Does anyone have one of these? Are these little tractors tough enough?

I am looking for a very stout compact tractor to help with ranch maintenance in rough country. Since I have access to a 4 x 4 Case backhoe I thought this might be a good compromise. Need 4 x 4 and 2000 lb lift capacity.

The Kubota L5030 seemed pretty good but am unsure of stability on 8% grades. They offer a 7 1/2' or 9' backhoe option too.

Y'all's thought are appreciated.

 

Although I am not overly familiar with Kubota's farm tractor lineup, I can say this.
I use kubota loaders and excavators extensively in general contracting, dirtwork, and snow removal ventures. They have proven out to be the toughest, most problem free units I have dealt with.
They do have their little quirks, but all machines do. The engines run forever, as long as you feed them clean air, fuel, and change the oil once in a while.
I also have Kubota power in two gensets, my scat trak skidsteer, and I work with a guy who runs Bobcat brand machines, all with Kubota power. Some of these units are well over 15,000 hours, trouble free.

Good luck in your search

 

They are great machines. I owned one for years. They are tough, powerful, geared right and easy to get parts and work on.

 

Thanks that's what I was looking for. I thought about a skid loader (Bobcat) but for that kind of money you can get a fully equipped Kubota.

 

Vittorio,

I went through this recently and found that some small Kubotas are not rated (by Kubota) for front end loaders. Their front axles and frames are too light on some models. Be sure to clear this with a dealer before you commit on the model you're interested in. I ended up going with a New Holland because of the extremely tough front axle and cast iron frame. I'm not putting down Kubota's quality, which may be the best in the business.

Wetspirit

 

No experience with the L5030, but the M4800 has served me very well. Plenty power and high lift capacities.

wayne

 

I have a kubota 7030,problem free for the last six years,wish I could say the same for my 2001 Dodge Ram 2500.




2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Cummings Diesel
1995 kubota 7030 4x4

 

kubotas are good tractors but i would also look into the challengers (by CAT) and the john deere tractors

 

Wow Challengers? Are you talking about the new line owned by Agco, or the tracked ones? I think those are tons bigger than Kubotas? Kubotas have my vote for compact tractors. My dad used to be a Kubota dealer. We have a B8200 (I think thats the model) Its a compact, 4X4 with a loader. You cant beat it. Strong engine, good parts. I would get one if I were you.

 

I second the AGCO's, especially since we're a dealer!

I can't say enough how impressed we are with the compacts AGCO (AGCO, Massey Ferguson, and now, Challenger) has offered in the last 10 years. When we picked them up, we needed a compact, 10 years later we haven't replaced anything on ANY tractor we've sold except safety switches.

We think thats a pretty good track record on 150+ tractors sold to farmers, many who use the tractor for jobs that should require a larger model.

Now, I'm not knocking Kubota or Deere, but find a dealer that is close to you, and see what they sell. A TRACTOR IS WORTH NOTHING WITHOUT A GOOD DEALER TO BACK IT UP.
That's part of the reason we sell quite a few, our service is really good. That is the single most important thing to us, and is the only thing keeping our customers coming back.

Also, buy what you like, you're the one driving it . And don't let the salesman sell you something you don't need. Around here, everyone is convinced that a belly mower is the only kind of mower to use, but in rolling ground, or rough yards, they do a terrible job. They don't float enough to cut even, which is why we sell more rear mounted mowers than belly mowers.

Good Luck,
Chris

Crap, Forgot one Failure. Last year, a 1989 model compact lost an engine when they ran it without putting oil back in it after an oil change. The tractor only had 3200 hours on it, so I don't think we can blame that one on the tractor.

 

i was talking about the ones owned by agco and sold at cat dealers as signature 600 said they own challenger massy and agco they are not to bad small tractors i beleive they have mitsubishi engines in them and by the way the tracked challengers are pretty awsome they would get the job done

 

What kind of engines do the compact Massy/Agco tractors have? I noticed some of the larger Challenger/Agco tractors have a powered by CAT sticker on the cab.

 

im pretty sure all of the compact agco brand tractors have mitsubishi engines in them and the bigger tractors the tracked ones have cat diesels

 

Vittorio: Have had two Kubotas. First on an L245DT 4WD with a loader. Bought it used with 1200 hours. It was a late 70s vintage. It had never really been taken care of. But it ran great. Kept it for a few years then moved up to a L355SS a mid 80s tractor with 35 HP 4WD and a loader. It has shuttle shift. This is a great tractor. Plenty of power and the weight is nice to haul with the truck and trailer. Would like to find a newer 35-40 HP. Just cant justify the $. Like what I have. Cant really go wrong with Green or Orange. Looked at the compact Challengers at the fair. The steps were flimsy and already bent. Know this does not reflect the entire tractor but the little things stick out, if you know what I mean. Check out the JD110. Love to have one of those ! $35K Dont think so!

 

WRONG!! AGCO's complete tractor is built by ISEKI. Have been for going on 15 years now. Great little engine!!

Now the bigger ones, that's a little different. The orange ones are Cummins, For Now, expect a change REALLY soon.
Massey uses a company called Sisu Diesel in the 150hp+ range, and Perkins from there to the compacts.
The Cat's, except the tracked versions, are Massey's Painted Yellow.

Got it yet . That is the only bad thing about being an AGCO dealer, you have 20 diefferent brands of machinery to keep track of. I'm just glad we don't handle all of them.

Chris