Tractor Sizing Tractor buying advice for 47 acres at 8600 ft

[V53]

You're not really comparing apples to apples either on some of those models.

the M6060 and M7060 is comparable to the RX6620 and RX7320.

The MF 1700 series isn't to any of those machines. I'd say you'd be looking at MF 4600 series or a MF 4707 to be in their class as true utility tractors.

 

[goeduck]

Thought I might add a few aerials I took today at the property. These are of our access road, and as you can see it is under about 2 ft of snow, even though much around it has already melted. So not only do we have snow, but we have a North facing drift spot to dig out with each storm. The pictures are from either side of the road/drift. The latter shot is an uphill grade, about 4-6%.

Nice looking area.

 

[rScotty]

Thought I might add a few aerials I took today at the property. These are of our access road, and as you can see it is under about 2 ft of snow, even though much around it has already melted. So not only do we have snow, but we have a North facing drift spot to dig out with each storm. The pictures are from either side of the road/drift. The latter shot is an uphill grade, about 4-6%.

View attachment 542468

View attachment 542469

Nice aerial shots. Drone?

It's a bit of a mystery exactly why snow stays on the ground in some areas and drifts in others. On our place if the snow is less than about a foot we just drive over it. I have noticed that if I drive over then more will accumulate in the tracks and stay longer. Whereas if I stay off of the snow it stands a chance of melting in the winter sun.

From the photos it looks like there is a meadow in that bowl so there may even be some clay soil there on top of the disintegrated granite (DG) sandy gravel. Are those old tire tracks in the meadow?

Keeping that access road in your photos open may be difficult because the downhill side of the road has a lot of trees. It's easier when the downslope side is open...and easiest when the downslope side of the road gets some sun.

About 5 years ago we re-configured the roads here in order to take advantage of the weather. The downside to that project is that our nice cabbed and heated snow-removal tractor has pretty much slumbered ever since.

Sure looks like a nice area.Lots of horsey events up there if that's of interest.
rScotty

 

[Jchonline]

You're not really comparing apples to apples either on some of those models.

the M6060 and M7060 is comparable to the RX6620 and RX7320.

The MF 1700 series isn't to any of those machines. I'd say you'd be looking at MF 4600 series or a MF 4707 to be in their class as true utility tractors.

Good point. I haven't yet decided if I will go with a higher end (hp) compact or a lower end utility. For me these are comparisons. Trying to decide which of these fits best with my needs.

I added the M4707 Deluxe to my list as well. This would be my Massey utility comparison. It looks like an awesome tractor as well. The great think about the M4707 is it weights 8644 lbs, over 3000 lbs more than the M7060 Cab. That is crazy!

 

[Jchonline]

I would also like some general manufacturer feedback if you all are willing to share. Today I called the following dealers:

John Deere - told me they are the only remaining purely USA based company that has never been bought/sold. Easy to get parts and service. High resale value My concern would be because I live in an Ag area, the compact/small utility customer will get very little attention (more combine/large tractor customers to take priority). High res

Kubota - They told me they are the only tractor that is 100% made in the USA. High resale value. He mentioned some other mfg use plastic fenders and/or hoods, but Kubota uses all steel. Who on earth would put plastic on a tractor? There should be a law.....

Massey - Dealer told me they specialize in Compacts (as opposed to the local JD that caters as above). If true this would be appealing.

Need to call some of the others tomorrow. Kioti, LS.

Mahindra seems out because they have no dealer in Northern CO. I also didnt see a Cab model in the 50-70 HP range compact/small utility. Let me know if I missed something.

New Holland closest is over 60mi away (other side of Greeley), which in CO mountains is at least a couple of hours.

So are these guys above making this stuff up (JD, K, M dealers that is).

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota - They told me they are the only tractor that is 100% made in the USA. High resale value. He mentioned some other mfg use plastic fenders and/or hoods, but Kubota uses all steel. Who on earth would put plastic on a tractor? There should be a law.....

Kubota manufactures 100% of Kubota parts in factories all over the world. Kubota does not buy components from outside suppliers, tires excepted.

Unless things have changed, FELs and Backhoes are manufactured solely in Georgia/USA and exported to Kubota assembly plants worldwide.

Kubota has three large manufacturing/assembly plants in Georgia/USA.

There is PLENTY of plastic around the operating station on Kubota tractors, however, not the body panels.

It has a new national parts distribution center under construction in Kansas, also the location of Kubota owned Land Pride. Kubota has purchased part of Vermeer. I do not know where Vermeer is located.

Kubota's USA Sales Office is in California. I have read it is moving to Kansas.

According to Farm Machinery News, Kubota has 46% market share in 80-horsepower and under tractors in the USA. This number, however, is about a year old.

Every one of the companies you have spoken of is a public company. You can buy Kubota stock on the NYSE under the symbol KUBTY. Stock ownership in all these companies is diffused internationally. You can easily Google Kubota's 2017 annual report, in English.

You are wasting your time with this stuff. In most dealerships only the senior people, who travel to attend Kubota dealer meetings, would have accurate information on these topics; and it is unlikely you would reach them on a casual telephone call.

Wikipedia and Google Search will serve you better.



For most new to tractors a quality dealer, reasonably close, available for coaching, is important. Dealer proximity is less important to others, well experienced with tractors, who perform their own maintenance. My kubota dealer is six miles away. I feel my local dealer continues to add value to my equipment.

 

[Jchonline]

Good points Jeff. I suppose I am trying to establish which dealer is the most reputable, but that probably isn’t going to reveal itself solely from sales interactions.

 

[3Lfarms]

Messicks has a video where they show how the tractors get shipped in from Japan on reusable crates that fold down for easier shipping back to Japan. The final assembly is done at the dealership. The tractors are not “all made in the USA”. Sounds like a salesperson talking out of his butt to make a sale.

 

[jeff9366]

Good points Jeff. I suppose I am trying to establish which dealer is the most reputable, but that probably isn’t going to reveal itself solely from sales interactions.

I would check the Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. You may be able to access complaints via the internet.

 

[Jchonline]

Went and sat in a Kubota L5460 today. What a fantastic tractor. It was actually bigger than I picture it being. More than enough tractor for my needs. The HST transmission was just awesome. My last tractor driving experience was a 1980ish Belarus open station that pulled a round baler. Needless to say this was a step up. Jeff you were spot on, this is a beefy tractor for its size.

This confirms that a compact line from another manufacturer with similar ht/width should be just fine as well. I am hoping to get by our local Kioti/LS/TYM, Massey, and JD dealers soon.