Kubota L4701? JD 5055E? or Farmall 55A? Which would you choose and why?

[BMODICA2022]

Good Afternoon,

My husband and I are in the process of buying a tractor to use in Wisconsin. Tractor will not be used for a business or anything commercial. Just a tractor to have to do some light land clearing, digging etc. My husband has "made do" with old tractors and bobcats his whole life and is ready to buy something new and updated.

We have spent several weeks researching and trying to decide on which brand/model would best suit our needs and pocket book. We are looking to spend under $50K. Cab is preferred but optional. Probably 55 HP and under.

Been a huge Farmall/Case fan forever, but we are open to anything. Just want it to be worth the purchase, practical and made very well .

Any and ALL suggestions would be appreciated!

Michelle-The wife LOL ( the one who does all the research LOL)

 

[85Hokie]

Michelle,

Glad to have you here! Great place for info on orange machines!!! Lots of really great people here!

A question many will ask - WHAT dealers do you have around you? If there is NOT a Kubota near by - it might not make sense to buy a Kubota.

You must have a dealer around that you "like" or know well - that might be a huge buying point. Then again - I have 4 Kubotas presently and have not be back to my dealer in 8 years other than to get fluids and filters.

IN you neck of the woods - the cab would surely be nice to have.

While all tractors now have Tier 4 engines in them and all the computerized "stuff" in them - some are looking for "older" models that can be somewhat easily fixed without having going to the dealer.
If a new higher end machine throws a "code" it is almost impossible to find the cause WITHOUT going back to the dealer.

I am not super familiar with the larger machines - but many will suggest a good model.
You looking for a FEL and nothing else? No backhoe ?

 

[jyoutz]

Good Afternoon,

My husband and I are in the process of buying a tractor to use in Wisconsin. Tractor will not be used for a business or anything commercial. Just a tractor to have to do some light land clearing, digging etc. My husband has "made do" with old tractors and bobcats his whole life and is ready to buy something new and updated.

We have spent several weeks researching and trying to decide on which brand/model would best suit our needs and pocket book. We are looking to spend under $50K. Cab is preferred but optional. Probably 55 HP and under.

Been a huge Farmall/Case fan forever, but we are open to anything. Just want it to be worth the purchase, practical and made very well .

Any and ALL suggestions would be appreciated!

Michelle-The wife LOL ( the one who does all the research LOL)

If you are looking in the 55hp range, you should consider a Kubota MX5400 or MX6000, with or without the optional cab. It fits your size requirement and price. And it has a category 2 3point hitch, allowing you to use larger farm style utility implements. IDK anything about the other models/brands that you mentioned. They could also be good options. But I would also add the models I mentioned to your shopping list.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Well on a Kubota site your more than likely only going to here Kubota recommended.

55HP range I'd be looking at the MX6000HST with a cab

 

[BMODICA2022]

If you are looking in the 55hp range, you should consider a Kubota MX5400 or MX6000, with or without the optional cab. It fits your size requirement and price. And it has a category 2 3point hitch, allowing you to use larger farm style utility implements. IDK anything about the other models/brands that you mentioned. They could also be good options. But I would also add the models I mentioned to your shopping list.

I probably should’ve said under 55 hp. And actually he is seriously considering a 4701 with cab. I typed that wrong

 

[BMODICA2022]

Well on a Kubota site your more than likely only going to here Kubota recommended.

55HP range I'd be looking at the MX6000HST with a cab

Yes of course that’s what I expect. I’ve done my own research, we’re just looking for others opinions …so basically sell me a Kubota and why I need one of those instead of a Farmall or John Deere. Advice from owners would be the best advice to get

 

[BMODICA2022]

Good Afternoon,

My husband and I are in the process of buying a tractor to use in Wisconsin. Tractor will not be used for a business or anything commercial. Just a tractor to have to do some light land clearing, digging etc. My husband has "made do" with old tractors and bobcats his whole life and is ready to buy something new and updated.

We have spent several weeks researching and trying to decide on which brand/model would best suit our needs and pocket book. We are looking to spend under $50K. Cab is preferred but optional. Probably 55 HP and under.

Been a huge Farmall/Case fan forever, but we are open to anything. Just want it to be worth the purchase, practical and made very well .

Any and ALL suggestions would be appreciated!

Michelle-The wife LOL ( the one who does all the research LOL)

Note: I just edited the title it should’ve read a 4701 not 4760 as previous posted.

