Thoughts on Kubota M9000

[N80]

Not long ago I posted a thread about getting a bigger tractor to go with my Kubota L4400. I want a pre-emissions tractor with at least 60hp. 4wd. Loader. No cab.

I found a Kubota M7040 locally. Beat up all over but mechanically sound. 1500 hours. $28,500. Dealer came down to $27,500 but I just could not pull the trigger as bad as that machine looked. Someone bought it shortly after that.

Now the same guy has a Kubota M9000. 2300 hours. I have not seen it in person but looks rode hard in the pictures. Asking $23,500. I'll stop buy and kick the tires and drive it on Friday.

I'm just looking for thoughts on this model. It is 4wd, hydraulic shuttle shift, canopy, no cab. Any known issues with this model? Any quirks I need to know about? I did notice that the loader framework is different from most later tractors. There is larger bracing along the sides of the tractor as well as a bar across the hood just in front of the dashboard. Any limitations to this older framwork design? I'm assuming the loader is removable?

Any advice appreciated.

 

[Hay Dude]

This one?

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/212695175/kubota-m9000-40-hp-to-99-hp-tractors

 

[N80]

Yes.

 

[Hay Dude]

Good:
2274 hours are low for age.
Has a hydraulic reverser, thats a plus over the mechanical dry clutch.
Rear tires look good
Has loader with bucket and bale spear.

Bad;
Cosmetically aged and uncared for. Will that translate to uncared for maintenance?
Operator station area and some other spots taking on some rust.
8 speed transmission would be less than desirable to bale hay with (if thats what youre using it for). 16 speed much better for that work. (May not be important to you).
Front tires worn.
No cast rims or wheel weights, light in rear for loader work (tires may be filled)
Some loader hydraulic hoses are cracked.

As with all check for leaks at seals, discolored smoke, proper transmission & range engagement, steering, unusual sounds, electrical system problems

 

[N80]

The 8 speed transmission is no problem for me. No hay baling. Most of what I'm looking for in a larger tractor is higher lifting capacity of the loader (compared to my 4400) and three point.

Already assumed front tire replacement. All fluids and filters too of course. The two together is no small expense. Replacing hoses is another expense but not difficult. Exhaust stack looks bent and replaced.

Would fill rear tires if not already filled. Another expense but not necessarily a big one.

In my limited used tractor shopping it seems like they always look worse in person than in pictures so this one might be a real dog. I do not know the model year. I think the M9000 range was 1997 to 2006 or something like that. $23,500 is a bitter pill for a machine like this but even at these inflated prices pre-emissions tractors don't hang around long.

Maintenance history is another issue. When I asked about the maintenance history on the M7040 he had he acted like that was not a thing. I'm new to the used tractor market so maybe no one keeps records on their machines. I do.

 

[N80]

Another question. On the rear of this tractor just above and to the right of the PTO shaft there is hydraulic hose and a hydraulic connector. Looks like the hose goes forward. Any idea what that is?

Also, it has a fire extinguisher, what looks like a back-up beeper and unit numbers on it. I wonder if this was a DOT or fleet type unit.

 

[Hay Dude]

Fire extinguisher common for baling. Do you think it was farmer owned? (Bale spear) Also see baling twine around rear axle
maybe hydraulics for loader power beyond

TractorData.com Kubota M9000 tractor attachments information

www.tractordata.com

 

[5030]

If it's the one Hay Dude posted up, that is the stock loader.

Rubber looks good, it has no PTO shield on the back and the right tail light assemble is broken (and they are expensive to replace).

The cross bar in front of the dash is stock, I use mine when I dismount the tractor, makes a nice handhold. Loaders are easy to mount and dismount too. (I know, I have 2 of them).

Only known issue is they have a weak PTO brake and need an over running coupler. Easy too find out if the pto brake is shot, take a rag with the tractor off and the pto disengaged and try to turn the stub. If the brake is ok, the stub will rotate about 45 degrees and come up against a hard stop. If it's shot it will rotate with no resistance.

