JD5105 (MFD) VS Kubota M4900 (MFD) VS NH TC-45

Golfgar4 · Dec 4, 2003

( The handle scudbait comes from my tour of duty in the middle east as a young officer during Desert Storm. )
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

You mean they used you as bait to attract scud missles?????

Is that what the Army would consider hazardous duty?

Sure am glad I spent my time in the Navy!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

scudbait · Dec 4, 2003

Yes

It sure seemed at the time that my platoon was bait for scud missles, but I would not trade my experiences back then for the stuff the soldiers are going through over there today.

We at least had a well defined mission and an exit strategy. From the on set of the present war, I had no doubt that the US could win the war. Now it increasingly seems like we have won the war but have lost the peace.

Now back to tractors:

I have looked at some of the larger units. While they look impressive, I don't want a machine that so large and not manuverable enough to mow the lawn. Additionally, I want a machine that can be trailered and hauled short distances (100 miles or so) with my current 1/2 ton pickup truck. Please understand, I don't want to have to purchase a new truck just to haul the thing.

Thanks

TBone · Dec 4, 2003

Scudbait,

I really can't say anything negative about the NH or the JD (or the Mahindra for that matter) but I've got a Kubota M4900 and it is a fine tractor. I use it to maintain over 100 acres but I do not bale with it. I think it would be a little light for the big bales.

I don't think you would go wrong with any of your original choices - I'm sure they are all good tractors. I would visit each dealer and get a feel for how they treat their customers and check out their service department carefully. If you are in a heavy farming area you will probably find the JD has the most support when it comes to parts and service. Where I live the Kubota wins in that category.

Good luck in your decision!

TBone

scudbait · Dec 4, 2003

The M4900 looks like a fine machine and I was very impressed with it. While looking at the Kubotas, I also looked at the MX5000 and the M4800. The M4900 looked like the most robost of the 3 Kubotas I looked at.

How old is your M4900 and how many hours do you have on it? Is your M4900 a MFD unit? What are the maintainance requirements? How reliable has it been. How does the 5 cylinder engine compare with a 3 or 4 cylinder engine.

The dealer that I plan to use should I go with the Kubota also sells NH machines. I live in SE Texas with and may do a little small round bailing in the future.

HayDR · Dec 4, 2003

Slowrev,
I guess the farmers in TN, NC, WV, & VA can operate equipment a little better than the farmers in Central KY. We have hundreds of farmers here in our region that do it. By the way you can hang weights on a tractor. JD 2155, NH3930, MF231S, JD 2040, 3000 Ford, MF 240, Kubota 4900, ETC are common 2 WD tractors used in this region to pull Vermeer balers. I know farmers in KY doing the same thing because we have sold them balers, so the farmers in KY have the same skills as other states.

yooperdave · Dec 4, 2003

Are any of these tractors mentioned able to be towed by a 1/2 ton pickup?

My 1/2 ton F150 4x4 feels pretty loaded down with my 16' tandem axle trailer and my Kubota F2400 + attachments on it which should be less than 3,000# of equipment on the deck.

Am I still able to tow bigger and better things /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif?

Please advise.

Yooper Dave

DK45C_Dave · Dec 4, 2003

If you run the tractors for long periods I think you will find the viabration on the JD and the NH can get tiring.

CMunger · Dec 5, 2003

What needs to be clarified, John Deere is bringing in some 5000 series tractors in that are larger HP (50-70??) that have Yanmar drive trains, there are two 5000 series tractors that are made in India, gee I guess because they are green makes it better?? John Deere is doing the same as others and are bringing in a good value tractor that is produced elsewhere. John Deere has a good reputation overall (Just ask Them), but a national survey taken in the US of franchised dealers, ranked Kubota above John Deere as a company easier to do business with. John Deere is good, but do not forget they are the masters of illusion and propaganda, it cannot be good unless we do it. Do not get me wrong, I am not condeming them, just trying to enlighten
Chuck M.

jinman · Dec 5, 2003

Considering PTO horsepower, weight, and your intended uses, I'd recommend the Kubota M4900. Also, I don't recommend pulling a trailer behind a 1/2 ton pickup with any of these tractors. I think that part of your plans just won't work with this mass of weight. You'll do more long-term damage than it's worth. Find a good 3/4 ton or larger pickup for the hauling. If you are planning on hauling the tractor only once or twice per year and less than 50 miles, you might "squeak" by. But, I can't make that recommendation and feel good about it.

TBone · Dec 5, 2003

"How old is your M4900 and how many hours do you have on it? Is your M4900 a MFD unit? What are the maintainance requirements? How reliable has it been. How does the 5 cylinder engine compare with a 3 or 4 cylinder engine."

My M4900 will be two years old in February 2004. It has close to 300 hours and is 2 wheel drive (My land is flat as a pancake and I haven't needed anything else yet).

Maintenance requirements have strictly been fluid/filter changes, cleaning the filters, etc. The 5 cylinder is far smoother than any other tractor I have ever had. However, my other tractors were all much older except for a 2000 model MF231S with a 3 cylinder Perkins engine. It was loud as all get out but tough as nails and used a little less fuel than the 5 cylinder Kubota.

The Kubota has been 100% reliable so far. It starts instantly year round and does everything I ask of it. It's also the most comfortable tractor I have ever operated and I have been around them all my life.

The area I live in is mostly small farms with most of the old row crop fields planted in pine trees nowadays. There are a lot of small cattle farms and most of these folks have one or two mid sized utility tractors for mowing, planting winter grass and moving hay. You never used to see anything but John Deeres, Massey Fergusons or Fords. The past few years Kubotas are popping up everywhere with more and more dealers dropping some of their more traditional makes of tractors. My dealer's family sold Masseys and Fords (New Hollands) for many, many years and took on Kubotas about ten years ago. Within a few years the Kubotas were outselling the others and when they ran out of room for all three and had to drop one they dropped the New Hollands.

With the cost of hay equipment being what it is there are only a few folks with the BIG tractors and serious haying equipment. The small farmers depend on them to get their hay cut, raked and rolled up for winter.

My feeling is that the dealer you choose is at least as important and maybe more important than the color. It just so happened with me my favorite dealer also sold my favorite tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Most of the small to mid sized tractors today have a lot in common. They are well built, well engineered, comparitively safe, fuel efficient and FOREIGN MADE.

Merry Christmas

TBone