muckdp
New member
Over the last few months of tractor research, I have continued to lust after a Kubota M5040. Mostly because of the LA1153's impressive lift capacity numbers. The other day I discovered that the JD 50XX series will take a 553 loader, which is at least comparable to a Kubota LA1153, and possibly has a little more lift capacity. (Kubota Lift at Full height @ Pivot pins: 2928, JD @ full height/pivot pins: 3133 in some docs, 2917 in others).
My primary use will be for property maintenance, and minor construction work. I have brush to clear, fields to mow, fencing to put in, 1/4 mile of driveway, and loader work to do. I also keep a lot of things on pallets and like using the 3pt and loader forks for moving things around.
The Kubota dealers around here sell a lot of the L series, and the big M series, but I have yet to find a single M5040. There however are a lot of the JD 5055E's/D's coming in off of rental return. (I'm 90% sure going with 4wd, but if the deal is right would consider a 2wd - I am using a 30 year old 40HP, 2wd right now, and for the most part get by just fine).
Obviously the JD is easier for me to come across, which makes it a pretty likely choice. I'm curious though if anyone else has put these two tractors up against each other and what they've come up with, and why you went with the choice you did.
Thanks!
P.S. It looks like from reading here I can get the JD 553 loader with the skid steer quick release, but the dealer looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him about it. It was a combination of "The words you're saying don't make any sense" and "why in the sam **** would you want to put anything other than a JD implement on your tractor?".. Which I assume is a sales tactic, but none the less will probably present a challenge in that it will probably have to be special ordered (more $$$).
My primary use will be for property maintenance, and minor construction work. I have brush to clear, fields to mow, fencing to put in, 1/4 mile of driveway, and loader work to do. I also keep a lot of things on pallets and like using the 3pt and loader forks for moving things around.
The Kubota dealers around here sell a lot of the L series, and the big M series, but I have yet to find a single M5040. There however are a lot of the JD 5055E's/D's coming in off of rental return. (I'm 90% sure going with 4wd, but if the deal is right would consider a 2wd - I am using a 30 year old 40HP, 2wd right now, and for the most part get by just fine).
Obviously the JD is easier for me to come across, which makes it a pretty likely choice. I'm curious though if anyone else has put these two tractors up against each other and what they've come up with, and why you went with the choice you did.
Thanks!
P.S. It looks like from reading here I can get the JD 553 loader with the skid steer quick release, but the dealer looked at me like I was crazy when I asked him about it. It was a combination of "The words you're saying don't make any sense" and "why in the sam **** would you want to put anything other than a JD implement on your tractor?".. Which I assume is a sales tactic, but none the less will probably present a challenge in that it will probably have to be special ordered (more $$$).