M8540 Power Krawler?

[sevens7]

I'm in the market for a compact tractor. I have a growing orchard operation. The orchard itself has tight spacing with 10-11 ft. alleyways - thus the need for something on the small side. I was originally thinking something along the lines of a Deere 3720 with cab - but probably not enough hp. I went to the dealer the other day to check out a Deere 4720 as well as the Kubota's and they had one of these krawlers sitting there. It's a new 2008 - seems like it would fit my needs pretty darn well. I just don't know anything about these. One of the reasons I was originally set on a Deere is the pressurized cab. I do a lot of airblast spraying and was hoping to be able to keep the chemicals out of the cab. Is the Kubota cab comparable to the Deere in keeping dust and allergins out? I was also leaning towards a hydro but the transmission on the krawler seems pretty slick. 85 hp in such a small unit would come in handy. Any reliability issues with the tracks? The sticker is 52k - what would you offer?

 

[leonz]

The power crawler was created for orchard and vineyard use, I believe the kubota home page utility tractor section mentions it has the pressurised cab ventilation system as standard equipment. the rubber tracks have been around for a long time for use on skid steer loaders, The Cat powered ASV, and other applications and they have pretty much proven thier reliability.

Any tracked vehicle gives you a low ground pressure per square inch of track surface in contact with the ground.

The tractor has two wheel drive up front plus the twin rear track drive so its a machine with 4 points of traction drive having 2 wheel drive and 2 tracks.

The track drive uses a direct to rear axle drive sprocket which is at the top of the tracks whch allows the drive to stay cleaner too and the top drive sprocket has better adhesionon the track underside-the biggest reason the manufacturer referred to as a feline :^0 went to this type of track drive too.

The tractor is new, so the date of sale will be the start of its warranty anyway. You may be better off having a trade to barter with-if you have one-unless its only worth absolutely nothing.


The track drive gives you both floation and high traction in additon to the two wheel drive ag tires and ground adhesion with the rubber cleats and changing to metal tracks is and option with finish dozer cleats it is is not already equiped with them.



You also may be able to use the Kubota financing options available now with that unit as it is NEW.


My two cents


Fees payable by: home baked molasses cookies or gasoline for woodstocks Zamboni-does not push well with out metal cleats