Which would you chose?

[Builder]

I need a 50Hp for a 7' landscape rake, a 7' bushog and maybe some snowplowing. The 2 Kubotas are the nicest. The JD seems like the toughest or "hardest", but it's older & more beat up inside. The Case looks real nice inside and it's already set up for a front mounted power angle snowplow. The other 3 have loader arms with Q/A for a snowplow, but will require valves in the cab. I like the 4610 b/c it has R-4 tires, which is what I wanted, but I don't know how tough an "L" is.
I don't really need a loader b/c I have a backhoe, so the CASE would be OK without a loader.

KUBOTA M4900 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

2000 CASE IH CX50 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

KUBOTA L4610HST For Sale at TractorHouse.com

JOHN DEERE 5300 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

 

[dgl24087]

I'd probably go for the M4900. How about this, no cab, but for sale by a good dealer. eBay: Kubota M6800 Tractor 4x4 Hydraulic Shuttle Low Hrs. (item 290134623933 end time Jul-30-07 17:34:16 PDT)

 

[Builder]

That's a nice M5700, but I need a cab. I can get a cab M6800 4x4 for even less, although it has a lot more hours.

2000 KUBOTA M6800 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd go for the Kubota or Deere in Manchester, MD as that's closest to you. The others are too far (depending on where you are in PA). Shipping costs, even if you pick the tractor up, could be considerable at $3/gallon.

Personally, I'd probably go for the Deere first, but I am kinda a Deere guy. Since you don't need another loader, you could always sell the Deere's loader for a couple, three thousand.
However, the Kubota has considerably less hours and is cheaper (then the Deere). However, the Kubota is HST which is not something I'd want.

I don't know how tough those big Kubota's are either, so that's an unknown.

I'd make the decision on the dealer's lot.

 

[Builder]

I'd go for the Kubota or Deere in Manchester, MD as that's closest to you. The others are too far (depending on where you are in PA). Shipping costs, even if you pick the tractor up, could be considerable at $3/gallon.

Personally, I'd probably go for the Deere first, but I am kinda a Deere guy. Since you don't need another loader, you could always sell the Deere's loader for a couple, three thousand.
However, the Kubota has considerably less hours and is cheaper (then the Deere). However, the Kubota is HST which is not something I'd want.

I don't know how tough those big Kubota's are either, so that's an unknown.

I'd make the decision on the dealer's lot.

I'm thinking along the same lines, Roy. I like to be able to buy within 100 miles so I can at least go have a look at the thing. I like the M4900 the best and it's super clean and loaded, but that's why it's the most expensive. It's perfect for my needs. The seller of the Deere 5300 sent me more pictures and it looks rough inside. Definately a crude cab at best. I still have to think the Deere is twice the tractor of either Kubota. Looks like it weighs a lot more.

 

[Croomrider]

Looks like you are comparing 2 small utilities with two cuts. The M4900 looks the best if you need the bigger tractor! Personally I wouldn't even consider the Case as it's only 40 horse compared to the others and doesn't have a loader, assuming the add is correct stating 40 hp. Maybe if was 2-3K less. The M4900 may be the most money but it's low hours and super clean looking compared to the Deere. If you don't need that big of a tractor then the L4610 is low hours as well. Good luck with your decision!

CR

 

[Builder]

Looks like you are comparing 2 small utilities with two cuts. The M4900 looks the best if you need the bigger tractor! Personally I wouldn't even consider the Case as it's only 40 horse compared to the others and doesn't have a loader, assuming the add is correct stating 40 hp. Maybe if was 2-3K less. The M4900 may be the most money but it's low hours and super clean looking compared to the Deere. If you don't need that big of a tractor then the L4610 is low hours as well. Good luck with your decision!

CR

I should have mentioned the Case CX50 is actually 50HP. It's a typo.

I think they mean 40 drawbar or PTO HP. They're all between 46-52HP.

The thing about the L4610 is that it's relatively local (no transportation fees except fuel for my truck), low hours (310), in my budget (under 20 grand) and in the least need of modifications (has the R-4's on it already). Can't really go wrong with Kubota.

The only thing is I think the L's are not near the tractor that the M's are.

 

[ArtVandelay]

Kubota > Deere

 

[Builder]

Kubota > Deere

You don't say? I thought you were a Deere guy.

 

[RoyJackson]

Kubota > Deere

Art, why would you write something like that?
Ever operated a Deere, other then a test drive on the Dealer's lot? Or any other tractor, for that matter?

 

[machmeter62]

I need a 50Hp for a 7' landscape rake, a 7' bushog and maybe some snowplowing. The 2 Kubotas are the nicest. The JD seems like the toughest or "hardest", but it's older & more beat up inside. The Case looks real nice inside and it's already set up for a front mounted power angle snowplow. The other 3 have loader arms with Q/A for a snowplow, but will require valves in the cab. I like the 4610 b/c it has R-4 tires, which is what I wanted, but I don't know how tough an "L" is.
I don't really need a loader b/c I have a backhoe, so the CASE would be OK without a loader.

KUBOTA M4900 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

2000 CASE IH CX50 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

KUBOTA L4610HST For Sale at TractorHouse.com

JOHN DEERE 5300 For Sale at TractorHouse.com

I own nearly a dozen tractors in my fleet of the three major brands; some are a decade or older. The least trouble free are the Kubotas. The engines, the heart of any tractor, is the selling point for me. Kubotas win! My oldest is now 30 years old with thousands of hours and never been "unbuttoned!" Just routine maintenance, fluid changes, filters, greasing, and etc. Another thing about thr Kubotas; the instruments and wiring are well sealed from any rodents, which can be a major problems with others. One of my JD's had the wiring harness chewed up. I still like all of them however. Good luck on your decision.

