In the market for a new tractor and need help

[SETexan]

i'm not dead set against HST but, My dad had a little kubota with a hst and it had some awkward pedal where you press forward it went forward, back it went in reverse but, i certain they have came along way since that tractor. the thing i hated about that tactorwas if you were sitting and accidentally put a little pressure on the pedal the tractor would move (there was nowhere else to put your foot but, on the pedal). I just prefer shuttle becasue that is what i currently have and i like it.

I think i am leaning torwards the Workmaster 55 or the JD 5055e

 

[Martian]

I would highly recommend trying the HST out. The peddles are another personal preference. Kubota has the rocker system, which you describe, where JD and NH have the twin touch peddles that are next to each other. I much prefer the Deere peddle layout, but others feel the opposite. I can work all day simply moving my ankle back and forth with precise control over speed in my 110, the same cannot be said for my 5410. My leg would be worn out long before. If you are comfortable with the shuttle, there's no reason to change it, though.

I'd go check out a the 4x20 Deere's and L5x40 Kubota's with HST transmissions and see what you think. The HST+ peddles are slightly different than the older peddles, but still similar in concept. I'd check out NH's CUT's as well, but I believe the older Shibaru's were nicer than the LS's they are now selling.

The WM55 and 5055e are two great options though. If you're really down to just those two, I'm sure you'll be pleased with either.

 

[SETexan]

I plan on going this weekend and looking at the JD, NH and kubota. Do you know how much more the M5150 in comparison to the MX5100?

 

[boggen]

besides what the dealers have in there parking lot. have you double checked the 3 manufactures websites, and with through "build a tractor" thing. to see about different transmission types / how you shift options. i always get the various transmission types confused. but double check on "power reverser"

(plant trees), are you looking at a backhoe? if so you should get a tractor that is setup for backhoe were you can do a 180 in seat and controls for backhoe are right there. and then have ability to take off backhoe to have access to 3pt hitch. not all tractors are setup decently for a backhoe.

(dirt work), being able to have split rear breaks. on a separate foot vs the go pedal, gas pedal / HST pedal. is a big one for me. from back dragging with FEL, to just needing to turn "tighter" in 2WD to get around things.

(move dirt around), sounds like digging with FEL. if so look into a bolt on Tooth bar for heavy duty bucket for the FEL.

TIRES, double check on type of tires you want R4's or R1's, from sound of it, most likely R1 ag tires.
R1's = skinny deep tread tires, R4= wide tire with some what deep tread. and is a mix between R1's and turf tires.

if you have FEL on, you will want to look at rear weight on tractor. either filled rear tires, or rear wheel weights, or 3pt hitch weight box. or combination of them all. or perhaps just a heavy 3pt hitch implement like a rear blade, box blade, backhoe, bush hog.

double check type of "valves" for rear hyd ports. (never can remember the 3 to i want to say 4) different valve types. errr posotion of the lever.

double check on 3pt hitch, from float, return to position. draft control, and i want to say one other feature?

3pt hitch, see if you can get extendable lower links, C clamp with latch, for easier connection to implements. vs going with pat's easy change, or a quick hitch / imatch setup.

what ever tractor you do end up getting, remember you should double check all PTO shafts on any implements you have. to make sure you end up with enough overlap on the 2 parts of a PTO shaft, or if you need to chop the PTO shafts down.

 

[SETexan]

Thanks boggen! I don't need a backhoe for the trees but, it would be nice. I could use a post hole digger for the trees. I'm not planning on planting trees all the time just want to plant a small orchard.

I test drove two tractors today and would have been three if the John Deere dealer wasn't too busy to help me.

First test drive was a 2011 used (156 hr) workmaster 55, mfwd, fel and had a bush hog backhoe on it. I liked the tractor drove nice had lots of power but, the noise from the gears was tough to get used to....not sure I could ever get use to the transmission whine it had. I test drove a new and it was the same with the whine. This tractor with all described was $26.3k and had a canopy.

Next, I test drove a 2008 kubota M5040 (195 hrs), mfwd, and a real heavy duty FEL. This tractor was pretty nice I liked it a lot. It even sounded mean when I fired it up. It was $23.9k and also had a canopy.

I was going to look at the Kubota MX5100 but, have read they are horrible on fuel.

now I have to decided between these two used tractors, a new WM55 or the new M5140.

Any advice on these two? Do you get use to the whine of the tranny on the wm55?

 

[JBowie]

Next, I test drove a 2008 kubota M5040 (195 hrs), mfwd, and a real heavy duty FEL. This tractor was pretty nice I liked it a lot. It even sounded mean when I fired it up. It was $23.9k and also had a canopy.

I was going to look at the Kubota MX5100 but, have read they are horrible on fuel.

now I have to decided between these two used tractors, a new WM55 or the new M5140.

Any advice on these two? Do you get use to the whine of the tranny on the wm55?

I just bought a new M5140 and have been very happy with it, I also looked at the mx5100 and the JD5055e. The mx5100 is quite a bit lighter than the other two, but I believe has a similar engine to m5140 (maybe the same). If I recall correctly, my local dealer priced the 5140 about $2.5k or so more than the 5100, but you were quoted a little better price than I was, or I may be remembering it wrong. I chose the 5140 over the 5100 due to size, hydraulic shuttle (not HST), and a standard remote hydraulic. It has a better dash, seat, etc., but I don't know how much that matters. I can't imagine the 5140 is better on fuel than the 5100 - probably much worse.

The 5055e had a few less features than the 5140 (hydraulic shuttle most important to me), but was also a little cheaper and otherwise generally comparable. I dismissed the 5055e due to the dealer (location and less responsive than kubota dealer plus I was impressed with reputation of kubota dealer) and an estimated 6-8 week delivery time. But, I probably would have been happy with the tractor had I gone that way.

 

[JBowie]

Forgot to comment on 5040. I think the 5140 has been out two years, but is essentially the same as the 5040, with modifications to meet newer environmental standards, and there might be a HP or 2 difference. Based on what I've read on the two, it's really a choice between used and new,

 

[Martian]

It doesn't sound like you care too much for the WM, in that case I'd go for the 5040.

 

[SETexan]

It doesn't sound like you care too much for the WM, in that case I'd go for the 5040.

I wanted to like the WM because i like my TC48 and would have liked it if gears whining was not so annoying to me. If i knew i could get just it i would pull the trigger on the WM. The thing i liked most about the kubota was the placement of the gear shifter and all the other controls seemed to be a little better thought out, plus that thing sounded mean(i know this last one is superficial but, was very much true).

Thanks for your input JBowie! By the way, where did you get your tractor at? i'm not too far away from you.

 

[94BULLITT]

Keep in mind that if you buy a new tractor you can get a interest free loan. If you buy a used tractor with the you will have to pay interest, you could end up paying as much or more than what you could have got a new one for. If you are paying cash none of this matters.