MF573 vs Kubota M7040

[Mike Link]

I'm going to get one or the other in the next few weeks. Hard decision. Can someone help with advise. Both dealers here have a very good product. I'll mostly be doing brush, undergrowth, small tree clearing and mowing. I'll have a FEL, grapple, bush hog, and a box blade.

 

[chh]

I traded an open 481 MFWD and FEL for a 596 a few months ago. The MF's in this series are solid tractors for what you want and have good fuel economy. I looked a the Kubota's larger than what you are looking at(I needed to get in a cab) and liked them. I was looking at the M108 and the MX 125. I really didn't want all the electronics on the MX 125 or on the higher version of the 108. I liked the dealer better and got a better trade from the MF dealer(I have 3 MF's on the ranch here).
If you plan on doing a lot of front end loader work get the four wheel drive. It is very much worth the price.

 

[GaryCrowell]

A couple of years ago I bought a MF 471 which is essentially the same as the 573. I was considering the M7040 but went with the massey for several reasons. The massey is physically a much bigger, heavier tractor even though the horsepower specs out about the same. Tractor manufacturers use the same basic tractor frame for several models and change the horsepower output to differentiate them. In the kubota line the 5040/6040/7040 are all the same basic tractor with changes to the engine and a few other things (tires, hyd capacities, etc.). The 7040 is the highest horsepower of that size frame, they go to a bigger tractor with the next jump in horsepower. In the massey lineup the 573 is the lower horsepower version of the larger tractor. In tractors I've rarely had too little horsepower, but I frequently wish I had a larger/heavier tractor. I just felt I was getting a lot more tractor for the money with the 471 than I would have with the M7040. Even though they're spec'd the same horsepower wise, when you compare everything else you'll see the massey is really a step up in size and capabilities. I've nothing against kubota's, they're fine machines, but I felt I'd have to step up to an 8540 to get in the same tractor class as the 471 massey and that was more money than I had to spend. I'm also not a big fan of extra electronic stuff on a tractor. I want a solid basic tractor without the bells and whistles that I can abuse for the next 40 years and that will still run even when all the gauges quit working.

 

[turbohawk]

First let me say that I think Kubota and John Deere both offer some outstanding machines, so don't take my mini-comparo as a "slam". I think we are in some pretty fortunate times to have so many good choices. I looked at Montana's, Kioti, Branson, Duetz Fahr, and New Hollands. For the class of tractor I was looking at (minimum 60 PTO HP) and price point the following 3 quickly made it to the top of the list: Massey, John Deere and Kubota.

I spent quite some time comparing head-to-head several Kubota M series, the John Deere 5403, and the Massey 573. I ended up with the Massey and really, it was an easy choice for me considering that all the dealers I spoke with were very motivated to sell and were within $1000 of each other for basically the same implement package. There were several stand-out features of the Massey, but I would say this right off the bat: if you are going to haul a tractor around, a LOT, then you probably want to stay away from the Massey, and go with the Kubota. If you know you will sell your tractor in a few years and want to get the most back, then buy the Deere.

But if you are going to really work your land, and seldom, if ever (my case) will need to trailer your tractor elsewhere, then the Massey has the following winning features: Perkins diesel, naturally aspirated so no expensive turbos to replace, and is a wet-liner cylinder design (unlike the Kubota), makes it's power at lower RPM's (last longer). I've been around smaller diesel's most my life and there are few that hold up as well as a Perkins. Next, the Massey weighs more (nearly 2000#'s over the Kubota, 1000#'s over the JD), which is important if you are doing real farm/ranch work, like pulling plows, renovators, etc. The Massey's hydraulic system is nearly double the output of the Kubota, and 25% more than the JD; this translates to more lifting power, front loaders as well as 3-point, and lets you power more hydraulic components more efficiently. For $1500 less than the JD I got 2 remotes ($1000 point of purchase option for JD, $1500 for Kubota), extendable draft links ($500 option on the JD, can't recall for the Kubota), but the kicker being that the Massey, largely because of it's superior hydraulic pumping capacity, could outlift (frontloader) both the JD/Kubota by over 1000#'s. This is very significant.

Last but not least, the Massey dealer here has some genuinely nice, knowledgeable people. I know this is not always the case with dealers these days. That could change tomorrow but so far my experience has been very positive.

Downside of the Massey? Fewer dealers nationwide than Kubota or John Deere, only 24 month powertrain warranty (vs 36 on the others), and come resell time, well, you might not get as much as the others too, who knows for sure. I do know that I got the BEST overall tractor for the money for my purposes. Your mileage may vary.

Let me know what you went with. I'm sure you made the best choice for your situation.