kubota decision--7040 vs 8540

[garyfisher123]

I'm sure that this has been discussed numerous times but, I need a little help in a purchase decision. This tractor will be used on a small farm (around 400 acres) for mostly hay crops and cleaning out cow pens. We currently run a Vicon 1210 round baler and New Holland 311 square baler with a New Holland haybine (forgot the model # but it is a 8 ft mower). We will within the next year most likely get a discbine also (in the 9 ft range).
Our local Kubota dealer is a great dealer and after looking at several other options (Deere, NH, Case) I have made a decision to go with a Kubota. I am torn b/t the 7040 and the 8540. I really do not think with the equipment that we have, that the 8540 is necessary, but I wanted you opinions. The 8540 with run about $3200 more (priced with the 12F/12R tranny). Both have cabs and Kubota FEL's.

Thanks for any input you guys can provide.

 

[Deerlope]

I really don't know why anyone needs a 12 speed tranny. I have L3830 Kubota with the GST tranny 12F 8R. I never us 1,2, 3, 5,7,9 F . I don't farm but I do logging, bush hogging and finish mower with a 7 ft mower. In your case I wold go for the 8540 because you never have enough HP. As the tractor ages it may dorp a little in HP also.

 

[garyfisher123]

I really do not need the 12 spd tranny, but it is what he has in stock currently (plus you get the increased rear lift capacity). I really don't think that I need the extra hp of the 8540 and the extra $ left would be nice to go towards the new discbine.....???? Any reason you guys think differently?

 

[Trigger]

While I have know firsthand experience with either model, the 8540 appears to have another 500pounds of lift cap on the FEL and curb weight is 500+ pounds more on the 8540 (At least according to specs on kubota website). My point is there may be more to consider than just the horsepower. The more lift capacity and heavier tractor in addition to the extra power would push me to the bigger tractor. Either one would be good but the $3200 on a long term investment that you will spend alot of time using seems like a deal IMHO.
Good Luck!

 

[garyfisher123]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I went with the 7040 with cab and fel. I really think that the 8540 (as much as I liked it) was just overkill for what we are going to be using the tractor for. Thanks to the forum for the help I got while reading over abunch of the info here!

I will come back and let everyone know my impression of the tractor after I get it. Should be ready next Thursday or Friday!!

 

[twabscs]

Wow, you move fast.

I was just posting my opinion that you ought to go for the 8540 with the bigger discbine. Let us know how it works out.

 

[CumminsLuke]

Well, too late now, but I think you can do everything you want to do with the 7040 except, a 9' discbine. If you go with just a straight 3-point or trailed disc mower with no conditioning impelers or rolls, you can easly handle a 9' machine. But add impelers or rollers and you are talking about a hard pulling sob. I pull an 9'2" NH haybine that is of the sickle type with the rubber conditioning rolls and it pulls super easy. I used to pull it with my 42 hp tractor. But a discbine is a whole different ball game.

 

[garyfisher123]

Wow, you move fast.

I was just posting my opinion that you ought to go for the 8540 with the bigger discbine. Let us know how it works out.

Not really....I have been looking at tractors for a few months now!!

My dealer says that the 7040 should pull a 9' discbine with no trouble. Most of the specs I can find concerning discbines show 60 to 65 hp for 9' bines. Do you think this is going to be a problem??

 

[art]

Not really....I have been looking at tractors for a few months now!!

My dealer says that the 7040 should pull a 9' discbine with no trouble. Most of the specs I can find concerning discbines show 60 to 65 hp for 9' bines. Do you think this is going to be a problem??

I'd perfer selling you the 8540 for the discbine over the 7040. Most ag equipment is still rated by pto horsepower not engine.

 

[garyfisher123]

I'd perfer selling you the 8540 for the discbine over the 7040. Most ag equipment is still rated by pto horsepower not engine.

So really the 7040 would pull a 9' disc (60 to 65 hp requirement), but obviously the 8540 would do it easier?

We don't have the discbine yet, we are currently using a haybine...and may never own a discbine. But if we found one, the haybine would still be used for all of our orchard grass. The discbine would be used for mostly "junk" hay (fescue, etc) and would only be used in a few fields (around 30 acres or so). For this small usage, do you think the 7040 would be ok?

The biggest reason I am leaing towards the 7040 is for size. We are a Family farm operation and my mom and aunt are often on the tractors helping out mow/rake/bale and prefer the smaller frame of the 7040. We have had a demo 8540 for a week now and I am afraid that it is a little big for them.

