Kubotas in the low/mid 40hp range

[carlmill]

It would seem, on the surface at least, that there is considerable overlap in the middle of the Kubota model line. I'm speaking of the L4600, MX4700, and the L4740.

I'm aware you can get a cab the Grand 40's along with some standard comfort/convenience features.

Ignoring price differences (for now), what are the trade-offs in function and capability?

Thanks,

Carl

 

[PHILIP8N]

The HST+ on the Grand L series is really nice, but you pay extra for it. If you can use it, I think it is worth it. Read all you can about it (website has good info and used to have videos) and test drive as many as you can. I use the auto-throttle for everything except pto work. Philip.

 

[dex3361]

The L4600 and the MX4700 are the value line tractors. The MX4700 has a stronger loader and a little beefier front axle and a bit larger tires/wheels. 3PH specs are close if not the same on the L4600 and the MX4700.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

go see them in person, and the differences will be very apparent.

 

[carlmill]

go see them in person, and the differences will be very apparent.

Maybe to someone with experience, but not me. I've read the glossy literature, studied Kubota's web site, visited the dealer and put-puted around the parking lot but I still don't know what a L4240 can do that a MX4700 can't, or vica/versa.
Serious shopping (deposit in hand) starts Thursday, hopefully I can pin down the fine points then.

Carl

 

[TripleR]

Maybe to someone with experience, but not me. I've read the glossy literature, studied Kubota's web site, visited the dealer and put-puted around the parking lot but I still don't know what a L4240 can do that a MX4700 can't, or vica/versa.
Serious shopping (deposit in hand) starts Thursday, hopefully I can pin down the fine points then.

Carl

It won't do anything a MX4700 or several other tractors won't, it will do it just a little easier with extendable lift arms, HST+ and some ergonomic advantages.

Even some of these advantages won't be noticed short term, but may come out only after long periods of use. For some they aren't even seen as "better" just different.

The "right" tractor depends on the individual. There is a reason they offer different models.

 

[kleetus]

I recently purchased a Kubota Grand L4240 HST+ and love it..

I looked around alot like you and didnt have a ton of experience using a tractor to know what I needed. one of the major factors that made me choose the one I did was comfort. I liked the toggle pedal of the 4240 and I just fit better on it. I am 6' 4" and on the others I felt like constantly switching pedals would get tiring on the other models. There are alot more comfort things with the Grand line.

After using mine for a few months now the HST+ is a very very nice feature. it really depends on what all you plan on doing, but for what I do it saves time. there is alot less shifting involved with the HST+. say for example you are moving a big pile of dirt or gravel.. so your in low gear, you drive up to the pile and drop your bucket, the HST senses the load and puts you in "turtle mode" then you back up and hit the gas to move your load to its new home.. the HST senses this and automatically puts it in "rabbit" mode. which is faster than "turtle". high, medium and low all have a rabbit and turtle setting. It may not seem like a huge time saver but when you have say 60 loads of dirt to move it adds up.

Just curious what do you plan on doing with your tractor?

 

[IslandTractor]

I recently purchased a Kubota Grand L4240 HST+ and love it..

I looked around alot like you and didnt have a ton of experience using a tractor to know what I needed. one of the major factors that made me choose the one I did was comfort. I liked the toggle pedal of the 4240 and I just fit better on it. I am 6' 4" and on the others I felt like constantly switching pedals would get tiring on the other models. There are alot more comfort things with the Grand line.

After using mine for a few months now the HST+ is a very very nice feature. it really depends on what all you plan on doing, but for what I do it saves time. there is alot less shifting involved with the HST+. say for example you are moving a big pile of dirt or gravel.. so your in low gear, you drive up to the pile and drop your bucket, the HST senses the load and puts you in "turtle mode" then you back up and hit the gas to move your load to its new home.. the HST senses this and automatically puts it in "rabbit" mode. which is faster than "turtle". high, medium and low all have a rabbit and turtle setting. It may not seem like a huge time saver but when you have say 60 loads of dirt to move it adds up.

Just curious what do you plan on doing with your tractor?

You may be overselling the HST+ here. It is shocking that Kubota made its reputation and that customers were perfectly happy with plain olde HST before the new Lxx40 series came out. I don't recall a single complaint from Lxx30 owners about how inefficient their HST was. I rather doubt the HST+ is a significant time saver for anyone though it certainly does avoid the three second interval when shifting range from L to M or H. Me thinks Kubota has pushed this feature as a marketing tool to justify the many thousands of bucks extra they charge for it. How many experienced Lxx30 or Plain Jane L owners are dumping their same size tractors and ponying up big bucks just to get the HST+?

HST+ is certainly an engineering advance just like position control is an advance over quarter inching valve and shuttle shift is an advance over plain manual transmission but one needs to drink orange Kool Aid to think it is more than a pricey convenience at this point. And functionally it is not nearly as important as the shuttle shift or position control advances. Show me one task that a Lxx40 can do that cannot be done by a Lxx30 or a plain L. If it is worth $5000 extra to not need to ever switch ranges on your HST then perhaps you've got too much discretionary income in play. Anyone who is actually looking for bang for their buck can put it elsewhere more profitably. A non HST+ tractor with $5000 of extra or better implements will clearly outwork the HST+ version.

 

[crazyal]

HST+ is a very nice enhancement. After having it I would not buy a tractor without it. I figure that the other brands will be offering it in the near future. The fact that I can drive up to a pile of dirt in medium gear and without even letting off the pedal I can flick a lever and be in low gear to get extra grunt to fill the bucket and then as I start to back up flick it and be back to the higher speed alone is worth it's weight in gold. For those who do not have it I would say it's like not having power steering and saying "it's nice but not that needed".

I'm sure all three tractors will do what you want but it would be saying that a Benz, a Caddy, and a Chevy will also do what you want. The real question is how much is the extra features that will make your life easier and more comfortable worth to you. For that you need to sit on each one and understand the features and then decide for yourself.

 

[creekbend]

The Kubota L4600 just replaced the L4400 model this year. Perhaps your dealer has one-L4400- available or can locate one from another dealer? I am not positive but I think there is 1HP difference between the models. The reason that I posted this is that you may save some money. Just a thought?