Great question, longish answer. I knew I wanted to buy a new four wheel drive hydraulic shuttle M series ROPS tractor with loader, I considered the M6040/7040, the M8540/9540 and even the M96S. You can always say to yourself that for just a little more you can get the next size up, and if I did that I would have bought the M108 or M125!
For me and my needs/wants at this time I felt that the 6040/7040 was a little bit light and small, and that the 96S was a little bit big and heavy. The M8540/9540 was just right in terms of size, weight, features, and power. It's kind of like Goldilocks and the three bears
The 8540 and 9540 are almost identical, you get 9 more pto hp on the 9540, and slightly larger standard tires/wheels. I think that the 9540 is the best value in terms of pto hp/dollar in the kubota lineup. If I was a full time farmer I probably would have bought an M9540 with a cab.
I did consider both machines. The 8540 has all the power that I will probably ever need and will cost less to purchase and operate than the 9540. That's basically it. Only time will tell if I bought the right sized tractor.
Now, the tractor I wanted to buy does not exist. If available I would have bought an M9540V (I just made up that name) with a computerized engine control that could vary the output power over a range of 60 HP to 95 HP by changing fuel system and turbocharger parameters (are you listening Kubota?). This would give one the best of all worlds in terms of power and efficiency.
So instead of offering the M5040, 6040, and 7040 models Kubota could just offer the M7040V (40 - 70 HP) and let folks pick their tires/wheels. Same thing for the M8540 and 9540, just offer the M9540V (60 - 95 HP). Same thing for the M108S and M96S, replace them with the M108V (85 - 108 HP).
This way kubota could replace seven separate tractor models with just three models which are more versatile and efficient. These machines would be more popular with consumers because it would make it easier to pick out the right tractor and the tractors would be more efficient. The tractors might even cost less to produce because kubota could focus on three models instead of seven. Crazy idea or good idea??
