trying to decide on a new tractor

down home · Jan 30, 2015

I am looking for a new tractor and just cant find enough reviews, looking at the NH t4,95, MF 4610, kubota 9960, and JD5100E, MF being a 3 cyclinder has me wondering about keeping up with the others. but all the others have the dieselparticulate filter, what are the opionions out there? thanks

s219 · Jan 30, 2015

Number of cylinders isn't that important as long as power specs are where they need to be.

varmint · Jan 30, 2015

I know nothing about those tractors, but there was just a good discussion on this forum about the virtues of 3 cylinder engines- inherent smoothness, for example. You might was to try and find it?

Deere Dude · Jan 31, 2015

One of the reasons I bought mine with a 3 cylinder is because it just sounded nice and smooth compared to a 4 cylinder slightly larger tractor.

jeff9366 · Jan 31, 2015

I put 400 hours on a Kubota B3300SU with 33-hp four cylinder engine. It was pretty noisy and the noise pitch was in a high octave. I always wore ear muffs.

Now I have Kubota L3560, with a 37-hp three cylinder engine. It is much quieter and pitch is low. The L3560 cost much more than the B3300SU.

TJP89 · Jan 31, 2015

That's a wide HP range, what are you doing with it? I will say that my 3 cylinder 35HP Kioti is, while not deafening, certainly loud, not quite enough for earmuffs (probably should anyway) but close. Now, up at PTO speed with the rotary cutter, that's loud.

1026mrg · Feb 3, 2015

down home said:
I am looking for a new tractor and just cant find enough reviews, looking at the NH t4,95, MF 4610, kubota 9960, and JD5100E, MF being a 3 cyclinder has me wondering about keeping up with the others. but all the others have the dieselparticulate filter, what are the opionions out there? thanks

We have a JD5095M and I can't say enough good things about the tractor and the dealer support. I believe that the 5095 was phased out when they brought out the 5100.
The M series is slightly different from the E and is made in USA. But our JD has performed exceptionally well. We run it on about 300 acres up in Vermont. All chores ranging from plowing & prepping fields to skidding out logs and plowing snow. Four cylinder engine... does great.

Most of the main brands are well made. It really does come down to preference and dealer support. Go take a look at the tractors. See which setups you like best. See which dealers will treat you best, pre and post sale. Compare the specs & make a decision. Don't fuss too much about the DPF. Diesel emission treatments are a fact of life now. Unless you go with a second hand, older tractor, you will likely either have a DPF and flare off, or a urea based system.

One other thought.... remember, a tractor is not a vehicle. A tractor is a mobile power plant onto which you mount tools. So when looking at specs, also compare the PTO horsepower as well as the hydraulic capabilities.