New to Kubota

[Jeeper37]

I am new to Kubota but not new to tractors. I've always had much older tractors such as Case SC and DC and also a whole lot of Allis Chalmers D series stuff. I'm really looking hard at getting something a little newer than my newest 1963 Allis. For what I do I'm feeling pretty confident through research that I want to be in the neighborhood of a 50hp 4wd M series Kubota with loader. As I've been searching over the past weeks I have noticed that it seems like the M series tractors of the 1990's had more gearing options than the ones made from 2000-2010. I have been eyeing a M5030SU and when I look up the spec sheet it seems to have very impressive creeper gearing when compare to something like an M4800. My question is if there is anything to gain from getting a 2000-2010 M series over something from the 1990's. I don't want to buy something that I can't get parts for. I really want a gear driven trans, not a hydrostat. Thank you for any insight.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Well a 90's model is going to be inherently harder to get parts for, a lot of these older tractor parts are becoming obsolete, and with the scarcity of open tractor junk yards make it even harder.

 

[mcfarmall]

M5660SU. If you want all the luxuries you'll need to look at the M6060 and up.

 

[bbxlr8]

I can't comment to the M question.

BUT, when it comes to getting older parts and searching tractor scrap yards to keep going (general - not Kubota specific), I can tell you from long-term experience that it is a false economy. If (big IF) you can find the parts you need, they are priced like they are solid gold.

edit - You prob already know this but you are actually better off with the real old tractors than the stuff from the 70's to 90's

 

[fried1765]

I can't comment to the M question.

BUT, when it comes to getting older parts and searching tractor scrap yards to keep going (general - not Kubota specific), I can tell you from long-term experience that it is a false economy. If (big IF) you can find the parts you need, they are priced like they are solid gold.

edit - You prob already know this but you are actually better off with the real old tractors than the stuff from the 70's to 90's

I have a 1989 Ford 1920 FEL, and to date have had zero parts difficulty.

 

[SDT]

I can't comment to the M question.

BUT, when it comes to getting older parts and searching tractor scrap yards to keep going (general - not Kubota specific), I can tell you from long-term experience that it is a false economy. If (big IF) you can find the parts you need, they are priced like they are solid gold.

edit - You prob already know this but you are actually better off with the real old tractors than the stuff from the 70's to 90's

I agree.

 

[Jeeper37]

Thanks for everyone’s input. I think I’m going hold out for something 2000 or newer. Guess I’m getting old because buying a 20 year old tractor made after 2000 seems odd to me. Haha

 

[top gnome]

I came to the same conclusion I broke a central steering arm on a 1956 farmall and had it braised because I could not find one. Luckily it broke while I was moving slowly and it broke a second time while moving slowly if it broke while going fast the two front wheels go in different directions so a rollover waiting to happen. It was time for a different tractor but locally the used market is crazy.