Kubota MX or Kioti NX or New Holland ...?

[riptides]

We went with a MX6000 cab over the Grand L's. For us it was KISS methodology. For me, especially the MX has a beefier front end and the hydro systems looked to be better protected. The difference in price brought home yet another implement. Three or four months ago, trying to find an MX proved to be an adventure. Particularly if you wanted to do a physical side by side compare.

 

[Sid Post]

VIDEOS: Kubota Grand L Series VS. Kubota MX Series - YouTube

Kubota HST Plus Transmission Features - YouTube

At the moment, I've got my eye on a gently used M6060. The electronic transmission features on the Grand L's seem like a bit of overkill and extra expense too. The one gotcha I see on the MX's right now is the Cat 2 only 3-pt since both myself and friend have some Cat 1 only implements. I'm sure they could be converted over though without a huge amount of effort though.

The entry-level M's would be a lot better for our rotary cutters. Right now I'm on a 7' Brushbull medium duty shredder and my friend is looking to get one in the 10' range. The M's will also have a lot more loader work flexibility for us. However, the extra weight is something to think about, especially at my place with a couple low lying areas that don't drain well.

 

[Sid Post]

We went with a MX6000 cab over the Grand L's. For us it was KISS methodology. For me, especially the MX has a beefier front end and the hydro systems looked to be better protected. The difference in price brought home yet another implement. Three or four months ago, trying to find an MX proved to be an adventure. Particularly if you wanted to do a physical side by side compare.

That's part of what I like about my L4600. It is pretty simple for anyone to use with some basic knowledge. I am a bit PTO HP limited with a 7' "bushhog" in heavy grass and weeds but, it a super handy size for general farm chores. If it was an MX series tractor, I wouldn't be tractor shopping right now.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

At the moment, I've got my eye on a gently used M6060. The electronic transmission features on the Grand L's seem like a bit of overkill and extra expense too. The one gotcha I see on the MX's right now is the Cat 2 only 3-pt since both myself and friend have some Cat 1 only implements. I'm sure they could be converted over though without a huge amount of effort though.

The entry-level M's would be a lot better for our rotary cutters. Right now I'm on a 7' Brushbull medium duty shredder and my friend is looking to get one in the 10' range. The M's will also have a lot more loader work flexibility for us. However, the extra weight is something to think about, especially at my place with a couple low lying areas that don't drain well.

My Kubota information shows that the MX series tractors have a cat 1-2 3pt hitch.

 

[jeff9366]

My Kubota information shows that the MX series tractors have a cat 1-2 3pt hitch.

Kubota supplies a number of pin bushings in the MX toolbox so Cat 1 implements can be used on the Cat 2 MX TPH.

The electronic transmission features on the Grand L's seem like a bit of overkill and extra expense too.

Value represents itself to each of us differently. Having said that, you don't know what you do not know. Almost all Grand L buyers have previously operated economy tractors. In nine years using this site I have never seen a 'Grand L' owner express regret on spending the extra money. Grand L tractors, but not Loaders, are entirely assembled in Japan and shipped to USA intact.

Many more buy Toyotas than Lexus.

 

[Sid Post]

Thanks for the update on the MX bushings. The Kubota website PDF I read only included Cat 2 in the listing. Bushings can be sourced a lot of places so, I guess it was just an oversight by the print review team.

Regarding the Grand L, I'd personally rather have a larger heavier duty tractor with a less advanced transmission than a smaller tractor with cruise control, shift control, etc. for the same money. Heck, I even avoid Hydrostats on large tractors.

For hired hands or people new to farming with lighter uses than mine, I'm sure the fancy transmissions have their place. However, with that also comes higher education requirements too. Personally, after spending ~16 hour days 7 days a week on old John Deeres with Syncho-Mesh transmissions, I guess my perspective is a bit different. I also am fine running a rotary mower with the throttle set in my pasture versus some fancy radar'ish cruise control as well. Perhaps with arthritis, a hip or knee replacement or, some other age related physical health concerns my attitude will change but, I'd still rather have something like a Massey Dyna transmission with a mechanical assisted clutch and gears. YMMV.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

Regarding the Grand L, I'd personally rather have a larger heavier duty tractor with a less advanced transmission than a smaller tractor with cruise control, shift control, etc. for the same money

When I bought a tractor last spring, I was pricing all the Kubotas from the L3901 to the MX5400. Would I have liked the extra features of a grand L? Sure. But I like the extra width (for stability) and power of the MX5400 more (weighting the tradeoffs in my price range). There was also a minor point at which I decided the grand L was overkill for me in the features department, which was when I read about downloading spreadsheets from the grand L.

I don't need or want spreadsheets from my tractor. What's next? The Kubota/Microsoft Orange Screen of Death?

Here's hoping my memory is correct and I'm not confusing things. Anyway, happy with the MX5400 and the power it provides for the money.

 

[Sid Post]

When I bought a tractor last spring, I was pricing all the Kubotas from the L3901 to the MX5400. Would I have liked the extra features of a grand L? Sure. But I like the extra width (for stability) and power of the MX5400 more (weighting the tradeoffs in my price range). There was also a minor point at which I decided the grand L was overkill for me in the features department, which was when I read about downloading spreadsheets from the grand L.

I don't need or want spreadsheets from my tractor. What's next? The Kubota/Microsoft Orange Screen of Death?

Here's hoping my memory is correct and I'm not confusing things. Anyway, happy with the MX5400 and the power it provides for the money.

Sounds like we are of a similar mindset. I have an L4600 and really need "more" tractor. A light compact/utility just won't support what I need it to do. I really need more than the MX series would provide, though if I had an MX I wouldn't be in as urgent a mode to upgrade my tractor to something with more CAPABILITY at a cost I can afford. I really can't justify $5k~$10k in electronics and other features that won't help me get more real work done in a given amount of time or effort. Modern transmissions and hydraulics without all the fancy features are still relatively easy to use and provide the majority of the functionality improvements the fancy tractors and transmissions do. Sure, there may be some minor fuel savings or other things but, if I can do the job faster with more tractor that offsets some if the perceived fuel savings right there. Now add less wear and tear over time, and to me the larger more capable tractor has advantages for me and my use.

If you need a tractor for a dairy or horse arena, then I can see some need and justification for more feature-rich tractors but, in my case, a hayfield or timber work really won't see that much benefit. 540E PTO yes, higher hydraulic capacity yes, fancy transmission or cab, NO.

 

[riptides]

That's part of what I like about my L4600. It is pretty simple for anyone to use with some basic knowledge. I am a bit PTO HP limited with a 7' "bushhog" in heavy grass and weeds but, it a super handy size for general farm chores. If it was an MX series tractor, I wouldn't be tractor shopping right now.

The wife went with me to get the tractor. She had zero experience but after delivery, well let me sheepishly say... I need my tractor back. LOL.

Seriously, no worries for her in the thing. To me, I go find something else to do. She even went through a regen all by herself. And timed it! And told me about it!!

On the Cat stuff as other noted...no issue.

My FEL hydo stuff is better protected (looks that way) than on the Grands. I do a lot of rides in the woods. So far I have had to backtrack once for a light lens. Found it. But such is the deal when one has a cab. LOL.