L6060 vs MX5800

[CJBOTA]

I've been running an mx5100 for 5 years. It's been a great tractor. But I need just a bit more pto hp to run my airblast sprayer in the orchard. The 5100 runs it until I start up a hill and then it bogs down I little. But I don't want a physically larger tractor. I noticed the L6060 gives 53 pto hp compared to 50 on the mx5800. So if I go to the L6060 I should see about a 25% increase vs 18% with the 5800. I know this don't sound like much but I am kind of pushing the limits so every hp counts. The 5100 only puts out 42.2. I estimate I need 10 more hp at the pto but the mx5800 only gives me 8. My dealer keeps telling me I should go with the 5800 but my gut tells me the L6060. Anybody care to give me some advice?

 

[motownbrowne]

Any chance the dealer would let you test the MX?

Personally, and I say this without any experience doing this, I'd be inclined to see if you can squeeze any more HP out of the MX you have. Any chance you could turn up the pump a little?

 

[CJBOTA]

Yea, I ask about trying to squeeze a little more out of the 5100 and the dealer didn't hesitate in saying no. Also, my dealer wouldn't consider letting me try a new one out. I have to buy it to try it.

 

[Oldoak]

Personally, if purchasing a new tractor, I wouldn't even consider a tractor that I know I would be operating at it's limit and to try to squeeze even more from it wouldn't be the most prudent purchase.

It would be a different story if I was offered a terrific deal on a used tractor.

 

[CJBOTA]

Yea Oldoak I hear you! Other than the airblast sprayer a dozen times a season it is plenty of tractor. And I only have a couple places I have to deal with hills. Sometimes I just make extra passes and spray going down hill. So I am not pushing it all the time. A 7040 is just to big to maneuver thru the orchard. And the narrow orchard tractors are just to expensive. I have also considered a used m6800 two wheel drive and just leave the sprayer hooked up all the time.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Can you bring the sprayer TOO the dealer to try it?

 

[C4Ranch]

What gear are you in when it bogs down? Any chance a lower gear would provide enough to the pto?

One thing about the L is it has the turtle/rabbit toggle. While bush hogging, if i bog down I flip the paddle to turtle and have a little more power.

 

[CJBOTA]

I spray in low range, when it starts to bog down, I slow down and the revs come up. The problem is when I slow down I am wasting chemical because I have to maintain ground speed to get the right amount of chemical on. Taking the sprayer to the dealer would be a major production, people get nervous when I turn that sucker on. They don't call it airblast for nothing. It's kind of like a man made typhoon.

 

[xring100]

The l6060 is definetly a much nicer machine with all the bells and whistles. Especially the upgraded hydro trans. At there core they are very similar i love that Kubota rather that calling the mx and economy L calls it an economy mx implying that they are bigger than the L's

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

The front tires are bigger!

 

[TomSeller]

. I have also considered a used m6800 two wheel drive and just leave the sprayer hooked up all the time.

I would give that some more thought, is there one available in your area? I am one to use older 2WD tractors for dedicated field use. Would it have enough traction?

 

[CJBOTA]

Traction is not a problem. I never use 4wd when I am spraying. And my tires aren't loaded. Having two tractors sure would be convenient. It seems like I am constantly changing implements. (Brushog, BH, & sprayer) Those used 2wd machines sure sell cheap. I have seen a couple m6800 with less than 1000 hrs for under $14,000

 

[jeff9366]

While Kubota obfuscates the specs, I believe the larger Grand Ls and the MX Series use the same engine block and same chassis.

Outfit from base is very different.

I usually change from one implement to a second most days I use my tractor. The telescoping Lower Links and pin adjustable rigid stabilizers ease and speed the implement change process.

 

[TomSeller]

Traction is not a problem. I never use 4wd when I am spraying. And my tires aren't loaded. Having two tractors sure would be convenient. It seems like I am constantly changing implements. (Brushog, BH, & sprayer) Those used 2wd machines sure sell cheap. I have seen a couple m6800 with less than 1000 hrs for under $14,000

You can easily drop a lot of money getting a larger 4WD tractor and still end up with one tractor changing implements all the time. With crops there is often a place for a high HP 2WD tractor. Homeowners on here have a different need.

 

[Dozernut]

Look up the specs for a M5660SU. Not as large as a M7060, a tad larger than the L6060. The downside this is an economy model and no factory cabs are available. This tractor is beefy and simple as far as tier 4 tractors can be. This might fit what you need.

 

[nybirdman]

I thought most orchards used "cabbed" tractors to get away from the chemicals.

 

[CJBOTA]

Yes a lot of orchardist use cab tractors. I just prefer an open station tractor. I don't like the bulk of a cab. And I hate dirty Windows. I am almost positive I would bust something off a cab within two weeks of ownership. I would rather have the hp doing work than running an air conditioner.

 

[TheMadOne]

I'd go with the second tractor if it's at all in budget. Even with the minimal work I do I still wince a bit every time I have to drop a three point implement and hook up the cart or swap between implements. Just my :2cents:

 

[Sawyer Rob]

NO doubt about it, the RIGHT answer is a second tractor, big enough to do the job properly.

SR

 

[LD1]

I agree, second used tractor. And a gear drive would probably solve your sprayer issues vs HST (which I assume the MX has?)

Regarding the L6060 and MX5800 the l6060 has alot more bells and whistles, but keep in mind, that cost you alot more money, and equally important is it's about 200# heavier to drag up the hills which may negate the few hours more it claims