I've had 2, no issues so far with front hubs.

My older Kubota had a leaking seal, but it was pretty minor and I just periodically added some hydraulic fluid to the front axle. My newer Kubota has zero issues so far, and it has spent as much time in 4wd has it has in 2wd.

A tractor in the 50 HP range should be all you need for what you are describing. JD and Kubota are the best on the market but you pay a premium for them. They will last forever.

Our first tractor was 4wd. I don't think we ever used it in the 4WD mode. We came to the conclusion a few years later that we needed more HP. We got a great deal on the 50HP JD we have now. It is not 4wd and I have never gotten it stuck. I have used the tractor several times pulling my F250 4WD out of the mud after I managed to get it stuck.

My neighbor bought a 50 HP Kyoti a few years ago. It seems like a really nice tractor with a lot of features for the money.

I had an open station 5055e and decided that it was the right size tractor for my place. I had bought it used, and it was worth about what I paid for it because I got a good deal on it. Cab tractors were just going up in price so a couple of years ago, I traded it in for one with a cab. I have not regretted it a single day. I like it better when shredding or doing any other pasture work. I also prefer to use it to move hay and feed as it is more comfortable. I may be getting soft (Class of '95), but much prefer it.

ghollow said:

---

A tractor in the 50 HP range should be all you need for what you are describing. JD and Kubota are the best on the market but you pay a premium for them. They will last forever.

Our first tractor was 4wd. I don't think we ever used it in the 4WD mode. We came to the conclusion a few years later that we needed more HP. We got a great deal on the 50HP JD we have now. It is not 4wd and I have never gotten it stuck. I have used the tractor several times pulling my F250 4WD out of the mud after I managed to get it stuck.

My neighbor bought a 50 HP Kyoti a few years ago. It seems like a really nice tractor with a lot of features for the money.

---

I've never operated a JD, but I have used a Kubota, and I think they are over-hyped

I've used Ford, New Holland, Kioti, Mahindra, and Kubota.

Never used a JD or Case

I have JD equipment and love the ease and accessibility to a dealer 35 miles away.

That being said, my neighbor bought a mahindra and it is the biggest piece of crap that sits just about as much as it runs. It seems that there is always something wrong with it (small AND big) and it requires way more maintinence. Overheating, hydraulics leaking (not just the hoses) and electrical problems are the most prevalent!

Buy either JD or Kubota. These two brands (especially JD) will hold value better. When I bought my first 5055e, I knew I could sell it in a couple of years if I wanted to go with a larger tractor. When I buy something like a tractor, I look at how to exit in case I need to go a different route.

Weight is the most important thing to have to use the HP you have.
Ballast on the back, beet juice water in the wheels, iron weights on the wheels.

Will give you best tractive force.

As I am older, really appreciate a cab tractor, but I am in mountains of NM.

I bought one of Cabelas tractors just as they were closing them out, it is a rebadged TYM tractor.

Highly recommend you read at tractorbynet.com/. Best tractor forum out there.