Kubota L4060 vs. NH Boomer 40

[grandgourmand]

Hi all,

I'm planning on buying a tractor within the next year. I posted previously to get some input. In my area the two dealerships I have been visiting are Kubota and Deere. I've really been drawn to Kubota because I find the sales people more helpful (though not by much) and the pricing. Deere is several grand more for the equivalent tractor.

So my decision has been based on Kubota's L4060 vs. the B2650. Up until recently, the smaller tractor was winning out because I figured I would save a few bucks and also be able to buy a side-by-side the following year.

However, I just found a NH dealer not too far away and they have a Boomer 40 on the lot for what I think is a good price. $33k (Canadian dollars or $24.5 USD). With 1 rear remote PTO, a mid-PTO, 250 TL loader with SSQA, 72" bucket, R4 tires and HST transmission.

In comparison, I got a quote for a L4060, with similar specs including the loader, for about $7k more. I haven't even sat in the thing, because it's not on the lot. I have sat in the B2650, and it's comfortable, though a bit tight. I'm 6'6". The NH felt a lot roomier. Oh and I'm not sure if the Kubota had mid-PTO in the quote. the site says it's an option.

There's very little info on the boomer on youtube or elsewhere, so was hoping for a bit of advice here. These are the comparisons for both with ROPS.

HP: 42 for the Kubota vs. 40 for the NH
PTO HP: 32.5 vs. 32 (HST)
Weight: 3759 vs. 2870
Ground Clearance: 12 inches vs. ???

Loader comparison:
Lift capacity (max height): 1715 lbs. vs. 2000 lbs.
Weight: 1279 lbs vs. 748 lbs (NH without bucket)


I'm not 100% sure on those loader stats. the lighter one that has a lot more lifting capacity seems too good to be true.

Anyhow, what I'm seeing is that the Kubota wins on size/weight but the NH wins on price, though Kubota offers the 0% 72 month versus I'm not sure what for the NH. I'd like to know if any of you have thoughts on these models, though more on the Boomer as Kubota is quite well covered.

As far as my intended use. I have a 75 acre property, and most of it is being cash cropped (custom farming...not using my tractor). the tractor will be used to brush hog, grapple work clearing trails and firewood...also the driveway is 2500 feet long, so snow clearing will be a big deal. I'm undecided on FEL snow plow or getting a front-mounted snowblower. So the mid-PTO is a factor in the decision.

 

[mikester]

NH makes nice machines. Ultimately you need to sit in the seat of each one and use it to decide what you want and like. Comparing paper specs is only as good as the paper they are printed on. Good dealerships will be motivated to give you a demo unit to try over a long weekend...arrange for one of each and decide based on that. A good local dealer is valuable.

Depending on where you are in Ontario you will likely really appreciate a cab and a snow blower. You will also appreciate a set of forklift forks.

FYI If you get a 60+ PTO HP tractor you can get zero rated HST/GST on your tractor and attached equipment purchase. Id personally want a bigger tractor and more HP for your acreage and use.

 

[hks003]

If you have an LS dealer around, go check out the XR3140 (I think that's the model number anyway). It's equivalent to the NH boomer from what I understand, but with an LS loader. The LS loaders are no slouch, so I don't think that's a downgrade by any means. You can probably get the same options cheaper, or more options for the same price.

If you don't have an LS dealer close by, disregard

As far as between the Kubota and NH, I've never plowed snow here in South Arkansas, but I'd guess that extra butt with the Kubota would help you keep traction while trying to move wet snow. Not to mention keeping your wheels on the ground when using the grapple.

Lots of people on here preach weight, but you have to decide for your uses. My tractor is honestly too heavy for what I use it for, bush hogging a wooded area, and raking pine straw and limbs into piles. I've rutted my yard up pretty bad and created more work to be done.

 

[Jchonline]

Based on the weights the L4060 and the Boomer 40 are not in the same class. Kubota’s tend to run light in their class. The Boomer 40 is just a smaller tractor. So it isnt an apples to apples comparison.

That said it may be the right size for you. Many smaller NH tractors are made by LS (Boomer, Workmaster) so I agree if you can find a LS dealer you will get the exact same machine for less $. If money isnt an object then I recommend Kubota. The Grand L is a wonderful machine, but expensive.

 

[grandgourmand]

There are no LS dealers near me, or in Canada at all I don't think.

In reading through the forums, weight has been stressed as a top priority. In terms of my needs, I will be using the tractor for a bit of loader work, with probably the most intense application being carrying logs around the property. And I also plan on using the grapple to dig in to the ground, ripping up brambles and brush. I guess the weight is also helpful for pushing snow.

As far as budget goes, it's an important consideration. But I'm the camp of "buy once, cry once", so if Kubota Grand L is a top notch machine, I'm willing to bump up the budget. Although a cabbed tractor, with 60hp PTO is not in the cards at the moment. Even with the tax savings, I'm better off with the ROPs for now. It's not like I'll be using this thing daily. More weekend warrior stuff, and limited use in the winter time. And as far as the size of the farm, 90% of it is being worked by custom farming folks with bigger equipment. Eventually I'll be looking at doing some of my own work, but that's not for a few years.

