Comparing a Kubota M6060/7060 to a MFf4707?

[Sid Post]

First, in real terms, there is a bit less than $10K price difference depending on the exact Kubota difference. My most expensive option is replacing a tractor that doesn't do what I need it to!

I grew up on BIG JD iron (~150Hp) and currently own a Kubota B2601 and L4600. I'm finding the L4600 to be too light overall, especially in the rear. With a big rotary mower on back or my tiller, it is very light on the front without ballast in the loader bucket. I do a lot of heavy loader lifts and it is too LIGHT in the rear end even with loaded rear tires. In soft sandy ground (East Texas) or wet ground, the L4600 is basically helpless with any real load on my land which is NOT flat, the bigger the slope the worse the problem is.

I am generally in wide-open spaces so I have few limits on real tractor size. With the MF4707 sporting an FL3615 loader, it will have the soft drive loader just like the Kubota M6060/M7060. I mow a lot and can possibly see a small bat-wing mower in my future. I also do a lot of loader work so, I am somewhat biased to more is better. The MF4707 has a clear weight advantage so, loader stability along with a bit more size will be super helpful and safer when on sloped ground. An M7060 versus the MF4707 is at least ~$8K more expensive and the M6060 is close to ~$10K.

What I am having a hard time differentiating is WORK CAPACITY differences in the MF4707 versus the Kubota options for the cost difference. I don't want to massively overbuy but, I can live a lot easier with too much tractor versus not enough, even by a relatively small margin.

The L4600 is 99% likely to be sold or traded in and, the sweetheart B2601 is apt to move to the nursing home with me when that day comes!

In the end, dollars matter but, so does work capacity. If the M7060 will do everything the MF4707 will but, take more time to accomplish the task, that is a factor as well.

TIA,
Sid

p.s. I hope everyone's vote is counted today! :united-states:

 

[MtnViewRanch]

The weight of the machines is drastically different. Weight to the ground gets you traction to get work done. While they will both do the job, in my opinion, the Massey will do more work in X amount of time.

My 75hp tractor is ballasted to just over 13,000lbs with the loader and that is where I had to get it to get the best all around capabilities out of the machine. It is just under 11,000lbs with the loader off and front weights on. It acts like a sports car with the loader off.

 

[tradosaurus]

First, in real terms, there is a bit less than $10K price difference depending on the exact Kubota difference. My most expensive option is replacing a tractor that doesn't do what I need it to!

I grew up on BIG JD iron (~150Hp) and currently own a Kubota B2601 and L4600. I'm finding the L4600 to be too light overall, especially in the rear. With a big rotary mower on back or my tiller, it is very light on the front without ballast in the loader bucket. I do a lot of heavy loader lifts and it is too LIGHT in the rear end even with loaded rear tires. In soft sandy ground (East Texas) or wet ground, the L4600 is basically helpless with any real load on my land which is NOT flat, the bigger the slope the worse the problem is.

I am generally in wide-open spaces so I have few limits on real tractor size. With the MF4707 sporting an FL3615 loader, it will have the soft drive loader just like the Kubota M6060/M7060. I mow a lot and can possibly see a small bat-wing mower in my future. I also do a lot of loader work so, I am somewhat biased to more is better. The MF4707 has a clear weight advantage so, loader stability along with a bit more size will be super helpful and safer when on sloped ground. An M7060 versus the MF4707 is at least ~$8K more expensive and the M6060 is close to ~$10K.

What I am having a hard time differentiating is WORK CAPACITY differences in the MF4707 versus the Kubota options for the cost difference. I don't want to massively overbuy but, I can live a lot easier with too much tractor versus not enough, even by a relatively small margin.

The L4600 is 99% likely to be sold or traded in and, the sweetheart B2601 is apt to move to the nursing home with me when that day comes!

In the end, dollars matter but, so does work capacity. If the M7060 will do everything the MF4707 will but, take more time to accomplish the task, that is a factor as well.

TIA,
Sid

p.s. I hope everyone's vote is counted today! :united-states:

I live in East Texas (near Texarkana). How much are you needing to lift with the bucket?

L4600 Weight = 3200 lbs, rear lift = 3100 lbs
L6060 weight = 5400 lbs, rear lift = 3300 lbs

Also remember with you can get a 20% discount using the equine membership.

 

[Sid Post]

The Equine discount only applies to retail pricing with all the markups included. Pricing from the invoice makes that come out to a wash in my area. On the M6060, the difference was ~$200 after it was all said and done though, my friend's quote didn't include the third function remote for a grapple or the 540E PTO.

I need a tractor in the 8,000# range with more bucket capacity. My friend is getting either an M6060 or M7060 so, I'll be able to give it a 'test drive' before too long.

My L4600 was an awesome tractor in Oklahoma but, it just isn't working out well where I live now. The slopes and sand combined with front end issues (loader related) have me on the upgrade path before I hurt my tractor or possibly roll it. The front end stresses a lot with loader lifts and sinks a bit much in soft ground. I also slip sideways on some slopes pulling a lightly loaded trailer.

