L5740 HSTC

[smbluthing]

seriously interested in this unit...anyone happy or unhappy with anything that will help me decide? yes or no? newbie....my searches have turned up very little on this tractor. thanks

 

[Deerlope]

Two months ago I traded a L 3830 for a M-5040 and I am now thinking that I should have traded for a L 5740 HSTC. The M is a great tractor but just physcially a bit big for the work that I do. My dealer does not like to bring tractors to the farm for people to try out. But I will ask if he will make an exception for me. I like the lift capacity of the FEL and the cab.

 

[Happyman]

Any of the "Grand L" tractors are superb machines. I have the L3940 but wish I could have afforded some more horse power.
At some point in time I will be stepping up to the 5740. The HST tranny and all the other bells and whistles actually add to the tractors appeal.....they're not just add-on gimmicks by Kubota.
You haven't stated what type of work you will be doing. That may affect which tractor you purchase. However, you really would not go wrong with the 5740 unless all you had planned was plowing acreage. Then I would go with more of an Ag tractor. The 5740 and other "L" tractors are set-up for more versatility with regards to the different types of work they can take on (more then just Ag work).
My $.02

 

[DraftHorse]

I went from an open deck L3130 GST to my L5740 HSTC back in Jan of this year and am tickled pink with it. With temperatures above 115 degs this summer, it was a pleasure to work in. AC worked great. I would recommend it to anyone who can use its power. It has done everything I threw at it and more. For example:

Ripped a 5 acre hard pack pasture with a Landpride 6' scarifier 12" deep without any issues.

Moved Bridgeport knee mills and other metal working machines with the FEL, again without issues.

Moved and graded hundreds of yards of dirt around the property.

The only issue that I am having with it is with my Bobcat 15C hyd Auger. I cannot see the auger point as to where it hits the ground due to the long front hood. But I think I will have that issue solved very shortly. Once I have it working I will post it.

Again, if you need the power and performance, you will not be sorry.

 

[Slade]

Love mine, no complaints.

I would recommend the QA front loader and consider if you need additional hydraulics (I had to pay a bunch to add an extra front hydraulic for a grapple rake).

 

[Double Orange]

Go for it!
I have a L5240 HstCab. with 171 hrs. and zero complaints/problems.
I've had several Hst tractors. The 40 series HST + is by far the best trans. I've ever had.
This is the first tractor that I have purchased and after 13 mo. still can't find another tractor I would replace it with.
This is my second cab tractor. This tractor is extremly sound proof. I make cell phone calls all the time from in the cab while working .
If I had to complain about 1 thing it would be that I have to reach up to change cd's.

No regrets at all!
Frank

 

[smbluthing]

I hope you all are on the level....it will be my first tractor....i do not even know how to drive one...we have 71 acres of mountain top property... i was able to get the local salesman to look at the land and assess a tractor for my needs... he suggested an M model, but for making trails through the woods i thought the M tractor too wide...i will need a box grader to help with the gravel private road maintenance...rains keep washing the road with ruts....i have plans of creating a pond... maintaining the forest as trees fall and need to be harvested and develop a small area to build a home near the bluff for the valley view below. my wife says i don't need a tractor...how did you all convince your wives the benefit of a tractor? maybe i am just a dreamer and she is correct... i figure maybe a log splitter and wood chipper....maybe a bush hog as a pasture gets developed. She figures i only need a frontal lobotomy and i will be going onto debt....the zero down zero interest for 54 months is doable and probably won't be around much longer. i am thinking a used unit is out of the question and may cost more in the long run with no 2 year warranty. unsure if i am making the right decision. do you think i will ever be able to sell it without taking a financial bath if she is right?

 

[texasjohn]

I have the Grand L 5030 HSTC... the prior series tractor... I agree with all that has been said so far. They are not kidding. My tractor has over 630 hours on it. No problems ... well, I did run out of diesel once...trust me, it's not recommended. Kubota reliability is legendary... you will see that people most frequetly discuss what they have done WITH their Kubota, not how they have repaired it.

