Need help configuring a Kubota M6040/7040

[stsimon]

I really appreciate the knowledge and experience of the folks that post here, so I am asking for some help in configuring an M series.

I have 42 acres used for breeding a few horses and keeping bees in central Kentucky. Hard to believe, but for several years I have mowed this property with a Kubota ZD21 with a 60 inch pro deck. It works great when I can keep up with the grass, but that almost never happens. It is good around trees and many tight areas that I need to get into.

I am looking to buy a M6040 or M7040 to pull a Bush Hog 2212 or similar 12 ft Rhino bat wing. Eventually I would like to add a Rhino 1400 boom flail for mowing on the dam, pond and creek banks. I have no need for a FEL. On the rare occaisions when I need to push dirt around I can rent a Bobcat.

I am thinking of configuring as follows: Turf tires, filled rears, cab 2wd ( I don't need to work in the mud), 5 front weights, block heater. I don't know how to configure the hydraulics. I may need other things I am not even aware of. Any ideas are most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Tom Rossman

 

[TripleR]

I am in the beginning stages of configuring an M7040 or M8540, so I will be interested in your responses. I am presently using a Case CX80 and from my experience Ag tires are needed for me as I have some slopes. Four wheel drive is also necessary, not because of mud, but when backing up hills/slopes. I was mowing with my Woods DS1260 yesterday and neglected to put it in 4WD and was quickly reminded why I have it.

I have access to a 864 Bobcat as well as track hoe, but can't stand the thought of not getting a FEL, but that is just me.

I am still researching my hydraulic needs.

Good luck and I will read with interest.

 

[MarkV]

Welcome to the forum!!!! I am kind of surprised that you don't need a FEL and have horses. It sure would make manure clean up and feeding hay easier. I would get the 3 rear remote option. Don't boom mowers use 3?

MarkV

 

[stsimon]

Mark,

In our management process the horses stay out all the time unless they are sick or the weather is really bad. They have a large covered run in area. They don't really generate enough manure to justify the high proce of a loader.

I don't know what the boom mower needs, I am hoping someone else will.

 

[jdjdjd]

Another plug for a FEL. Once you have one you will find all kinds of uses for it. It is one of the things that I can not do without on the ranch.

Partial list: (others will add)

Tool and equipment tote
Driving T-posts
Lifting heavy stuff (Bobcat welder into truck)
Handling round bales
Pushing yourself out when you get stuck
Back-dragging to level dirt, gravel, etc.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I am in the beginning stages of configuring an M7040 or M8540, so I will be interested in your responses. I am presently using a Case CX80 and from my experience Ag tires are needed for me as I have some slopes. Four wheel drive is also necessary, not because of mud, but when backing up hills/slopes. I was mowing with my Woods DS1260 yesterday and neglected to put it in 4WD and was quickly reminded why I have it.

I have access to a 864 Bobcat as well as track hoe, but can't stand the thought of not getting a FEL, but that is just me.

I am still researching my hydraulic needs.

Good luck and I will read with interest.

I just bought an M8540 a few weeks ago. I spent 6 months exhaustively researching the entire M and MX line. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Obviously I think the M8540 was best... but I almost have the specs of all the M tractors in my head. I can help with some of the details if you want.

 

[doall]

I'm with the others on the loader. but about your tires, you won't need mud to get stuck with turf tires, your 42 acres of grass will get you when its wet.

 

[TripleR]

I just bought an M8540 a few weeks ago. I spent 6 months exhaustively researching the entire M and MX line. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Obviously I think the M8540 was best... but I almost have the specs of all the M tractors in my head. I can help with some of the details if you want.

Thanks, I am in the beginning stages now as I really hate to get rid of my CX80, but it is just no longer dependable.

I am definitely going to get a cab, FEL, AG tires, rear remotes, just don't know what kind, looking seriously at hydraulic shuttle as I have little use of my left leg and need to cut down as much as possible on clutching.

Most of my use is bush hogging with a Woods 121 3-point and DS1260 pull behind, pushing brush and dirt etc. We quit farming years ago, so we just do some small food plots. We have around 500 acres spread out, but have other tractors, so it won't have to do all the "work".

I am running some stuff on the Kubota "build" section.

 

[Bulldogger]

Here are a few things to consider:

3 rear remotes - you can never have to many. They come in self canceling and float valves. Float would be useful on a batwing bushhog just leave the hydraulic valve in the float postion to allow the wings to follow the contour of the ground without any pressure on the hydraulic cylinders. Self canceling is good when closing the door on a round baler you can just push the lever all the way and let go and when the door is closed all the way the lever will return to the neutral position. These are just a couple of examples.

4x4 - used more then you can imagine my last 4 tractors have been 4x4

Cab - makes it really nice and comfortable in all weather conditions and provides protection from bees. I have hit several hornet nests over the years bushhogging and since I got a cab its not a bid deal.

FEL - used more then you can imagine. If you get the skid steer hookup on the FEL you can rent attachments for a skid steer almost anywhere. I would get the 3rd function valve on the FEL to allow the use of post hole diggers and grapple buckets on the front just to name a few options.

M8540 or M9540 - if you could move up to the 8540 you can get the 12 speed trans. To me on the 8 speed trans the gears are to far apart and will force you to go slower or faster than you wish in some situations.

Tires - on a 42 acre farm I would think the you would be better served with ag tires on the tractor and use the mower around the house and the tractor in the fields.


