M5040 or Grand L

[TAS Fla]

Hello, as you can see this is my first post, but I have been lurking for a while now. Wife and I are looking for a tractor and would use it for a recently purchased 59-acre parcel of land in North Florida. It has seven acres total of planted pines; two ponds; two large cleared/pasture areas that would probably amount to about 15 acres; quite a bit of road has been cut through property, and is in need of some serious grading and extra fill in a few places; forty acres is fenced; and with the exception of roads, pine trees, and fields, the property is heavily wooded with some wetlands to boot. The pasture areas were supposedly used for hay but the property has not been taken care of at all for the last three or four years and the brush, grass, and weeds have really taken over. There is plenty of very hard white clay.

As we tend to hang on to our vehicles, tools, and toys, I'm trying to follow advice given here of buying our second tractor first. We've been looking at the 40 to 50 hp range. I might find myself in some wet areas from time to time. I'm sure there are more tasks than I can think of at the moment, but having not owned a tractor before, I imagine using it for brush hogging; road grading/maintaining; leveling and building up some low areas; maintaining planted pines; maintaining fencing and probably adding more; some land clearing; food plots, and if we decide to build a home on the property, whatever else I can dream up. We do own a JD304X (riding mower) for any actual lawn area(s).

We are interested in a used M5040HD (w/ 4w/d & R4 tires) that has 200 hrs. It was a leased harvest tractor and would be financed as new, with a price of $20,300. We have also looked at the grand L 4240HST+ and 4740HST+, which are new. From what I can tell, the new tractors have only been reduced about 12% from MSRP at this point, and the price given did not include rear remotes at about $800 each. Our dilemma is in choosing a new Cadillac in the Grand L series, which is slightly smaller frame, smaller 3-point hitch, and a lighter duty FEL, or going with the muscle of the 5040.

The following are prices I've been given:

2008 M5040HD/200 hrs
4WD
R4 Industrial tires
LA1153 Front end loader w/ 72 QA skid loader bucket
M1858-Self leveling valve kit
2 rear remotes
Price quoted: $27,000

new Grand L4740HST+
4W/D
R4 Industrial tires
w/ FEL and QA skid loader,
did not see any rear remotes
Price: $28,000

New Grand L4240 HST+
4W/D
w/ FEL and QA skid loader
did not see any rear remotes
Price: $26,500.00

Any advice or direction is welcomed

Terry

 

[rbargeron]

With that much land the M5040 would seem a better size and weight. Everything about it is more robust and suited to bigger attachments.

 

[Wombat125]

I agree with rbargeron. If you don't have any maneuverability or clearance constraints, the 5040 seems more appropriate for 59 acres.

I was looking at 3000 and 4000 series Deeres until I realized that the 5000 series were the same price or slightly cheaper in some cases. It's a lot more tractor, but it doesn't have the cup holder, iPod connector, surround sound, shiatsu massager, hydrostatic transmission, Wi-fi access, or electric foot warmer like the 4000 series does.

I was ok with that.

 

[Fxfymn]

You'll probably be happy with either choice, but if I were you I'd look for a cab model. I cannot imagine spending all day on an open cab tractor during a Florida summer.

There's a reason most farmer's tractors have enclosed cabs.

 

[bpsooner]

I recently purchased an M5040 and I love it. I looked at the L series and compared them to the 5040. The 5040 is a larger tractor and with the amount of land that you have, in my opinion, it will allow you to use larger implements. I plan on the 5040 to be my last tractor and you will not regret purchasing it. It also sounds like a good price.

 

[design]

Prices seem high. I agree with the M series over the l series. A lot more tractor than the grand L's...
My two cents

 

[mark2610d]

With that much land I would go with the M series. Also you might want to consider the cab option. You will never regret getting the cab and I would think around 20% off list is very possible but you may have to check around the mid south area and have one delivered to get that good a deal. There are many dealers that would love to sell you a new tractor and give you a great deal on one.

I got about 22% off list when I got my 3240hstc last July.

Both the Grand L and the M are great tractors. Best of luck on what ever you decide.

 

[Deerlope]

Don't let price be your guide. Look at what each piece can do for you and how maintenance free it will be.

 

[TAS Fla]

Thank you for all the replies. I agree the prices were too high for the grand series. The 5040 is priced pretty competitively. Thanks, Mark, for the tip on finding a cab. Unfortunately, I don't think I can swing that and implements. I believe the consensus to go with the bigger tractor is where I'm headed.

Now, I'm struggling between the M5040 and a JD 5103. I can get a new overstock 5103 4/wd w/ loader for a couple of grand less. There's more bang for the buck with the 5040. My brain says, go orange while my heart is saying, go green.

 

[froggy]

Go with the "wet" clutch on the M5040HD.