Kubota L4802 vs MX5400

[drumminj]

FWIW Lown Performance sells some skidplate-type protection for Kubotas. I'm sure there are others.

 

[ning]

It's possible to run smaller wheels, if ground clearance doesn't limit you. @ericm979 bought his tractor with dealer-swapped smaller wheels for a lower center of mass; if you're careful about what you drive over, perhaps you could gain (actually lose) a couple crucial inches on a bigger tractor so you can fit inside?

 

[John_Mc]

I don't think you will need power to a carport that will shelter your tractor from the weather. For under $4k you should be able to have on constructed.
With 144 acres you should have plenty of room for the carport.

Whatever I store it in will have a least some minimal power. I don't need a lot. Enough to run the block heater in the winter and some lights for when I'm working on it. I can do that with an extension cord, if I'm close enough to existing power, or run a hole through the wall if the lean-to option works out.

I do have plenty of places I could put it. I'm limited on available places I would want to put it.

 

[Carl_NH]

Followed this thread since the beginning, as machine height vs door height has dictated my machine selection. My barn doors are 8' (94" maximum height) and a bigger machine (L47 etc) means a sliding door instead of the OH door,

Then do I need a bigger machine(s) to do what I need at nearly 70, and decided I don't need the added capability, or it's not worth modifying structures to improve what I have today,

Bottom line in your position, John, get the MX6000 and modify the folding ROPS with a FOPS close to what you have today and keep within your current door height is the best option.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Have you considered a used shipping container for tractor storage?
The neighboring farm has several that are used for tractor & implement storage. They are painted to match the barn and don't look bad.

102" height units are available:

20ft. Standard (Dry) Container

 

[John_Mc]

Have you considered a used shipping container for tractor storage?
The neighboring farm has several that are used for tractor & implement storage. They are painted to match the barn and don't look bad.

View attachment 3252944

102" height units are available:

20ft. Standard (Dry) Container

It's a good idea. The high cube container is 114" tall, with a door height of 100", which is tall enough to let most of the models I'm considering in.

One complication is that the use of shipping containers for long-term storage is not permitted under our town's zoning regulations. That brings up the age-old question: Is it better to ask permission or ask for forgiveness. I could probably get a waiver/variance, given my remote location. (However, if the answer is "no", I've now alerted the town busybodies that I am considering this.) The other option is to just do it and hope no one who notices decides to raise a stink. I THINK I could find a place to put a 20' container that my wife could live with. (a 40 footer would be a bit tougher)

 

[ning]

It's a good idea. The high cube container is 114" tall, with a door height of 100", which is tall enough to let most of the models I'm considering in.

One complication is that the use of shipping containers for long-term storage is not permitted under our town's zoning regulations. That brings up the age-old question: Is it better to ask permission or ask for forgiveness. I could probably get a waiver/variance, given my remote location. (However, if the answer is "no", I've now alerted the town busybodies that I am considering this.) The other option is to just do it and hope no one who notices decides to raise a stink. I THINK I could find a place to put a 20' container that my wife could live with. (a 40 footer would be a bit tougher)

I'd go with ask for forgiveness later; if it's a big property and nobody can see it, they really shouldn't have an issue - if they know it's there at all.
It's a temporary thing anyways
Just make sure you put it up on RR ties to allow water vapor to dissipate under it - and make it high enough for predators to be able to keep the underside inhospitable. I love my high-cube. I have just enough room next to the tractor to walk and have a few common tools leaned against the wall, and keep my diesel jugs behind it.

 

[cathy liebchen]

I currently have a New Holland TC33D that is set up for work in the woods: limb risers with Falling Object Protection of sorts (won't stop a large tree, but will stop a good sized limb), belly pan, grapple for FEL, logging winch, forwarding trailer). I did not like the NH 7308 loader, so ordered mine with the Woods 1012 Loader (slightly larger lift capacity and larger dump & rollback angles). I did not originally buy this tractor with forestry work in mind, but my needs have grown over the years. I now use it working in the woods a lot, and picking up some of the larger logs can be a challenge. I do like that it can get in to space where a larger tractor could never go, but the limitations become an issue at times. I get by with what I have (the forestry work started in about 2006, about 5 years after I bought the tractor). I really should be using something bigger, but since I'm not logging for a living, cutting the big diameter logs shorter, taking more trips and taking my time has worked out - though I did manage to crack the clutch housing a few years ago.

I'd have to start over on the modifications if I got a new tractor. I would also most likely want a larger brush hog and boxblade. My old 5' brush hog has been beat to death and really needs to be retired anyway - I would have replaced it before now, but have been putting it off while trying to make the decision about whether to upgrade to a larger tractor.

I've been considering a Kubota L4701/L4802 or an MX5400. The L4701/L4802 only has about 500+ lbs greater lift capacity to full height than what I have now. The MX5400 has about double my current lift capacity (about 1100# more than my TC33D). The downside is that the MX5400 is physically bigger than I would like to go (almost 70" wide). The real kicker is that one of my favorite modification is the Limb Risers and Falling Object Protection. Adding them means I can no longer fold down the ROPS. At 95.7" tall, there is no way the MX5400 will fit into my garage.

I've been getting by with my TC33D, so I'm sure I could get by a little better with the L4802. The best fit for my forestry work would be the MX5400. However, I'm just not sure I want to go that big, and really don't want to leave a new tractor outside full time. I can afford either tractor, but I'm having trouble justifying a new, larger tractor, when I could continue to "get by" with what I have now. I really can't justify a new tractor PLUS a new building.

I'm having a tough time deciding which way to go: I don't want to buy the L4802 now and then wish I'd gone bigger a couple of years down the road. However, that MX5400 is just so dang big for my other needs. I'm not getting any younger, and sooner or later I'll need to cut back on what I'm doing in the woods anyway... in fact, I probably could just continue to get by with the trusty old TC33D if I had to.

I have a good relationship with my dealer, who sells both NH and Kubota. I looked at New Holland offerings, but really don't like how exposed the hydraulics are on their offerings in this size range. I've not had great experiences with the JD dealer in my area, so I'm not considering them. Nearest TYM Dealer is an hour away and in a direction I rarely travel - further than I want to go if I need something. Nearest Kioti dealer is about 1/2 hour away. Close enough for me to consider, but I know nothing about them - I'd consider them after researching their reputation a bit.

Get the MX, pass on the orphan model