What do you like about your newer utility tractors?

[Dargo]

The buddy seat is one of the great things they came up with for these newer cab tractors. I am glad to see them making their way down to the smaller tractors.

Do you have your 5525 weighted? I spent a lot of time in a JD 5410N as well as the NH TN75V and the only difference (other then brand) is that the NH has the tires filled but their both 2wd and while pulling the grape gondolas the NH walks circles around the JD. I have not had any experience with the regular JD utility tractors though so I am not sure how they are for pulling. I am trying to keep this tractor a little lighter and not fill the tires but possibly go with cast weights (if I end up needing weight). For most of my uses I shouldn't need the extra weight hopefully.

I actually have 2 sets of wheels and tires for the tractor, which is 4wd. One set is a loaded set of R1 tires and the other is an unloaded set of R4's. With a large implement on the 3 pt., FEL and loaded tires, the tractor gets pretty heavy for lawns. I used to switch wheels and tires a lot. Now I pretty well just leave the R4 tires on. Without any doubt, in most instances, the loaded R1 tires pull better. However, after we've had 20" or more of rain each month for the last couple of months, I fear the loaded R1's would get stuck since I'd bottom out long before they could dig down to solid ground and pull. To give you an idea, when hooking up a new generator, we easily hand pushed a copper rod 8' into the ground.

Another thing I like about the tractor is it's really wide stance. It's 18" wider than my Kubota L5030HSTC in the rear. That has to give it a lot more stability. Instead of a holster for a firearm, I think I'll make me a holster for my chainsaw whenever I head into the woods though! Well, actually I just make a pass through with my 8 ton class mini excavator first and clear the area.

I don't know if it's the weight of the tractor or what, but I do have several parking lots and a few private roads I clear snow off of in the winter. It's been 3 years since I've bothered putting the R1's on. I do notice some difference in the snow, but not enough to need to change tires.

 

[TripleR]

The hydraulic shuttles were just coming to the market when I bought my TN and I remember having the option but I was scared of the electronic aspect of it so I went with the manual shuttle. How has the shuttle shift worked out for you? I dont see myself using the shuttle anywhere near as much as I do with my other two tractors since I won't be putting a loader on the new one but I do appreciate the shuttle for its ease of use.

There are more and more M series Kubotas making their way into this area so I have been noticing them and enjoying hearing feedback on them.

While we do use a FEL on our M8540, most of the use is pulling a pull type Woods DS1260 10'6" rotary cutter. We use it on a combination of rolling hills and steep terrain including pond banks. On some of our property, we have to do a lot of back and forth especially on the pond banks and the Hydraulic Shuttle Shift works great as you do not have to stop to change directions, simply move the shuttle shift. I only do this when going slow, but it sure is handy hanging off of a steep levy going down towards thirty feet of water.

There are also times when I will just slip it into neutral and hold position to figure out my next best line and not having to use the foot clutch makes it easier on me.

We used a Synchro Shuttle Shift Case CX80 for about thirteen years and the Hydraulic Shuttle Shift is a big improvement.

While we love our M8540, other posters are right in that the John Deere cab and others are bigger but it was not a consideration for me. If it is for you the John Deere is an excellent choice.

In the hills, we have to have 4WD, but I know others who are quite happy with 2WD.

 

[Dargo]

While we love our M8540, other posters are right in that the John Deere cab and others are bigger but it was not a consideration for me. If it is for you the John Deere is an excellent choice.

In the hills, we have to have 4WD, but I know others who are quite happy with 2WD.

If I didn't want the 2nd seat for my little buddy to ride with me (or my wife to gripe at me ), I most likely would have bought an M8540. I actually liked it a slight bit more than the JD but, in my situation, the larger cab outweighed that slight edge towards the Kubota. I'm quite sure it will be a great tractor for you for decades to come.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks guys, I am looking forward to going to the tractor dealers and looking some of these tractors over. This thread is to give me fresh ideas of different items to look for in particular since I have been out of the tractor buying mode for a little while now.

 

[TripleR]

If I didn't want the 2nd seat for my little buddy to ride with me (or my wife to gripe at me ), I most likely would have bought an M8540. I actually liked it a slight bit more than the JD but, in my situation, the larger cab outweighed that slight edge towards the Kubota. I'm quite sure it will be a great tractor for you for decades to come.

Nothing like time spent with the little ones.:thumbsup: