Comparison Kubota 5740 or Mahindra or Kioti

grobinson2 · Jun 9, 2015

Good evening Guys, You are right about the bio. DPF has to be removed or bypassed before I can use anything over B10 to B20. EGR is fine we just bypassed it on the 5740 because we could and it's just not good for the engine. As far as selling the 5740 goes I already have two serious offers and a third that I at least did not consider that serious so I am good there. You are throwing a wrench in my plans with your Massey and I will be stopping at the dealer tomorrow now to check thethem out. I have been hearing from lots of guys that have had this same issue with there 5740s and once fixed have hundreds if not thousands of hours and have not run into it again. As far as the other models I can not remember off the top of my head but I remember think when they told me that they were right next to each other in the Kubota trifold info. Thanks again, Glenn

TSO · Jun 9, 2015

grobinson2 said:
Good evening Guys, You are right about the bio. DPF has to be removed or bypassed before I can use anything over B10 to B20. EGR is fine we just bypassed it on the 5740 because we could and it's just not good for the engine. As far as selling the 5740 goes I already have two serious offers and a third that I at least did not consider that serious so I am good there. You are throwing a wrench in my plans with your Massey and I will be stopping at the dealer tomorrow now to check thethem out. I have been hearing from lots of guys that have had this same issue with there 5740s and once fixed have hundreds if not thousands of hours and have not run into it again. As far as the other models I can not remember off the top of my head but I remember think when they told me that they were right next to each other in the Kubota trifold info. Thanks again, Glenn

The Massey 1758 uses a Mitsubishi 2.2L turbo Tier-4 with I believe a Bosch Fuel rail, and there is a DPF. There's a 5-yr warranty on their Tier-4 stuff, so if the DPF will be an issue for ya, you might have to wait 5 years to remove it!

Also, are the Kubota issues ONLY on the L5740 ? For what it's worth, the ONLY difference between the L5240 & L5740 is that the fuel-pump is turned up, and the power ratings are measured at a higher RPM. I was told that directly from a shop/service guy at the local Kubota dealership. And, the 5240 only puts out a couple less PTO HP than the 5740. It could be that the engine just can't handle the extra fuel/power that they tuned it for (in original stock form) over the 5240... unless it happens on the 5240 as well ?

TomSeller · Jun 9, 2015

grobinson2 said:
I have been hearing from lots of guys that have had this same issue with there 5740s and once fixed have hundreds if not thousands of hours and have not run into it again.

That is exactly what I would expect if Kubota changed the material/design of the seal. I would research what Kubota did and if they fixed the problem I would stay with the investment I had.

KenB2920 · Jun 9, 2015

Well, if I could chime in. I have. 3540 and also had the seal go. Mine was at 170 hours (off the top of my head). Talking with the mechanic, he said the new seal is triple ribbed instead of double. I may actually have a photo of it somewhere. He said Kubota knows about this but won't call it a "recall" so they call it an "upgrade" I could only shake my head in disgust but that's it.

As far as the 5740 not handling the gas output, I don't think that's the case as my engine is obviously smaller. There are a Few threads on here discussing this as well. (The seal issue)

Now, not that this is acceptable, but can anyone provide me how many of these various tractors were produced. I assume there is more than 100 5740s as well as others manufactured. Now I know now not everyone that has an issue reports it to TBN, but still, how many have problems versus the production.

As far as the fit and finish, I have sat in the Kioti both previous and NX series. I found the cab to have a much cheaper feel. Maybe it's just me. I honestly considered selling mine and getting a 6010 but disliked it that much. So even for a 10k difference I wouldn't buy the kioti. Not saying it's not reliable, it plain felt cheap.

grobinson2 · Jun 9, 2015

That all sounds about right. I can't speak on the Kioti cab feeling cheep but the linkage on the three point hitch sure felt like junk compared to my 5740. So did the front power steering guards. That said it still looked like a nice machine. I am looking forward to testing this Mahindra tomorrow. I know it's built a lot heavier then my 5740 but I will be suprised if the hydraulics can keep up. Have a nice evening Guys!

Piston · Jun 10, 2015

I've been following along and curious what your decision will be.

