Maybe trading up

MFL · Oct 6, 2005

Gentlemen,

Didn't think it would happen this soon, but I'm getting the itch to trade up. The B7800 has been a terrific tractor for the year and some months I've had it, but it definitely has it's limits. Without boring everyone, I have an opportunity to work with a guy who hays about 900 acres in our area, and who hates doing square bales. Said I could use his JD square baler and other equipment if I was crazy enough to want to bale my own hay. This and the possibility of buying an adjoining 6 acres and carving out a few of those to expand my pasture has me thinking about a bigger toy.

The gentleman who hays tells me that when he was younger, he baled squares with a 40 hp. Ford and never had a problem running his baler. This comment has me thinking Kubota L4630...with the cab!

Now if I'm going to go that into hock, I figure I might as well go whole hog!! So here's the problem. I can't get the L4630 with a BH!! Seems Kubota doesn't do cabs and BH's. I did a LITTLE research and found that Kioti makes the DK55/65 available with a cab and BH, but I don't have a dealer very close, and I hate the idea of leaving the Kubota family.

So why no cab BH combo from Kubota? Does Deere or NH offer anything in this hp range that allows me to have a cab BH combo??

As always, all comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!!

Soundguy · Oct 6, 2005

Personally.... I'd go bigger.. like twice that size.. etc.. 50 is good 70 is better.. 90 is nice.. 110 is darn nifty... etc

Don't rule out low hour used models / trades// let the first owner take the depreciation / financing hit, and let you in on a few thousand dollar discounted tractor.

Soundguy

odleefs · Oct 7, 2005

MFL,
You probably aren't in a great hurry with the cool weather approaching so you may even want to consider a 56 HP Bobcat Toolcat with a rear PTO (46 HP at the the PTO). While you would be leaving the Kubota family, you would remain a relative as the Toolcat turbocharged powerplant is a Kubota!
Fortunately, a BH is not available, but a front hoe is! Example
Good Luck with your quest!
Steve

JoeR · Oct 7, 2005

I am doing the same thing now. Trading up!
Woods makes a BH that will work with the Kubota Cab. I asked plenty of questions on this site about Kubota Cabs. I can't wait to have A/C! It was a hot summer here... I personally couldn't justify 100hp+, although, I would have loved to have a nice tractor like that. Tractors start getting real pricey above 50hp, of course that depends on what you consider expensive. I have gone from a 2710 to a 4330 and now I am looking at a 5030 with a cab. The difference between the 2710 and 4330 was massive, and you will probably have the same feeling when you get a 4000 series after having a 7800.

Good Luck,

Joe

equipman · Oct 7, 2005

MFL
We install Bradco backhoes on Kubota cabs all the time. Do you have a dealer who handles Bracdo nearby? Hope this helps.
Lewis

cowboydoc · Oct 7, 2005

Deere will have the cab with the 4720 very soon. If you are going to be haying I would seriously consider going in the utility tractor range. Unless your ground is perfectly flat you are going to need a bigger utility tractor especially if you are pulling a hay wagon.

MFL · Oct 7, 2005

Thanks for all the input, guys. As usual useful and thought provoking. Let me hit on a couple of points that were made.

Soundguy, while I appreciate your point of view on size, I think it's a little mean of you to try and drive me into bankruptcy! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Seriously, the idea of a used tractor is definitely worth a look. The problem with this is that I'll have to finance the purchase, and so far, the interest I'd pay on a late model used is almost equal to paying for a new tractor with the no/low financing available now. I am keeping my eye open, though.

JoeR, that muffled moaning you hear, is coming from my wallet. I'm with ya, brother! Five years ago I had never even been on a tractor, and now I'm thinking about buying one that cost three times my parents first HOUSE! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Cowboydoc, I've been burning the midnight oil reading everything you and the rest of the guys in the Ag forum have written about haying and the gear that's needed. My two main problems are that this is all completely uncharted waters for me, and that while I would be able to cut and bale hay for my horses, I wouldn't really be in the hay business. It's tough trying to find a happy medium between what I can afford, what would do the job and what I could grow with if this turns into something more than just a chance to "dabble" in the world of haying. Your thread titled "Making your own hay not profitable" is definitely an eye-opener! That said, I'm a horse(s) owner. This means that I am very comfortable throwing money down a rat hole! I look at possibly haying this way: I need a tractor, I need hay for my horses, sitting on a smoking diesel beast going around in circles all day becomes more enjoyable every day I do it...so why not hang the expense and combine all these needs and activities!! I don't expect to make any money, but at least I have the satisfaction of the process!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Finally, thanks to all on the heads-up on the third party BH's. Didn't realize that was an option. My Kubota dealer sells Bushhog and Rhino, but he didn't mention either as an option for a cab L series. I'll look into it.

Thanks again for all the responses!!

Egon · Oct 7, 2005

Do some math! base your decision on that. Keep the old tractor. Forget about baling. Haying aint no fun and requires lots of equipment to do it properly.

Go custom or just buy.

Egon

SteveSr · Oct 7, 2005

Sound financial advice, but not as much fun as a new toy. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Ryno1 · Oct 7, 2005

Ain't nothing fun about haying, except being done with it. Now I don't know alot about horses but seems to me you have to be able to grow some pretty top notch hay for them. I hate to say this but if you don't know what your doing, your hay may not be the quality you need for horses. Personally, I wouldn't even try. For that matter, I think any small farmer is probably better off financially to buy his hay. Saves wear and tear on equipment, cost of buying haying equipment, saves LOTS of time for doing other things on or off the tractor. Picking up square hay bales in July/August is NOT fun.