New member with Kubota tractor size (and model) question

[Greyhound101]

Hey guys,

I'm new to this site and new to Kubota. Currently, I have a Ford 4610 with loader that I pull a Bush Hog 296 cutter with. I'm looking to replace it with a Kubota that will also pull the BH 296. I've called around to a few dealerships and gotten varying opinions on what size I need. I only want what's large enough to pull that cutter as that's the largest job I'll ask the tractor to do. Thanks for any replies.

 

[C4Ranch]

I don't know the size of that cutter but typically 5 pto hp per ft minimum.

 

[deerseeker001]

Welcome from Wisconsin

 

[k0ua]

In general a tractor with 25 to 30 Horsepower at the PTO to pull this 6 foot rotary cutter. BUT, some caveats. It depends somewhat on what you are cutting with the cutter, for instance weeds will cut a bunch easier than 2 inch saplings.! It is easier to drag it around on flat ground vs. hilly terrain. Also consider the size of the tractor, can it effectively move the cutter and has enough weight not to be thrown around by the cutter? Just because a tractor has a given amount of PTO horsepower does not mean it has the weight of other tractors with the same PTO horsepower but perhaps twice the weight. An example a Kubota B3200 weigh's about 1760 lbs and has about the same PTO horsepower or just a little less than my tractor that weighs about 4000 lbs. Which tractor do you think will be able to handle a heavy rotary cutter of that size on hilly ground the best (think tail wagging the dog)? It is not as easy of a question as you might think.

 

[k0ua]

Further research on the Bush Hog 296 cutter shows this to be a heavy duty cutter, both in terms of weight, 1095 lbs, and what is is designed to cut, 3 inch saplings. The manufacture recommends 45 PTO horsepower as the minimum PTO horsepower and rates the gearbox up to 130 horsepower.. Now we are looking at some serious sized tractors if you intend to cut 3 inch saplings with it.. What are you going to use it for?

 

[Greyhound101]

I use it for keeping my deer lease maintained and for cutting a small pasture twice a year. I don't cut 2" saplings with it but that's not something that's out of the question.

 

[k0ua]

I use it for keeping my deer lease maintained and for cutting a small pasture twice a year. I don't cut 2" saplings with it but that's not something that's out of the question.

Well, if you are set on a Kubota, and you are just going to cut pasture mostly, and some small brush, the an L3800 . And if you want to tackle the big stuff the cutter is capable of then an MX5100 or one of the Grand L's like a 5060.

 

[Greyhound101]

I'm leaning towards a M5140. There's only a few of them left on lots. I'd rather not have to pay for the extra emissions stuff if I can help it.

 

[k0ua]

I'm leaning towards a M5140. There's only a few of them left on lots. I'd rather not have to pay for the extra emissions stuff if I can help it.

If you are lucky enough to find one, that should work.

 

[azkubotaguy]

L3800, great machine.

 

[mkreitler]

The Ford 4610 tractor is around 55 HP. If you want to go with something a little larger my I suggest a M7040 or the newer version M7060 I have a M7040 and also have a Bush Hog 296 Cutter and have no trouble cutting 4 and 5in saplings.In my experience and of my 60 years running tractors of 15hp to 160hp a little more hp never hurts and makes things a lot easier to do.That being said it's what feels rite for you but you won't be sorry with the M7040 or M7060.

 

[TripleR]

I run an equivalent Land Pride, an RCR2672 with my L5740HSTC and also ran it with my old L5030HSTC and wouldn't want to go lower than an MX5100. I've cut 3" and above, but even with a rugged machine and good tractor wouldn't want to do it every day day. They do great on 2" and under without a lot of fuss and do a good job on grass as well.

An M5140 would work really well with one, even better than my 5740 due to the bigger frame and more weight.

 

[trook]

The 296 is a heavy 6ft cutter. Even though it may work with 30hp at the pto, I would seriously consider 40hp at the pto as a minimum with 45-50 as ideal. Because of the weight, you can expect a front end loader or weights on the front end as a must for your tractor (unless you move up to the 7040/7060). I would look at any of the M series tractors with the mx5100, M5140 or equivalent as a minimum.

 

[motownbrowne]

There's the m5640sud too. Only about a grand more than my mx4700 on the build your own site. Not sure if you could find one though. If you're not cutting big stuff an MX would do the trick I bet. Or a kioti dk45 or ds4510.

 

[Greyhound101]

Some of the dealers I've spoken to suggested the M5140 and others suggested the M7060. There's quite a bit of price difference between the two and I'm not sure if the dealers are trying to upsell me or not.

I will definitely add a loader. My Ford 4610 has a loader and I couldn't get by without one.

 

[deadduck]

I'm leaning towards a M5140. There's only a few of them left on lots. I'd rather not have to pay for the extra emissions stuff if I can help it.

I just got an M6040HDC and haven't regretted going with it so far. I didn't want the extra emissions stuff either, or the extra cost.

 

[DT86]

I honestly think the M5140 will do everything you need to do. I've been thinking about a used one myself.

 

[Greyhound101]

Found one dealer with the M5640. What are the differences (that matter) between it and the 5140? It's about $2500 less.

 

[bigbull338]

mx5100 is pretty much the same hp an a 4600 ford.an itll pull your shredder no prob.

 

[DT86]

M5640 is not as nice a tractor. For example it has only synchro shift between 3-4 gear, where the M5140 has full synchro 1-4 and can also have hydro shuttle.

Are the M5640 just as capable at performing the tasks you need? Probably so.

Is the M5140 worth the extra cash? IMO, yes.