need your knowledge...best tractor for me

roger 4400 · Jan 22, 2008

Hi guys....I,m new on this forum even if I,m reading your threads and replys for a few months. I would like to buy a new tractor but nothing with many computers and relays... with the years I don,t know if those connectors will corrode and give bad infos to the computers = bad function of the engine.
I own a 1959 , 550 OLIVER and still working. I would like my KUBOTA take me to my grave,,,,in many years I wish. ( I,m 57 and retired).
I live on a 61 acres land. (30 miles north of Montreal, Quebec) I use my tractor to cut grass ( +- 6 acres with a 6 ft kubota finishing mower). Snow removal with FEL +- 400 ft and some logging ( I would do more but with 2wd it is not easy and safe, I use my honda 400 cc atv mostly). +-55acres of this land is a forest.
I have another land, 145 acres, 100 miles from my home and will have to carry my tractor on a 18 foot trailer , 7000 pounds capacity ( 2000 pounds trailer= 5000 pounds I can carry , no problem to pull the *pony* is a f250). This land is a forest with mature sugar maple, yellow birch etc... they are 150 years old. It,s hilly ( 2 mountains , 500 feet difference altitude from the parking and the highest point) but with nice roads . So I,ll have to pull trees to the road with a Farmi winch and carry them and do some maintenance to those road) I think I need good compression to slow me in the hills, reliable mechanic and not a to heavy tractor....so using all infos I got on TBN I think my ideal tractor would be a KUBOTA L4400 , FEL, INDUSTRIAL FILLED TIRES...Thank for your help.....( Sorry if there are some mistakes in my english writting, I was raised and studdy in french... we do not share the same language but we shure share the same passion.) Roger.

big bubba · Jan 22, 2008

Sir: if transportation were not an issue, given your diverse needs and acreage, I'd go with the M series. Being somewhat limited in what you can haul, the bare bones L44 series is a start. Another option without much more weight is the MX5000 that is a bit more user friendly with some of the M series options. I am told they are on a redesign on this model, you might inquire at the dealer. If you are on hills and need good traction, you will probably would want fluid filled tires or at least some kind of ballast adding more weight (800? lbs filled rear tires) to your hauling package. If you want compression to help maintain safety on hills, I would recommend manual tranny. I'm sure there are plenty of members here who would recommend the Grand L series with hydrostat tranny. IMHO that's bunch more frills for the same size/HP tractor. I recommend going to the site and carefully comparing all the specs including weight before making the plunge. let us know bb

roger 4400 · Jan 22, 2008

thank you Big Bubba for your opinion. I went on the kubota site and look at the mx5000. A very nice machine, strong....but it might be a little too heavy to carry, but the ride must be smoother. My dealer told me that the mx5000 is +-$5,000 more than the l4400. Over here the dealers are *protecting* themselves....first they ask your address and if you are not in their region they won,t sell you. I think it is a good way to protect their prices. my neighbor bought a L48 FEL ,BH,3 months ago ( no cab just canopy ) and paid it $60,000 with taxes...ouch!!!. I called the same dealer (his) out of our region and ask him for a price,,,,,he told me he could not sell me because *our* dealer saw my neighbor,s tractor and called him to have an explanation. SO unless you give false infos about your address , tel. etc ...we cannot compare prices( if all infos are false how to put a license plate ...) I was quote for a L4400 , r4 tires, FEL, one extra hydraulic outlet for $25,700 ,2 months ago if paid cash, otherwise $1600 more. Today he told me that this price could be as much as $2,000 less because of price review . To negociate I could tell him that I want an other brand!!! but I,m not in a hurry, old Oliver stil in a good Shape...but we never know what tomorow will be. thanks again

roger 4400 · Jan 22, 2008

thank you Big Bubba for your opinion. I went on the kubota site and look at the mx5000. A very nice machine, strong....but it might be a little too heavy to carry, but the ride must be smoother. My dealer told me that the mx5000 is +-$5,000 more than the l4400. Over here the dealers are *protecting* themselves....first they ask your address and if you are not in their region they won,t sell you. I think it is a good way to protect their prices. my neighbor bought a L48 FEL ,BH,3 months ago ( no cab just canopy ) and paid it $60,000 with taxes...ouch!!!. I called the same dealer (his) out of our region and ask him for a price,,,,,he told me he could not sell me because *our* dealer saw my neighbor,s tractor and called him to have an explanation. SO unless you give false infos about your address , tel. etc ...we cannot compare prices( if all infos are false how to put a license plate ...) I was quote for a L4400 , r4 tires, FEL, one extra hydraulic outlet for $25,700 ,2 months ago if paid cash, otherwise $1600 more. Today he told me that this price could be as much as $2,000 less because of price review . To negociate I could tell him that I want an other brand!!! but I,m not in a hurry, old Oliver stil in a good Shape...but we never know what tomorow will be. thanks again

big bubba · Jan 22, 2008

Roger: sorry to hear the pricing is more challenging where you live. You are smart to investigate the choice fully. Of course, don't forget to figure in the FELS weight on a model, not sure if it is included in their specs. good luck bb

MarkV · Jan 24, 2008

Roger welcome to the forum. The L4400 sounds like a pretty good match for what you are doing. Your logging on hills is where I would like to have a heavier tractor. I would definitely fill the tires with liquid ballast for added stability and traction. You will want to consider that extra weight with your towing set up.

Have you looked at up grading your trailer to a 10 or 12 thousand pound model? Right now it sounds like you may be limiting your tractor search based on your trailer capacity. The F250 does generally have a higher tow rating than your present trailer.

Good luck with the search. I would be very unhappy with the way the dealers work in your area.

MarkV

roger 4400 · Jan 24, 2008

Hi MarkV, thank for your suggestions.
Changing my trailer could be a solution....but using the tractor as a mower (6ft finishing mower ) I,m **weight and size limited** (and $$$ limited also).I know the perfect setup does not exist....I,m looking for the best setup possible and the less $$$. Yes I,ll have the tires filled.( use tractor for mowing, pushing snow, take care of my roads and some logging)
Can I log 2000 pounds logs on a trailer with the L4400,( tires loaded ) or in curves the rear gonna slip....I usually log when it,s dry not to damage my roads (never done it with Oliver 2wd brakes are so and so, used my Honda and 700 pounds load at the most)....it,s why I NEED your knowledge & experience, I,m *green* in that. I can easily do 6 light trips per day instead of 3 heavy one ( I,m retired and do that mostly to have some fun...).
Concerning the dealers... +- an hour from my home I have 4 dealers 2 in Quebec 2 in Ontario,,,,,only the nesrest will ***deal*** with me....so you are lucky to deal with a few and even buy in other state...$$$ in Your pocket.
I know that L4400 is a basic tractor, simple mechanic strong axel....IS IT RELIABLE ....( after 49 years...I,m shure that my Oliver is reliable hahaha) thanks for your experience and replies.
Roger