Buying Advice M7040 or M9540

[Mshunt04]

I have 30 to 40 acres that I want to put into food plots for deer and turkey. I am looking at the M7040 hydro-shuttle with cab. Would I be better off purchasing the M9540? I plan on keeping this tractor for the long run. The land has rolling hills.

 

[DT86]

It depends on what size equipment you plan on using. Are you buying new or used? The new M9540's are probably in short supply.

 

[Mshunt04]

I'll buy new. I have found a M9540 for 48K. I do not have any equipment for food plots now.

 

[case245]

I would say 8540 or a 9540 I have a 7040 I should gotting the 8540 it has a stronger loader then the 7040 more weight a bigger frame bigger tires

 

[MtnViewRanch]

How much time do you have vs how much money do you want to spend? The 9540 is going to cost more and take bigger implements that cost more money. I would guess that the 9540 would do the work quite a bit faster than the 7040 though. So what is more important, money or time? You can always make more money, time is gone forever. I would get the 9540 if it were me.

Good luck with your decisions.

 

[DT86]

I really don't think you will save that much time with a 9540 vs 7040 on 40 acres.

I was originally looking at a 7040 myself, it would have done everything I needed. But I ended up with a 9540 for a few reasons. I liked the available 12 speed transmission which includes an increased 3pt lift capacity, "park gear" instead of park brake, added weight, bigger tires and a sweet deal the dealer had on one with a few demo hours on it.

Does $48k include a loader? Cab? 4X4? 8x8 or 12x12 transmission?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I really don't think you will save that much time with a 9540 vs 7040 on 40 acres.

I was originally looking at a 7040 myself, it would have done everything I needed. But I ended up with a 9540 for a few reasons. I liked the available 12 speed transmission which includes an increased 3pt lift capacity, "park gear" instead of park brake, added weight, bigger tires and a sweet deal the dealer had on one with a few demo hours on it.

Does $48k include a loader? Cab? 4X4? 8x8 or 12x12 transmission?

Well, with 35% more HP and 13% more weight, it would make a big enough difference for me. I suppose it all comes down to what ones needs and wants are.

 

[DT86]

Well, with 35% more HP and 13% more weight, it would make a big enough difference for me.

First off, I'm not trying to steer the guy away from the 9540, I bought one myself. :thumbsup:

You mentioned the increase in price before. It is about 35% more by my poor calculations.

 

[case245]

I still say a 95040 is a better bet on a side note I got my 7040 stuck in the mud I pulled it out with my 3500hd gasser like it was a toy

 

[Mshunt04]

The 48K is for 4wd, cab, fel, hydro-shuttle. I feel that is a good price when the M7040 is between 42 and 45k.

 

[DT86]

The 48K is for 4wd, cab, fel, hydro-shuttle. I feel that is a good price when the M7040 is between 42 and 45k.

For $3k difference I wouldn't even consider the 7040.

 

[TripleR]

We went with an M8540 which is the same tractor essentially as the M9540, upgraded to the same tires and really like it. We were replacing an 80 HP so knew added power was not needed, but between the M7040 and M9540, I would go for the M9540 with a 12/12 transmission, certainly nothing wrong with the M7040, but I really like the 12/12 which you can't get on it and we tried a 70 HP and it just wouldn't do what we needed.

 

[cstp]

I have a 7040 and really like it. However, I can see the advantages and disadvantages of both. The 7040 is a relatively big engine in a relatively small tractor, so it has great maneuverability - it can turn on a dime, and can get in and out of tight spaces. However, when I am doing tillage in the field, I wish it was heavier, and I wish it had more gears. Often, I find that 3rd gear is too slow, while 4th gear is too fast. However, these are trade-offs that I can live with. For everyday chores around the farm when horsepower isn't an issue, it will use less fuel than the bigger tractor. My advice would be that unless you will be doing a lot of open- field mowing or tillage or haying, where saving time with larger implements is more important, the 7040 could work really well for you. You can do a rough calculation of how much time you would save at any given task by being able to use a larger implement, and decide whether it's worth it. Like the earlier post said, it's time vs. money. Having never used an 9540, I can't speak to any other advantages it may have, like operator comfort or controls.