What is the perfect tractor for you, if you could have any tractor you wanted, and why?

KubotaHawg

Member

Equipment
L2800DT, LA463, Landpride ΒΒ1260, RCR1260
Jan 9, 2022
53
52
18
NW Arkansas
For me would be an L3400 Xtra Power, and here’s why:

Tractors I have owned:
JD 790–great all around 30 hp, plenty of power, 2 stage clutch, but small operator station and clumsy to shift

Kubota L4400. Great machine. Sold due to divorce, but would be too big for my needs now.

Kubota L3010. GST and shuttle shift nice feature but no independent PTO.

Currently L2800, probably last tractor I will ever own. Perfect size for mountain property and narrow trails, power ok for what I do with it, but doesn’t have independent PTO which is somewhat annoying for bush hogging.

A buddy had an L3400 and it was probably the best combination of size and power. Same tractor as L2800 but bigger engine and independent PTO.

I will only own a pre-DEF tractor, less unnecessary crap/technology to break down.

What say you?
 

MOOTS

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
MX6000
Jun 27, 2019
1,923
2,208
113
Canton, Georgia
I think you mean pre DPF. DEF is only needed after 75hp.

I would jump up to a pre DPF M series. And a BX for around the house.
 
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mcmxi

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Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,323
6,334
113
NW Montana
In the real world I'm really quite happy with the MX and M that I have. The only thing I'd change is swapping the M6060 for an M7060 with the F18/R18 transmission, more hydraulic flow, and nicer 4WD engagement, or maybe an M4. It'd be an incremental upgrade so not even remotely a priority, but the M6060/7060 is a really good sized tractor for what I do. They're easy to live with, they're very capable, they're significantly more capable than any model below them, and they're still somewhat affordable.

In the fantasy world, I'd have something with more than 100hp so an M5, M6, M7 or M8 for no other reason than I like big tractors, and having more than 100hp is appealing for some reason. I'd rather not have DPF or DEF on any tractor, but I have no use for a 25hp or less tractor.

There's no conclusive evidence yet that DPF systems are a problem for long-term ownership, but you can bet that if mine ever fails I'll be looking at delete options.
 
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GeoHorn

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Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,040
3,316
113
Texas
I”ve got the tractor of my dreams.… a circa 1996 M4700 with less than 1K hours….Plenty fo HP for the jobs I do…~50…..basic machine….. no emissions…, no electronics…with 11 gpm hyd’s. and a H.D. loader.

If you can find something similar… I recommend it.
 

jyoutz

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
2,990
2,032
113
Edgewood, New Mexico
My MX is perfect for my needs and I love the stability of this machine. With costs no object, I would have 2; cab and open station.
 
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rc51stierhoff

Well-known member

Equipment
B2650, MX6000, Ford 8N, (BX sold)
Sep 13, 2021
2,560
3,080
113
Ohio
Good day.

I don’t think I would want to settle for just one….for me id want to add to the series. I like having both a small and mid size machine. I guess to make the perfect series I’d be willing to add a cabbed M4 to the line up….but I’d get more use out of a CTL if I could add that vs a tractor. ☕
 
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chim

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Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,116
1,233
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
After many years of escalation, I'm happy with the Kubota. HOWEVER, if I were to suddenly have millions to dispose of, I'd want one of these and buy enough land to play:

 
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mcmxi

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
***Current*** M6060HDC, MX6000HSTC & GL7000 ***Sold*** MX6000HST & BX25DLB
Feb 9, 2021
5,323
6,334
113
NW Montana
After many years of escalation, I'm happy with the Kubota. HOWEVER, if I were to suddenly have millions to dispose of, I'd want one of these and buy enough land to play:
Those Valtra seem to be somewhat popular in Europe but not sure about here in the US. I lump them in with Claas, Fendt and some others. I took this photo at my brother's place last summer when I was visiting him in England. Amazing tractors!!

claas & fendt_2.jpg
 
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Old Machinist

Active member

Equipment
Kubota LX3310 cab, JD 4310, NH 575E cab backhoe, JD F725, Swisher 60", etc.
May 27, 2024
109
116
43
NE FL
There is no one perfect tractor for me. I have three. In addition to the LX3310 I have a John Deere 4310 with third function for grapple use and a New Holland 575E backhoe for digging operations.

The LX3310 is basically just an air conditioned lawn mower.
 
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chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,116
1,233
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
A couple of the larger operations around here run Fendt and other large tractors on the roads. Most of the time they are pulling large liquid manure trailers.
 
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jimh406

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
2,356
1,781
113
Western MT
For most of us who researched before buying, we have the perfect tractor for all different reasons. My L2501HST has enough power, economical and should be durable as a non-DPF tractor for a very long time.

If you throw out durability and economy, there is no doubt that I'd buy a MX6000 with a cab. That being said, I don't use my tractor even every week much less every day. So, the L2501HST is perfect ... for me.
 
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hodge

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,903
450
83
Love, VA
i would want a John Deere 4005. The next model up from my 790. It would be about ideal for my needs.
 
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jaxs

Well-known member

Equipment
B1750HST
Jun 22, 2023
734
522
93
Texas
What say you?
I say other than teaching pigs to whistle, what good is it to know what someone else dreams about? I totally get it when someone asks "what is the best overall tractor you've ever owned"?
 
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hodge

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Equipment
John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,903
450
83
Love, VA
I say other than teaching pigs to whistle, what good is it to know what someone else dreams about? I totally get it when someone asks "what is the best overall tractor you've ever owned"?
It's conversation. It's opportunity to get to know each other better.
 
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jaxs

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Equipment
B1750HST
Jun 22, 2023
734
522
93
Texas
It's conversation. It's opportunity to get to know each other better.
That's fine as long as thread wander doesn't wind up exploring what we dream of waking up one morning next to. :cautious: I'm not sure everyone is ready to know each other that well. :unsure:
 

D2Cat

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L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,823
5,565
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40 miles south of Kansas City
That's fine as long as thread wander doesn't wind up exploring what we dream of waking up one morning next to. :cautious: I'm not sure everyone is ready to know each other that well. :unsure:
If you don't like what is in the store why do you stop and shop there?
 
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dlsmith

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Equipment
BX2230, LA211
Nov 15, 2018
1,235
789
113
Goshen, IN
My BX2230 is just the right size for me, Just wish it had a backhoe some times.
 

KubotaHawg

Member

Equipment
L2800DT, LA463, Landpride ΒΒ1260, RCR1260
Jan 9, 2022
53
52
18
NW Arkansas
I say other than teaching pigs to whistle, what good is it to know what someone else dreams about? I totally get it when someone asks "what is the best overall tractor you've ever owned"?
Simply interested in what others like or dislike in tractors, functions, etc. Always something to learn…