Now the bad news. if it is shot, the only fix is splitting the tractor to replace the pto brake as access is only through the front of the gearbox.

The hydraulic shuttles are mostly bulletproof. I have 6000+ hours on my open station and 2000+ hours on my cab unit. Never had an issue with the hydraulic shuttle on either. My cab unit has a 2 speed (540-1000) pto and the extra gear set in the transmission as well.

Both mine have cast centers on the rear wheels (don't require filled tires).

I will say I paid $16K for my open station 2 years ago but my dealer offered me 30 for it. Not for sale. It's putting out 92 at the pto btw, had my dealer run the overhead and dyno it.

I realize that pre 4 tractors aren't built anymore and what there is, is all there is so as they get sold (or kept), the field is getting smaller and smaller and the prices are increasing.

Bought the cab tractor new in 2004. it's been 100% issue free, so has the open station tractor.

Cab tractor is at my dealer's presently getting a tune up (valve adjustment and injector pop test) and will get run on the dyno too.

If you decide to purchase it, I'd do a complete fluid and filter change immediately (air filter too). I use Kubota filters in both and the cab tractor gets Chevron All Weather THC Synthetic and the open station gets Rotella AW hydraulic fluid. I use the Chevron THC Synthetic in the cab M9 because it gets winter duty lowing snow and the Chevron has really good cold flow ability.

In my opinion, 23 is a bit steep but like I said, the field is getting smaller and smaller every day so the prices are increasing.

The VT engine in the M9's are basically bulletproof so long as they are maintained properly. They hold just under 15 gallons of fluid in the gearbox and about 5 quarts of 90 weight gear oil in the front axle and outboards.

I run hay with mine which is why I have the optional gears in the gearbox of the cab tractor.

 

[N80]

I have no idea who owned it. I thought that stuff on the rear axle was long grass but it might be baler twine. I think if it was an ag tractor it must have been part of a large operation since it has number decals on it.

@5030 Thanks for the tip on the PTO brake. Will check that out.

I probably will not bite on this unit.

It is just my nature to be willing to pay a premium for something in good shape than pay less, but probably too much, for one that looks so beat up.

There are several M7040s on Tractor House that cost a lot more but are lower in hours and look much better. Unfortunately they are many miles away.

 

[5030]

The is no clutch in the bellhousing, only a spring loaded damper plate which was the main reason I bought my first one. I'm not fond of dry clutches and they all need replaced at some point. With the hydraulic shuttle, unless the travelling wet pack has really been abused, there is no replacement and the hydraulic shuttle modulates itself, it's load sensing so it senses the load on the loader or whatever and modulates itself for smooth starts and directional changes. Pretty neat setup actually.

 

[5030]

I included a picture for a little 'eye candy'... Keep in mind that all Kubota hydraulic shuttles operate the same way.

 

[5030]

I will say that mine didn't look at all like it does now, when I bought it. It was rough as well, real rough. It spent most of it's life on a dairy farm moving manure and when I got it home, I put it in the shop and completely stripped off all the sheet metal. Took me 5 pressure washer sessions to get all the manure off of it and a whole lot of sanding and painting and body work to get it to where it is plus an additional 6 grand in repairs at my dealer. Had my dealer fix the dents in the hood, replace the front crank seal (was pissing oil at at an alarming rate), replaced the king pin bushings and oil seals in both outboards, new alternator, new brush guard, new seat and suspension and I added the canopy. it came out really good and I'm very happy with it, plus my mechanic at the dealership gave the engine and transmission a thumbs up. Did all the paint and decals myself.

It's getting new shoes this spring. Putting Trelleborg Radials on it.

 

[5030]

I believe the model run was '97 through 2004. When I bought my 04, I had to special order it and waited 6 months for it.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have no idea who owned it. I thought that stuff on the rear axle was long grass but it might be baler twine. I think if it was an ag tractor it must have been part of a large operation since it has number decals on it.

@5030 Thanks for the tip on the PTO brake. Will check that out.

I probably will not bite on this unit.