 

[case685]

I ran a 7' brush hog (single blade rotary cutter type) with a 60hp tractor for a few years and if thats the type of cutter your getting you are better off with the heaviest tractor as one that size can give the tractor a workout. Gerry

 

[Builder]

The Deere 5300 is the heaviest, followed by the CASE (I added 750-1,000 for the FEL), then the M4900 and then the L4610.

 

[Bob_Young]

For big Ag tractors, Deere is hard to top....and certainly not by Kubota. But, face it, Roy; 50HP tractors are no longer JD's bread and butter. Deere talent is concentrated on the Big Iron. In the small utility and compact markets, Deere offerings are either re-badged foreign products or something the Deere guys dreamed up between the BIG projects....and that's not saying they're bad, by any means. The model overlap in their marketing kind of speaks to their offhand approach to this market. It takes some study to determine what differentiates one Deere model from another in a given HP range. At times, I've thrown up my hands at this in spite of Deere's excellent web site.

On the other hand, 50HP and thereabouts IS Kubota's bread and butter. Their model lineup reflects a degree of sanity that says the manufacturer takes the compact/utility market seriously. On top of that, the Kubota value is always there and reliability is near legendary.

I like Green but, for small utilities on down, I can understand a bias toward Kubota. I'd vote for the M4900 in this case; sweet & simple.
Bob

 

[RollingsFarms]

i thought the Ag tractors began at the 50hp mark(5003 series for JD and up)?? ive just always heard of them refered to as Ag utilities by fellow farmers around here. to me a CUT ends at the 4000 series as far as JD goes. the difference in weight and strenght of axles and frames makes that clear. the way ive always loked at it is if it can pull a nurse tank fully loaded, a small-medium size cotton wagon, hay bailer(round not square) then its in the Ag line because its able to do ag work. this is just the way ive always looked at it.

 

[RoyJackson]

For big Ag tractors, Deere is hard to top....and certainly not by Kubota. But, face it, Roy; 50HP tractors are no longer JD's bread and butter. Deere talent is concentrated on the Big Iron. In the small utility and compact markets, Deere offerings are either re-badged foreign products or something the Deere guys dreamed up between the BIG projects....and that's not saying they're bad, by any means. The model overlap in their marketing kind of speaks to their offhand approach to this market. It takes some study to determine what differentiates one Deere model from another in a given HP range. At times, I've thrown up my hands at this in spite of Deere's excellent web site.

On the other hand, 50HP and thereabouts IS Kubota's bread and butter. Their model lineup reflects a degree of sanity that says the manufacturer takes the compact/utility market seriously. On top of that, the Kubota value is always there and reliability is near legendary.

I like Green but, for small utilities on down, I can understand a bias toward Kubota. I'd vote for the M4900 in this case; sweet & simple.
Bob

Re-read the post...my recommendation was to buy one of the tractors closest to home (either the smaller Kubota or the Deere). That's all about proximaty of the dealer, not color of the tractor.

I don't have sales data...doubt if you do either, but based upon observation (which is subjective), Deere has the sales advantage in this area.

Anyway, Builder probably has more experience then either of us when it comes to the tractors of the size being discussed.

By the way, the Deere CUTs built by Yanmar aren't re-badged. They're built under Deere specs. I don't believe you'd see a 790, 3320 or other model sold under the Yanmar name. I am sure some components are shared since the Yanmar engines are used in other industrial/marine appications. Kubota sells their engines for other applications too.
Also, remember the Deere has been in the CUT business for a long time...20, 25 years.

So, Builder...did you buy yet?

 

[SOS]

M4900

 

[Builder]

So, Builder...did you buy yet?

No sir. Why the big-bold letters? Think I'm near sighted?

I'm still looking. I'm trying to see what makes the M4900 worth $5,000 more than the L4610 other than the obvious.

Is the M4900 THAT much more tractor? I think it is, but I'm over budget. The 4610 is AT budget maximum. I might buy a different one if one comes along.

The M4900 makes me drool in larger volume than the others. It's just a perfect fit for me. If it had R-4's I'd probably risk the extra $$ and go for it.

 

[ArtVandelay]

For big Ag tractors, Deere is hard to top....and certainly not by Kubota. But, face it, Roy; 50HP tractors are no longer JD's bread and butter. Deere talent is concentrated on the Big Iron. In the small utility and compact markets, Deere offerings are either re-badged foreign products or something the Deere guys dreamed up between the BIG projects....and that's not saying they're bad, by any means. The model overlap in their marketing kind of speaks to their offhand approach to this market. It takes some study to determine what differentiates one Deere model from another in a given HP range. At times, I've thrown up my hands at this in spite of Deere's excellent web site.

On the other hand, 50HP and thereabouts IS Kubota's bread and butter. Their model lineup reflects a degree of sanity that says the manufacturer takes the compact/utility market seriously. On top of that, the Kubota value is always there and reliability is near legendary.

I like Green but, for small utilities on down, I can understand a bias toward Kubota. I'd vote for the M4900 in this case; sweet & simple.
Bob

Good post. I agree for the most part, but I believe Kubota does make tractors up to 103 PTO hp also. And I am sure Kubota's larger tractors stack up very favorably against Deere's of similar PTO hp.

 

[RoyJackson]

No sir. Why the big-bold letters? Think I'm near sighted?

I'm a big, bold kinda guy...makes up for that stupid looking hat I'm wearing (my wife makes me wear it)