Kubota MX5400, thoughts?

farmall70 · Mar 2, 2021

I am looking at purchasing a new 2wd Kubota MX5400 (47 pto hp). It would be the gear shift transmission, which is all that is available with 2wd.

The tractor will basically be used as a giant lawn mower. I have about 16 acres I mow with a 6 foot rotary cutter. It was previously used as a hay field so it can be pretty thick in the spring, up to 3 to 4 feet tall before it is dry enough for me to not tear up the ground. That’s all I plan to use it for. Would like to be able to run in third gear which would be 3.6 mph.

Currently, I am using a 4wd tractor with 62 pto hp. I have never bogged the tractor down and travel around 4.5 mph. I have also never needed to use the 4wd and have not gotten stuck.

Thoughts on this tractor for my application? Any other tractors you would recommend? My top priority is reliability. Looking to stay in the low to mid 20’s in terms of price.

Bullwinkle123 · Mar 2, 2021

I have the MX5400 HST and love it. I pull a 6' rotary cutter but in my case it's difficult hilly terrain and it's only annually, at which point the field is full of 4-6' saplings that take hold every year. Sometimes it's slow going but not for any lack of power. There's only so much you can ask a cutter to do (quickly) in my environment.

Anyway, based on my experience I'm sure any MX5400 will pull your 6' cutter through grass without problems, but I'm no expert, this is my first tractor.

sea2summit · Mar 2, 2021

Shouldn't have any problems, my MX5800 HST doesn't even know there's a 6' cutter behind me and with gears you have a significant advantage in power.

jeff9366 · Mar 2, 2021

Unless things have changed on the latest MX iterations, the wheel spread on 2-WD MX series can be adjusted at both front and rear. Front adjustment for row crop cultivation.

(4-WD MX series have fixed front wheel spread, adjustable rears. )

Will make a very stable mowing rig.

Adjusting the front wheels wide moderately increases turning radius.

Steppenwolfe · Mar 2, 2021

You are good to go... I will be pulling a 12ft Land Pride with mine. BTW, I just saw the same tractor used with I think 600 hours at the Lynchburg VA Kubota dealer. Not sure what the price is.

5030 · Mar 2, 2021

farmall70 said:
I am looking at purchasing a new 2wd Kubota MX5400 (47 pto hp). It would be the gear shift transmission, which is all that is available with 2wd.

The tractor will basically be used as a giant lawn mower. I have about 16 acres I mow with a 6 foot rotary cutter. It was previously used as a hay field so it can be pretty thick in the spring, up to 3 to 4 feet tall before it is dry enough for me to not tear up the ground. That’s all I plan to use it for. Would like to be able to run in third gear which would be 3.6 mph.

Currently, I am using a 4wd tractor with 62 pto hp. I have never bogged the tractor down and travel around 4.5 mph. I have also never needed to use the 4wd and have not gotten stuck.

Thoughts on this tractor for my application? Any other tractors you would recommend? My top priority is reliability. Looking to stay in the low to mid 20’s in terms of price.

Keep in mind that at trade in / resale time, FWA units bring more than a 2wd unit and 2wd units are a harder resell too.

I rarely use my front wheel assist but both my M9's have it.

Most potential buyers will pass over a 2wd unit versus a FWA unit when buying used.

Bullwinkle123 · Mar 2, 2021

About the only time I'm _not_ using my 4WD is when I'm driving on the lawn. Hills, snow, mud, you name, it, I rarely bother to turn off the 4wd now. Also hopefully reduces rutting by decreasing the amount of rear wheel spinning when I'm pushing the bucket into gravel or ditches.

tradosaurus · Mar 2, 2021

No reason not have 4wd.

5030 · Mar 2, 2021

Bullwinkle123 said:
About the only time I'm _not_ using my 4WD is when I'm driving on the lawn. Hills, snow, mud, you name, it, I rarely bother to turn off the 4wd now. Also hopefully reduces rutting by decreasing the amount of rear wheel spinning when I'm pushing the bucket into gravel or ditches.

Don't know if you have a Kubota or not but Kubota uses a splined coupler between the front pinion shaft and the intermediate front drive shaft to transfer power to the front differential and it's a wear point. Both shafts are hardened but the spline coupling isn't. If you run in FWA constantly, especially on dry pavement, the spline coupler will wear out and need replaced. It's a 50 buck part but it does require some disassembly of the front drive to access it and running in FWA when not needed also wears your front tires excessively. Just a little FYI for you. I've replaced a few in the past.