Tractor Sizing Is a Kubota MX5200 the right size?

[farmall70]

After recent issues with a Case IH 70a MFD I am considering buying a mx5200 or the new mx5400 with a gear transmission. My only concern is if this will be large enough. Especially since I will be coming from a tractor that is more the size of an M series Kubota.

My primary task consist of rotary cutting approx. 18 to 20 acres of open field (have 25 acres total). It is thick and frequently gets 3 to 4 feet tall. I cut it several times a year with a 6ft cutter now and with the Case 70a it takes me about 10 hours to mow at 3.5 to 4 mph.

I would keep my 6ft cutter to start but would eventually like to move up to a larger cutter, like a Woods DS8.30 pull type, Land pride rcr2596 pull type, or maybe bigger? Would a mx5200 be a good fit for these cutters? Would I be able to go 3.5 to 4 mph in taller grass?

My other concern is the weight. Will I be bouncing around a lot? My 70a is over 1,000 lbs more. I will get the loader with the Kubota, my 70a dose not have a loader on it.

I will also use it for snow blowing. My driveway is approx 500 to 600 ft. I would get a land pride sb1574. I dont see any issues with blowing snow. More concerned with rotary cutting.

What are your thoughts? I don't really want to step up to the M series because of cost and I want a loader.

 

[kenmac]

you never know. I bought an MX5100 and thought it would be enough. two years later, and I now have a CX 105 to add to the fleet

 

[jdtractor]

I owned a 2018 jd 5065e w/ fel all tires filled / rim guard 2 rear wheel weights each side. Was light . Traded it for my 1st and last Kubota.. m7060 same set up only cast wheels. I知 not impressed either . I mow steep rough ground .. pull jd hx10 and woods bb72 3 other ok... but this hog is small for this size of tractor... my opinion. My point is Kubota is a light weight.... compared to a lot of machines.. I致e owned several different brands. I値l stick with Deere... just my opinion.

 

[tlj87]

The MX would be insufficient for your uses, especially if you desire to use a rotary cutter greater than 6’ in width in dense vegetation. An M6060 or M7060 would be more suitable, and has better gear transmission options (hyd. Shuttle and synchronized gears) than the MX.

 

[goeduck]

Off topic a bit but If I had 20 acres of open field that grew that well, I would lease it out. Someone could hay it or pasture it. Then an MX5200 would almost be overkill for maintenance mowing.

Back to the question, I would think an MX 5200 would be fine for your stated use.

 

[big bubba]

personally i'd consider the M series over the MX. once owned a MX5000. solid bare bones machine, but far too light on it's feet for my needs. stepped up to an M8540....no comparison. maybe look into M7060 or used Mxx40 w/o the regen stuff. if you are spending $ on a new machine, you'll be far ahead to go M. by all means get one w/hyd shuttle. good luck

btw my layout is similar to yours, 22 acres cleared, 105 in timber. even from the standpoint of fel work alone, there is no comparison of what the M is capable of doing vs the lighter duty MX. same goes w/size of rotary cutter. would never consider going back to the days of 5 & 6' cutters. the 8' twin spindle i now have is a perfect match for my tractor setup. best regards

 

[Grandad4]

MX would be great for a 6 ft cutter, not quite enough for tall grass using a larger one. Don't think the manual gearbox would be a good choice for loader work or snowblower... not enough gear reduction for the blower and a lot of busy work for your hands & feet when using the loader. Go larger and consider shuttle trans.

 

[tradosaurus]

If I was mowing 20 acres I would have a cab

 

[smartascii]

It sounds like you want a larger tractor, but the increased cost is a factor. Is Kubota the only brand you want to consider? They are excellent tractors, but that excellence comes at a price, and it ultimately made me go another direction. LS, TYM, Mahindra, Kioti and others offer more tractor for less money, so that痴 something I might consider in your position.

 

[farmall70]

Sounds like I need to look for a larger tractor. Most likely going to look into a m6060 or m7060 with a cab. I really like the hydraulic shuttle.

