Need advise on size and model...

[pitbill]

Hi All- been a member here since 2004, but haven't posted much due to little to no problems with my machines- i just read the posts and use for reference. I just purchased 88 acres ( 20 acres in pasture and a 68 acre hard wood lot that is 90% cherry, maple and ash) and im in the market for a new tractor. I currently have a kubota bx24 and bx1500 that are both over 15 yrs old and way too small for what i need to do here. Im looking at the MT350e and a xr4145 for use on the property. I need it for maintaining the pasture (brush hogging- a bit hilly), for use to move firewood, maintain 3 food plots for hunting and driveway maintenance and snow removal. I've looked at both and both seem very capable, but i'm looking for experience and advise from any one whos used them- reliability, how they hold up etc.... To be honest this tier 4 stuff scares me to death, i've never used a machine with it and i've read the stories, it seems some are great and some are just problems. I'm also looking at a massey 2604- apparently it uses a DOC instead of a DPF, not that i really understand it, but apparently it doesn't regen (my old machines just run...no regen no emission stuff) . Anyways thanks for any advise and i hope everyone is staying healthy. PS- looking at these two brands due to dealer location and great prices

 

[fried1765]

Hi All- been a member here since 2004, but haven't posted much due to little to no problems with my machines- i just read the posts and use for reference. I just purchased 88 acres ( 20 acres in pasture and a 68 acre hard wood lot that is 90% cherry, maple and ash) and im in the market for a new tractor. I currently have a kubota bx24 and bx1500 that are both over 15 yrs old and way too small for what i need to do here. Im looking at the MT350e and a xr4145 for use on the property. I need it for maintaining the pasture (brush hogging- a bit hilly), for use to move firewood, maintain 3 food plots for hunting and driveway maintenance and snow removal. I've looked at both and both seem very capable, but i'm looking for experience and advise from any one whos used them- reliability, how they hold up etc.... To be honest this tier 4 stuff scares me to death, i've never used a machine with it and i've read the stories, it seems some are great and some are just problems. I'm also looking at a massey 2604- apparently it uses a DOC instead of a DPF, not that i really understand it, but apparently it doesn't regen (my old machines just run...no regen no emission stuff) . Anyways thanks for any advise and i hope everyone is staying healthy. PS- looking at these two brands due to dealer location and great prices

Have you considered looking HARD for a a pre-emissions used machine?
I don't own an emissions gagged machine,..... and I never will.

 

[Roadworthy]

I specifically stayed under 25 horsepower to avoid emission control. You may not be able to do that. In addition to emission control the newer tractors are controlled by a computer - one more thing to fail. I'm with fried1765 on the pre emission tractor. If you can find one the right size a few years on it won't hurt. There are many tractors over fifty years old working every day. If you can find one say ten years old you'll miss the emission thing entirely and should have an almost new (in tractor years) tractor.

 

[pitbill]

I specifically stayed under 25 horsepower to avoid emission control. You may not be able to do that. In addition to emission control the newer tractors are controlled by a computer - one more thing to fail. I'm with fried1765 on the pre emission tractor. If you can find one the right size a few years on it won't hurt. There are many tractors over fifty years old working every day. If you can find one say ten years old you'll miss the emission thing entirely and should have an almost new (in tractor years) tractor.

Trust me i looked- this is dairy farm country, and everything i've seen is huge, over 75 hp and big framed, as well as very expensive. Plus most of the farmers wont part with pre-emission equipment, around here anyway.

 

[mred2]

I have a xr4150 and love it. It regens while I use it, no problems. With snow, you may want a cab. Emissions are here to stay, like it or not. The 4100 series are the largest frame for a CUT before LS go to a utility tractor. Good weight, good power.

 

[sodamo]

I have a xr4150 and love it. It regens while I use it, no problems. With snow, you may want a cab. Emissions are here to stay, like it or not. The 4100 series are the largest frame for a CUT before LS go to a utility tractor. Good weight, good power.

I have the XR4140H and agree with above, not a problem. I do hear the sound and notice the dash lights, but no affect on work being performed.

 

[jeff9366]

Searching Tractoddata.com for MT350e returns no results.

 

[jeff9366]

Tier 4 stuff scares me to death, i've never used a machine with it and i've read the stories, it seems some are great and some are just problems. I'm also looking at a massey 2604- apparently it uses a DOC instead of a DPF, apparently it doesn't regen. The farmers around here won't part with pre-emission control equipment.

Tier IV emission standards require tractor manufacturers to add or revise pollution reduction technology on new tractors generating over 19 kW power = 25.4794 horsepower. Tier IV began phasing in during 2009, retail conversion was almost complete in 2013 when I bought my 'Tier IV' Kubota L3560.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) captures exhaust particulates (soot) in a ceramic matrix. When tractor engine runs sufficiently hot, accumulated particulates burn off periodically without operator intervention. If engine is not run continuously hot long enough to burn off particulates, diesel soot accumulates in the matrix. Once heavy soot accumulates in DPF the tractor forces soot clearance with the tractor parked and throttle open to about 2,200 rpm for about sixteen minutes, which makes the DPF REALLY HOT to burn off all accumulated soot. Burning off accumulated soot, either during operation or parked is called REGENERATION.

My Kubota regenerates routinely every 60 engine hours in warm Florida. 60 engine hours = 3,600 engine minutes.
Stationary regeneration, which is about 60% of my regenerations because I work in the woods, takes consistently 16 minutes in warm Florida.

16 / 3,600 = .0044 = .44% engine time used in stationary regeneration. (Less than 1/2 of 1%)


DPF is used by the majority of tractor manufactures on >25.4794-horsepower models, but not all.

A few Tier IV compliant tractors between 26 and 75 horsepower use DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) conversion. DOC is of similar construction to DPF. Both DPF and DOC are honeycomb ceramic filters which supersede the muffler. The DOC forces engine exhaust over a honeycomb ceramic structure coated with platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These catalysts oxidize carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water at hot exhaust temperature.

DOC equipped tractors have an oven hot all the time, DPF tractors have an oven hot intermittently.

DPF and DOC supersede the tractor muffler.
At some point in time tractors with mufflers need the muffler replaced.
At some point in time DPF needs to be replaced.
At some point in time DOC needs to be replaced.

There is no free lunch.


Tire wear and tire replacement will cause as many headaches and more expense than DPF/DOC for most long term compact tractor owners who read and comprehend their tractor's Operator's Manual.

 

[rodneyn]

Purchased 2019 xr3135 LS with optional back hoe and cab. No issues with this generation tier 4 all bugs worked out - cycles every 50 hours. No disappointment running 6 ft disc mower weighing 1400 lbs tractor has no issues running mower no power loss with AC cranked cold. Backhoe digs quite well in all soils have 16 bucket. No disappointments whatsoever.

Do your research- if you need 45 HP then invest - however 35 with Turbo seems like 50 to me. Best of luck.

 

[TomIre]

One of the reasons I went with a Branson is their approach to tier 4 emissions. Non electronic and all contained in the exhaust stack which, if you feel a need to do so, can be replaced with a "regular" muffler with no further issues. If Tier 4 is a major issue for you, it might be something to look into.