Struggling with MX5400 purchase — could get MX6000 for same price. What would you do?

[rScotty]

How about draft control? I’ve never had it but on my current tractor I’d often have the single bottom plow dig real deep and stall the tractor at points

That's a good point. I like draft control, but then I grew up with tractors that had it.

If you plan to use ground-engaging implements like a plow or disks or anything with deep tines, then draft control is very nice to have. Having it is never a disadvantage, and on rough land - land with a lot of stones or roots or buried trash - then draft control is nearly a necessity.

Draft control is common to Ag tractors, and probably more often found on tractors ordered with manual transmissions and destined to do annual plowing.
The mechanical parts that regulate the draft control are internal to the hydraulics of the 3pt.
So although it is listed as an option, I wouldn't be surprised to find it is a factory option rather than dealer option. Ask your dealer.... I've never heard of it being added to a tractor later.

BTW, you asked for opinions. So if I were buying, I'd want to get at least one set of remotes for the rear hydraulics. Having one set sure is handy, and makes it easy to add more later if wanted.

And I'd go with whichever dealer I enjoyed doing business with. All those prices are too close to being the same to influence my choice of dealer.
good luck,
rScotty

 

[Torvy]

The CID grapple is a ~$3k piece, weighs 200# more (eating into the carrying capacity and wear on the front axle / need for counterweight), is probably mild steel; versus the LP grapple which is ~$4.5k and made from AR400 steel. The LP is much nicer. Consider the LP unit to be at least a $1.5k price difference - I'd personally consider it worth more than that in the price difference because of the noted differences (earlier this year I made a similar choice in grapples between mild steel & heavy & cheap vs good steel & light & a bit more $; guess what I chose).

Is the local dealer also adding the 3rd function? If not, that's an added expense as well.

Do you anticipate actually having a "relationship" with the dealer?
I've had a long term barely-there relationship with my tractor's dealer who's 100mi away - I bought it 8 years ago, shook hands, they delivered it a few days later, we shook hands again. I've bought sundry parts from them via phone call -> mail delivery as well, nothing to fix problems with the tractor (except a radiator which was very much my fault). If I'd bought local for a "relationship", I would've paid a ton more for much less tractor, which also may or may not have needed a "relationship".

I have a CID grapple. Its AR400. Better than the LP and less expensive. I'd have to compare the models, but when I was shopping, it was lighter than the LP. 100% the best piece of equipment I have.

 

[Dozernut]

That's a good point. I like draft control, but then I grew up with tractors that had it.

If you plan to use ground-engaging implements like a plow or disks or anything with deep tines, then draft control is very nice to have. Having it is never a disadvantage, and on rough land - land with a lot of stones or roots or buried trash - then draft control is nearly a necessity.

Draft control is common to Ag tractors, and probably more often found on tractors ordered with manual transmissions and destined to do annual plowing.
The mechanical parts that regulate the draft control are internal to the hydraulics of the 3pt.
So although it is listed as an option, I wouldn't be surprised to find it is a factory option rather than dealer option. Ask your dealer.... I've never heard of it being added to a tractor later.

BTW, you asked for opinions. So if I were buying, I'd want to get at least one set of remotes for the rear hydraulics. Having one set sure is handy, and makes it easy to add more later if wanted.

And I'd go with whichever dealer I enjoyed doing business with. All those prices are too close to being the same to influence my choice of dealer.
good luck,
rScotty

rScotty is right about the hydraulic remotes. Get as many as you can afford! I got two remotes and I wished I had gotten three. When I hookup my hydraulic side shift flail mower, I have to take off the hydraulic top arm because the flail takes two remotes. It sure would be easier to have that hydraulic top arm when hooking up and adjusting the trim of the mower than adjusting the manual top arm.

 

[jyoutz]

rScotty is right about the hydraulic remotes. Get as many as you can afford! I got two remotes and I wished I had gotten three. When I hookup my hydraulic side shift flail mower, I have to take off the hydraulic top arm because the flail takes two remotes. It sure would be easier to have that hydraulic top arm when hooking up and adjusting the trim of the mower than adjusting the manual top arm.

Yep, get three remotes when you purchase the machine. It costs a lot more to add them later. And the more, the better.

 

[arrow]

Yep, get three remotes when you purchase the machine. It costs a lot more to add them later. And the more, the better.

The only reason it would cost more is if the customer’s tractor has to be picked up to add a third.
Otherwise the labor charge is exactly the same.
I would agree that two remotes are better than one but figure out first if you’re gonna need a third.

 

[Hay Dude]

Agree wholeheartedly.
2 remotes is not enough. I encourage 3 or 4 sets.

You won’t regret this small expense on this large of a purchase.

My MT655E has 6 sets and with the electronic style remotes being prone to spool failure, it’s good to have a few extra sets of remotes. #6 is “out” on mine right now. $1,000 for a new solenoid. I can live with 5 sets lol

 

[jyoutz]

The only reason it would cost more is if the customer’s tractor has to be picked up to add a third.
Otherwise the labor charge is exactly the same.
I would agree that two remotes are better than one but figure out first if you’re gonna need a third.

IDK but it sure cost more when I had mine installed last year. Probably because it’s easier to add remotes to a crated tractor before installing rear wheels than doing it afterwards when the machine is fully assembled, and I suspect some of the difference is simply what corporate prices establish on the machine builder versus what dealers can get away with charging for service.

 

[scootr]

3 is mandatory for me

 

[arrow]

IDK but it sure cost more when I had mine installed last year. Probably because it’s easier to add remotes to a crated tractor before installing rear wheels than doing it afterwards when the machine is fully assembled, and I suspect some of the difference is simply what corporate prices establish on the machine builder versus what dealers can get away with charging for service.

Did you know the difference in price?
Also, from when you purchased the tractor, to when you retro installed, what was the time frame?
I have seen these things go up $200 within a year.
Also, removing a tire is no big deal and would only add about $25 worth of labor. Having a gantry at the shop makes a loaded tire removal rather simple.
I don’t know what other dealers do but we as a dealer do not “ get away with” anything except a satisfied customer.

 

[jyoutz]

Did you know the difference in price?
Also, from when you purchased the tractor, to when you retro installed, what was the time frame?
I have seen these things go up $200 within a year.
Also, removing a tire is no big deal and would only add about $25 worth of labor. Having a gantry at the shop makes a loaded tire removal rather simple.
I don’t know what other dealers do but we as a dealer do not “ get away with” anything except a satisfied customer.

The price builder shows what it costs to order new. Comparing the new tractor price builder to what 4 different dealers quoted (and I paid one of them) was about 40% more than ordering at the time of purchase. Non- warranty and new sales service work must be where the profit margins are for dealers. IDK if your dealership has a different business model, but this was my experience.