Kubota choice

[Cherokee140]

I would suggest you stick with what is available in your country....a machine sold in France. Many countries are getting....err....stupid on emission standards and you might have issues down the road somewhere....I don't know France specifically, but do know other countries are getting tight on regulations.

 

[Grandad4]

Is the difference between a CUT and a utility tractor size only? What can an L4701 do that an MX4800 can't do?
The Kubota range in Europe has only the Grand40 series between the L4100 and the M6040. I'm looking for something with fewer bells and whistles. And no factory fitted backhoes here also it seems.

They are nearly the same. Same general dimension, engine. The 4701 has smaller tires, weighs a few hundred pounds less, has less 3 point hitch capacity. However in ordinary daily use, they would both get about the same work done. You would have to be working at the limits of their capabilities to find the differences in their performance.

The MX does come with a stronger loader, the LA844. That together with the BH92 backhoe makes a very nice setup. The backhoe issue might make that your best option. I would highly recommend adding a toothbar for the loader, adds considerably to its digging capability.

You're probably already aware that parts for a US-sourced loader and backhoe may not be on hand in Europe.

Good luck with your search!

 

[TSO]

They are nearly the same. Same general dimension, engine. The 4701 has smaller tires, weighs a few hundred pounds less, has less 3 point hitch capacity. However in ordinary daily use, they would both get about the same work done. You would have to be working at the limits of their capabilities to find the differences in their performance.

The MX does come with a stronger loader, the LA844. That together with the BH92 backhoe makes a very nice setup. The backhoe issue might make that your best option. I would highly recommend adding a toothbar for the loader, adds considerably to its digging capability.

You're probably already aware that parts for a US-sourced loader and backhoe may not be on hand in Europe.

Good luck with your search!

But compare the mx4800 to the L4760 and the weight is close, the loaders are the same, and the 3pt lift I think is actually higher on the L

 

[Grandad4]

But compare the mx4800 to the L4760 and the weight is close, the loaders are the same, and the 3pt lift I think is actually higher on the L

My preference would be for the 4760, premium price and all, but the OP stated a desire for a more basic setup, hence the suggestion for the MX. Also, there seems to be some issue with getting a factory BH in France, otherwise you have to wonder if a locally-sourced GL4760 wouldn't cost about the same as having an MX shipped from the US.

 

[TSO]

My preference would be for the 4760, premium price and all, but the OP stated a desire for a more basic setup, hence the suggestion for the MX. Also, there seems to be some issue with getting a factory BH in France, otherwise you have to wonder if a locally-sourced GL4760 wouldn't cost about the same as having an MX shipped from the US.

Absolutely, me too ... Just pointing that out to show how the mx4700-5200 tractors are CUT'S, not UT's

 

[jimmpatrick]

Cherokee 140
The problem is that what I am looking for - a Kubota with BH and FEL - does not exist in France.
Europe, despite the best efforts of the European Parliament, is not yet bedevilled by all the petty regulation that seems to exist in the USA. So, I'm not worried about any emission regulations that I don't know about. Health and Safety considerations do not exist in France. Nobody bothers about insurance for people working on their property. It is not an issue.

Grandad4
I would imagine that most Kubota parts would be available in France. So far any I have needed my son, a regular visitor to the US, has brought back. Latest was R4 front tyres for the BX24. (Only turf tyres are available in France or the UK.)
Most things are more expensive in France. It would probably be cheaper to import an MX than buy it in France. For instance, I was quoted nearly $13,000 for a GR2120 with a 48" cutting deck. Things are better now that the pound is 1.40 to the euro rather than1.20, but the only things I find cheap in France are eating out, hotels and fuel.

Thanks for all the advice so far. It is much appreciated. Heeding the advice given about TierIV - and being a parsimonious Scot - I think I should look for a recent L4600 or MX4700 or MX5100. If I can't find what I'm looking for, I'll just have to go for a new L4701 or MX4800.

Next question. Who are the East coast Kubota dealers you could recommend near a container port? (The dealer I bought my BX24 from was not so good that I would not go past him, and not so bad that I would not go back to him.)

 

[KYDan]

I guess I need to brush up on my grammar and remember the silly little adjectives! I sincerely didn't mean to offend anyone.

 

[varmint]

A Kubota dealer not too far from a container port (Baltimore, which ships and receives a lot of ag equipment) is Messicks, located less than 100 miles from the port. They are advertisers here on TbN. I, and many others, have a good opinion of them.

 

[TSO]

Cherokee 140
The problem is that what I am looking for - a Kubota with BH and FEL - does not exist in France.
Europe, despite the best efforts of the European Parliament, is not yet bedevilled by all the petty regulation that seems to exist in the USA. So, I'm not worried about any emission regulations that I don't know about. Health and Safety considerations do not exist in France. Nobody bothers about insurance for people working on their property. It is not an issue.

Grandad4
I would imagine that most Kubota parts would be available in France. So far any I have needed my son, a regular visitor to the US, has brought back. Latest was R4 front tyres for the BX24. (Only turf tyres are available in France or the UK.)
Most things are more expensive in France. It would probably be cheaper to import an MX than buy it in France. For instance, I was quoted nearly $13,000 for a GR2120 with a 48" cutting deck. Things are better now that the pound is 1.40 to the euro rather than1.20, but the only things I find cheap in France are eating out, hotels and fuel.

Thanks for all the advice so far. It is much appreciated. Heeding the advice given about TierIV - and being a parsimonious Scot - I think I should look for a recent L4600 or MX4700 or MX5100. If I can't find what I'm looking for, I'll just have to go for a new L4701 or MX4800.

Next question. Who are the East coast Kubota dealers you could recommend near a container port? (The dealer I bought my BX24 from was not so good that I would not go past him, and not so bad that I would not go back to him.)

What tractor brands and dealers do you have in your area? Seems like your going through an awful lot of trouble (and added expense) to buy a tractor that you won't have dealer representation for... Including parts and warranty/service work.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . . The problem is that what I am looking for - a Kubota with BH and FEL - does not exist in France. . . .

Is it possible to buy a Kubota backhoe separately in France and install it yourself? Or are they just not available at all?

Does anyone sell aftermarket frame-mounted backhoes in France (or elsewhere in the EU that might be cheaper than shipping an entire machine from the US)? Woods, Bush Hog, Rhino and others sell backhoes here for mounting on a variety of tractors.