Kubota Grand L4760 vs Kubota M7060

ldowney · Aug 19, 2019

Hey guys. Need some advice. I've owned two Grand L tractors over the past few years and have been pleased with both tractors. With my tractor business, I would like to move up to the 7 foot bush hog (BH27) and I would certainly need more HP to accomplish that. My tractor business consists of 40% bush hogging and 40% box scraping gravel driveways. The other 20% is snow removal, auger, garden tilling and grapple work. My concerns are moving from an HST tractor to the hydraulic shuttle. Not worried so much bush hogging, but when I do gravel driveways, I go in and out of gravel piles often. A buddy of mine earlier today told me it's just something different to get used to. I just wonder from other shuttle shift users, is it very cumbersome using the shuttle shifter if you are going from forward to reverse frequently in your projects?

I feel moving up from the L4760 to M7060 the pros out weigh the shuttle shifter concerns. Going from 49 HP to 71 HP will solve my lack of HP issue. The 7 foot bush hog should be no problem behind the M7060. I am having the dealership install the Industrial R4 tires instead of the AG tires. AG tires are terrible at packing gravel driveways. The R4 tires do a great job packing inclines and the added 2k pounds in the M7060 will pack it even better.

Any advice you guys can offer or things maybe I have not thought of going from the L4760 to M7060 would be greatly appreciated.

5030 · Aug 20, 2019

I see you are a multiple forum person too. I answered you on OTT.

mikescruggs · Aug 20, 2019

It has been awhile since I had a shuttle type tractor and this week or next I am trading my L4240hst for a M7060 cab 12 spd. I know it will be a little learning (relearning) and there maybe a few inconveniences, but I am looking forward to the heavier tractor and handling heavier loads. I think my larger learning curve will be with the power rake.

Good luck,

Mike

oosik · Aug 20, 2019

I have a M6040 with hydraulic shuttle shift. I've had no problems using it. I went from a true gear drive Ford 1700 to the current hydraulic shuttle shift.

It changes directions plenty fast enough for me.

BTW - as my M6040 sits right now - it weighs 10,100 pounds. I find that the R1's do a more than adequate job of packing anything I drive on.

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5030 · Aug 20, 2019

If my memory serves me correctly, my last HST (5030 HSTC), you had to stop to change ranges, been a long while since I owned it (2007) so I could be all wet but having said that I can run up through my gears with the hydraulic shuttle (and I do because I road my tractors going from field to field) by just flipping the shuttle lever into the neutral position, slightly depressing the 'clutch' pedal and upshifting (or down shifting), whichever the case may be. If I'm real attentive, I can 'float' the gears with no clutch, just putting the shuttle lever in neutral.

Hydraulic shuttles are 'true gear drive' transmissions, just no dry clutch. In fact, no dry clutch at all. Just a wet pack. Very little upkeep. In fact, my one M9 has 4700 hours on the meter and I checked the lock up pressure this summer and it's still in spec. That is 4700 farming hours, not mowing a lawn.

5030 · Aug 20, 2019

The only drawback I can see isn't with the driveline at all, but the emissions junk.

TripleR · Aug 20, 2019

We have an L5740HSTC and M8540HDC 12/12 hydraulic shuttle shift. I am a bit slower moving rock, dirt etc. with the M8540, (bad left arm and leg) but my sons and brother can go bucket for bucket on either.

If you can swing it financially, I'd forget the 7' and go with a 8' twin spindle at a minimum, we use a Woods DS1260 on ours.

mopardude318 · Aug 20, 2019

The M7060 will run circles around the L4760. It痴 a larger heavier frame tractor. Not to say the L is a lesser machine, but a smaller tool.

I have no problems using the loader with the hydraulic shuttle shift. I think it actually made me a more proficient operator. You値l definitely get used to it. As far as the emissions, no problems in 300 hours so far. I do exactly what the machine tells me to do. The light comes on, I raise the RPM until it stops flashing and let it do it痴 thing. Smells like burnt popcorn as it痴 doing the regen, but I continue to work it hard. Easy peasy.

oosik · Aug 20, 2019

Yes - I DO come to a complete stop when I go from Hi range to Low range. Complete stop & depress the clutch on a range change. I depress the clutch when going thru the gears within a range - no need to come to a complete stop. The Op Manual says there is no need to depress the clutch for a gear change within the same range. Old habits die hard.

M7060MT · Aug 20, 2019

I went from a L3900 to a M7060 and while it takes a little bit getting use to the change it is so much better the DPF is no big deal just do like it tells you and up the RPM when it is time the biggest thing I had to adjust was the height and remember those tree branches but with the extra power the box blade work is so much easier. I got the 3rd function on mine as I got a grapple and I am so glad I did I do a lot of hay work and it is so easy but having the extra power and lift you can so much more in less time. The brush mowing I did was so easy I just put into gear in the sweet spot and I was off.