Buying Advice Kubota M7060 vs M8560?

[aventino68]

Have a few questions for the knowledgable. Need a tractor for running a 72" mower and a 72" snowblower and to occasionally put a 9000lb boat in and out of the water on a relatively flat boat ramp. My budget is $35-45K Canadian, and I'm hoping that will get me a 5-10 year old machine with max 3000 hours. Read up on Kubota, have a good dealer nearby so I'm happy with them. I'm looking at those two Kubota and wondering if I need an 85 hp tractor that's a fair bit heavier or if the M7060 will do all I want.
I also need an FEL for housebuilding and with a grapple to clear scrub and felled trees, does Kubota make a bucket with grapple for this or do I buy aftermarket? I've only ever used an old 35 hp tractor with a small mower for clearing so I have no idea about horsepower or weight or hydraulic outlets. How many will I need? Does the grapple rob one? What else do I need hydraulics for on the rear, I thought the pto will run mower or snowblower?

 

[PaulL2]

Can't comment on those models, although they sound more than sufficient. How many acres?

On grapple - you need a third function - i.e. one additional function beyond raise and curl. Usually you'd look for a quick attach, and you'd use a bucket when you need a bucket, and a grapple when you need a grapple. You can get third function kits relatively cheaply, so a tractor without one isn't the end of the world.

The mower would run from the PTO. A rear snow blower would run from the PTO. If you want a front snowblower (depends how much snow blowing you do) then I think you need a grand L instead, as they have a mid PTO.

The rear hydraulic outlets would run top and tilt on your box blade, a hydraulic fold on your rear mower, for example if you had a batwing, and on a snowblower they can angle and turn your blower chute. All those things can also be done by hand if you don't mind. So in general for your usage I'd say you probably aren't going to be too fussy on how many rear outlets. Some people do run a rear wood splitter for firewood, those can be hydraulic or PTO driven. I think in that size range the cycle time isn't fast due to hydraulic flow, but they work.

 

[deserteagle71]

The M7060 can easily handle the tasks you mention. I have a 6' rotary mower that I mow 50 acres with, using the Kubota and the EPTO setting which lets me run the tractor at lower rpms. Still plenty of power, never had it bog down at all.

 

[ovrszd]

Welcome to TBN.

There's considerable difference in those two tractors. Weight and HP. Most noticeable would be HP. I believe they would be very close in maneuverability. My 9540 is very nimble for it's size and power.

Very common here on TBN to hear of too small being purchased. Extremely rare to hear of too big being purchased.

Sounds like your budget may dictate a sizeable portion of this decision.

As mentioned above, you need 3rd function on the FEL to operate a Grapple. Kubota doesn't make a Grapple.

Get as many rear remotes as you can.

Right now I have a Grapple on the front and a QH with TnT and BB with hydraulic scarifiers on the back. I'm using 3rd function and 3 rear remotes. I never remove the QH/TnT so am always using 2 rear remotes.

Keep us posted on your path. With pictures if a purchase is made!!!

 

[Scook222]

IUnless you are have more plans or large acreage for you might be able to go alittle smaller on horse power. Like the grand L series if you want a cab. If you don’t want a cab there are several other models you could consider. If you are constantly moving back and forth doing loader work, you will probably want a hydraulic shuttle shift instead of a gear drive tractor and if you are doing a lot of loader work you will want r4 tires on the front as well. R1’s grip better, but sqaut more when moving 1000 pound hay bales.
If I remember correctly, both the m7060 and m8560 have the same front end loader so in theory, they will both lift the same amount. The m8560 will do it without being as light in the rear even if both tractors have the rear tires loaded. The M7040 and M8540 were the previous series and are very similar, minus a few upgrades.
Are you looking at finishing mowers or Bush hog style mowers? Finishing mowers can be used with less hp than a bush hog if your are isn’t knee deep. We have a M7040 that we bush hog with a 6ft bush hog in pasture, it chews through briar pasture without missing a beat. If we are in 3 ft tall grass, it will load the motor alittle, but nothing severe. We also cut and bale hay with it.
To run a grapple, you have a true third function kit, or a diverter valve. Both work, it just depends on which style you like better. If you are look for a bucket grapple, there are several that can be added to the bucket. If you are clearing a lot of brush and stuff you might want a dedicated grapple.
As far as the remotes, unless you have a need for more than one, I would just get one. The way Kubota valves are, you can always add valves because they are stackable up to three valves. We have 2 but only use both for running a hay baler. If you find a tractor that has 2 or three installed thats even better because you won’t have to buy an extra or two if needed.
On our M7040, our rear wheels aren’t slid out all the way so we can transport it on a pipe top utility trailer. If you won’t trailer the tractor a lot, or have a car hauler type trailer, I would have the rear wheels slid out to the widest position for stability.
If you already haven’t, I would go on the Kubota website and build my Kubota to see how the new ones price out. Your budget is might be close enough to buy a new one.

