Pics of my new M5040.

[PSDStu]

I took it out and cut about 5 acres of Bahia today!

It cut the knee high Bahia like a Hot Knife through butter! Didn't even know the cutter was back there! Spent about half the time in 3 low and the rest in 4 low.

It was nice to only have to run at 2160 engine RPM's to get 540 at the PTO.

Eddie,

The front of the cutter has a rubber shield on it, I removed the metal band from the rear of the cutter to get the Bahia to discharge better.

The tractor has 4, 103lb Kubota weights along with the front weight bracket, which weights about 200lbs.

Here's a pic of the front of the tractor.

Stu

 

[sandman2234]

Stu,
My John Deere tractor (used) came with six or eight weights on the front. One day while removing the front cylinders to be rebuilt(steering cylinders), I decided that I didn't need all that weight on the nose, but didn't know just how much was enough. I decided that I would remove all of it, and only put on enough to make the tractor handle the way I thought it should. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it handled with no weights, only the weight bar attachment, so I have never installed any front end weights. Sometime when you have plenty of extra time to play, pull the weights off and only add enough to allow it to handle the weight of the bush hog on the back, or whatever implement you are currently using. I don't know of any drawbacks to having a light front end, but it has to lessen the wear on the front end parts, that hauling extra weight is causing.
Looking forward to meeting you in the near future!
David from jax

 

[Bob_Young]

Front weights on a 2WD tractor are used to counterbalance a heavy implement on the 3PH and keep some weight on the front wheels for steering. With your bush hog down and working, this isn't normally a problem. When you go to raise it or start up a steep grade with it raised, a lack of weight up front can become an issue. Never liked seeing the fronts come off the ground.

Another use for the front weights is to enable a 2WD to hold a steep hillside when pulling a heavy implement. The implement will try to slide downhill and pivot the tractor around the rear wheels. Having some weight up front can help control this and keep the tail from wagging the dog. On hillsides, tractor weight in general and front end weight in particular make a big difference in controlling what an implement does.

If you're a flatlander and your implements aren't too heavy, you can get by without the weights. But, if you use them, I wouldn't worry about the effect on the tractor's front end. Tractors that are offered with front weight sets are built plenty stout enough to handle them.
FWIW
Bob

 

[PSDStu]

When I test drove the tractor the dealer didn't think I would need the front end weights....but.....knowing the type of land that I have to use the rotary cutter on I opted for the addition of the weights.

This part of Florida is very hilly, and there some banked areas that I use the cutter on that I felt I wanted the weight for.

I have used a MF-135 with a Brown 460 cutter in the same areas and the front end did get a little loose in some of the areas.

I figuered that the additional front weights of around 500-600 lbs was light compared to what the loader would weigh if I had one installed.

Bob,

Having put about 11 hours of bush hogging time in I have been pleased with the fuel consumption.... looks like around 1.5 gal an hour at just under 2200 RPM..... I suspect that over time, after the engine gets broke in this fuel rate will likely get a little bit better. I am very pleased with how quiet the engine operates when compared to running my B7510 at 2600 RPM for cutting.

Overall I am very pleased with the M5040 and how well it handles, operates, and rides. I could have opted for the 84" cutter but for my use and Bahia grass, the 72" just breezes through it!

Stu

 

[Bob_Young]

Thanks for the update on the fuel consumption, Stu. It probably will improve over time. The MX seems to run easier and idle smoother now that it's got about 45 hours on it and it's probably nowhere near being broke in.

Your 5040 sounds like a real workhorse. You made the right choice. A tractor that gets the work done with no sweat, strain, or drama, is the right tool for the job.
Bob