Buying advice 50-60 HP

[Testedone]

Let me state what I am looking to do first

• 
  Rotary cutter work - want a 8 foot dual spindle

• Loader work - widening my trails - clearing dirt and generic "dirt work"

Now let me state what I "think I want" in the tractor itself

• Used

• 4WD - Must have that as I have some hills in the holler

• keeping in mind I have hills I am told there are "narrow" models, need to stay away from them

• HST - not sure on this, I liked using my neighbours JD2950 with 8 FWD and 8 Rear

• don't need a Cab

Probably missed other things but though this would get some ideas going. Since I am not familiar with the Kubota brand thought to ask here.


Thanks much

 

[russell.still.5]

I would recommend a Kubota M6040 or M7040. it’s going to take a good bit of HP and weight to handle an 8’ cutter. I had a M7040 and without the Loader or Front weights the front tires were barley on the ground.
That being said a M5040 M6040 and M7040 are the same tractor with different engine tuning and tires.


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[japollner]

I'm not well versed in the bigger stuff, and buying used is going to hinge on what your local market is like, but you might be able to find a used MX5800. That's about the smallest tractor you'll find with the power you want.

Your next step up is going to be the M series. 6040 or 7040 like Russell recommended. If more fields work, the M would be good. If you are going to be working in the woods as well, the slightly smaller MX might make more sense.

Here's a great video from Messick's talking about the differences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbWem2lgf04

 

[Testedone]

yes I was looking at a 5640SU, how are those compared to what you mentioned

I would recommend a Kubota M6040 or M7040. it’s going to take a good bit of HP and weight to handle an 8’ cutter. I had a M7040 and without the Loader or Front weights the front tires were barley on the ground.
That being said a M5040 M6040 and M7040 are the same tractor with different engine tuning and tires.


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[Testedone]

Also the 5040 is rated at 45hp at the PTO, not sure if that is enough for an 8 foot dual spindle??

 

[russell.still.5]

yes I was looking at a 5640SU, how are those compared to what you mentioned

5640SU is a stripped down,bare bones, version of the ones I mentioned. I believe it is the same tractor without some of the creature comforts. I would rather have the extra horsepower of the M7040 since there is really no difference in size and weight. If you get an 8ft cutter you will need that extra HP sooner or later.

I posted in the 5640SU thread too. I have a Kodiak 8ft Cutter and it makes my M9540 grunt sometimes.


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[Testedone]

If you get an 8ft cutter you will need that extra HP sooner or later.

I posted in the 5640SU thread too. I have a Kodiak 8ft Cutter and it makes my M9540 grunt sometimes.


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I was told a dual spindle wouldn't have it (tractor) work as hard or weight as much, urban legend??

 

[russell.still.5]

I was told a dual spindle wouldn't have it (tractor) work as hard or weight as much, urban legend??

I’m not sure about being easier to pull or being lighter, but they are shorter and will not scalp as bad. Since they are shorter they will be easier for the tractor to lift because the weight is closer to the tractor. I have never seen an 8 ft single spindle but have seen a 7 ft single spindle and it was huge.

I looked at the specs on a Land Pride single vs dual spindle 7 ft. The dual spindle is heavier by 50 lbs. The dual spindle is 80” overall length and single spindle is 135” overall length.

Single
https://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/312-880s.pdf


Dual
https://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/326-355s.pdf



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[Testedone]

That's huge

The dual spindle is 80” overall length and single spindle is 135” overall length.

Single
https://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/312-880s.pdf


Dual
https://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/326-355s.pdf



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[SDT]

Let me state what I am looking to do first

• 
  Rotary cutter work - want a 8 foot dual spindle

• Loader work - widening my trails - clearing dirt and generic "dirt work"

Now let me state what I "think I want" in the tractor itself

• Used

• 4WD - Must have that as I have some hills in the holler

• keeping in mind I have hills I am told there are "narrow" models, need to stay away from them

• HST - not sure on this, I liked using my neighbours JD2950 with 8 FWD and 8 Rear

• don't need a Cab

Probably missed other things but though this would get some ideas going. Since I am not familiar with the Kubota brand thought to ask here.


Thanks much

Give up on HST if you want to pull an 8' mounted cutter. You will not find a 60 PTO HP HST, and 60 PTO HP is marginal for an 8' mounted cutter.

I agree with Russell that you need the HP of the 7040 (or 7060) for your mower of choice, but be advised that used ROPS models are not common.

Forget about the 5640SU. Though it is marginally heavy enough with front weights, it uses the same 148.5 CI turbocharged engine as used in the MX5800 and L6060. This engine produces no more than 53 PTO HP in the L6060 (a bit less in other models). This is not enough for an 8' cutter.

If your heart is set on an 8' mounted cutter, I would recommend nothing smaller than the 7040/7060.

SDT

 

[SDT]

I’m not sure about being easier to pull or being lighter, but they are shorter and will not scalp as bad. Since they are shorter they will be easier for the tractor to lift because the weight is closer to the tractor. I have never seen an 8 ft single spindle but have seen a 7 ft single spindle and it was huge.

I looked at the specs on a Land Pride single vs dual spindle 7 ft. The dual spindle is heavier by 50 lbs. The dual spindle is 80” overall length and single spindle is 135” overall length.

Single
https://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/312-880s.pdf


Dual
https://www.landpride.com/ari/attach/lp/public/specs/326-355s.pdf



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8' single spindle cutters have been made but are rare and even longer than 7' ones.

I certainly would not want one.

SDT

 

[SDT]

Also the 5040 is rated at 45hp at the PTO, not sure if that is enough for an 8 foot dual spindle??

It isn't.

Not even close.

SDT

 

[Testedone]

If your heart is set on an 8' mounted cutter, I would recommend nothing smaller than the 7040/7060.

SDT

And therein lies the problem, how much money do I want to spend to be able to move from 6 foot cutter to an 8 foot?

 

[BAP]

One thing you mentioned was that you liked your neighbor’s JD 2950. Keep in mind when comparing that to other tractors is that the 2950 is a 85 HP and around 10,000#. Big difference in operation

 

[Testedone]

yes and he said with that big frame and weight is why it road nice on his beat up cow pastures

One thing you mentioned was that you liked your neighbor’s JD 2950. Keep in mind when comparing that to other tractors is that the 2950 is a 85 HP and around 10,000#. Big difference in operation

 

[edritchey]

My son runs a M7060 pulling a 8' dual spindle and it works great. I borrowed it a couple times before I bought my Kubota when my old IH 540 hydro went belly up If you can afford a tractor with 65 PTO hp you'll be good to go.

Good luck

 

[SDT]

One thing you mentioned was that you liked your neighbor’s JD 2950. Keep in mind when comparing that to other tractors is that the 2950 is a 85 HP and around 10,000#. Big difference in operation

My neighbor has a 2950 JD with 4X2 power shift transmission and FWA. He pulls a mounted Bush Hog 10' cutter with it.

The JD is a farm tractor. It's a bit of a dinosaur these days but is a real worker.

SDT