I'll look into the dealer reputations. Based on the sales, they are both OK, but nothing spectacular. In my limited tractor shopping experience, I'm not getting too much information or insight provided by the sales people. Not that I want a pushy sales person, but someone to pro-actively sell me on the model and highlight some of the key features would be nice.

 

[BRMyers]

I made my final choice based on how the dealers were with me. JD dealer didn't seem to really want to sell. The Mahindra and Kubota dealer both wanted to sell a tractor. I looked at the Mahindra dealership, but they didn't have many tractors on their lots and I didn't get a warm fuzzy about their ability to service the tractors. I did the same checking at the Kubota dealer and felt more confident that they would be able to handle any issues. So, I ended up going with the Kubota Grand L3560HSTC. Like yourself, we have an 80 acre family farm that the 60 acres of tillable land is shared cropped out. My purchase was for clearing/cleaning/maintaining the rest. I'm adding a 3rd function valve in a couple of weeks (valve ordered, will be dropping it at the dealers on the 31st to get it installed) to use a grapple. Here are a few pictures of what my Grand has been able to accomplish, realizing the one you are looking at is the next model up.

 

[AllByteNoBark]

The extra weight in the L4060 I think would be helpful. I also have an L3560 and it has the same loader as the L4060, the LA805. My unit has a cab and weighs 3880 according to Tractor Data. I know that if I am using the grapple to pull some of the yaupon holly bushes we have, in certain circumstances, the backend can get light even with a 900 lb cutter on the back. I think the NH would require a lot of ballast if the loader will lift the rated capacity. With that said, either tractor would be a nice unit.

 

[ericm979]

A B2650 seems like it'd be too small for what you want to do. How large are your logs?

The L60 series has two or three different loaders depending on the model. The low capacity one is pretty wimpy.

The long tine type grapples like I have (an EA Wicked) don't dig well. A short tine root rake type might dig better. Mine had a lot of capacity for brush and tree limbs. I can pull up some brush like poison oak but much of the brush we have is too thick and deeply rooted to pull up and needs to be cut.

My Branson 3725 weighs 4000 lbs before the loader. I got the rear tires filled with Rimguard. I can feel the rear end getting light when I lift a heavy log that maxes out the loader, even with a 550lb box blade on the back. The rear isn't off the ground just lacking traction.

The grand L's HST+ sounds like it'd be useful. Especially the 2 speed shift on the fly transmission.

 

[grandgourmand]

A B2650 seems like it'd be too small for what you want to do. How large are your logs?

The L60 series has two or three different loaders depending on the model. The low capacity one is pretty wimpy.

The long tine type grapples like I have (an EA Wicked) don't dig well. A short tine root rake type might dig better. Mine had a lot of capacity for brush and tree limbs. I can pull up some brush like poison oak but much of the brush we have is too thick and deeply rooted to pull up and needs to be cut.

My Branson 3725 weighs 4000 lbs before the loader. I got the rear tires filled with Rimguard. I can feel the rear end getting light when I lift a heavy log that maxes out the loader, even with a 550lb box blade on the back. The rear isn't off the ground just lacking traction.

The grand L's HST+ sounds like it'd be useful. Especially the 2 speed shift on the fly transmission.

Yeah, the B2650 was a stopgap solution. AT the price I was quoted, I got the tractor, loader, brush hog and front mounted snowblower and had money left over to get my side-by-side as well. But I think I can push the side-by-side out a year or two (I have a quad) and get the tractor I really want, or at least a bigger one.

the logs I cut are 20" or less (often less). I would prefer the shorter tine root rake.

I've added a new tractor to my search...the MF 1740M. Nice tractor and the quote is right on par with the Kubota. My issue with the MF, and this might not make that much sense, but I want to build a relationship with one dealer and that relationship will include a bigger tractor down the road...in the 75hp/60hp+ PTO range with a cab. And the next size up for MF (4700 series) are assembled in China, I believe. then the NH Powerstars are made in Turkey (correct me if I'm wrong). Not to get political, but I want my money to support North American jobs.

I've also done a bit of re-thinking of my snow removal needs. Front end blowers are nice, but cost a lot. I won't be snow blowing much until I love on my property in ten years or so (until then, it's occasional use). So I'll be fine with a snow plow on the FEL, taking advantage of the 3rd valve function. My road is long, but it's straight and flat...so not too worried about building up the bank.

 

[TSO]

I've had excellent experiences with my Massey units (1648 & 1652) which are made by Iseki (like the 1740) in Japan. Excellent machines. Flawless, with many hours put on them.

Sadly, I don't think you can buy any "American-Made" tractors in the sizes you are talking about. Many of them have "final assembly" in the US, but all that means is that they are shipped here on a crate and then the wheels and loaders are bolted on here, and the dealer wraps up with fluids and prep. Saves shipping costs and maybe gives some kind of import fee discount because some "assembly" takes place here. (That is just a guess tho).

Anyhow, maybe consider jumping up to the next size New Holland for comparison, the Boomer 45. (Which of course is made by LS). Good machines.

As a point of comparison, make sure you drive them all. The Kubota will have a "treadle" style foot pedal, which is a single pedal that rocks forward and backwards for movement. In contrast, all the other machines come with twin pedals, one for forward, one for reverse. It's a love-it-or-hate-it thing. Some people love the treadle, others (like myself admittedly) are not fans. Make sure you try them both before you decide.