I can't recommend sufficiently that you spend MUCH time reading current and past posts on TBN... you will get many superb ideas and info about what you are seeking to do. Use the TBN search function... it will lead you to excellent info.

Suggest you learn about and understand the following, which I have and could not do without.

cab
HST
QUICK ATTACH FEL
heavy duty bucket
toothbar
extra rear hydraulic ports
rear platform for tools, hauling stuff
chain hooks on FEL
lots of individual weights for front/rear attachment to balance your load
PATS system
R4 tires.
liquid filled tires
working on a slope

My opinion, the L series is exactly what you need, as is the HST. And, something in the 50-60 HP range is just right, IMHO, for what you have in mind.

Tractors are NOT like cars.... they maintain their value extremely well.. and be aware that it is the ATTACHMENTS that actually you should focus on equally as the tractor itself... the tractor is ONLY an engine... the implements/attachments do ALL the work. Thus, you MUST budget for the needed implements/attachments as well as the tractor itself.

OK... enough of my preaching

Suggest you expand your personal profile...include area of the country you are in, etc...it helps people answer your questions...

 

[Happyman]

smbluthing...based on your description of the work ahead of you, a tractor is a MUST! In order to convince my wife of the need, I put her butt on a Simplicity lawn tractor and told her to cut the 25 acres of pasture. Then I took her in the woods with me and asked her to help me clear trees for some new trails. "Honey, will you help me spread the crush-n-run on the 1/4 mile long driveway...just grab the wheel barrow, a shovel and a rake." Believe me, it did not take long before the tractor became her idea .
Post us some pics of your place, and go buy the 5740 before the no interest deal goes away.
And texasjohn hit the nail on the head. Reread his post .
Welcome, and best of luck!
Quick Edit: If this is your first tractor, spend some time in the Safety section of this forum. The tractor and implements take no prisoners and can become lethal if you don't pay attention to what you are doing.
ALWAYS PLAY IT SAFE!

 

[EastTexFrank]

I have had the L4740 HSTC since November last year. It is basically the same size tractor you are looking at without the turbocharger. I absolutely love the thing but like anything else, it depends on what you want to do with it. For me, it's done everything I've asked of it and never failed me once. I don't think you can ask any more out of a machine.

Mine spends most of its time mowing and hauling downed timber out of the "thicket". One thing I have learned is that you have to keep the screens spotless or it will overheat and the A/C will quit working. That doesn't sound like much but with the FEL on, you can't get the radiator screen out to wash it or the radiator. You can remove the condenser screen as it pullls straight up but the radiator screen slides out to the side. You can work around it and it's just a minor inconvenience. Otherwise, when the temperature hits a 100 degrees, it's wonderful to sit there, mowing away, in comfort and watch all the dust and chaff blowing past you. The heater during winter is pretty nice too.

Oh yes, as somone else said, you do have to reach up to change the CD. Drag.

 

[traderrik]

EastTexFrank, I have the same tractor as yours, with 60 + hours on it. My only disappointment has been that it struggles to lift a full ton of feed on the pallet forks. According to Kubota, the same LA854 loader is used on the 4740 and the 5740, so presumably the larger turbo-charged tractor wouldn't help my situtation. Someone here pointed out to me that the lifting shortcoming has to do with how far out in front my load is on the forks, even though I get the load as close-in to the tractor as possible. No issues at all with bucket loads!

Thanks for the tip on the radiator screen. I'll stay on top of that maintenance, as it's really dry and dusty here in Fayette County, Texas.

And I echo the sentiments of the CD player location - what were those Orange Engineers thinking?!

 

[texasjohn]

I forgot..... don't get it without 4 wheel drive....a must have for what you intend.

 

[traderrik]

I totally agree, texasjohn - 4WD has got me out 3 times now when I bogged down in soft dirt and sand.

