Tractor Sizing Looks like purchase time - which one? L4760, L5460, L6060

[Sapper50]

so.....down to a final decision and would LOVE input from the experts here that have been where I am.....which one is the right one (yup and at the end of the day, I will have to make my own decision.... LOL )

Tasks and Soil: Dirt work on virgin dirt (was old growth forest, logged, replanted, harvested and then sold for real estate). Rocks in western Washington, lots of em, majority helmet size and smaller but Im putting in fence too and when using an auger to get fence posts set: Dirt is SOLID (virgin) and round shape rocks were a steady diet - no easy holes and the power auger was dancing all over the place - what a ride wore me OUT. Yeah the rocks when subsoiling will be an issue I KNOW it.

>>>Going to be working eventually 8 acres into pasture and other recreational uses and after reading here and other sites, process will start with subsoiling first (gonna take a LONG time), then discing, then leveling for drainage and such (FEL and box blade) and a LOT of landscape rake work forever until I die to get the 'harvested' rocks up and out.
So, dirt work, not even purchasing a bush hog.
(A TLB is price prohibitive)
Will be getting a 4 in 1 bucket along with the dirt tools.

Question - in your opinion, what is enough for the dirt work and subsoiling I will be doing?
I do NOT want to come up short in the HP department, but don't want to spend more than I have to or get more tractor than I need.

• L4760 = 47HP
• L5460 = 54HP ($1600 more)
• L6060 = 60HP ($2400 more than 4760 or $800 more than the 5460)

Also, knowing how key weight is (will also fill the tires) there is a 500+ pound jump once you move past the 4760 model.

Thoughts?
My 'thought' and after reading everything here is no one EVER complained about too much HP and most have buyers remorse by trying to save a $$ couple of thousand and cut on HP. Do not want to be there and I have 3 neighbors that tried to save $$ and bought too small and they aint happy.
Yes I could do what I need to do with a smaller rig and work it 5-10 times harder, don't want to do that and would like to get the tasks done as quickly as possible, in this class of tractor.

Thank you ahead of time...really enjoy reading all the posts and all the knowledge that resides here!

Scott

 

[jeff9366]

L4760 has a naturally aspirated diesel engine.

L5060/L5460/L6060 have turbo-charged diesel engines. Diesel turbo-chargers are heavy.

If you work at an altitude of 6,000 feet or more, a turbo is money well spent.

If you work below 4,000 feet altitude I would go with L4760 with the less complex naturally aspirated engine.

All these tractors are 4,000 pounds bare tractor. Assuming you buy an FEL and ballast the rear tires your operating weight will be around 6,500 pounds. You will be able to pull a robustly constructed Subsoiler at least 14" deep.

(You never want to subsoil so deep that you bring up infertile sub-soil. How deep is your top soil layer?)

LINK: Subsoilers | Tufline

You may wish to consider a Disc Plow, which is NOT a Disc Harrow, in lieu of a subsoiler.
LINK: TDP2 Series 2 & 3 Blade Disc Plows | Tufline


What is the total size of your property? Is it all flat or will you be working on sloped ground some of the time? What use do you intend for your property other than eight acres planned to be pasture?

You are fortunate starting tractor life with The Best.

 

[Rmart30]

For $2400 more the 6060 is the route id go. Buy once cry once.

As for the auger holes and all that rock a rented skid steer with a hydraulic auger will do probably 5 or 6 holes in the same time as the tractor doing one saving you time and money from possibly breaking yours. Hydraulic augers will stall and not break when you grab some large rock or root.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I know you said "this class of tractor" but an M series tractor would do said work much easier and faster.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I assume you are optioning a cab or front snowblower and thus not looking at the MX line?

I had a similar conundrum when I bought my MX4800. I used similar logic to Jeff's in deciding against the higher HP MX5800 model (additionally all the hydraulic capabilities are the same). However, now that I have about 2500lbs of ballast on the MX4800 it is usually not traction limited but rather HP limited (even with R4 tires). Rarely, a few extra HP might help (or might help me break something ). :2cents:

I'd go with the L6060 because it's not my money and you'd have what is easily the best large CUT on the market.