 

[garyfisher123]

Well, too late now, but I think you can do everything you want to do with the 7040 except, a 9' discbine. If you go with just a straight 3-point or trailed disc mower with no conditioning impelers or rolls, you can easly handle a 9' machine. But add impelers or rollers and you are talking about a hard pulling sob. I pull an 9'2" NH haybine that is of the sickle type with the rubber conditioning rolls and it pulls super easy. I used to pull it with my 42 hp tractor. But a discbine is a whole different ball game.

Cummins,

Are you pulling your round balers with your 7040?

 

[CumminsLuke]

Cummins,

Are you pulling your round balers with your 7040?

Yes, but my balers pull pretty easy. That little one that I have for sale only calls for 35 pto hp, and the 8440 I don't know exactly what it calls for but 50 hp sticks out in my mind. I used to have a Hesston 5500 that is almost identical to a Case-IH 8440 and I pulled it with my old M4700 that only had 42 pto hp, just had to take it easy. The smallest NewHolland discbine that they make calls for 65pto hp and you and I only have 62. I have pulled a Bushhog 3615 15' cutter by comparison that calls for 60 pto hp min. I could pull it in light conditions if it wasn't terribly hot out, but if I got into tough going and I wasn't paying attention, I could bring the temp up pretty easy. I used to have a 7'10" Vicon 3-point mounted disc mower that called for 46 pto and my 42 pto hp tractor could handle it but it really worked the guts out of it. I am not saying the 7040 won't pull a 9' discbine, but it's gonna work it. I'll say it again, discbines pull hard.

 

[garyfisher123]

Cummins,
Thanks for the help. I still am pretty sure that I am going with the 7040. We may never get a discbine anyway....I really prefer the way a haybine mows, even though it is quite a bite slower to use (now that we have a cab on the 7040, slow will not be so bad!! ).

 

[m7040]

7040 should do just fine. I love mine but at times run out of lift capacity on the FEL with the 4inone bucket full. I think the 8540 has stronger hydrauics and more lift capacity other than that the 8 speed is just fine. get the hydraulic shuttle if you can

 

[garyfisher123]

7040 should do just fine. I love mine but at times run out of lift capacity on the FEL with the 4inone bucket full. I think the 8540 has stronger hydrauics and more lift capacity other than that the 8 speed is just fine. get the hydraulic shuttle if you can

Thanks for the input. The 7040 that I am buying does have the hydraulic shuttle as well as dual remotes in the back.

 

[inseeme]

Seriously considering trading in my M6800 for an M7040 with cab, wanted to see how yours was working out. JE

 

[CumminsLuke]

Seriously considering trading in my M6800 for an M7040 with cab, wanted to see how yours was working out. JE

I know the cab is darn sure more comfortable. I ran an M8200 with a cab and my right knee kept hitting the hand throttle, but I am pretty tall and lanky, so a roomier cab is important to me.

 

[garyfisher123]

Seriously considering trading in my M6800 for an M7040 with cab, wanted to see how yours was working out. JE

Tractor is working out great! I have a whopping 5 hrs on it so far...lol . I am really enjoying it in what little time I have put on it. Ran our Bush Hog for few hours the other day and moved around a few round bales.

 

[inseeme]

Hopefully by my birthday in March, I can have myself one has well, that is my goal!!!

 

[mopiflyer]

Hi guys,

I have had a 7040 for about a year (360 hrs)...cab... FEL, shuttle. I do hay (NH 7' conditioner and a Vermeer L505 baler) I absolutely love it. The reason for the 7' conditioner is that I am in a fairly busy area and 9' is a pain to take down the roads. It would handle a 6X5' baler... just found a good 5X5. It made hay work a pleasure and then it also makes feeding a pleasure this winter. It is very comfortable and I have no complaints at all....except for the tool box... and I put one of those on the right step because I will never use it to get in.I would also like to have front fenders some day if they get to making them. I did see a feature on a Branson that I was considering before I bought the 7040 and it was a remote hydraulic control on the back that made it really handy for hooking up 3 point stuff. I think it also had a sun roof...which might have been nice, but I doubt I would have used it much. I just got my "welcome to Medicare" letter and with this 7040, I feel like I知 good for haying for another 20 years...hope so.

Mopiflyer