Comparison JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701

   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #11  
Agree grapple plus standard bucket is way better than 4n1 unless you are trailering from site to site and cannot bring more than a single implement.

I own both grapple and 4n1. Grapple is indispensable. 4n1 is jack of all trades and master of none.

By the way, Mahindra, Kioti and NH make tractors equivalent to JD and Kubota at 45hp range. Excellent value and every bit as reliable.
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #12  
I've got the MX 5100, the big brother of the 4700. Don't worry about the lite rear end. Load the tires, add wheel weights and you are in business. These are great tractors with a lot of power and still easy to get in and out of tight spots. I do, however, disagree with what has been said about the hst. Gear drive is the way to go on hilly terrain. Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, gear drive is the ticket on the hills. I guess we all have our way and what we prefer, but don't discount the shuttle shift gear drive. Lots of power, straight to the wheels, or pto.
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #13  
I've got the MX 5100, the big brother of the 4700. Don't worry about the lite rear end. Load the tires, add wheel weights and you are in business. These are great tractors with a lot of power and still easy to get in and out of tight spots. I do, however, disagree with what has been said about the hst. Gear drive is the way to go on hilly terrain. Here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, gear drive is the ticket on the hills. I guess we all have our way and what we prefer, but don't discount the shuttle shift gear drive. Lots of power, straight to the wheels, or pto.

x2 on the shuttle shift gear drive..
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #14  
If you're in the market for a utility tractor, someone should point out that these models you mentioned are compact utilities.

My two cents is that hst is better for most applications, and certainly loader work. It's been said here before, that unless you personally know otherwise, that the hydrostatic transmission is the right choice. If you have lots of hours on gear driven tractors and know what you're doing, then sure, get a gear tractor. Otherwise, listen to the guys telling you to go hydrostatic, it's safer, easier to use, easier on the machine and your body. To me it's a no-brainer. I just bought my second hst tractor this week as a matter of fact.

Moving on, look at the bigger Kubotas. I'm not really familiar with the other brand lineups, but when I was shopping I compared the l4600 to the mx4700. MX was heavier, bigger and with a stronger loader and... cheaper!! Don't ask me why. There's another thread here, I think it's cainto "2014 vs 2015 mx5200" where the last few pages turned into a loader comparison between the 4701 and the MX series. The MX is worth the money in my book. It's still a compact, really but it's as big as compacts get. In truth, though, figure out what you need to lift and get the right size tractor to begin with, you'll save money in the long run.
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #16  
I have a question for you guys that are recommending a shuttle. While it may be great for you, and me for that matter, and I have them all, do you really think that a shuttle shift is the way to go for a novice? :confused3:
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #17  
+3 on the hydro. And I live in very hilly terrain here in Branson Mo. I have had gear and hydro tractors here, and hydro hands down winner, experienced or not. Hydrostat is safer and more convenient to operate on hills. I have owned both gear and hydro tractors for over 20 years. Also concur on having separate bucket and grapple. Also concur on looking at all brands.. I have owned 5 tractors 4 brands. Current brand is Kioti, and it is a good one.
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #18  
My two cents is that hst is better for most applications, and certainly loader work. It's been said here before, that unless you personally know otherwise, that the hydrostatic transmission is the right choice. If you have lots of hours on gear driven tractors and know what you're doing, then sure, get a gear tractor. Otherwise, listen to the guys telling you to go hydrostatic, it's safer, easier to use, easier on the machine and your body.

Very valid points in my opinion. We own more geared tractors than HST and I have many more hours on gears from the old crash box to hydraulic shuttle-shift than HST and like them, but I never recommend a geared unit over HST for a novice.

Even some experienced users will prefer an HST over gears for some things once they give them a try. We even have a mid 60s convert in my family; now wishes his last tractor had been an HST to go with his geared tractors.
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #19  
Like some others have said. Look at the MX series Kubota. They are still about the same physical size as what you are looking at. HST or Mechanical Shuttle. More loader capacity and higher lift. CAT 2 3pt hitch.

Also look at the DK 50 Kioti. Don't remember the specs but think it compares to the MX series.

Also the XR4155 LS. About the same specs.

I have the MX 5200 Kubota. 8x8 shuttle. So far very nice tractor. 9 hours 1 week old. I've never had an HST but I didn't what the added electronics because of the environment mine will be in. It already has too many for me. But for loader work it would be nice. The shuttle is great for loader work also, just takes some getting used to working the clutch.

Mechanical shuttle vs power shuttle. Mechanical you have to press clutch to change directions and power you don't. Even on power shuttle tractors I find I can run them smoother with the clutch.
 
   / JD 4044 VS. Kubota L4701 #20  
I have a question for you guys that are recommending a shuttle. While it may be great for you, and me for that matter, and I have them all, do you really think that a shuttle shift is the way to go for a novice? :confused3:

What is confusing? We were all new operators at one time and we did just fine with gears.
 

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