M series assistance please

[slowzuki]

Sorry that was just a mis type. Ment Idaho, and it was 35 C both there and in Washington in September. (I think thats near 100 f?) We drove from there to Fort MacMurray Alberta the next couple of days where it was snowing. I'm from a potato producing area so I expected that not the arid desert like conditions we saw!

Oh slowzuki! I'm in Idaho not Iowa - but I can excuse your knowledge of US geography since you're Canadian Sadly, here in the states Idaho is often mistaken for any other "I" state by US citizens. No wonder we have an inferiority complex!

BTW - it does get hot here in the summer too. Does the canopy provide the same clearance/visibility issues as the cab does? Or are those even issues?

Right now I have, and am always working on, a MF 265 w/ beat to helk loader. I'm able to think about upgrading because even my wife is feeling sorry for me with my current tractor - she said you spend more time under it than on it:confused2:

 

[charleyfarmall]

I've had the same requirements as well. My solution was the NH TN75DA which is 75hp ( engine) with a cab, it's a low profile cab and I can fit under anything a ROPS fits.

I use a bale accumultor and grapple as well which I really like because it make hay a one man operation.

Personally, I think a cab is a must to work a full day and be comfortable, to mow and be out of the dust and insects, to be out of the heat etc etc etc.

How much hay are you going to cut and what shape are the fields. Will you ever round bale? Are you likely to upsize the operation, stay the same, or down size?

For square baling only, the Kubota Grand L series would work very well. Think about slowing down, turning corners etc. I happen to use a sickle and have to do a lot of shifting, same when loading the trailer with the bale grapple. A hydrostatic tractor would make this a thousand times easier. Raking and tedding too.

I don't think the cabs are that tall and you would likely get used to maneuvering them very quickly. yes, occasionally the cab is in the way, but I have a smaller 30hp utility tractor for that stuff.

One more thing, how picky is your baler about speed? I borrowed an M7040 from a friend of mine once to bale with. I hated it. I was used to a 12x12 transmission with a lot of speed choices. His tractor only had an 8x8 and I was able to go too fast or too slow for baling. Either an HST or a 12x12 would be much better. 16x16 is great of course.

One advantage of the Grand L's would be a tighter turning radius over the M's at a slight sacrifice in ride smoothness.

Lot's to think about....

 

[bunchgrass]

Well here's the deal in front of me .... Dealer has 8540HDC on the lot and is motivated to move it. Like $45,000 with cab, loader, 3rd function etc. That's about 15% off MSRP as I calculate it and is the same price they ask for a 7040HDC. Still, that's a lot of dough. My other options now seem to be OPEN STATION 8540HD @ ~$40,000 and sane on 7040HD @ ~ $37,500.

I know we've been round and round about cab vs no cab but is that 8540HDC @ $45,000 really that good of a deal? Or could I likely work 15% off MSRP on any of the other models (not currently on the lot)? Thanks for hanging with me on this as it's close to decision time.

 

[Grandad4]

15% is a pretty good discount. Many figure 10% to be more typical, but you'll never know if the equivalent deal is available for the other units until you do some haggling. The 8540/9540 owners will give the best comments about the tractor itself, but from what I've read, they are excellent tractors.

 

[canoetrpr]

Hard to pass up at that price! Up here in Canada I paid $46k for a M7040 with a cab and hyd shuttle.

 

[charleyfarmall]

I just configured the 8540 HSDC with the self leveling loader, side defogger, rear wiper, radio and air ride seat for $56,579.00

Granted what you are looking at may not have each of these options but it looks like they are offering you a pretty good price - if that was with a loader.

Nice tractor that would do a very nice job for you. Again, do you need that much horsepower and the associated fuel consumption? I'm having the same discussion as I have downsized from 100 to 40 acres and am not really convinced i need the NH anymore.

 

[mdelmarcelle]

Lots of good opinions here.

I purchased an M7040SUD last year. I use it primarily for slightly different things (moving dirt, working in the woods, clearing snow). I don't bale with it. But I'm very happy with the tractor. Going that route, I was able to save quite a bit of money over the fancier versions of that tractor, or larger models. I don't need all the bells and whistles and the technology of the tractor is straight forward and time tested (not that it'll never have a problem).

When I purchased it, I compared it to the JD 5075E, similiarly priced. The base machine for JD is a bit heavier. But the layout and basic touches of the Kubota are better (solid semi-flat floor, instruments, hydraulic clutch on pto, telescoping stabilizers to name a few). I also like the loader on the Kubota better, it's heavier and offers separate power and height settings configurations.

I'd go with the 4wd version of whatever you get, if you live anywhere traction can be an issue (wet ground, slopes of any sort, snow, etc.). I previously had a 2wd and it was much easier to get stuck. And with a loader, 4wd can be incredibly important. With a full load, the back tires will not get great traction on sloped ground, even with substantial ballast. 4wd makes all the difference.

Good luck with whatever you buy!

 

[rasimmo]

- she said you spend more time under it than on it:confused2:

I thought that was what everyone did. Maybe your wife and mine need to have a chat. I would like a new tractor too.

Seriously though, I would definantly go with the 8540. More loader capacity, larger, more stable machine. My dad has a 9540 open station 4wd. It is great for the cutter and baler. I would ask about the 12 gear option instead of 8 though. I think it may be something the dealer can install. He does not have this, and it would help to have more options sometimes when running the baler. I guess it would be nice to have a cab, but i aint paying for it he is. I did not get any say so. We bale in Louisiana without it though. I guess a little sweat and dust never killed anyone.

 

[TripleR]

That is a good price and about what we paid for our M8540 HDC. We didn't get the third function valve, but got the same size tires as the 9540. It is a 12F/12R which we really would recommend.

We are very happy with it and the limited slip front differential is a real improvement over the Case CX80 we traded in, we have not gotten it stuck yet, but got the Case stuck in the same areas.

The 7040 is a really nice tractor, but we preferred the 8540 for the 12 over 8 and we did not want to go down in HP.

I wouldn't even consider an open station, but many prefer them.

 

[Davidsan]

I owned an M8540 HD open station for a couple of years. It's a great tractor. It's a not very common model around here. I had the FWD and FEL. Great tractor. Plenty of power. I recently sold it and bought a 9540 HDC with FWD and FEL with the air ride seat and cd player. I am enjoying the cab already from the dust and heat. However, if you do a lot of work where you are on/off the machine, the open station is much easier. The visibility is better on the open station but overall I think the cab will be the way to go for me. Plus you can enjoy listening to the radio.