Looking to purchase my first Kubota. I have found a M4800 2wd with loader with around 800 hours that I can probably get for around $16k. Trying to decide if that would be a good buy or use the same amount of money to buy a 4x4 L series? I would be using it to bushhog, till the garden, till an acre crop that I change out every year, and move gravel mostly. Which would be my better option? Keep in mind, I have been using a 60's model Case, and wanted something a little more modern.
L Series or M Series?
- Thread starter KYCase69
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4x4 is pretty handy. I don't know if that matters for you or not. If your Case has worked fine for you, the M4800 should as well. (I'm assuming the Case isn't 4x4). I don't know what the resale difference might be, but if you don't think you'll trade for a while that probably doesn't matter.
I've never owned a 4x4 or any tractor with a loader. Just trying to upgrade, and was wanting to get the best bang for my buck. I was just concerned the L series might not be as dependable long term. I guess my mind tells me it's a lower grade than the M, so it won't last as long.
Is that a decent price for the M4800 though?
The L series is a smaller frame size than the M series. It is not a "lower grade."
Be advised that 2WD tractors are uncommon these days and do not sell well.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
The M4800 is a nice machine, but 2wd would be a deal killer for me and likely most people when it comes to resale time.
None of the tasks you describe NEED 4wd. And if you've never had it you won't miss it. Resale doesn't sound like a problem for you (doesn't sound like you change machines often), and if you buy it cheap you can afford to sell it cheap later.
Loader work would, however, be better with 4wd and HST. An L is a very very reliable machine. It's just smaller than an M. How big is your bush hog, or would you change it to suit?
Loader work would, however, be better with 4wd and HST. An L is a very very reliable machine. It's just smaller than an M. How big is your bush hog, or would you change it to suit?
28 yr old 'L' Series.
NOT lesser quality. Just a smaller framed tractor.
Personally, I wouldn't have a tractor that had a FEL that wasn't 4wd. There may be some applications (light duty moving of material and general lifting) where 2 WD is suitable. But for digging, pushing.... the advantage of 4 WD can not be overstated.
NOT lesser quality. Just a smaller framed tractor.
Personally, I wouldn't have a tractor that had a FEL that wasn't 4wd. There may be some applications (light duty moving of material and general lifting) where 2 WD is suitable. But for digging, pushing.... the advantage of 4 WD can not be overstated.
I was in a similar situation when I bought MX5400.
My previous tractors were all 2wd without loaders. Without a loader all lifting was done off the 3 pt which put weight on the rear tires and gave lots of traction. The individual brakes were used for steering when the front end got light. 2wd served me fine and I got done what I needed to.
Once I went to the MX5400 and started to do loader/grapple work I found the true value of 4wd. Even with filled rear tires and counter balance on the 3pt I have lost traction on the rear tires when lifting with the loader. Put it in 4wd and all is good.
4wd is not needed but it is nice to have.
My previous tractors were all 2wd without loaders. Without a loader all lifting was done off the 3 pt which put weight on the rear tires and gave lots of traction. The individual brakes were used for steering when the front end got light. 2wd served me fine and I got done what I needed to.
Once I went to the MX5400 and started to do loader/grapple work I found the true value of 4wd. Even with filled rear tires and counter balance on the 3pt I have lost traction on the rear tires when lifting with the loader. Put it in 4wd and all is good.
4wd is not needed but it is nice to have.
To it comes down to how much loader work you plan on. Doing loader work in soft conditions is where 4x4's really shine, firm conditions not so much. Plus no real advantage with pto/towing work, as long as your on firm ground. Soft conditions is where the 4x4 is very useful.
Good day.
OP seems you have some experience with a machine that has some weight. I am not sure which model you have or what it’s weight is, but id recommend decide you want similar weight or something less weight / more weight / same. (Maybe that is how you determined the M4800, but I am not sure?).