 

[ovrszd]

Scook gave a comparison for HP of the two. He uses a 6ft brush cutter on his 7040. I use a 15ft on my 9540.

 

[jeff9366]

Need a tractor for running a 72" mower and a 72" snowblower and occasionally put a 9000lb boat in and out of the water on a relatively flat boat ramp.

I also need an FEL for housebuilding and with a grapple to clear scrub and felled trees, does Kubota make a bucket with grapple for this or do I buy aftermarket?

I've only ever used a 35 hp tractor with a small mower for clearing so I have no idea about horsepower or weight or hydraulic outlets.
How many will I need? Does the grapple require one? What else do I need hydraulics for on the rear, I thought the pto will run mower or snowblower?

My budget is $35-45K Canadian, and I'm hoping that will get me a 5-10 year old machine with max 3000 hours. Read up on Kubota, have a good dealer nearby so I'm happy with them. I'm looking at those two Kubota and wondering if I need an 85 hp tractor that's a fair bit heavier or if the M7060 will do all I want.

1) How many acres is your property? Fields, woodland or combination?
2) Does your property have hills?
3) How long is the drive/road you need to clear of snow?

Tractor shoppers usually underestimate the tractor weight and horsepower needed for their applications. You, perhaps, are considering tractors two increments heavier and more powerful than essential. But better a tad heavy than underweight.
VIDEO: Kubota MX Series VS. Kubota M Series - YouTube

I think a new or used Kubota MX model, 4-WD, 3,800 pounds bare tractor weight, and 54 or more horsepower is ample for your needs. 54-horsepower or more will operate a 72" Bush Hog or rear Snowblower with ample margin. Loader on an MX will lift 2,500 pounds, which should be ample for your applications. With SSQA Pallet Forks you can move tree trunks and brush on the Loader. No 3rd function front remote necessary.
PHOTO #1, #2, #3. #4.
I LIKE TO KEEP EVERYTHING TRACTOR RELATED SIMPLE.
VIDEO: Kubota MX series walk around and features by Messicks. | MX48 MX52 MX58 - YouTube

LINK TO KUBOTA WEB SITE: https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/default-source/brochure-sheets/mx5800.pdf?sfvrsn=1c71be0c_4

Land Pride, 100% owned by Kubota, makes Loader grapples.
LINK TO LAND PRIDE WEB SITE: Grapples | Land Pride

The MX series has been in Kubota's lineup for years. There are plenty out there used. MX series are NOT available with a cab.


Rear hydraulics replace manually adjusted Three Point Hitch fittings. Many feel rear hydraulics are almost essential when operating a rear/angle blade and convenient when drawing a Box Blade. On a snowblower, two pairs of rear remotes allows you to rotate the snow exhaust left to right and direct exhausting snow up or down. I do a lot of tractor work. I have one pair of remotes on the rear.

Rear mowers and rear snowblowers operate off the tractor PTO. Disadvantage: You have to look to the rear regularly. Snowblowers are for DEEP snow. Most use the FEL bucket, a snow push box or a rear/angle blade to move MODERATE snow.

 

[big bubba]

Jeff366

OP mentioned unloading 9k boat to water. mx ok on that? had one once, great bare bones, but light on it's feet. just asking

 

[jeff9366]

Presumably the boat is on a trailer with pneumatic tires. Operating weight of MX will be 6,000 pounds. Should be easy-peasey for 4-WD tractor to draw the boat.

 

[PaulL2]

Jeff366

OP mentioned unloading 9k boat to water. mx ok on that? had one once, great bare bones, but light on it's feet. just asking

OP also specified relatively shallow angle on boat ramp, and I presumed from that also mostly flat ground getting there. I pull a 5800 pound boat with my 1400 pound BX in and out of our ramp. I have no ability to stop the boat, but it pulls it quite happily if I go slowly. An MX should easily pull and control a 9000 pound boat on the flat.