 

[jimh406]

L4701s don't have an option for a cab. I'd look at the Grand Ls, LEs or the MX with a cab. For a JD, I'd look at the 4052R.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Yea a L4701 his a huge steep down in available Options / versatility / comfort over an L4760.
Kind of like going from a cheap Honda to an expensive Lexus.

But in the L4701 market look at an HST if anything or better know as a hydrostatic drive model, and get a loader!

 

[NCL4701]

While the L4701 was obviously my choice it’s very basic (at least for a modern tractor) and I don’t believe cab is an option. In the Kubota line you might look at a MX5400 as it has a good bit more loader capacity and option for cab. The Grand L’s are very nice machines, almost luxurious for a tractor, but their price tag tends to reflect that.

As others have mentioned quality and location of dealer providing support is probably the most important factor in selecting a brand. That’s what really made the decision for me between JD, Kubota, Case/Farmall, and Massey. The Farmall and Massey dealers were too far off for a long term relationship, I already some less than stellar experiences with the local JD dealership and they made it clear they had little interest in selling one CUT to a home/land owner when I stopped by. Nothing but good things to say about the local Kubota dealer.

Whatever you get, if you’re using it for general utility work, HST, loader with quick attach (JD or SSQA), third function up front, and at least a couple of rear remotes would all be on my must have list. If you won’t be doing much loader work, gear drive may be an option. Doing much loader/fork/grapple work the HST really shines.

And if at all possible test drive the models you are considering. Little things, such as placement and type of controls, that are pluses or non-issues to some are deal breakers for others.

 

[jyoutz]

I probably should’ve said under 55 hp. And actually he is seriously considering a 4701 with cab. I typed that wrong

I don’t think a L4701 is available with a cab. The MX5400 is available with a cab.

 

[cthomas]

Where in Wisconsin is important too. I have a LX2610 with backhoe and the cab, it mostly lives in the La Crosse area(think dirt and hills) but did help my buddy dig a basement addition using the same tractor in the Plover(think flat and sandy soil) and the tractor worked fine for this. I realize a bigger tractor would have been quicker, but the LX26010 can fit onto the old logging roads in the hills and takes up less space in the garage(yes the tractor displaced my Colorado pickup). Had a BX2370 that was traded in mostly due to lack of a cab(snow blowing sucks without the cab(now snow blow in my PJ's). If you are close by me I would let you and husband check my tractor out and drive it around to get a feel of it.

 

[mcmxi]

Good Afternoon,

My husband and I are in the process of buying a tractor to use in Wisconsin. Tractor will not be used for a business or anything commercial. Just a tractor to have to do some light land clearing, digging etc. My husband has "made do" with old tractors and bobcats his whole life and is ready to buy something new and updated.

We have spent several weeks researching and trying to decide on which brand/model would best suit our needs and pocket book. We are looking to spend under $50K. Cab is preferred but optional. Probably 55 HP and under.

Been a huge Farmall/Case fan forever, but we are open to anything. Just want it to be worth the purchase, practical and made very well .

Any and ALL suggestions would be appreciated!

Michelle-The wife LOL ( the one who does all the research LOL)

As others have mentioned, it'd be hard to go wrong with an MX and I really don't know why anyone would buy the 5400 when for $2k more (maybe less) you can get the 6000, unless I suppose you want a manual transmission. The MX is a solid, no frills utility tractor. I currently have two and sold the open station model today. I've put a little over 100 hours on the open station and 25 hours on the cab model doing the sort or tasks you mention and it's a beast. It has exceeded my expectations in every way possible, and the cab model adds considerably more comfort whether the task calls for dust, heat or cold.

The L6060 is an even nicer tractor but you'll pay quite a bit more for the vastly more intelligent transmission and more ergonomic cab layout.

The build quality of Kubota tractors is excellent based on the three I've owned and at least two that friends own. If you Kubota dealer is half as good as mine you'll have great service. I owned a John Deere product about 8 years ago and it was disappointing to be honest and the service was lacking.

 

[hedgerow]

Michelle Its pretty green around my farm and when I was shopping last year for that size of tractor you are looking at I looked at Case IH farmall JD and Kubota. I ended up buying a MX-6000 open station . To me Kubota just stood head and shoulders above the other two brands. To me JD was way overpriced for what they were. I think if you folks buy a MX-6000 with a cab you will be very happy with it.