I was hoping I could get away with something cheaper, but I have been happy with the size of my 70a which is comparable to a m7060.

 

[Code54]

Having an MX,I have to agree, go with a M. I run a 6' cutter and it works great, but I don't run fast and going larger would be tough.

 

[Mike Legg]

I have an M5140HD and pull an 8 ft. three point cutter. R4 tires loaded, 500 lb wgt's on front. Cut rough terrain, hillsides, and tall grass and weeds. Cut twice a year. Originally bought a 6 ft. cutter and found it too slow and traded it for an 8 ft. 8 ft. is actually easier on the tractor than the 6 ft. because of the twin blade vs the single blade. Tractor has power and weight to spare. No problems whatsoever. The M5140 has the same engine as the MX5200; however, may be tuned up a little differently. Engine in the M5140 is rated at 52 hp; however, it seems Kubota may have understated the HP. It has no problem wading through tall stuff.

 

[52wej]

I have an MX 5200 - 4wd - with FEL and use a 7 ft Bush Hog rotary cutter on it. In heavy grass you definitely have to slow down. I am mainly mowing pasture. I recently purchased a 9 ft Hardee brand twin spindle cutter and the tractor seems to be able to handle it ok. But to be honest I have not yet tried to cut really heavy grass with it . I know I will have to go slower in the thick grass, but being pasture, there are rough hilly spots with clumpy grass and going slow in those areas is not a bad thing. As others have said, a twin spindle does seem to pull easier than a large single spindle. It definitely leaves a better finish.
The weight of my 7ft cutter does affect the handling of the tractor, but it also is more maneuverable than the pull type machine which takes a larger area to turn around.
The MX will be more chore friendly than a larger machine because it has a very tight turning radius. If all i was doing was cutting the areas you are cutting, I would stay with that size machine, because it will be vey useful for loader work. You will note a 6 ft cutter will just barely cover the wheel width of the MX.
W Jones

 

[farmall70]

So it sounds like if I am ok running a 6ft cutter the mx5200 would work? But I probably wouldn稚 be able to get a larger cutter with this tractor.

To clarify the field can grow 3 to 5 feet (top few feet is not thick), but I tend to try to cut it once a month or so, down to about 1 ft. Typically it would be about 2 ft when I would cut it. It is thicker grass though.

Last year it did grow to about 3 to 4 feet (maybe 5 in some spots) as it was soo wet here I couldn稚 get out to mow until late June early July.

I just want to make sure if I buy one it could cut the tall stuff if needed. And how fast would I be able to run it through thicker grass that is about 2 ft being cut down to a foot? Would like to go 3.5 to 4 mph.

If I buy a larger tractor with a bigger cutter I would probably be able to mow the field in about 4 to 5 hours (once a month, 30 to 40 hours a year), but wouldn稚 it be better to buy a smaller tractor and run it more (60 to 70 hours a year)?

 

[big bubba]

had a Bush Hog 6' hd 3ph rotary cutter on my previous MX5000. yes, would work fine. main thing is keeping the knives sharp, so impact wrench, etc, a must.
it should do your mowing description just fine. expect to spend considerable time through the mowing season to keep the field in good shape.

but if you are looking for a suitable utility tractor to tackle overall chores of your acreage, i would defer to my earlier post : get an M series line.
get a size that will handle your growing future needs as well.

but you could get by with what you described. if you go with the MX series, spend the savings on a good HD 6' 3ph rotary mower. load your rear tires. Rhino is my personal choice, lots out there. or, if you must, look into different drag types of larger sizes.
sounds is as if you are back at the starting point again of your original post.
all i can say once you work an M series, you'll never want to go back..... good luck

 

[LD1]

It doesnt matter what size cutter you run or how much HP you have. There will ALWAYS be times that slow you down or you wish you had more power.

That said, since you arent even considering HST as an option.....M would certainly be my choice over the MX.