The safety issues really are limiting what I can do with the L4600 here. As a mow tractor and tiller machine, it is awesome though. I really like it but, it just isn't the right tractor for me here in East Texas. Even with loaded tires, I find it a bit unbalanced and light in the rear end and I'm tired of using my tiller as ballast.

 

[tduby]

The Massey 4707 is probably one of the best equipped tractors for the money. I would guess with the easier to shift transmission it would allow you to get more work done in the same amount of time. The biggest factor is do you trust the build quality and the future of parts availability.

 

[Sid Post]

The Massey 4707 is probably one of the best equipped tractors for the money. I would guess with the easier to shift transmission it would allow you to get more work done in the same amount of time. The biggest factor is do you trust the build quality and the future of parts availability.

The clutch button on the transmission lever is nice. The 3-point height adjustment on the fender is nice too. The operator station is certainly nice too!

Build quality seems to be there and on par with Kubota for example. I'd be more concerned with a Mahindra or LS rebranded tractor personally.

In terms of parts, service, etc., if Massey support goes away we have bigger problems than Massey repairs and support IMHO. Granted, a CONUS built Kubota/Landpride has some attraction and the global supply chain for Massey into China and Brazil is something to consider. That being said, the AGCO parent isn't going anywhere soon and technology sharing with the EU tractors is a good thing IMHO.

 

[tduby]

The clutch button on the transmission lever is nice. The 3-point height adjustment on the fender is nice too. The operator station is certainly nice too!

Build quality seems to be there and on par with Kubota for example. I'd be more concerned with a Mahindra or LS rebranded tractor personally.

In terms of parts, service, etc., if Massey support goes away we have bigger problems than Massey repairs and support IMHO. Granted, a CONUS built Kubota/Landpride has some attraction and the global supply chain for Massey into China and Brazil is something to consider. That being said, the AGCO parent isn't going anywhere soon and technology sharing with the EU tractors is a good thing IMHO.

I think to be a fair competition it would be the M4-71 to the 4707 which would even further exaggerate the price difference. But to my not very knowledgeable eye the build quality on the Kubota was much better. No doubt Agco will be around for awhile but I have my doubts about part support especially for electronics for years to come they seem to be an ever evolving company. Look at CAT tractors as a perfect example of a big name brand came and went and I have no idea what dealer support for that is. On the plus side they are definitely following the Korean model of taking quality components and placing them in lower priced machines.

All that the only reason I’m waiting on a Kubota and not driving a Massey is the Massey dealer was 2.5 hours away in a direction I never travel and the Kubota dealer is 45 minutes away on a route I take 3-5 times a month so easy to pick up parts and deal with warranty issues in person.

 

[daugen]

I've owned both a Kubota L5740 and a Massey 4707. Very different tractors due to size and weight.
Didn't see any difference in build quality, Kubota was slightly more high tech.
Massey drove like a dream, quiet and super comfortable, and with 34 radial rears, was unstoppable. Plus for under three grand you can
dial in the 70hp motor to 100hp. Same engine in this range. I sold my farm and the Massey, but sure miss that tractor.
Biggest issue with Massey is finding a large enough dealer who will be around for a while.
To get a fully loaded cab tractor with loader, buddy seat and glass roof (marvelous for loader/platform work) for 50 grand, the Massey is a bargain.
Ferrari red paint was awesome...

 

[Sid Post]

I think to be a fair competition it would be the M4-71 to the 4707 which would even further exaggerate the price difference. But to my not very knowledgeable eye the build quality on the Kubota was much better. No doubt Agco will be around for awhile but I have my doubts about part support especially for electronics for years to come they seem to be an ever evolving company. Look at CAT tractors as a perfect example of a big name brand came and went and I have no idea what dealer support for that is. On the plus side they are definitely following the Korean model of taking quality components and placing them in lower priced machines.

All that the only reason I’m waiting on a Kubota and not driving a Massey is the Massey dealer was 2.5 hours away in a direction I never travel and the Kubota dealer is 45 minutes away on a route I take 3-5 times a month so easy to pick up parts and deal with warranty issues in person.

Dealer support locally is definitely a factor to consider. Here Kubota and John Deere clearly dominate.

Regarding the Kubota M4 versus the M6060/7060 or MF4707, the local Kubota dealer says the Kubota M4 is really only an M7060 with a cab. Either compared to the Massey are a lot lighter it terms of weight so, even though basically the same physical size are not that similar to me. Pulling a round baler or working the loader hard will be in Massey's favor even if Horsepower is the same and drivetrain differences are minor. YMMV

Long term dealer support is really an unknown for most of us. Case, IH, White, Ford, ... have all gone away in various forms of acquisition and bankruptcy. The local Cat, Massey, Fendt dealer about 30 minutes away closed shop and went away so, local Massey and Cat tractor support got a bit thin for most owners who now have a ~2 hour drive each way to any of the 3 Massey dealers. Cat tractors are an unknown but, I'm guessing a Cat construction dealer "could" do Cat tractor service.

If high tech issues and support are a concern, a Mahindra or older Case, John Deere, etc. tractors are an option. I've been turned off by John Deere's proprietary software personally.