M7040HD-1 Satisfaction?

[Boltzie42]

Hi. I'm new here and would like to know how happy the owners are with their M40 Series Kubota's, specifically the HD-1 line, not the SU line? I've been looking hard at the John Deere 5075E, the Kubota M7040HD-1 and the NH Workmaster 75, TA4030 and the Massey 2635. On paper, the Massey 2635 looks very nice and is cheaper, but I can't find out if current owners are happy with it. I was really set on the 5075E with the 12/12 shuttle transmission. Out of the blue, I stopped to look at a Kubota and was shocked. I've driven both the 5075E and the M7040. Overall, the Kubota just feels better in the seat and is about $1000 cheaper. It has the cast iron rear rims, which I'm not familiar with and have been told that I don't need to load the rear tires as I'm not getting a loader at this time. I had no intentions of considering a Kubota, but the tractor really seems so much more refined and better to me. The features, from the 4 cylinder, larger tires, telescopic links and how it all connects in the rear, where the hydraulic likes are located, etc., just are more to my liking. I don't know much about Kubota's and feel like I should get the Deere, but I like everything about the Kubota better and the "get the John Deere" attitude just stems from marketing and the older Deere tractors that were built like tanks. I don't know why this is a tough decision.

The 5075E is built in India and I've been told by an employee of Johne Deere that I should consider the 5085E or the M-series. This stuck me as being a little off as he works for John Deere. In the end, even at the same money, I feel like the Kubota is a better tractor. Maybe the M7040HD-1 should be compared to the M-series Deere for an apples-to-apples comparison. I just want to make sure I'm making the right decision. I have no loyalty to any specific tractor company and have had extremely good luck with Honda automobiles and atv's, the the Japan thing doesn't bother me one bit. Any help is appreciated and I would like to hear from owners of the M7040HD line.

I will mainly use the tractor for bush-hogging and cutting hay. We mainly square bale and I feel that I could always add the loader later.

 

[econometrics]

Howdy, and welcome to TBN! You've picked a good place to come to ask all of these questions!

The ole' Orange vs. Green vs. Blue vs. Red vs. (Fill in the blank) is always a fun conversation to watch. However, I think you will find here that most members are very honest with you in their reviews of their tractors.

I am a brand new owner of a 2013 5075E open station with the new PowrReverser transmission with 540E PTO, and loader. Here are the threads I started on my decision to buy this tractor over other choices:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/john-deere-buying-pricing/289158-help-me-choose-my-next.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/291299-new-john-deere-5075e-open.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/292263-new-5075e-powrreverser-delivery.html

As you can tell, I'm a pretty proud owner of this baby thus far. I looked at the Kubota M7040's with similar specs, but I honestly felt the fit and finish (and sturdiness) of the JD was better. My wife's grandfather is a big Kubota guy, and he has a brand new M7040. It just doesn't seem as nice to me as my 5075E.

On the JD's being built in India... to me, that's not really much of a big deal. The Powertech 3029 2.9L 3-cylinder engine has been in operation for like 20+ years. It's about as dependable as you can get with an engine. And it being a 3-cyl vs. a 4, I believe you will see some fuel savings, too.

I know the JD is heavier than the Kubota at shipping weight. I haven't heard anything about the M7040HD with cast iron rims, but it's not very expensive to get your tires filled, either.

I think my 5075E weighs in around 8,000 pounds with the 553 FEL and filled rear tires.

Anyway, good luck in your decision making. It is YOUR decision to make, so get what you like the most!

My JD dealer is very close, and they offered me a 4-year powertrain warranty PLUS 4 years of onsite maintenance for free. I couldn't turn that down. Plus 0% for 60mo.

Again, good luck! Let us know how we can help!

 

[TripleR]

We are very happy with our M8540, but would have been happy with a John Deere as well, I can't say any of the top brands are better than the other, different, but not better. I do prefer a 12/12 transmission over a 8/8, the new M7060 series has a 12/12 available whereas the M7040 doesn't.

Whether you get cast centers, weights or just 3PH ballast, proper ballast is essential to getting full benefit from your FEL as well a safety.

 

[whis]

nothing wrong with 7040 ours has 2400 plus hours with 2000 of them grapple work

 

[PoorPlowboy]

Sounds like you've got your mind made up. Buy what is to your liking and has the ergonomics and fit/finish that you appreciate. They are both good units that will complete the tasks you outlined. When you buy, you're buying the dealer as well, so take that into account as well. Choose one that is easy and stress free to work with.

 

[Tx Jim]

On the JD's being built in India... to me, that's not really much of a big deal. The Powertech 3029 2.9L 3-cylinder engine has been in operation for like 20+ years. It's about as dependable as you can get with an engine. And it being a 3-cyl vs. a 4, I believe you will see some fuel savings, too.

There won't be any fuel savings if a 5075E uses as much fuel as the Nebraska test states @ 4.1 GPH for pto use. My M7040 uses 1.7 GPH pulling a 9'3" disc mower cutting Bermuda grass.

 

[econometrics]

There won't be any fuel savings if a 5075E uses as much fuel as the Nebraska test states @ 4.1 GPH for pto use. My M7040 uses 1.7 GPH pulling a 9'3" disc mower cutting Bermuda grass.

I've always scratched my head at that test. Something's off there. That means I can only get about 5 hours out of one tank of fuel running at 2400rpm? That's not even close to accurate with my experiences.

E.g. the closest test to an M7040 from the Univ. of Nebraska is the M6800 - which they rate at 4.1gph consumption.

I wonder if those figures are a result of running it on the PTO dyno with a high amount of resistance? As in, a lot more than running the PTO under normal operating - rotary cutter, disc mower, etc.?

 

[econometrics]

Anyway, you will definitely see some fuel savings with 540E PTO!

 

[Ken45101]

I have a Kubota M5040 and an M9540, I'm happy with both of them. The 9540 is used with a 15' batwing Bush Hog.

Around here, there are more Kubota dealers and competition and interest in the customer. I shopped around before buying but keep coming back to Kubota. The only JD dealer around here has the area locked up and wasn't really interested in talking with me so I didn't get a good comparison there.

 

[Tx Jim]

Anyway, you will definitely see some fuel savings with 540E PTO!

The fuel savings will be dependent on how "HOT" the JD fuel tank gets.