Based on your description I think there is a broad range of machines that would do those tasks. I think determining machine weight and maybe also loader lift capacity is going to tip the scales. If not had loader before it would not be a bad idea to try to figure out how much you think you want to be able to lift with SWLL and then see which class machine that puts you at.
I definitely agree with the others on 4WD.
I think another thing to consider if buying used is what add ons / extras and if those are of value to you…add on features can add up.
. Do those come on the machines you are pricing or some do/dont?
Happy shopping.
OP seems you have some experience with a machine that has some weight. I am not sure which model you have or what it’s weight is, but id recommend decide you want similar weight or something less weight / more weight / same. (Maybe that is how you determined the M4800, but I am not sure?).
Based on your description I think there is a broad range of machines that would do those tasks. I think determining machine weight and maybe also loader lift capacity is going to tip the scales. If not had loader before it would not be a bad idea to try to figure out how much you think you want to be able to lift with SWLL and then see which class machine that puts you at.
I definitely agree with the others on 4WD.
I think another thing to consider if buying used is what add ons / extras and if those are of value to you…add on features can add up.
. Do those come on the machines you are pricing or some do/dont?Happy shopping.
A neighbor was all set to buy a 2 wheel drive tractor with a loader until I pointed out that using the loader on any hills will be a wild (& dangerous) ride with no brakes. The main reason for 4x4 with a loader is to be able to use brakes (via. transmission). KY has some hills, No??
I know you said. ".....best bang for your buck", but even if it might cost a bit more I'd get a HST, 4x4. Two must have criteria. Once you use an HST you'll think you went to Heaven!
I know exactly where you are coming from. I have a '66 Case 730 Comfort King. It was a tractor of tractors in its day. It is in excellent condition, rebuilt seat, starts all winter (only needs one battery with these modern batteries), Westendorf loader. Use at my farm for haying a few cattle. In fact, just yesterday afternoon I unloaded 17 big round bales of hay and each time I clutched/shifted that thing I realized how spoiled I was having an HST.
I've used my L4240 to move big bales (1000#), one on front and one on the back and it does fine.
I know exactly where you are coming from. I have a '66 Case 730 Comfort King. It was a tractor of tractors in its day. It is in excellent condition, rebuilt seat, starts all winter (only needs one battery with these modern batteries), Westendorf loader. Use at my farm for haying a few cattle. In fact, just yesterday afternoon I unloaded 17 big round bales of hay and each time I clutched/shifted that thing I realized how spoiled I was having an HST.
I've used my L4240 to move big bales (1000#), one on front and one on the back and it does fine.
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This is why 4x4 is necessary on my property. Hills.
I keep my tractor in 2 wheel drive for much of the time but, when I’m driving up and down hills or doing more demanding loader work, it’s in 4x4.
Mike
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
The 4x4 is also very handy in dry hard conditions when doing dirt work with a loader.
I’ve gotten stuck (many times) on my gravel driveway in 2WD; 4WD is worth its weight in gold.
My POS 2016 F150 WT (w/o locking/limited slip whatever rear end gets stuck all the time too) my BX1870 in 4WD gets everything unstuck all the time.
My first tractor was an old Cub LoBoy 154, 2WD, turfs, a very heavy front blade, MMM and no loader. It was a huge step up from the 38" box store rider. On wet grass it sometimes struggled on slopes. In snow it could barely move on level ground, and with more than a few inches it wouldn't move. With chains it went like it had 4WD plowing our gravel driveway. One selling point for moving to 4WD was not dealing with chains. The next four tractors have all been 4WD and I wouldn't want a 2WD here except maybe for a resto or toy. This is my experience on this land. As mentioned, loader work often necessitates using 4WD. Lots of other opinions here that are valid in the eyes of those who express them.
My place is not too bad hilly. Personally I'd rather have a 4x4. Just didn't know how well that M4800 2wd would be, and if that was a good price?
I had a Case 430 and 530. Both fine tractors. I hadn't considered the HST because I know nothing about them. I've never even driven a tractor with shuttle shift. Everything I've been around has gear and clutch.