How is it that there's no HST trannies at the pro M series level? The hyd. shuttle can be fine tuned for F/R movement in hookups. And on hills, I'll take a manual any time for more control. Yes, the auto is good for those who are used to it in vehicles or with disabilities , or with lesser applications. To each his own. But ask yourself why not in larger ag applications all trannies are basically manual? But let's not divert the conversation, and add our advise to the original post so the gentleman can make an informed decision for his tractor. respectfully, bb
Kubota M7040 vs. JD 5403 vs. NH TN75A
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CumminsLuke
Silver Member
Personally I'd go with the Kubota M7040. Of coarse, I am biased, as I have one. I have a real good friend who owns a Kubota and NH dealership, and I looked at a TN70 NH before buying my 7040. His service manager told me to do myself a favor and stick with orange(I all ready had a few other Kubota's.) He said if the Kubota's were as problamatic as the NH's he'd need five more mechanics. I have had two 5000 series JD's over the years and was not real happy with either. Had a 5400 and a 5210. Had some real bad cold weather starting issues with both of them, dealer told me it was normal for them to spit and sputter and blow white smoke for 3 minutes when starting them in 20 degree weather, hmmm, my Kubota's don't have that problem.
MessickFarmEqu
Super Member
HST's are not well suited to constant loads that you find in field work. They have a tendency to heat up and reduce the overall life span of the tractor. A compact is also not nearly as well suited to stopping the weight of larger implements pushing you around a field. An M is an M for a reason, these tractors are ment for different tasks. You could probably get away with an L if your working small acerage, but its not the ideal tractor for that job.
Z-Michigan
Veteran Member
Not sure if anyone else pointed this out yet, but the JD 5403 is a more basic tractor to some extent than the M7040 and TN75. I'm not against the 5403 - I have a very similar JD 5105 - but it's not totally apples to apples. In the utility size range, JD really makes fairly basic machines and then extremely fancy machines (5425, etc.) with not much in between (the 5603 is an exception, but it's bigger than what you're looking at). A stripped 5425 has as much or more features than the M7040, but will likely cost somewhat more.
I find the hydraulic shuttle easy to use, but as noted you still need to push the clutch to shift gears. I have driven an M7040 cab and the clutch was not very stiff or hard to use. However, the gearshift was a bit clumsy, and the range shift was quite difficult to use. Supposedly those improve with use. For someone comfortable with a manual it would not be an issue.
I think Massey-Ferguson has tractors in that size (utility, not CUT) and price range with true powershift transmissions. Might be worth a look if the wife really isn't good with a clutch. I agree with other comments that a CUT isn't a great tool for hay work and that there's a reason HST isn't currently offered in ag or utility type tractors.
I find the hydraulic shuttle easy to use, but as noted you still need to push the clutch to shift gears. I have driven an M7040 cab and the clutch was not very stiff or hard to use. However, the gearshift was a bit clumsy, and the range shift was quite difficult to use. Supposedly those improve with use. For someone comfortable with a manual it would not be an issue.
I think Massey-Ferguson has tractors in that size (utility, not CUT) and price range with true powershift transmissions. Might be worth a look if the wife really isn't good with a clutch. I agree with other comments that a CUT isn't a great tool for hay work and that there's a reason HST isn't currently offered in ag or utility type tractors.
"But let's not divert the conversation, and add our advise to the original post so the gentleman can make an informed decision for his tractor."
It is not a diversion to address his preferences and intended usage. One of his priorities is to "'find a good tractor that is easy for my wife to use so that when she has to do some work with it, she doesn't get tired having to change directions and shift gears".
Regarding non-manual transmissions on large equipment. Continuously variable transmissions are hybridized (half hst) and are increasingly common on large ag tractors. That is also a direction for the gentleman to consider.
He directed certain priorities, and included in those was "easy". HST's and CVT's are easier.
Another issue is the probable acreage tended "hay on about 5 acres of the land and bush hog another few acres". It is fully within the realm of acceptable and capable use to perform hay operations on 5 acres without overheating the HST transmission of a 57 hp tractor.
It is not a diversion to address his preferences and intended usage. One of his priorities is to "'find a good tractor that is easy for my wife to use so that when she has to do some work with it, she doesn't get tired having to change directions and shift gears".
Regarding non-manual transmissions on large equipment. Continuously variable transmissions are hybridized (half hst) and are increasingly common on large ag tractors. That is also a direction for the gentleman to consider.
He directed certain priorities, and included in those was "easy". HST's and CVT's are easier.
Another issue is the probable acreage tended "hay on about 5 acres of the land and bush hog another few acres". It is fully within the realm of acceptable and capable use to perform hay operations on 5 acres without overheating the HST transmission of a 57 hp tractor.
Robert_in_NY
Super Member
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HST will work fine for baling applications but I prefer a gear tractor still.
As to which tractor you buy, make sure you spec them all the same. The TN75A is a good tractor and the only one of the three I have experience with. However, I would not hesitate to buy either of the three you mentioned if the price is all in line for an equally optioned tractor. In the end, I would buy from the best dealer you have.
As to which tractor you buy, make sure you spec them all the same. The TN75A is a good tractor and the only one of the three I have experience with. However, I would not hesitate to buy either of the three you mentioned if the price is all in line for an equally optioned tractor. In the end, I would buy from the best dealer you have.