It is just my nature to be willing to pay a premium for something in good shape than pay less, but probably too much, for one that looks so beat up.

There are several M7040s on Tractor House that cost a lot more but are lower in hours and look much better. Unfortunately they are many miles away.

Have owned both an M7040 and an M9540 Dual Speed. An M-9000 is going to be like a pre-cursor to an M9540. My M9540 was a really nice small frame tractor. The difference in the weight & power is pretty noticeable between those 2.
On the M9000 you are looking at, check for oil stains on the insides of the tires. Kubota axle seals are not the best and I have replaced more than I would like over the last 15 years.
What you are going to find in general is used tractors are overpriced and the selection is slim. I am looking for a 140HP pre-emissions tractor with loader and have found maybe one that suits my needs. Like the M9000 you found, its a little too beat up for my liking.
I also am willing to part with a little more $ for something well cared for and ready to go straight to work.
Have you considered other brands? For loader work on tractors that size, Kubota may not be the best choice as they tend to be lighter and therefore less stable with a full loader. A comparable legacy brand farm tractor brand will probably weigh more and give you better results doing loader work.

 

[newbury]

This one?

https://www.tractorhouse.com/listing/for-sale/212695175/kubota-m9000-40-hp-to-99-hp-tractors

Other than the size that looks remarkably similar to my M4700 when I bought it back in 2013 for about $12K.

Attachments

• 
  8x6SAM_0798.jpg

  402.4 KB · Views: 357

Same color, similar wear pattern, same cracked taillights, same flashers.
Mine had been used for mowing beside the county roads for about 1400 hours.

Over the last 10 years and MAYBE 1,000 hours MAX, only minor repairs and replacements. Biggest being the front tires.

 

[5030]

Fire extinguisher common for baling. Do you think it was farmer owned? (Bale spear) Also see baling twine around rear axle
maybe hydraulics for loader power beyond

TractorData.com Kubota M9000 tractor attachments information

www.tractordata.com

They are open center, not power beyond and the common return point for the loader fluid is the backside of the back pto case. Both mine are like that.

 

[5030]

The M9'share the same frame and overall dimensions as the other 2 lesser power models. In fact, the M9 shop manual is for all 3. The M9 just has more power output, bigger turbo and different timing. Front tires can be an issue if you run in FWA all the time. They are touchy when it comes to lead-lag ratio. I rarely use FWA. One thing I do like about the is you can lock the front and rear diff's independently. Mine has the optional down exhaust and the Kubota SSQA quick attach, though I prefer the ATI SSQA. Everything interchanges however and mine came with 2 buckets, the material bucket and the excavation bucket so I have 3 now. The down exhaust was for feed lot farmers where the exhaust stack could get bent from overhead obstructions.

The longer you wait to buy one (any pre 4 unit) the harder they will be to get. Like I said people are keeping them and if for sale, go pretty quick. Neither of mine are for sale and when I do sell them, I expect to get top dollar for them

 

[5030]

Other than the size that looks remarkably similar to my M4700 when I bought it back in 2013 for about $12K.

Attachments

• 
  8x6SAM_0798.jpg

  402.4 KB · Views: 357

Same color, similar wear pattern, same cracked taillights, same flashers.
Mine had been used for mowing beside the county roads for about 1400 hours.

Over the last 10 years and MAYBE 1,000 hours MAX, only minor repairs and replacements. Biggest being the front tires.

I see you have the light duty material bucket which usually gets bent on top. The excavation bucket has a rolled top ends and a double floor too and no SSQA which I feel is necessary. When I do field work, the bucket is always off and usually the entire loader. Very easy to dismount and remount.

 

[N80]

The tractor is no longer on the dealer's web site. Still on Tractor House but I suspect it is sold. Did not last long. Apparently you have to move pretty quick on these things.

 

[N80]

Have you considered other brands?

Yes. Its just that this used equipment dealer is nearby and he seems to prefer Kubota. Prices on comparable JD are similar. Can't find any JDs within a couple hundred miles.