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1. Casavant Gerry

   
   12/16/2011 4:12 PM

   We're looking at replacing our tractor this season. We use it mostly for operating our material handler (TurfCo CR-10) with twin spinners for fairway topdressing which requires min 9 gpm hyd flow. we're looking at Kubota MX5100, JDeere 4320, and New holland Boomer Series 50. Also starting to look into Mahindra tractors. Anyone hae experience / thoughts on any of this to help in the decision?
   
   Growing Forward
   Gerry Casavant
   Prince Rupert Centennial Golf Course

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   12/16/2011 5:12 PM

   I would do anything you can to steer clear of the John Deere's with the lower horsepower. Specifically the 4000 series tractors including the 4320 you mentioned. We have several of these that are anywhere from 4-6 years old. Everyone of them has been back to the dealer requiring major repair work. The 4320 needed to be completely rebuilt at 900 hours. They are all junk. Plastic everything.
   
   Because of the issues we have been dealing with on the Deere tractors, I've steered completely away from them and have started buying the L series from Kubota. We have the L3940, L4240 and L5740. Next year we are getting another L5740. We have never had any issues with the Kubotas and they are pushing 5 years old now. Better built, run better, and way cheaper.
   
   From what I hear though, the larger, more horsepower tractors from Deere are better. I have 7 Deere's from the early to mid 1980's that run like a hoss, still. Problem is, they just don't build them like they used to.

   
   
   
   
3. Wahlin Scott B

   
   12/16/2011 5:12 PM

   I have two Kubota L3830's. I bought them because they were $4000 less each than a heavy duty truckster and had a lighter footprint. Maybe someone else can chime in, but I have read that the emission standards for tractors is going up soon and so will the price. If so, now is the time to make the purchase.

   
   
   
   
4. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   12/16/2011 6:12 PM

   wahlins said: . Maybe someone else can chime in, but I have read that the emission standards for tractors is going up soon and so will the price. If so, now is the time to make the purchase.

   
   
   
   The Tier 4 emission standards will require any diesel engine with 50 gross horsepower or more to meet the standards. Manufacturers have until 2013 to comply, but most have or will begin production in 2012. This includes diesel engines in all equipment, not just tractors. So, basically, fairway mowers, slope mowers, etc....anything above that horsepower range. Yes, the engines will be more expensive, but, so far they look to be more fuel efficient. So, it might be a trade off.

   
   
   
   
5. Stephen Tucker

   

   0 posts
   
   12/16/2011 8:12 PM

   Actually Tier 4 for the Turf Equipment industry will be 25 to 74 HP. The pricing increase is estimated in the $2000 - $6000 range. While they may be more efficient I don't see them making up that much ground. My guess is the industry is going to see 2 options Tier 4 diesel engines and higher HP gasoline engines that can keep equipment in the current price range to see which direction consumers go. If you are buying (3) fairway mowers and (3) Rough mowers with diesel engines during Tier 4 regulations could you afford to pay $36000 more or would you switch to gas I think that is going to be the big question. Of course this is just my opinion.

   
   
   
   
6. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   12/17/2011 6:12 AM

   StephenT said: Actually Tier 4 for the Turf Equipment industry will be 25 to 74 HP. The pricing increase is estimated in the $2000 - $6000 range. While they may be more efficient I don't see them making up that much ground. My guess is the industry is going to see 2 options Tier 4 diesel engines and higher HP gasoline engines that can keep equipment in the current price range to see which direction consumers go. If you are buying (3) fairway mowers and (3) Rough mowers with diesel engines during Tier 4 regulations could you afford to pay $36000 more or would you switch to gas I think that is going to be the big question. Of course this is just my opinion.

   
   
   That's right, Tier 4 is the lower Hp engines, Tier 3 is what I mentioned. And, after looking at a quote I just received for a fairway mower for next year, and it has a note about the Tier 4 possible being in the unit.

   
   
   
   
7. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   12/18/2011 8:12 AM

   Heck I would be happy to get 1 mower, let alone 3 fairway and 2 or whatever rough mowers.
   
   I know back in 98-99 time frame, Ford, I mean New Holland was making some excellent tractors, we bought two and I know another course there in the area I was in had a fleet of about 7 or 8. Can't comment much on them now, haven't had the chance to buy one since then.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
8. Rodney Crow

   

   0 posts
   
   12/18/2011 7:12 PM

   You should also take a look at the Kioti Line of tractors. I had one of those at my last course, and it was absolutely bulletproof. Very well built tractor, very operator friendly, and had plenty of options available. The guys that used to design all the Kubota tractors didnt like the direction Kubota was moving in, so they decided to start their own tractor company: Kioti. Needless to say, they're VERY similar in many many ways.

