull just about anything. I've got a lot of hours of seat time on one.

With the 4020 as your reference point, I'd get the M7040 4wd and never look back. I think you would regret anything smaller. In fact, I'm sure the M7040 won't pull anywhere close to what the old 4020 would pull. The 4020 only had about 85 hp, but it weighed close to 10,000 pounds (and most of them had wheel weights and suitcase weights on them too), which is about twice as much as the 7040 weighs.

Does the 7040 have the hydraulic shuttle on it?

The 4020 diesels were 95 pto hp, my dad and I both had them and felt they were great tractors. Today I would go with a similar pto hp 4x4 tractor and brand of your choice.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I think the 5065 would be a larger matching than the 7040 right? I had some small issues with my 5055 but so far I am loving it and the power reverser is a great tranny option.

Brett

 

[ddd75]

i looked at kubota before buying my 5065 and i believe the JD's are built better and have lower costs of ownership, plus a better resale value.

 

[Catchad81]

I realize this is the attachments forum, but I think this may be the best place for me to post this question.

I own 160 acres of recreational/hunting property in SW Mississippi and I mainly use a tractor for maintaining about 1.5 miles of gravel road and a similar amount of dirt farm roads, discing food plots, mowing moderately thick brush and general clean up duty. My property is fairly hilly with a couple of creek crossings. The 3 attachments that I'm focused on from a sizing standpoint are a 7' Kodiak HD rotary cutter, a set of 24x20 discs and an 8' box blade. My old 90 HP Deere had no problem pulling any of these attachments (the box blade would give it trouble if I tried to cut too deep), but because more HP = more money (and because I'm basically cheap) I'm looking to replace it with something smaller.

The local Kubota dealer has two used low-hour tractors I'm looking at, a 2 wheel drive MX5100 ($18,000) and a 4 wheel drive M7040 ($27,000). A nearby Deere dealership has a 5065E and a 5403, both 4WD, for the same price as the M7040, but I haven't looked at them yet.

The MX5100 is a nice tractor-- but I'm concerned that it may just not be enough tractor and that I will regret not getting something bigger. Bottom line, I'm looking for some guidance on how much tractor I need and whether 4wd is worth the extra cost.

I had a MX5100 with 200 hours I would gave you for $12,500, looked about as new as it could. However, for what you described I would not suggest the MX. Has the hp for the pulling, just not enough size and weight. The M70 would be the way to go, imo.

 

[UncleBuck1]

Thanks for the advice, guys- looks like I'm shopping for a 70hp or larger 4wd tractor!

Is there a FEL on that 7040? Don't buy a tractor without one!

Yep, all of the tractors I'm looking at have loaders- and I wouldn't buy a tractor without one!

 

[Catchad81]

i looked at kubota before buying my 5065 and i believe the JD's are built better and have lower costs of ownership, plus a better resale value.

My thoughts where different on the E series Deere...and I'm a deere fan. I think 100HP up, they are king. The smaller tractors, I'm just not sure. However, the subcompacts I really like just don't own one. Not knocking your tractor by any means. I do have to ask, between deere and kubota, how did you arrive at the lower cost of ownership and better resale value comment?

 

[Catchad81]

Thanks for the advice, guys- looks like I'm shopping for a 70hp or larger 4wd tractor!



Not necessarily saying you need a 70hp tractor, but out of the options listed, that would be the choice. An M5060 or JD 5055e would probably fit your needs as well.

I love a 4020. Hyd pump has always been a problem on ours...not for everyday operation, but you can't hold the clutch too long or it will take off on its own. I've always had that "feel good feeling" when on it however.

 

[UncleBuck1]

I love a 4020. Hyd pump has always been a problem on ours...not for everyday operation, but you can't hold the clutch too long or it will take off on its own. I've always had that "feel good feeling" when on it however.

Funny you say that, because hydraulic pump failure on my 4020 is what has me tractor shopping! The pump froze up and sheared off the connecting points cast into the face of the flywheel. Parts alone for the repairs are $1,500+ for a tractor that was already leaking at the injector pump, needs an engine overhaul, has bad tires and God knows how many hours!

I love my 4020, but after 50 years of use it has reached the end of its economic life. I just wish I could find a modern tractor that I could reasonably expect last even half as long!

 

[Catchad81]

Funny you say that, because hydraulic pump failure on my 4020 is what has me tractor shopping! The pump froze up and sheared off the connecting points cast into the face of the flywheel. Parts alone for the repairs are $1,500+ for a tractor that was already leaking at the injector pump, needs an engine overhaul, has bad tires and God knows how many hours!

I love my 4020, but after 50 years of use it has reached the end of its economic life. I just wish I could find a modern tractor that I could reasonably expect last even half as long!

Probably won't. The older ones are hard to beat. We still run 70s models on a daily basis. Only problem is getting someone to work on them and the cost.

Are you going to get rid of the 4020? Always thought I'd restore one some day.