Kubota vs Massey advice

[tradosaurus]

When Kubota offered the 20% NHCA discount the tractor price was outstanding. I bought my MX5400 using the discount and paid $32K total (no tax due to ag exemption).

 

[Torvy]

When Kubota offered the 20% NHCA discount the tractor price was outstanding. I bought my MX5400 using the discount and paid $32K total (no tax due to ag exemption).

What year? They are on par with JD now in terms of $ for the same features.

The selling points for both are as much dealer network as anything else. Good equipment, but not remotely a good value.

 

[tradosaurus]

What year? They are on par with JD now in terms of $ for the same features.

The selling points for both are as much dealer network as anything else. Good equipment, but not remotely a good value.

2021.

 

[masseyrider]

When we were farming, fruit/vineyard, a 50-60 pto tractor was perfect for our implements and acreage.
Kubota had an ad for a 4x4 55pto tractor that seemed to check all the right boxes for a great price.
I went to the dealership more or less ready to buy.
I do give the dealer credit though for taking the time to check what I needed the tractor for.
After our talk he told me he couldn't sell me that tractor.
What? Why not?
It wouldn't last, I would have to get the bigger one.
This on a farm that had been built on Ferguson TO20s, MF 35s, MF135s, MF245/255, MF 253/263 up to my newest MF 2607s.
Dealer indirectly said his machine couldn't compete.
Most of those Masseys were of lower pto hp and the TO20s were gas.

 

[HJ75]

Thank you all for the replies.

I am sorry, I didn't want to start an argument, I was just going by the weights on the brochures I have for the equivalent HP tractors (M9540, MF4709), and I wondered why the big difference.

If Kubota really are referring to shipping weight without wheels, that could explain it, I know there are cast centers or pressed steel centers options which would make a big weight difference.

I hope to have a look at some tractors in the next few days, one plus for Kubota is they have a dealer 15 min drive away, the other dealers are at least an hour and a half drive away which is still not too bad.

I have some boggy low-lying clay country where lower weight may be an advantage? I guess you can always add weight for traction when necessary?

 

[Farmer495]

The Challenger has Euro quick attach standard. The Kubota has SSQA standard. Euro is better & stronger.

All the US built Kubota loaders everywhere else in the world have Euro standard. Not sure why they kept the US market models with SS. My op manuals show both types, I have two US built L series loaders with Euro/Global.

 

[Farmer495]

Thank you all for the replies.

I am sorry, I didn't want to start an argument, I was just going by the weights on the brochures I have for the equivalent HP tractors (M9540, MF4709), and I wondered why the big difference.

If Kubota really are referring to shipping weight without wheels, that could explain it, I know there are cast centers or pressed steel centers options which would make a big weight difference.

I hope to have a look at some tractors in the next few days, one plus for Kubota is they have a dealer 15 min drive away, the other dealers are at least an hour and a half drive away which is still not too bad.

I have some boggy low-lying clay country where lower weight may be an advantage? I guess you can always add weight for traction when necessary?

Found actual weights of my M7040SU. I would bet that M9540 weighs a lot more than the book says.

Operator's manual tractor weight:

4608lb

Actual tractor with rear cast centers & fluid + loader mounts (no boom or bucket) :

7300lb

Actual tractor with rear cast centers & fluid + loader & bucket

8860lb


I have a lot of wet land, Kubota, at least for the CDN market, puts wide R1W metric radials on all four corners here. I find the tractor rarely sinks in, I've had implements/wagons drop to the axles and the tractor is still on top.

 

[redman135]

OP I strongly recommend you try both tractors for their ergonomics. ie MF rear scv controls are angled back so you can only use 1 at a time AND the angle is uncomfortable.

The a/c in some models is roof mounted and you need to check if you hit the roof with the seat at full height. eg JD has a/c mounted at lower rear of cab so I don't hit the roof on big bumps, but with MF5465 with similar cab to 4709 I have to duck.
A/c hot/cold control just feels flimsy.

Hydraulics: ASK which one you have, the budget hydraulics are inadequate for me.
Gearbox, I had a T bar shift (16 sp)on my MF and it was mounted slightly to low to be comfortable.

I have not used a Kubota in the 90/100 hp range so cannot comment.

 

[Hay Dude]

Thank you all for the replies.

I am sorry, I didn't want to start an argument, I was just going by the weights on the brochures I have for the equivalent HP tractors (M9540, MF4709), and I wondered why the big difference.

If Kubota really are referring to shipping weight without wheels, that could explain it, I know there are cast centers or pressed steel centers options which would make a big weight difference.

I hope to have a look at some tractors in the next few days, one plus for Kubota is they have a dealer 15 min drive away, the other dealers are at least an hour and a half drive away which is still not too bad.

I have some boggy low-lying clay country where lower weight may be an advantage? I guess you can always add weight for traction when necessary?

Check out Tractor Data. Independent reporting.
I owned a Kubota M9540 “Dual Speed” for a few years about 10 years ago. It was a nice little tractor. I bought it used from Indiana with very low hours. But the only version I liked was the “Dual Speed” version because it was loaded with extras, had the 24 speed transmission, and had the rear wheel weights cast centers. Also had extra remotes and 3rd function on loader. You can see mine here handling 2 round bales. It struggled with them. Those bales are about 900lb each. I owned this tractor for 2-3 years before I knew it was too light.

Here it is with my sprayer. Easy work for it. Dual Speed transmission was nice, but nothing like a full powershift or CVT.

Here it is doing loader work.

Here’s the Tractor data comparison:

TractorData.com Kubota M9540 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

TractorData.com Massey Ferguson 4709 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

The Massey 4709 is similar HP, but weighs a lot more. That extra weight would have made carrying heavy objects in the loader easier. On the Kubota side, I do like a 4cyl engine over the Massey 3cyl, although I heard that little AGCO 3cyl is a beast.

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I also owned a Kubota M-7040. It was the non-turbo earlier version. Again, good little tractor, but built light for light work. Very reliable. Here I am mowing a field with it 12 years ago pulling a 8’ dual spindle mower.

Here it is with oversized light materials bucket for snow. Had remotes on loader for 3rd function. Again, good tractor, but definitely needs a lot of additional weight for secure work on slopes.
I owned this tractor for about 6 years.

Just thought I’d post this for the OP and others to show I have actual, substantial, long term knowledge of hands-on ownership & operation of these tractors. I plowed snow, hay farmed, field mowed, cleared ground/logs, etc.

 

[EddieWalker]

I read somewhere that Massey has gone to a 4 cylinder engine in the 4700 line, but I didn't confirm it. I'm not sure if that's an issue or not.

On my 4707, I had to add a rear ballast to deal with how much weight the loader can pick up. Rear wheel weights should of been bought when I got the tractor. That was my mistake.

The AC is amazing on the 2022 models and newer. Before that, it has issues.

My biggest issue with Massey Ferguson is getting parts. My dealer has been good, but you have to call them and talk to the parts guy on the phone to order what you need. All I've ordered for it is filters. But I hate having to call during working hours, wait on hold for him to get to me, then wait while he looks up the part number, places the order then gets my information to pay for it. Then they will either have the part shipped to me, or I can drive there to get it when it arrives. That amount of time is very irritating to me. I want everything to be like Messick's and Amazon when ordering parts. I want to be able to do it when it's convenient to me, and not have to wait on hold, or explain over the phone to somebody what I'm wanting.

I'm pretty sure you can buy any Kubota part online through Messick's and other websites. I buy my New Holland parts and my Land Pride parts on Messick's, and they are awesome. I just wish Massey would figure out how to do that and bypass the Parts Department at their Dealers.