KX040-5 vs KX057-5

[B2710]

I have a new kx040-5 that I have put 8 hours on... it feels weak and jumpy compared to one rented a couple years ago. Dealer came out to operate and told it is running as it should. I wanted this size as i already have a 14k trailer and it will be used primarily on my small farm and hunting properties to dig a little dirt, clear brush lines and clear trails. To keep a happy customer, the dealer is willing take it back and bring me a kx057-5 spec'ed the same (except no 6 way blade) for 10k more than I paid for the 40. I do not have a trailer as I believe the 14k will be too overloaded. So, for all of you that has owned both, what say you, is the 57 worth 10k more? I have owned several small excavators in the past, such as Bobcat E50, cat 305, Yanmar 80. All of them operated as they should. Dealer tells me nobody has ever wanted to swap out their 40 for a 57, and sell 5x the 40 as any other.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Is the added cost of the bigger mini PLUS the cost of a new trailer worth it to you?

I found several comparisons just by searching "KX040-5 vs KN057-5"
Here's one such comparison from youtube I thought interesting.

 

[Motion]

You'll miss the 6 / 1 if doing any dirt work. Consider renting a KX057 to see if that's what you want. Don't worry about the trailer, get the machine you really want. A 14K trailer is close especially if you carry additional buckets, rippers and brush mowers, you may be due for a trailer upgrade anyway.

 

[EPIC]

Concur that they are a little jumpy.

I recently purchased a KX040-5, had a smaller John Deere ZTS for 25 years or so.

I considered the KX057, but didn’t purchase because I believe it would be too large for one of my applications, and since I tend to keep equipment a long time I assumed the KX040 would probably have better parts available in the future since they are much more popular than the KX057.

I specifically didn’t purchase one of the U series because I assumed the less compact shape would be more stable, but it actually appears to be the same or less stable than my old ZTS.