Is the HST+ right for me? (Grooming riding arenas)

[amhicks21]

So would you wait for an L6060 as opposed to take an MX6000 now?

I personally would wait based on my usage. I like to operate very fast. That being said, I don't use drags so I dont know how much power they even require. Its possible you'd even be able to run that MX in high but not having personal experience with one I wouldn't want to speculate. What I can say is the hst+ is by far the quietest, smoothest and strongest transmission of any kubota hst ive run. Something to consider though too is that the l6060 has been in production for a decade at this point and deere just came out with a 75hp tractor in that size chassis. You may find that Kubota announces something new fairly soon to compete with it.

 

[stumblinhorse]

Hmm, I groom my arena at 5mph and anything faster feels a little scary. what are you grooming with? I run a ~7’ TR3 behind my 75C. Much faster than 5mph and i get a little puckered in the corners. My 75C is power shuttle and maybe in the straight if I had an HST I would be able to go faster, but no thanks…. Anything with water and scarifying and rolling is gonna be scary over 5mph.

 

[tradosaurus]

So would you wait for an L6060 as opposed to take an MX6000 now?

If you have the money and the time to wait I would personally go with the L6060 for what you are doing.
I would want more creature comforts and refinement in the L6060.
I have an open station MX5400 and I like it a lot but don't use a lot.

 

[scootr]

I have the MX5200 HST open station. I've drug riding arenas with 3 different tractors over 20 years. This tractor would be just fine, capable of thrilling or scary fast speed when surface grooming. Not sure I would want a cab tractor for arena work. I prefer the easier accessibility and improved visibility of an open station.
To each their own

 

[2manyrocks]

I suppose dust would be a reason for wanting a cab.

 

[Torvy]

But if speed is important, you save time hopping in an open station.

 

[billybonds]

I suppose dust would be a reason for wanting a cab.

Hot humid summers, cold snowy winters, rain, dust, sun

And I am upgrading tractor with all the bells and whistles so I dont have to get out at all. I want comfort and convenience, and I am willing to pay for it.

 

[scootr]

Hot humid summers, cold snowy winters, rain, dust, sun

And I am upgrading tractor with all the bells and whistles so I dont have to get out at all. I want comfort and convenience, and I am willing to pay for it.

Then put an operator on a cheaper tractor and ... go sit in the club house

 

[Fallon]

Hot humid summers, cold snowy winters, rain, dust, sun

And I am upgrading tractor with all the bells and whistles so I dont have to get out at all. I want comfort and convenience, and I am willing to pay for it.

Sometimes I wish I had my old open station (smaller) L3200 jumping on & off a lot. However most of the time I love the cab on my newer L4060HSTC when I see all the dust, bees, snow or heat outside. I agree on paying for the full Grand L experience, glad I did.

 

[scootr]

Sometimes I wish I had my old open station (smaller) L3200 jumping on & off a lot. However most of the time I love the cab on my newer L4060HSTC when I see all the dust, bees, snow or heat outside. I agree on paying for the full Grand L experience, glad I did.

I admit - the cab would be nice at times. But we don't have real cold weather and not much rain either so an open station is all I've ever known. I'm only 70 now so maybe when I get old
Of course I don't have to sit on it all day in the heat. I can pick when I operate it. But for sure the MX will pull pretty hard. Probably not the right drive for pulling stumps though.
Sounds like the OP already has his mind made up

 

[stumblinhorse]

I went open station until I did my first winter with a snow blower. Where I am is ridiculously cold and all my controls would freeze completely. To the point I couldn’t control engine RPM and forward controls. But most will never be -40°f on a regular basis. I have a cab now and only have trouble with the door freezing and not being able to get out.

 

[billybonds]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. My brand new 2023 Grand L6060 arrived yesterday. The 2 rear hydraulics and 3rd function up front are all on backorder, so I will have to install them myself when they come in(I didnt want to wait possibly many months to receive my tractor). I am super impressed with the Auto Throttle Advance feature. Power and travel speed have also exceeded my expectations. Im happy I spent the extra money and went with this over the MX6000. I think it will also make operating it more dummy-proof for my worker....if I ever let them use it.

 

[rScotty]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. My brand new 2023 Grand L6060 arrived yesterday. The 2 rear hydraulics and 3rd function up front are all on backorder, so I will have to install them myself when they come in(I didnt want to wait possibly many months to receive my tractor). I am super impressed with the Auto Throttle Advance feature. Power and travel speed have also exceeded my expectations. Im happy I spent the extra money and went with this over the MX6000. I think it will also make operating it more dummy-proof for my worker....if I ever let them use it.

Congrats! Now you won't have to wonder about the HST+ and the control it gives you over the transmission and engine. I predict in time that HST+ will be on of your favorite features.
It's been at least 18 years since Kubota offered HST+ and it remains a Kubota exclusive secret weapon.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. My brand new 2023 Grand L6060 arrived yesterday. The 2 rear hydraulics and 3rd function up front are all on backorder, so I will have to install them myself when they come in(I didnt want to wait possibly many months to receive my tractor). I am super impressed with the Auto Throttle Advance feature. Power and travel speed have also exceeded my expectations. Im happy I spent the extra money and went with this over the MX6000. I think it will also make operating it more dummy-proof for my worker....if I ever let them use it.

That's awesome! You ought to post up some pictures before it gets too dirty.

 

[riptides]

Pictures please. Would like to see it.

 

[billybonds]

 

[troverman]

Tilt steering on the Grand L is important to me. Tilt steering is not available on the MX series.

This is not true. All the MX models with a cab have tilt steering. Open station does not.

 

[troverman]

Congrats on the new machine. Not that it matters now, but I went from a Grand L 4060 (same as yours, less power) to an MX6000. Both were / are cabs. In fact, the cabs are actually the same. Grand L gets a nicer seat (although you can get an air seat on either), the nicer display on the dash, a nicer steering wheel, much nicer cruise control, better headlights, a standard step on both sides with inside / outside door handles on both sides, a nicer loader control stick with the built in auto rev-up button...but the biggest thing is the HST+ transmission. That's the only thing I really miss. Radio, HVAC, work lights, wipers, etc...all the same. I paid extra to have the dealer install the Grand L inside / outside locking right side door.

Anyway, bottom line for the MX - since I could have gotten the L6060 - is the larger front tires. They are wider and taller. The front axle is a little stronger too. I work on slopes and wider is better. Oh, the power steering on the MX is better as well...you may find that out down the line. Congrats on your purchase.

 

[tacticalturnip]

It takes a big flatbed to make a Grand L look small.

 

[just_Dave]

I know you got the new machine .. congrats on that... but if your just dragging an arena and fast my first thought is a quad or UTV, go as fast as you like