Thanks for all of the feedback given so far! After doing some more research, I think I am ruling out the JD 5403. And the JD 5425 is out just because the quote came in several, several thousand more than the Kubota.
If I end up getting something with a clutch, it's definitely going to be something with a wet clutch as they are more forgiving.
Does anyone have any experience with the Massey Ferguson 3635? I know that having the declutch button on the gear shift that is found on their PowerShuttle transmission is definitely a perk.
If I knew that something with the HST transmission (either the Kubota 5740 or the JD 4720) could do everything I'd want it to do, I'd probably go for one of those in a heart beat to make life easier. But the last thing I'd want to do is make a major purchase like this and not have it be able to reliably handle everything I need it to be. It would be great if places would allow a person to "test drive" a tractor to see how it handles all of the equipment they have. I guess coming from the tractor I have now, I'm just skeptical how well a tractor with just a bit more HP can do.
If I end up getting something with a clutch, it's definitely going to be something with a wet clutch as they are more forgiving.
Does anyone have any experience with the Massey Ferguson 3635? I know that having the declutch button on the gear shift that is found on their PowerShuttle transmission is definitely a perk.
If I knew that something with the HST transmission (either the Kubota 5740 or the JD 4720) could do everything I'd want it to do, I'd probably go for one of those in a heart beat to make life easier. But the last thing I'd want to do is make a major purchase like this and not have it be able to reliably handle everything I need it to be. It would be great if places would allow a person to "test drive" a tractor to see how it handles all of the equipment they have. I guess coming from the tractor I have now, I'm just skeptical how well a tractor with just a bit more HP can do.
s012adh,
A reasonable dealer will let a serious buyer take a tractor to demo it on their own property and equipment. I would be more than willing to eat crow without salt if you demo a 5740HST and find it not up to your needs.
(And humble pie for dessert)
A reasonable dealer will let a serious buyer take a tractor to demo it on their own property and equipment. I would be more than willing to eat crow without salt if you demo a 5740HST and find it not up to your needs.
(And humble pie for dessert)
Z-Michigan
Veteran Member
Many dealers will let you try out equipment on your own property before you buy. I would ask, and make this an important part of your decision.
I am a little puzzled at your difficulties running a 5' cutter going up "Small hills" with a 44pto hp tractor. I wonder if your pto hp is a lot less than 44, or if your small hills would look like mountains to me. I run a 6' cutter on flat ground with 47 pto hp and have about double the hp I need. I can't imagine my tractor would bog down running the 6' cutter going up any hill that would not cause me to roll end over end.
I didn't originally notice the size land you're working on. While HST is not generally good for hay work, 5 acres is a pretty small plot and I'll bet that the L5740, or a JD 4720, would work just fine. I would also consider Kubota's L5040 which is available with their GST, which is a true powershift - actual metal gears, but no clutch-pushing required. It is rated for 44 pto hp, which is the same as what your current tractor is apparently rated for. I think any of the utility machines you're looking at would be quite large for haying 5 acres and mowing another couple acres. Doesn't mean they are wrong for you, but certainly are larger than I would usually think of for those tasks.
One user on here - I think Greyfields - does his own hay work with I think a JD 4320, and he's doing round bales (albeit small ones, 4x4 I think). Again, I would go utility for significant hay work, but for your purposes the CUT might be a reasonable choice.
I am a little puzzled at your difficulties running a 5' cutter going up "Small hills" with a 44pto hp tractor. I wonder if your pto hp is a lot less than 44, or if your small hills would look like mountains to me. I run a 6' cutter on flat ground with 47 pto hp and have about double the hp I need. I can't imagine my tractor would bog down running the 6' cutter going up any hill that would not cause me to roll end over end.
I didn't originally notice the size land you're working on. While HST is not generally good for hay work, 5 acres is a pretty small plot and I'll bet that the L5740, or a JD 4720, would work just fine. I would also consider Kubota's L5040 which is available with their GST, which is a true powershift - actual metal gears, but no clutch-pushing required. It is rated for 44 pto hp, which is the same as what your current tractor is apparently rated for. I think any of the utility machines you're looking at would be quite large for haying 5 acres and mowing another couple acres. Doesn't mean they are wrong for you, but certainly are larger than I would usually think of for those tasks.
One user on here - I think Greyfields - does his own hay work with I think a JD 4320, and he's doing round bales (albeit small ones, 4x4 I think). Again, I would go utility for significant hay work, but for your purposes the CUT might be a reasonable choice.
I will check with the Kubota and JD dealer to see if they would let me demo their tractors. If it worked no problem with a CUT, then it would help to put any worries I have aside of their ability to do the job.
It would not surprise me if I am getting less HP than is the factory spec on this tractor...The tractor has some problems and since it's getting pretty difficult to find parts for it, I'm looking to move on
I grew up in NW Ohio (which is completely flat) and to me this is a hill...lol But to the tractor, it sounds like it's trying to mow up Mt. Everest. I wish there was an easy way to know how much HP it is actually putting out.
It would not surprise me if I am getting less HP than is the factory spec on this tractor...The tractor has some problems and since it's getting pretty difficult to find parts for it, I'm looking to move on
I grew up in NW Ohio (which is completely flat) and to me this is a hill...lol But to the tractor, it sounds like it's trying to mow up Mt. Everest. I wish there was an easy way to know how much HP it is actually putting out.