My opinion, which is worthless

, is that none of the tractors your looking at are going to be much of an upgrade for you. I understand your not looking for an upgrade per se, but really, is this seal issue the only reason your looking to get rid of your current tractor?

If you just want something different or new, then I can't blame you there (I'd like new as well) and understand getting the new tractor. However, I really think that getting rid of a perfectly good 5740 (luxury and well refined tractor) just because your dealer said he can't promise this won't happen again, is a bit of a stretch for justification of a new tractor?

I mean this in good spirits and not trying to put down your reasoning, I just don't really see why your looking at tractors which really aren't any "better" than what you currently have?

You mention the light weight feeling of your tractor, and I agree with that as well. Mine was way too light until I filled my rears, then it transformed my tractor. I still want an upgrade, but it certainly won't be to another CUT with no more capability than I have now.

Are your rears filled?

I'm not a Kubota guy either, I do have one, but that's just because of the deal I stumbled across. It want my first choice when I was buying.

TripleR · Jun 10, 2015

I'm not going to try to sway anyone one way or the other and sure can't defend a bad seal, but while this happens, it is not as widespread as some might think or indicate. As I've said before, my dealer has handled Kubotas for ten years and no one in the shop remembered ever having replaced a seal on the GL Series and it took a bit of research to figure out a work around to avoid removing the cab. I am comfortable with the quality of my tractor. We have Case, John Deere and Massey Fergusons and have had issues with all brands even my brother's Kioti had a couple of leaks which were fixed.

In spite of all of this, I believe Kubota, Kioti, LS, Massey Ferguson etc. makes good, reliable tractors. I've driven tractors for over fifty years an live in farming country, no one make a perfect machine that can be guaranteed trouble free.

Buppies · Jun 10, 2015

I certainly hope my 5240 does not develop this problem, but as Triple R said nobody makes a perfect machine there will be some sort of problem with any make if we all live long enough we will experience it.
All makes and models have their pluses and minuses it just boils down to what the person likes the most

jenkinsph · Jun 10, 2015

As long as the seal was replaced with the new 3 rib type I would keep the 5740. Who is to say that a new tractor and model X won't have an issue later too? There is no guarantee that the Kubota won't have another issue but that is the case with everything else too. It would seem that the real issue here would be how many people have had repeat problems after this new three ribbed seal has been installed?

TJP89 · Jun 10, 2015

Piston said:
I've been following along and curious what your decision will be.

My opinion, which is worthless , is that none of the tractors your looking at are going to be much of an upgrade for you. I understand your not looking for an upgrade per se, but really, is this seal issue the only reason your looking to get rid of your current tractor?

If you just want something different or new, then I can't blame you there (I'd like new as well) and understand getting the new tractor. However, I really think that getting rid of a perfectly good 5740 (luxury and well refined tractor) just because your dealer said he can't promise this won't happen again, is a bit of a stretch for justification of a new tractor?

I mean this in good spirits and not trying to put down your reasoning, I just don't really see why your looking at tractors which really aren't any "better" than what you currently have?

You mention the light weight feeling of your tractor, and I agree with that as well. Mine was way too light until I filled my rears, then it transformed my tractor. I still want an upgrade, but it certainly won't be to another CUT with no more capability than I have now.

Are your rears filled?

I'm not a Kubota guy either, I do have one, but that's just because of the deal I stumbled across. It want my first choice when I was buying.

Exactly my thoughts. Although not the newest tractor out there, the Grand L5740 is a top line luxury tractor, and only one generation removed from the newest models. I would not dump it to go with an equal tractor just because it had one major repair in 500 hrs, that very likely won't happen again. The fact that you have good offers on it backs this up. Also, have you actually got a quote on a new tractor yet? I think you'll find there is a serious difference between the selling price of the old Kubota and the retail price of any comparable new tractor.

Also, the tier 4 stuff is on pretty much every new tractor now, so running your fuel in a new tractor will be an issue on anything you buy new, if you want to keep the warranty. But right now you have a tractor that works just fine on your rather unusual fuel mix.

Finally, if you're ****-bent on getting a new machine, bump it up a few HP, get some better hydraulics, etc, so you have something of an upgrade for your trouble. But my opinion is that the 5740 should last you another 500 hrs and beyond.