I only wish the foot engagement for the locking rear differential was easier to use. Actually, I can't use it all because it's so hard to push down and I'm handicapped with weak legs. Been trying to figure out how to rig up a lever of some sort to lock it down by hand, but unsuccessful so far. Luckily I have been able to get by without having to lock the rear wheels - so far.

 

[pitt_md]

my wife says i don't need a tractor...how did you all convince your wives the benefit of a tractor? maybe i am just a dreamer and she is correct... i figure maybe a log splitter and wood chipper....maybe a bush hog as a pasture gets developed. She figures i only need a frontal lobotomy and i will be going onto debt....

I understand the itch to have a tractor when you have some land to build things on and work. That said I would not buy things you don't absolutely have to have if your going to go into debt for it. Maybe a better aproach is to save for one and buy it when you have the cash. If there is a real need your wife will see it. Probably not what you wanted to hear but in this economy I would not put yourself at risk to loose a ton of cash if your forced to sell quick.

 

[DraftHorse]

EastTexFrank, I have the same tractor as yours, with 60 + hours on it. My only disappointment has been that it struggles to lift a full ton of feed on the pallet forks. According to Kubota, the same LA854 loader is used on the 4740 and the 5740, so presumably the larger turbo-charged tractor wouldn't help my situtation. Someone here pointed out to me that the lifting shortcoming has to do with how far out in front my load is on the forks, even though I get the load as close-in to the tractor as possible. No issues at all with bucket loads!

Thanks for the tip on the radiator screen. I'll stay on top of that maintenance, as it's really dry and dusty here in Fayette County, Texas.

And I echo the sentiments of the CD player location - what were those Orange Engineers thinking?!

I originally had the same issue with lifting a ton of feed until I took my tractor in for servicing. I had them check the pressure relif valve. They found that it was set 400lbs below factory specs. They reset it and it works a lot better.

 

[texasjohn]

My LA853 loader, also, had its relief valve set below Kubota specifications....

I took it in and they reset it (added a washer, dealer does not stock the real shims) and now it is just a tad over spec... I good-'ol-boy'd the shop mechanic and convinced him with my commentary regarding how slow I lift loads and amount of weight I put on rear to stay with all 4 wheels grounded....so he left it that way.

This made a HUGE difference in what I can lift.... now, I lift 2800 lb concrete culverts (by removing my bucket) with chains... and LOTS of weight on the rear and MAX pressure in front tires.

There have been numerous posts that the relief valve is set low and if you NEED more lift to get it set to specs.

 

[RFB]

L5030 HSTC with 600+ hours

Zero negatives.

If I could get an cabbed HST with about 30 more HP I would jump on it. Beyond that, it has been a superb machine. I use it every day a little or a lot, and it has plowed snow with a 7.5 blade, pulled a 7 foot offset disc harrow, run an 8 foot snowblower, lifted 3,000lb (weighed) pallets of sod on forks; the list is much longer.

 

[traderrik]

DraftHorse and TexasJohn - i really appreciate the tips on my loader issue! I had no idea the capacity is "adjustable".

I don't want to overload the tractor or loader, but I've been thinking that a machine of this size should be able to easily lift a 2000 lb. pallet. I'll get it checked out.

And smbluthing, I'm sorry that I seem to have hijacked your thread!

 

[RFB]

traderrik,

Here is a post that elucidates upon the Kubota pressure relief valve issue: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/76067-l4330-fel-breakout-questions.html

The shims referred to are paper thin, each one raises pressure by less than 100psi, and are installed into the pressure relief valve to increase (to the rated spec) the relief valve setting.

A number of folks have changed their own, bringing it up to factory Kubota specs. Check your system hydro pressure by using an inexpensive pressure gauge with a quick-connect fitting. Plug that into one of your loader QC's , and operate the joystick to activate the relief valve, and verify that your hydro pressure is up to spec.

 

[RFB]

one more post: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/68738-question-about-our-5030-hst.html