   
   
   
   
9. Larry Allan

   

   0 posts
   
   12/20/2011 9:12 AM

   We have a Kubota M series 6040 to pull the Tycrop MH400 which I assume is similar to the Turfco of which you speak. We tried the L series but they were a little bit scary when the MH was loaded on hills. If your course is flat a lighter tractor can do it

   
   
   
   
10. Casavant Gerry

    
    2/20/2012 12:02 PM

    Thanks for your help Fellas. Aside from the sidetracking on Emissions issue, this was helpful/assurring info. I am leaning to the Kubota, though the Deere dealer "warns" me against them ( ;

    
    
    
    
11. Cuddy Jason B

    
    2/22/2012 8:02 AM

    I am also looking at a tractor to pull a progressive deck mower. Ive been looking at John Deere tractors in the 40-50 hp range. I currently have a JD 5200 with 9000 hours. With that kind of life span I cant see myself switching to any other brand. That being said I wonder about the 4000 series JD tractors and the huge amount of plastic. My question is, Has any one had any experience with The economy line of tractors from Deere? Specifically the 5045D or 5055D.

    
    
    
    
12. Andy Jorgensen

    

    1 posts
    
    2/22/2012 2:02 PM

    Jason Cuddy said: I am also looking at a tractor to pull a progressive deck mower. Ive been looking at John Deere tractors in the 40-50 hp range. I currently have a JD 5200 with 9000 hours. With that kind of life span I cant see myself switching to any other brand. That being said I wonder about the 4000 series JD tractors and the huge amount of plastic. My question is, Has any one had any experience with The economy line of tractors from Deere? Specifically the 5045D or 5055D.

    
    
    
    See my post above. The 4000 series tractors are crap. May be good for the weekend farmer, but not for our daily use. Constant issues. They just aren't built like the old or larger tractors. Cheap, cheap, cheap.
    
    That being said, we currently have two - one 4710 and one 4320 - that the hitches have ripped completely off the frame and not repairable without replacing the entire rear end. Leaves us only the 3-point hitch to use. Both tractors are 6 years old.
    
    I've never used the 5000 series. Might be a better option.

    
    
    
    
13. Timothy Johansen

    

    0 posts
    
    2/23/2012 6:02 AM

    Jason- I bought a Kubota L4740HST to pull our new Proflex last summer. You would not be disappointed. Proflex suggests a 40 hp on the PTO.

    
    
    
    
14. McCallum David K

    
    2/23/2012 2:02 PM

    Jason we have run the 5200 series Deere's since we broke ground on our course 12 years ago. Just replaced our old front end loader with a 5055D Deere and it, so far has worked up to expectations. We thought we had an overheating issue in the beginning but the dash panel was defective and giving us a false reading. They replaced it with a new one and no problems since. Our dealer is about 20 miles from us and they are the largest supplier to the sugar cane industry in our area. Good field and shop personnel and turn repairs around quickly. We looked at Kubota also but stuck with Deere.

    
    
    
    
15. Curtis Nickerson

    

    0 posts
    
    2/25/2012 5:02 AM

    So Andy, just so I am clear....your saying I should stay away from the 4000 series of tractors...could you be more clear on this for me? We had a pair of 4000's (don't remember exact #) they carried our JD 1500 aerators and we had constant leaks from the rear-ends, tranny issues and the 3pt would constantly drop while you transported from hole to hole... and like Andy said...everything you want to grab, pull or hold on too is plastic...

    
    
    
    
16. James Moore_2

    

    1 posts
    
    2/25/2012 10:02 AM

    we have been using a 36 hp New Holland 4 wheel drive Hydra static 3 speed tractor for over 14 years .Second gear is used for most operations. we have use it for pulling a lely fertilizer spreader,3 point hitch verti drain with weights on the front , snow blower in the winter, and pull a 7 gang reel mower .yes we still use a pull type gang to cut our rough. it also has electric cruise control ,great for aerating.General maintenance is oil and filter changes an fuel filters and dropping the hydraulic oil once a season, we have use synthetic for years in the hydraulic system .