Tractor Sizing Kubota M7040 HDC UltraGrand Cab

[fleminj2pa]

I just picked up this tractor last Friday and put it to work the next day. I do commercial wildlife habitat improvement work...that's a fancy way of saying I plant food plots for others but I plant a lot of acreage for my own use too. My dilemma has always been having a tractor that can get the job done with power and efficiency in the field but yet but relatively easy to transport.

Until now, I've been using compact utility tractors. I had a 2012 John Deere 4720 cab that I bought new and just sold with 800 hours on it. I replaced that tractor with a 2012 Kubota L5740 HSTC and it's a great tractor! But, I still needed a larger frame tractor for the really heavy stuff...plowing, drill work, disc, etc. I stumbled onto this brand new, leftover, 2012 Kubota M7040 HDC with the Tier III engine...I wasn't interested in the Tier IV setup at all. The dealer offered me a deal that was comparable with those I had found on 3-5 year old used models so I jumped on it.

I added 800 lbs. of suitcase weights and 400 lbs. of liquid ballast to the front tires and it handled my 2000 lb drill with ease. I literally pulled this drill up and down the side of a mountain (see picture) for a mile while planting a gas line this weekend. I only spun the tires once while crossing a water bar and that was my fault for trying to ease over it too slow. The UltraGrand Cab is very comfortable and all features, including the dealer installed radio worked perfectly. And, the best part...I only used a quarter tank of fuel while planting 8 acres over 6.4 hours!

I loaded the tractor and drill which I estimated to have a combined weight of about 9,600 lbs. on my 12,000 lb trailer behind my 2002 Chevy 2500 with the 8.1L engine and Allison transmission and trailered it 120 miles to the Allegheny Mountains in northwest Pennsylvania for its first job. I had taken care to make sure the load was balanced on the trailer and it towed as smooth as silk without any undue strain on the truck or trailer.

I think I have found the right combination of power and weight for my needs, not to mention a great deal on a great piece of equipment. Kudos to Kubota! Every time I use their equipment I am more impressed with their quality! :thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

Very nice equipment.:thumbsup:

 

[1Lawman]

Thanks for your post...I just bought a 2012 John Deere 5093E which is a little bit larger tractor than yours..I bought it because I did not want DPF and it only had 64 hours on it..Now I've spent my $50,000.00 and I don't like it..I just like Kubota tractors..I may try to trade or sell it and get a M8560 or a M9960. Good luck and thanks for the pics..That just makes me want my Kubota even worse...:laughing:


Good luck with it..

 

[fleminj2pa]

Thanks for your post...I just bought a 2012 John Deere 5093E which is a little bit larger tractor than yours..I bought it because I did not want DPF and it only had 64 hours on it..Now I've spent my $50,000.00 and I don't like it..I just like Kubota tractors..I may try to trade or sell it and get a M8560 or a M9960. Good luck and thanks for the pics..That just makes me want my Kubota even worse...:laughing:


Good luck with it..

I just sold a 2012 John Deere 4720 cab tractor that I had purchased new and put about 800 hours on it. It was a great tractor for light duty work like mowing and light loader work but started puking on the heavy stuff as it aged. In my opinion JD is living on their reputation these days. Their dealers are somewhat arrogant, lack capabilities and difficult to deal with for service. Personally, I'm over the green paint thing and I know quality when I sit in the seat for awhile...regardless of color.

 

[RollingsFarms]

That's a nice rig! I've got a Great Plains drill that I use behind my 6410 and it does an awesome job. Can't believe you found a left over M7040! Figured they were all gone.

 

[fleminj2pa]

That's a nice rig! I've got a Great Plains drill that I use behind my 6410 and it does an awesome job. Can't believe you found a left over M7040! Figured they were all gone.

The dealer told me he was getting one or two calls a week from other dealers trying to trade him for that tractor. He said that he decided that if he was going to let it go it would be to a customer he could build a business relationship with. Good for me! A couple of months ago they were trying to get almost $50K for that machine. I bought it for $36,900. I saw four year old used tractors with 400 hours on them that were listed higher than that. I have to thank some of the guys posting on here for helping me get past my urge to buy brand new for premium prices. Shopping around and being open to buying used quality equipment allowed me to get two really nice tractors for not a whole lot more than I was originally going to spend for one 2015 model.

Your 6410 is a much bigger machine than the 7040. I'd love to get a Great Plains/Land Pride drill but even the smaller, 6' 3pt drill weighs 2250 empty and can go up to 4250 when the bins are full. My Kasco weighs about 1800 lbs empty and I usually have 250-500 lbs of seed in the bins when planting food plots. I can only lift up to 3307 lbs and of course that would be under ideal conditions...which I never have. I'd really like to know more about your drill, particularly the depth control features.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

. . . I bought it for $36,900. . . .

You stole it. Sheesh, I never find those kinds of deals. Congrats on the really nice rig!

 

[fleminj2pa]

I find them all the time...but usually never when I'm actually trying to buy something. Just lucky I went in to buy parts.

 

[NativeSon]

I love my M7040. I too shied away from John Deere because the JD dealers didn't act like they wanted my business. After looking at Kubota I like them much better than the JD's.

Charlie

 

[big bubba]

I added 800 lbs. of suitcase weights and 400 lbs. of liquid ballast to the front tires flleminj2pa

a great tractor & wise choice! i too went through several until i found the right model to suit my needs. you mentioned you added liquid ballast to the ft tires. my dealership mentioned to me it is not recommended to add liquid ballast to ft. tires...strange, when ft. suitcase weights can be added (to the frame bumper) was told it can put extra stress on the ft axle, power steering, etc. whether this actually holds any merit, not sure. i would recommend you post a thread on the subject, would hate to see you have problems down the line...been a great season for plots this year! best regards.