JeffroL
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2016
- Messages
- 99
- Location
- Sperryville
- Tractor
- Deutz D4006; Kubota M7060; John Deere 500C
I thought I would post my impression after my tough Kubota vs. Mahindra vs. John Deere decision outlined here: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...isons/367154-my-journey-mahindra-vs-john.html. I chose to go with a used Kubota M7060 and thought I would share my inexperienced impressions for anyone shopping similar tractors and might want some raw feedback on the Kubota M7060 (and presumably similar models).
What I Like - My old tractor is extremely basic so my basis for comparison is 40 years old. That said, I LOVE the slider throttle on the Kubota, conveniently located with right hand access. It's just super convenient. The tractor drives and handles extremely well and the 4WD is a tremendous upgrade over my older tractor (a 1975ish Deutz D4006). The lift is powerful and easy to operate BUT get careful if you aren't experienced, things get "tippy" when you hoist a heavy load. Go slow. The tractor has plenty of power and is generally just very comfortable to operate. I also like the compatibility of the FEL with attachments. I have a quick-attach implement (Danuser Intimidator) and no adapters, etc. are necessary. I don't feel brand locked. The shuttle transmission is also fantastic. No more do I feel like I'm "rowing" through the work with my gear shifter!
What I Don't Like - I'm particular and again, not experienced, so take this with a grain of salt. The shuttle transmission lever while GREAT is very very easy to move. There isn't a terribly distinctive "stop point" when it hits neutral vs. reverse vs. forward. A couple of times I've gone to pull it from reverse into the neutral and then to forward, and gone straight to forward. Ooops. That's abrupt, and can't be great for the transmission. My M7060 is not equipped with a "creep" option - I would absolutely get that option if I were buying a new tractor. In 1st gear running at a good engine speed, it's just a little too fast for really delicate work and maneuvers. That might be my inexperience showing, but I'd prefer to go slower without having to nearly idle the engine. The transmission lock on my tractor is very sticky, it often decides that it is just not going to release. As a result I don't use it and likely will have to send it back to the dealer. It's a huge hassle, but not one I see as a brand issue, likely just this tractor. No one else seems to have every had /posted about this problem. The DPF is also an oddity. On my tractor, there is the "park and regenerate option" as well as an "auto" option where it theoretically will regenerate while you work. The latter has never worked for me. I think the light on the buttom may be out so I just can't tell it's on. But the tractor engine noise changes when I press it, but the regen light just keeps blinking and the button light doesn't light up. So I can't tell if it's working. Inevitably I just wind up parking / regenning which takes 5-10 minutes. Seems to be running about every 25 hours or so. Not a big deal but I'm not really a fan. The price of progress I guess. The engine doesn't blow smoke and my old tractor blows huge clouds. So I guess it's cleaner.
Again, I'm picky and particular. So I take note of all the things I'm not particularly fond of. But overall it's a great tractor. I particularly enjoy the Danuser Intimidator. No I'm not a dealer / rep but DANG that thing is handy. I've been pushing over problematic trees and ripping out invasive shrubs for hours and hours. It's just ridiculously fun. I'll leave you with a shot of a girdled holly tree by my pond that needed to come out. I pushed it over, picked the whole thing up, and stuffed it in the woods. So easy.
-Jeff
What I Like - My old tractor is extremely basic so my basis for comparison is 40 years old. That said, I LOVE the slider throttle on the Kubota, conveniently located with right hand access. It's just super convenient. The tractor drives and handles extremely well and the 4WD is a tremendous upgrade over my older tractor (a 1975ish Deutz D4006). The lift is powerful and easy to operate BUT get careful if you aren't experienced, things get "tippy" when you hoist a heavy load. Go slow. The tractor has plenty of power and is generally just very comfortable to operate. I also like the compatibility of the FEL with attachments. I have a quick-attach implement (Danuser Intimidator) and no adapters, etc. are necessary. I don't feel brand locked. The shuttle transmission is also fantastic. No more do I feel like I'm "rowing" through the work with my gear shifter!
What I Don't Like - I'm particular and again, not experienced, so take this with a grain of salt. The shuttle transmission lever while GREAT is very very easy to move. There isn't a terribly distinctive "stop point" when it hits neutral vs. reverse vs. forward. A couple of times I've gone to pull it from reverse into the neutral and then to forward, and gone straight to forward. Ooops. That's abrupt, and can't be great for the transmission. My M7060 is not equipped with a "creep" option - I would absolutely get that option if I were buying a new tractor. In 1st gear running at a good engine speed, it's just a little too fast for really delicate work and maneuvers. That might be my inexperience showing, but I'd prefer to go slower without having to nearly idle the engine. The transmission lock on my tractor is very sticky, it often decides that it is just not going to release. As a result I don't use it and likely will have to send it back to the dealer. It's a huge hassle, but not one I see as a brand issue, likely just this tractor. No one else seems to have every had /posted about this problem. The DPF is also an oddity. On my tractor, there is the "park and regenerate option" as well as an "auto" option where it theoretically will regenerate while you work. The latter has never worked for me. I think the light on the buttom may be out so I just can't tell it's on. But the tractor engine noise changes when I press it, but the regen light just keeps blinking and the button light doesn't light up. So I can't tell if it's working. Inevitably I just wind up parking / regenning which takes 5-10 minutes. Seems to be running about every 25 hours or so. Not a big deal but I'm not really a fan. The price of progress I guess. The engine doesn't blow smoke and my old tractor blows huge clouds. So I guess it's cleaner.
Again, I'm picky and particular. So I take note of all the things I'm not particularly fond of. But overall it's a great tractor. I particularly enjoy the Danuser Intimidator. No I'm not a dealer / rep but DANG that thing is handy. I've been pushing over problematic trees and ripping out invasive shrubs for hours and hours. It's just ridiculously fun. I'll leave you with a shot of a girdled holly tree by my pond that needed to come out. I pushed it over, picked the whole thing up, and stuffed it in the woods. So easy.
-Jeff
Attachments
Last edited:
