Hello all and thanks in advance for your help. I am looking to replace my 1973 JD301a 40hp, which is a variant of a 1020. I have 20 acres...not quite half wooded and i brush cut 6-7 acres. In addition to brush cutting I would like a grapple bucket to move downed limbs and brush. I was pricing l4701 and mx5400 but there is also a nice used low hour 4060 with cab nearby. My hesitation with the 4060 is hp. This may be unwarranted, but my current tractor struggles to cut the small area I have. This may be because it’s old but I don’t have anything to compare it to. My cutter is 6ft.
Advice appreciated: tractor size for 20acres
- Thread starter Smallprop
- Start date
The 4060 is 40hp I think. And a 1973 tractor may have lost a few HP over the years, so it should run the cutter better than your existing machine? The 4060 is a great machine. Is it 5hp per foot that people recommend - so a 6ft cutter would require 30hp at the PTO, and the 4060 claims 34HP at the PTO, so that's within recommendation.
The grand L is really an excellent machine. An MX is more machine, but you'd be open station? How much do you want a cab? Basically the Grand L has all the features and gadgets, the MX has more metal and capacity. If the L is well priced I think that's what I'd be buying.
The grand L is really an excellent machine. An MX is more machine, but you'd be open station? How much do you want a cab? Basically the Grand L has all the features and gadgets, the MX has more metal and capacity. If the L is well priced I think that's what I'd be buying.
Yes that’s correct the l4701 and mx I priced are open stations. The 4060 has around 220 hours and is 5 years old. Essentially it is the same price as a new open station 4701. The 4060 is my favorite, but also the one I’m most hesitant about if that makes sense.
BigG
Well-known member
Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
You do not state which transmission the L4060 has but let us go with the Hydro. The information from Tractor Data says that it has 32.5 hp at the PTO. Your JD must be pretty tired if a 6 ft mower is hard to use with it. If the info is correct the JD is an 8 speed. So when you mow you must drop a gear if you hit a heavy area in the field. The 4060 will be much easier to mow with. When you hit a heavy area at the most you will need to do is let off of the peddle a little to slow your ground speed and keep on mowing. Plus with a cab you will not mind mowing a little more often. I run a 5 ft mower on a L2501, 25 hp, and rarely need to slow it down. I live in FL and the damn weeds grow quickly here.
A couple of other things, one, new vs used tractor. Will the 0% for a new tractor loan out weigh the money saved on the used machine but spent all at once?
Will the cab be a problem in the woods for you?
You state that you are in the mid-west do you want the cab for snow work?
My dad took care of 10 acres with a Farmall Cub at less then 10 hp. So a 40 horse Kubota should be plenty of tractor.
A couple of other things, one, new vs used tractor. Will the 0% for a new tractor loan out weigh the money saved on the used machine but spent all at once?
Will the cab be a problem in the woods for you?
You state that you are in the mid-west do you want the cab for snow work?
My dad took care of 10 acres with a Farmall Cub at less then 10 hp. So a 40 horse Kubota should be plenty of tractor.
Yes my apologies it is the hst. My JD came with my house when I bought it and has 3300 hours if the meter is to be believed. I did put a new head on it last year and 1 piston after one of the injectors came apart. It had great compression after put back together and the cylinders all looked great, but I can’t mow in any gear other than 1st low ...granted thick growth. I guess I’m spoiled, I COULD make my current tractor work but it is not efficient or reliable . Another point is the financing at 0% which is awesome with the new tractors. The used tractor I would have to pay upfront for. Snow is always a question mark. I’ve had to clear my drive once in 3 years after a 6-8” snowfall. we are supposed to get 3-6 inches this weekend. Some winters we get none. I think I would enjoy the cab as much in the summer if I could keep from getting stung! I don’t plan to actively clear the wooded areas. The grapple would mostly be used to aid cleaning the front yard which is heavily treed but plenty of room for maneuvering. Not so many trees that the grass won’t grow and still requires mowing with ZT. I get trees and branches down frequently from winds or ice.
What other implements do you already own and would they stand up to the larger tractors you're considering?
I was recently in the market for a new tractor after my L3901 was totalled. I eyed the L4701 and dismissed it in a blink when I found the MX5400 for just a bit more money. I'm in Texas so our winters don't really warrant a cab, nor do I spend enough time in the saddle during the summer to need AC.
I also considered used when I bought my L3901 in 2016 but the zero percent financing won me over, especially considering the price of a nice used Kubota. The other bonus to financing a new one is the KTAC insurance. Having been through the process of a total loss, I'm a firm believer.
