Tractor Sizing Please help a guy out!
- Thread starter mstrucker2003
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rScotty
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
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- 9,527
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- Rural mountains - Colorado
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
Last time we bought, we ended up with a new Kubota..... but only after spending a lot of time trying to talk ourself into a JD. Maybe it's the color, and maybe our own history with the brand, but we just have a special feeling for JD.
Anyway, along the way I learned a couple of things from time spent with the salesmen there that turned out to be good advice.
One is that it's worth while to let the dealer install their OEM remote kit & actuating levers because JD hydraulics are arcane. But after they do the hard part, you can easily hook up all accessories like the Top-N-Tilt yourself.
Another reccomendation was that we should opt out of that proprietary Quick Attach system that JD uses on their loaders. Don't even get it, and particularly don't get the JD QA system and plan to use it with an adapter to the more popular and universal SSQA system. Stacking adapters like that puts the bucket way too far out in front. Fact is that almost everyone else in the world uses the Skid Steer Quick Attach system (SSQA). You can have your FEL equipped with the SSQA system right from the start but need to insist on that, and also pay JD's rather high fee for that option. It's worth it.
Canopy? Definitely. Get as nice a one as you can. With an Insulated top if possible. JD has led on canopys since the old days of the JD umbrella.
BTW, JD dealers still sell the whole umbrella kit: furling umbrella and a universal tractor mount kit for about $125.00. It's one of the great bargains and works as good as it looks.
Really Retro,
rScotty
As stated by rscotty yes!
They do charge more for the standard SSQA but you will find it痴 worth it.
RollTideRam
Veteran Member
The Deere quick attach works fine, but it is different. I had no trouble finding attachments for my last JD tractor.
My friends also have no trouble finding them but they always pay a lot more. They also complain they can never find used and they can’t simply borrow something from the neighbor.
Your market for resale is also limited.
OP
mstrucker2003
Member
Thanks again for all the input like I said it has truly been helpful. But, I can not overlook the fact that overwhelmingly while no one has explicitly said do not get the JD almost everyone has said don't get this or that from JD. I did go back to one of my local Kubota dealers to see if it was something they could do for me as far as that wretched rocker pedal (I know some people love it but my size 16's hate it so don't be offended) because that's the main sticking point keeping me from buying the MX 4800 or 5200. The service guy said he was going to talk to the service manager to see what they could do so I'm hopeful on that front. The JD does fit perfect as it sits but with the pedal adjustment I could get much more tractor for the price from Kubota and not have to worry about after market or older used implements.
rScotty
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 9,527
- Location
- Rural mountains - Colorado
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
If your dealer can figure out a reasonable way to change Kubotas "wretched rocker pedal" to a side by side two pedal arrangement like JD uses,I predict he is going to have a ton of customers real quick & probably buy a safe to store all the money he's going to make in his new factory.....
Yes, just like Kubota makes an excellent tractor with an unfortunate HST rocker pedal, JD makes an excellent tractor with an unfortunate proprietary FEL quick change. At least JD offers the SSQA option on new machines - but IMHO for twice what it should cost.
JD implements are fine, but they are top of the line and costly plus they only fit the JD quick attach. So most of your neighbors, used implement dealers, and local rental places will have SSQA attachments.
With the universal SSQA you can use a whole world of implements, swap and borrow them with your neighbors, buy used implements, and rent implements from rental shops.
Back to the pedal, we bought our Kubota in spite of the rocker pedal, not because of it. Of course there are going to be some few who prefer the rocker, but most here on TBN find that while the rocker works OK it is simply not easy to use, as instinctive, or placed as conveniently as the side by side arrangement.
So it's become an unpopular design. That doesn't make it unsafe or impossible to use - just not as good as the competition's.
On both issues, the manufacturers are bull-headed & ignoring what their own customers are wanting. But how to change that?
rScotty
the old grind
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- NH T-1520 HST, NH TC33DA HST, Case DX26 HST, .Terramite T5C, . NH L785
Suppose you figure moving the seat 2-3" higher & 2-3" farther back anyway. :thumbsup: Get everything ELSE the way you want it. :tractor:
(SSQA holds value and offers the most gadget/dollar. Guess which I had on my Deere.)
There are other tractor brands, ... Branson and Kioti LS to get the most tractor for $$. Get the pedals right and adjust the seat. Did you say five acres? Mahindra and Kioti have very capable CUTs surpassing my own '04 & '13 33 & 35 hp NHs (weight, FEL-all specs, 3ph lift) but 'derated' to have no Tier IV complication by 'hp' class. "<25" on paper.
Most of all, I believe you are looking at a right sized tractor and are getting good if TMI advice. And by all means, empower the other operator to contribute to the decision. There may come a day when you don't mind conceding some seat time to the lovely Lady.
"A Woman that mows means a Love that grows, Lads." . . . :drink:
(SSQA holds value and offers the most gadget/dollar. Guess which I had on my Deere.)
There are other tractor brands, ... Branson and Kioti LS to get the most tractor for $$. Get the pedals right and adjust the seat. Did you say five acres? Mahindra and Kioti have very capable CUTs surpassing my own '04 & '13 33 & 35 hp NHs (weight, FEL-all specs, 3ph lift) but 'derated' to have no Tier IV complication by 'hp' class. "<25" on paper.
Most of all, I believe you are looking at a right sized tractor and are getting good if TMI advice. And by all means, empower the other operator to contribute to the decision. There may come a day when you don't mind conceding some seat time to the lovely Lady.
"A Woman that mows means a Love that grows, Lads." . . . :drink:
OP
mstrucker2003
Member
I wish I knew but, I did also send a message to Kubota customer service explaining my issue. So hopefully it gets to the right people and they start to take it into consideration. Like I told them in the email I know my size 16 feet are not a common problem so if they would at least offer a different option as an upgrade I would be willing to pay the extra cost.
OP
mstrucker2003
Member
Suppose you figure moving the seat 2-3" higher & 2-3" farther back anyway. :thumbsup: Get everything ELSE the way you want it. :tractor:
(SSQA holds value and offers the most gadget/dollar. Guess which I had on my Deere.)
There are other tractor brands, ... Branson and Kioti LS to get the most tractor for $$. Get the pedals right and adjust the seat. Did you say five acres? Mahindra and Kioti have very capable CUTs surpassing my own '04 & '13 33 & 35 hp NHs (weight, FEL-all specs, 3ph lift) but 'derated' to have no Tier IV complication by 'hp' class. "<25" on paper.
Most of all, I believe you are looking at a right sized tractor and are getting good if TMI advice. And by all means, empower the other operator to contribute to the decision. There may come a day when you don't mind conceding some seat time to the lovely Lady.
"A Woman that mows means a Love that grows, Lads." . . . :drink:
I have tried them all but Branson (no dealer in my area) and none of them fit like JD or Kubota or seem to have the dealer support/network. The wife is another reason that rocker pedal won't work. She likes the twin pedal design also. I'm hopeful Kubota will come up with something.
