M7060 8 speed versus 12 speed

[Farmer495]

My M7040 has the same issue, but with the shuttle shift I can shift between gears in either range very easily so i try to match the work to a range and realize that without shuttle shift i would be doing a lot more shifting. I saved enough on the purchase of it that I can allow some for it's faults.
David from jax

I'm somewhat lucky I rarely have to change range while working. Only time I wished for a lower gear in high range was hauling two loaded wagons of hay out of a field at the bottom of that a hill that H1 was didn't have enough power to pull it out. L4 worked fine.

 

[5030]

It's fancy for sure and it's only 2 years old. It's a Kubota BV silage special. Really easy to thread net as well, unlike my old traded in New Holland where you had to feed the net through the center and deal with the net knife. This one, you feed the net into a cutout on the right side of the bailer (facing backward) an d leave about a foot hanging and it feeds itself. Does all sorts of neat stuff like I can vary the bale density while it's bailing for instance. I usually just leave it set for a soft center and everything else fiddle string tight. I don't run sileage but that is how it came and my dealer gave me a heck of a deal on it. I always run maximum diameter as well which is 5 foot bales. I can run 5.5 diameter b ales but it's not recommended and belts are expensive, so I don't. Interestingly, it really don't consume a lot of tractor power either. I have 96 pto horses.

 

[5030]

That what I don't want to happen to me, regret not getting the right gearbox. I am planning to buy new so I want to do it once, but I do have a budget. Yes 12 speed is way faster on the road than 8, 6.3 MPH according to the speed charts I have.

Both my M9's top out at 22 mph. Like I said earlier, I rarely go that fast. Like smelling the roses along the way and being nosey too.

 

[Farmer495]

The 12 speed also has a bigger capicity hydraulic pump.

I read a few comments and saw a video claiming the 12 speed had troubles compared to the 8.

Here is the gear comparison, 12 speed "100%" is from the op manual on 16.9-30, 8 speed is the op manual speeds adjusted to be for 16.9-30 from 16.9-28.

Black line is range change.

 

[Farmer495]

Figured I'd update this in case anyone else is in the same situation.

I went with the 12 speed. I've put many hours on it and done all the field work and operations I bought it for. I am happy with the choice. Was about $1500 extra CDN over the 8 speed. Well worth it when combined with the better hyd flow and electric shift 4wd with 4 wheel braking.

For my application I can use low range for all field work (tillage & haying) and have the right gear without a range change. Easy to shift on the move between slow and fast. Good spacing for baling too. While I can mow hay in high range first, most of my fields are too rough and my body and equipment much happier slower.

Highway haulage is geared nice, 1-6 in high range are spaced good with 6th limited in RPM so you cruise at top speed at 1960 RPM at 24.5 MPH rather 2500 in the other gears. Quick shift to 5th gives full power at 2500 RPM around 22 MPH.

The park position prevents driving with parking brake set which is a good feature.

The only thing I don't like about "park" is I don't really like how it "feels" when putting in and out of park on a slope. I make a point not to stop on a slope. My 8-speed with brake pedal lock I do not care where I stop.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the update!!

 

[Hay Dude]

There are never advantages to having less gears

Especially when baling hay.

 

[Hay Dude]

Figured I'd update this in case anyone else is in the same situation.

I went with the 12 speed. I've put many hours on it and done all the field work and operations I bought it for. I am happy with the choice. Was about $1500 extra CDN over the 8 speed. Well worth it when combined with the better hyd flow and electric shift 4wd with 4 wheel braking.

For my application I can use low range for all field work (tillage & haying) and have the right gear without a range change. Easy to shift on the move between slow and fast. Good spacing for baling too. While I can mow hay in high range first, most of my fields are too rough and my body and equipment much happier slower.

Highway haulage is geared nice, 1-6 in high range are spaced good with 6th limited in RPM so you cruise at top speed at 1960 RPM at 24.5 MPH rather 2500 in the other gears. Quick shift to 5th gives full power at 2500 RPM around 22 MPH.

The park position prevents driving with parking brake set which is a good feature.

The only thing I don't like about "park" is I don't really like how it "feels" when putting in and out of park on a slope. I make a point not to stop on a slope. My 8-speed with brake pedal lock I do not care where I stop.

You’d love a 24 speed “dual speed” Kubota transmission. I thought mine was really cool.

 

[Farmer495]

You’d love a 24 speed “dual speed” Kubota transmission. I thought mine was really cool.

Half gear powershift would be nice at times.

 

[jonsstihl]

not sure if it was mentioned but the 12 speed gets you an e-PTO as well. glad you like it and it works for your uses