 

[Sapper50]

I know you said "this class of tractor" but an M series tractor would do said work much easier and faster.

Yes I originally was looking at the MX5200, until I operated one. I’m tall at 6’3” and my back is jacked (paratrooper) and between the operators station ( felt like a bit more room and importantly in the legs), the location of the HST shuttle peddle (further away from the seat in the Grand L) and the seat (suspension + 15 degree turn =
Back and neck) the Grand L series came up on the list.
By the time I add a nice seat etc the price became a wash for me

Scott

 

[Sapper50]

L4760 has a naturally aspirated diesel engine.

L5060/L5460/L6060 have turbo-charged diesel engines. Diesel turbo-chargers are heavy.

If you work at an altitude of 6,000 feet or more, a turbo is money well spent.

If you work below 4,000 feet altitude I would go with L4760 with the less complex naturally aspirated engine.

All these tractors are 4,000 pounds bare tractor. Assuming you buy an FEL and ballast the rear tires your operating weight will be around 6,500 pounds. You will be able to pull a Category II size subsoiler at least 14" deep.

(You never want to subsoil so deep that you bring up infertile sub-soil. How deep is your top soil layer?)

LINK: Subsoilers | Tufline

You may wish to consider a Disc Plow, which is NOT a Disc Harrow, in lieu of a subsoiler.
LINK: TDP2 Series 2 & 3 Blade Disc Plows | Tufline


What is the total size of your property? Is it all flat or will you be working on sloped ground some of the time? What use do you intend for your property other than eight acres planned to be pasture?

You are fortunate starting tractor life with The Best.

Thank you Sir, why I ask the smart people and to have more ‘eyes’ on my thoughts and seeing things I miss.

* Excellent point on the NA vs Turbo - looked at it and missed it and the implications around maintenance etc. excellent.
* property is at 750 feet elevation and western Washington = very mild all year just rainy at times
* property is relatively flat (good natural drainage for the most part) but no serious slopes/grade work.
* horse pasture and a MX track initially for the dirt. Only planning on actually turning the top 10-12” using the subsoiler to fracture it so I can disc it (it’s that tough to dig in as it is in its virgin State). Will plan to keyline the pasture in the outyears after I touch base with the university AG schools etc. loader work for initial leveling for drainage in the pasture, non stop FEL work with the MX track = labor of love!

This will probably be my last (and only) tractor and excited to get working - and the experience here and tips and considerations everyone shared is making me think harder but also helps reduce the chance for buyers remorse!
Thank you!!
Scott

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Yes I originally was looking at the MX5200, until I operated one. I’m tall at 6’3” and my back is jacked (paratrooper) and between the operators station ( felt like a bit more room and importantly in the legs), the location of the HST shuttle peddle (further away from the seat in the Grand L) and the seat (suspension + 15 degree turn =
Back and neck) the Grand L series came up on the list.
By the time I add a nice seat etc the price became a wash for me

Scott

When I say M model, I do not mean an MX series which is just an economy model of what you are considering. I am talking about a true M model such as an M6060 or better by far an M7060.

 

[Sapper50]

When I say M model, I do not mean an MX series which is just an economy model of what you are considering. I am talking about a true M model such as an M6060 or better by far an M7060.

Ohhhhh my misunderstanding, I will check that model out.
Thank you!
Scott

 

[Fallon]

I have a L4060 in colorado (7,000'). I wish I had more HP when roading it, or running the mower. Maybe 10% of the time I'm doing dirt work with the box blade or LPGS can I get enough traction on the tires & drag on the implement to want more HP there. The only difference between my machine & the ones you listed is HP under the hood & tires. For sales reasons they let the ones bigger than the L4060 have a bigger loader option. I think some of the bigger ones have Cat 2 ball ends on the 3pt hitch.

I wish for a L4760 a bit, especially when roading it uphill & a bit when mowing thick stuff, but never regret getting the L4060. The price was right & it fits my needs.