My new M6800

ljh2 · Mar 1, 2004

Thanks, I'm enjoying it so far. Now I just have to find more time to use it. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Soon enough though, I'll have plenty of work to keep it busy... plowing, disking, planting, mixing compost, mowing... the list goes on. LOTS of seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SHF · Mar 16, 2004

I'm new to the group and glad to meet all you Kubota drivers. I just ordered an M6800 4WD without hydraulic shuttle and expect delivery in a couple of weeks. I researched several tractor brands and decided on the Kubota because of price, quality and good dealer service. My dealer recommended a Woods loader rather than Kubota. Woods are a bit cheaper. Anybody have any thoughts on the Woods loader? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

ljh2 · Mar 16, 2004

Geoff,
First off, let me welcome you to TBN. As you've probably already noticed, there are a lot of great folks here and they embody a vast store of knowledge and experience. Sounds like you have a nice place and a rewarding hobby.

I'm sure you will really enjoy your new M6800. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif If you don't mind clutching when you switch directions, the manual shuttle should serve you well. The hydraulic shuttle is really a luxury convenience (unless you do LOTS of FEL work).

You really don't say what you plan to do with the tractor, so I can't tell you much about how it will serve your particular needs. It is a WHOLE LOT OF TRACTOR for general horse feeding, barn cleaning, and arena maintenance type of chores. If you plan to put up hay or other crops then it is right up your alley.

I went out with mine a couple of weekends ago to clean out the cattle run-in shelter on our place. It looks like it hasn't been mucked out in about 20 years (about 2-3 ft deep). Long story short, the M6800 is TOO BIG to fit all the way under the lean-to shelter. This is OK for me for two reasons. 1) This isn't going to be one of my primary tasks with this tractor (I don't have any cattle, so the barn won't fill up.) and 2) I have a GREAT neighbor with a skid-steer that will help me get into the tight spaces. Hopefully you have nice HIGH clearances in your buildings.

There are some folks on the board with Woods loaders. I couldn't say much one way or the other since I haven't used one. From the specs they look pretty decent.

These next couple of weeks are going to seem like they last forever as you wait for YOUR tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Don't forget to post pictures after it arrives.

Happy Tractoring!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bird · Mar 16, 2004

( Anybody have any thoughts on the Woods loader? )

Geoff, to the best of my knowledge, Woods makes good products and you'd probably be happy with it, and I'd probably consider the Woods, too, if I was buying an older used tractor. But personally, if I could afford it, I'd go with the Kubota loader for several reasons:

1) It was engineered, designed, etc. by the tractor manufacturer to work with that particular model,
2) It matches the tractor in appearance,
3) If you ever sell or trade it in, I think (can't say for sure) that enough people feel the same as I that the resale will be higher, and
4) IF you have a problem (and you probably won't) what's the chance of Woods saying it's the tractor's fault and Kubota saying it's the front end loader's fault?

Now a lot of people have Woods and are happy with them, so that's just my opinion; yours may vary. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

SHF · Mar 17, 2004

Thanks Larry and Bird (didn't he play for the Celtics?) for the reply. This TBN group sounds like a great resource for tractor owners, particularly people like me who are just starting to "farm". My M6800 should arrive sometime next month. Larry, you are right I can't wait (especially after seeing the pics of your new tractor and your big grin). The 6800 is probably a bit big for what we'll use it for but it wasn't that much more expensive than lower hp models, particularly with existing low financing rates. We have about 35 acres, 25 of which is in pasture. So we'll use the tractor to mow, fertilize and probably also to overseed every once in a while. So I'll be able to use a no-till seeder with this tractor. And we'll also use the tractor to move round and square bales. We also may eventually do our own hay but don't plan on getting a baler anytime soon.

My dealer recommended the Woods loader because they're a bit cheaper (mine was about $4,600) and (he says) they work as well as the Kubota loaders. The Woods loaders come in Kubota orange, so it looks like it goes with the tractor.

Thanks again for your replies and will let you all know when the tractor arrives.

Geoff /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ljh2 · Mar 17, 2004

Sounds great! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I look forward to your pictures. Have fun with your new tractor. I haven't found anything that the M6800 can't do yet... except fit into small spaces. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

5030 · Mar 18, 2004

I have to agree with Bird.

If I were to buy a used Kubota, I'd most certainly shop for one with a factory loader. The loader is much more intrinsic to the tractor than any other attachment or implement.

I have had 5 Kubotas and all have had loaders. They were all Kubota. I never even thought about some other make or worried about another brand being a few hundred less than the OEM. I guess with me, it would be like buying a Ford truck and then removing the Ford emblem on the front and replacing it with a Pentastar. Just not something I'd do.

ljh2 · Apr 19, 2004

Had the beast out this weekend preparing a garden area in the field. Pulled a 3 bottom moldboard trip plow like a hot knife slicing through warm butter. Also pulled 10 foot tandem trailer disk and spring tooth harrow with ease. With a machine like this the work almost seems to do itself. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Only thing is you get the work done so fast that you don't get much seat time. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

jltrent · Jul 6, 2004

I have the M6800 with a Bush Hog loader on it. It was $800 cheaper and I notice the lifting capacity was 3900 lbs compared to 2300 lbs. on the Kubota loader. It will except skid steer attachments also. I got the loader, cab, 4x4, hay needle fork, and two lever hydralics behind for $32,900 about two weeks ago. I have 35 hour on it baling hay mostly with a 5x5 Vermeer balor. It does pull it good, but on a hill with a full bale I wouldn't want no less tractor.

ljh2 · Jul 7, 2004

jltrent,

I havn't used the baler on my tractor yet. My neighbor down the road is putting up my hay this year. He pulls his JD baler (I think it is a 4x5, but I'm not positive) with a bit smaller tractor than mine.

I did help him move some bales with his home-made quick-attach bale spike on the FEL. No problem just drive into the bale, roll the bucket, lift about 6 inches, and keep on moving. After I got the hang of it, I didn't even have to slow down much.

I can't complain with the Kubota loader, but I'm sure the bush-hog loader works well too. With 3900# hanging off the front end, I'd sure want more ballast than my loaded rear tires. I haven't exceeded the lift capacity of my 1162 FEL yet (2650# iirc), but I have been able to get a little light in the rear. I plan to build a 3pt ballast to use for more serious loader work.

I don't have quite as many hours as you yet, I'm still around 30 hours. Hope yours serves you as well as mine has done so far for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Enjoy your new tractor. Sounds like you are getting some pretty good use so far.