The above is just my $.02 from my past experience and what I need in a tractor. Take it with a grain of salt. Everyone makes their on money and should spend it how they wish.

This is what I bought a few weeks ago:

I just bought a M9540, 4x4, Cab, 12 speed Hydraulic Shuttle Shift, 3 rear remotes (2 self canceling, 1 float) and Front Loader with 3rd function valve. I never had a FEL on a tractor until I bought a new tractor in 1997. This is the 3rd tractor I have bought since then and all have had front loaders. I also have a Bobcat to use around the farm and still bought one. I bought the FEL on my Kubota with the skid steer hookup and I am able to use all the attachments I have for my Bobcat on my tractor.

 

[stsimon]

I think I will go with the Ag tires after all. Great information on the remotes. Also excellent idea on the skid steer hookup, I had not been aware of that. The challenge will be the price of an 8540 if I go that route.

 

[art]

Before ordering to many valves on the tractor you should see what is required to run the boom mower! I'd also look at the Land pride which can be financed with the tractor at the low interest rates!

Depending on the boom mower you select you might want to move up to the 8540 because of the heavier three point hitch.

I'd still at least put industrials on the rear but maybe it's just being in ny!

 

[rjkobbeman]

In deciding between the M6040 and the M7040, the main difference I saw (aside from the obvious HP increase) was the limited slip front differential.

The frame of the M5040/M6040 and M7040 are the same.

The engine in the M6040 and M7040 are the same. I don't know what is tweaked to get the extra 10 HP... turbo maybe?

Now, the jump to the M8540 is a big one. You get a lot of bang for your buck in my opinion (going with the M8540).

The frame of the M8540 and M9540 are the same... and they are bigger than the M5040/M6040/M7040. The M8540 and M9540 use a bigger FEL too.

With the M8540 (and M9540) you get hydraulic brakes, an option for high capacity 3ph lift cylinders, an option for the 6 speed gearbox (12 speed total), bigger frame, bigger FEL, bigger clutch (syncro shuttle)... the list goes on and on. If you get the 12 speed, you get the high capacity 3ph lift cylinders automatically.

I bought the M8540 and love it.

 

[Bulldogger]

I think I will go with the Ag tires after all. Great information on the remotes. Also excellent idea on the skid steer hookup, I had not been aware of that. The challenge will be the price of an 8540 if I go that route.

One more thing on the Front Loader if you decide to get one with a skid steer hookup and a 3rd function hydraulic valve make sure they put flat face couplers on the front like the skid steers use. That way if you rent a hydraulic skid steer attachment the hoses will connect to your hydraulics on the front.

 

[crazyal]

I would think about resale. Sure right now it's the last thing on your mind but sooner or later you'll want to replace it and when you do not having a FEL or 4wd will hurt you, not just in how much you can sell it for but how long it takes to sell.

 

[stsimon]

I understand about the resale. I can always add the FEL, but the 4wd obviously cannot be deferred. A possibility would be to buy a leat model used one to keep the up front cost in line, but then I would be passing up on the zero percent financing...I do plan on this tractor seeing me out...

Bulldogger - thanks for the flat faced coupler suggestion. That is the kind of technical issue I wouldn't know to even ask about.

 

[MarkV]

Bulldogger - thanks for the flat faced coupler suggestion. That is the kind of technical issue I wouldn't know to even ask about.

I mention this because you have said that much of this is new to you. It is true that skid steer implements can be used on a FEL with the quick attach couple, it is not useable for all skid steer attachments. Many hydraulically operated attachments will require a greater hydraulic flow rate than will be available on your tractor with the optional loader hydraulic set up. For grapples, some post hole augurs and a few other things you are fine. For mowers, power rakes and many others it will not work. Still a great option, just not adequate for all skid steer attachments.

MarkV

 

[stsimon]

MarkV - Thanks for the explanation. I understand.

 

[TripleR]

I drove the M8540 yesterday and was pretty impressed. Cabbed, hydraulic shuttle shift 12F/R, two rear remotes, will widen the stance and fill with windshield wiper fluid, suspension seat and 1353 FEL with 7' loader.

 

[rjkobbeman]

I drove the M8540 yesterday and was pretty impressed. Cabbed, hydraulic shuttle shift 12F/R, two rear remotes, will widen the stance and fill with windshield wiper fluid, suspension seat and 1353 FEL with 7' loader.

Although I am a big fan of the M8540 (obviously), if you get at least the M7040 you get an option to get the cast iron wheels if you get R1s. I would really, really recommend this. Cast iron wheels are an option for the M7040 and up (M8540, M9540, etc.).

I really wish cast iron wheels were an option for R4s which is what I got (I needed the R4s). Had I had the option or if I got the R1s, I would have got them. If needed, you can add weights to the cast iron wheels too.

Since you test-drove an M8540, did you check out the parking brake? It is a transmission lock based brake... and works really good. Another thing you may have noticed is the hydraulic brakes on the M8540. They are very smooth, powerful and easy to operate. Big bonuses in my book.

 

[TripleR]

My youngest son and I both drove it and really liked the parking brake. I especially like it as when my sons set the brake on our other tractors I often have to use my cane to pry up while pushing the button to get moving.

Yes the brakes are nice especially in comparison to what we now have.

I will check on the cast iron wheels, but if I delay too much or go up in cost from our present price the CFO may decide to just fix our old tractor