L4400 VS M4800 VS M5040

[nc1100c]

Hey yall, I'm in the market for a new tractor to move smaller hay bales and maybe do some light plowing with. I'm thinking about the following:
L4400 DT-4X4-$15,000.
woods loader-$3,900
total $18,900.

or
M4800 Dt-4X4-$15,500.
woods loader-$4800.
total -$20,300.

or
M5040-Dt-4x4-$19,900
woods loader-$4,500
total proce-$24.400.

After looking at the Kobota,woods and bush hog brand loader I like the woods the best.
Which tractor do you think I should buy?
I really want the 5040 but is it woth the extra money?

 

[Z-Michigan]

Those sound like good prices, especially on the M5040. The M4800 may be a closeout special - not sure if they are still in production.

M5040 is a much more deluxe tractor and heavier duty, but all three are good. How much do you want to do? Also, do the woods loaders have a quick attach system? You would likely want one for a bale spear (other option is 3ph spear). L4400 would probably do what you describe just fine.

 

[Bob_Young]

When I last looked the M4800 was 2WD only. Has that changed? The M4900DT was 4WD. I'm relying on memory, so could be wrong.

You might want to double check.
Bob

 

[nc1100c]

Yes, the m8000 they have in stock is a 4X4. The woods loader does have the quick detach from the tractor as well as the skid steer quick type coupler for the bucket. After looking at all three brands of loaders the woods just looks better. The welds are much cleaner than even the Kobota's. The design of the woods and the Kobotas are the same. Looks like one copied the other. Would the synchronized transmission in the 5040 have any advantage over the others?

 

[Z-Michigan]

Glad you mentioned the Kubota loader quality first. The ones I've seen lately look kinda rough, especially the uprights which seem to be porous castings.

I think that loaders are pretty basic to design, and while I would generally stick with the OEM model, I doubt that there is much difference between OEM and Woods. The skid steer quick coupler is very useful, and on the L4400 is not an option on the OEM loader.

The fully synchro transmission on a M5040 lets you shift gears while moving. The others you are supposed to come to a complete stop before shifting. Sounds like a pain, but when your typical speeds are less than 10mph it's not a big deal. I would not pay for an M5040 for only that reason.

The major disadvantage to the L4400 is, in my view, the lack of a quick attach coupler on the loader. If you get the Woods loader it sounds like that problem goes away. I think the L4400 would probably be fine for what you've described so far and would save some green.

 

[art]

Have you thought about the Mx5000? We've used and recommend the ATI quick coupler on the Kubota loaders.

 

[bss]

I just bought a used 2005 L4400DT with a skid steer bucket on the LA703 loader. Does that mean that this bucket is an after market?

 

[N80]

Show us a picture. If it says "Kubota LA703" on the loader then it has probably been modified. I have an L4400 and even though I don't have or need anything else to hook to the loader, a QD mount would be nice. Also, the standard mount on the 703 does not allow the bucket to curl back very far. In other words, you can't carry the bucket level unless you raise it way up. Minor thing, but still a thing.

If I was looking at the three tractors mentioned I would not hesitate to get the L4400. Mine has worked beyond my expectations and has endured some pretty heavy use. However, if money was no object, I'd get the 5040 in a heart beat.

 

[nc1100c]

Hey guys,thanks for the posts. I noticed the L4400 has the indirect injection engine that has been used for years and the M5040 up tractors has the new CDI-center direct injection engine to comply with all the new EPA junk. My question is- I know the old indirect injection engine has proven its self to be an excellent engine, but what about the new CDI center direct injection engines? Do you think they will last as long and not give any trouble like the old style engines? Is the blocks in the new center direct engines cast steel or alumiumn?

 

[Z-Michigan]

The indirect vs. CDI injection is not, IMHO, very important. CDI probably delivers a bit better fuel economy, but it's one of many factors and the greater hp of the M5040 will offset any benefit if you don't need all the horses. CDI is not terribly new, whatever Kubota says - direct injection diesel engines have been around for at least 15 years, probably more like 30 in some applications. I've noticed that Kubota advertising brochures regularly take features that are extremely ordinary and hype them as if Kubota had invented cold fusion and the key to world peace.

Not sure of material but I think it's iron (most castings are iron, not steel).

If you are planning on the Woods FEL with a quick-attach system, and you haven't thought up any uses that require the size and hp of the M5040, I think the L4400 would serve you very well.