Another consideration is trailer capacity - do you transport your tractor and, if so, do you have enough trailer for a heavier tractor? That one bit me in the hind end... my trailer is not up to the task now that I upgraded to the MX5400.
I was recently in the market for a new tractor after my L3901 was totalled. I eyed the L4701 and dismissed it in a blink when I found the MX5400 for just a bit more money. I'm in Texas so our winters don't really warrant a cab, nor do I spend enough time in the saddle during the summer to need AC.
I also considered used when I bought my L3901 in 2016 but the zero percent financing won me over, especially considering the price of a nice used Kubota. The other bonus to financing a new one is the KTAC insurance. Having been through the process of a total loss, I'm a firm believer.
Another consideration is trailer capacity - do you transport your tractor and, if so, do you have enough trailer for a heavier tractor? That one bit me in the hind end... my trailer is not up to the task now that I upgraded to the MX5400.
Bmyers
Well-known member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
Grand L3560 with LA805 loader, EA 55" Wicked Grapple, SBX72 BB, LP 1272 mower
We have 80 acres. I have been using my L3560HSTC to clear some of the land and expand the fields that we share crop. I have a grapple and mower. The tractor has done well with both. The HST+ transmission is very nice and gives you more flexibility. If you are going to be doing a lot of PTO work, then the more horsepower the more options you have PTO equipment.
Most of the older John Deere tractors weigh probably twice as much or more than a Kubota of similar horsepower. Factor that in. Weight is your friend in many tractor applications . There seems to be less plowing done in farming today and more no till. Most of the older 10,000 pound and up tractors were made for ground engagement chores. Lots of good deals in my opinion on used tractors in this category. Most don't have complex electronics either. I am not a real farmer so take it for what its worth. Good luck,
The MX can come with a cab now. The L4701 and the MX rops models aren’t very far apart on price. The MX has a much wider footprint in the front but also the rear. It’s a significant step up from the L4701. One of the dealers in the area said they don’t even get L4701s any more because the MX is that close on price.
If you are considering a cab, besides the MX, consider the Grand L4060 Limited which would save a bit of money. Yes, it is only 32.5 HP at the PTO, but with the HST Plus, should be able to get the job done.
I really liked the MX5400 cab model, but I don’t plan to use a tractor that much and really couldn’t justify double the price of my L2501 even as a much nicer and larger model.
Go drive a couple and see what you think, assuming you can drive both. Oh, and used models go pretty fast, so keep that in mind.
If you are considering a cab, besides the MX, consider the Grand L4060 Limited which would save a bit of money. Yes, it is only 32.5 HP at the PTO, but with the HST Plus, should be able to get the job done.
I really liked the MX5400 cab model, but I don’t plan to use a tractor that much and really couldn’t justify double the price of my L2501 even as a much nicer and larger model.
Go drive a couple and see what you think, assuming you can drive both. Oh, and used models go pretty fast, so keep that in mind.
I have a mx5400 and L3560LE both cab models. The 3560 should be a good match and is a great value.
I have a MX5800 and an L3901, the L 3901 has about 2 HP less at the PTO compared to an L4060. I would not recommend the L4060 using a 6' cutter, I would highly recommend the MX5400 for this size of cutter. I know it's not a simple issue as it depends on ground speed, what you are cutting etc. The loader on the MX5400 will be very capable and should lift just about any tree, bale or similar. A new tractor may come with financing and will certainly come with a warranty.
Alternatively sell your 6' cutter, buy the L4060 and a new 5' rotary cutter. The L4060 should be more than capable when matched with correct size attachments for maintaining the 20 acres you have. A cab is rather nice as long you do not do too much deep woodland work every day. I run a heavy duty Woods BB60 cutter on my L3901, it performs great. A new cutter correctly sized may just suprise you with its performance. The L4060 has a reasonable loader and will handle a grapple.
Tough Decisions - Good luck in making your final selection.
Alternatively sell your 6' cutter, buy the L4060 and a new 5' rotary cutter. The L4060 should be more than capable when matched with correct size attachments for maintaining the 20 acres you have. A cab is rather nice as long you do not do too much deep woodland work every day. I run a heavy duty Woods BB60 cutter on my L3901, it performs great. A new cutter correctly sized may just suprise you with its performance. The L4060 has a reasonable loader and will handle a grapple.
Tough Decisions - Good luck in making your final selection.
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