My new Grand L6060- final configuration. What would you change?

[plowhog]

Well I expect to use the grapple to lift brush piles (easy), small logs (ok), and large logs (oops!) For the large logs, I will just lift one end, then cut the log in half using a chain saw. Hopefully not cutting *me* or dropping the log on my leg!! Cut the logs down to manageable sizes, then grapple them.

I've become concerned about the responsiveness of Kubota dealers, or I should say non-responsiveness. I presented an exact configuration to a local dealer, and asked for a quote. No response. I called a few days later and heard again "he's not here right now." I left a VM asking for a quote. No call back, no response. I talked to a dealer that sells a different color tractor and that dealership is responsive and wants my business.

What is odd, is that this is the same experience I had with buying a SCUT. I was ready to buy a BX25, and gave an exact config for the tractor and asked for a quote. Kubota was the market leader, and although I looked at a Massey SCUT once I was concerned about going with a second-tier industry product like the Massey Ferguson brand. (no disrespect meant, second-tier based on sales volume.) The quote was for nothing fancy, a BX25, landscape rake, and box blade. Paying cash. Could not get a response. I bought my GC1710 Massey and it's been great.

Last week I called a different nearby Kubota dealer asking if they had a L6060 on the lot. "Yes we do, a cab model" I heard. I drove there and found it was one of the very narrow tractors, with a cab. Certainly not a L6060. The sales lady sent me out with the yard worker to look at it, and within 10 seconds I knew it was completely the wrong tractor. I went back to the counter, said it was the wrong tractor, and the sales lady said "sorry." Did not ask for my name, phone number, when I was looking to purchase, or, nothing. I asked at the counter to buy a 5/16 Grade 70 grab hook. The counter guy brought out a 5/16 red colored grab hook. I said "that's not Grade 70." He said "yes it is." Then he looked at the packaging and learned it is not.

Except for owning a Massey GC1710 SCUT for a year, I know little about tractors. As of now my lifetime hours on a tractor is 45. But I certainly know an L6060 from other models, and the difference between a gold grade 70 grab hook versus something else. I'm again looking at Massey-- this time their 1758 cab model. At least that dealer seems to know what he is doing?

My past work experience is running sales teams in a very competitive industry. I think Kubota corporate needs to hire me, or someone with similar experience, to kick some tail in their dealerships. Certainly I am not the only one getting this sort of experience. It's about to cost Kubota another tractor sale, most likely. Like the BX25, I had researched and came to the conclusion to buy a L6060, only to seemingly get left at the altar. More than once, I have felt that by entering a Kubota dealership I was interrupting their day and intruding on their space by showing up to ask questions leading to purchase of a tractor. Such as asking for a quote?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Yup, I'd be looking at other dealers too! Unacceptable.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Just curious, but do you feel that the L6060 is that much better of a tractor than the MF1758? With your current dealer responses, I would for sure be seriously considering the Massey.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

 

[94BULLITT]

Thank you to all who replied to my inquires about a L6060 for mowing 20 acres and cleaning downed logs from 8 acres. I am focusing on the configuration listed below. There is already a bushhog at the property. What changes would you make to the configuration I am focusing on?

Kubota L6060, cab model, R1 industrial tires, Air ride seat, Side and rear defroster, rear wiper
LA1055 loader w/72" HD roundback bucket, Three welded on bucket hooks
3 valves in front (to support grapple), 72" claw grapple w/L series 3rd valve (have not decided on which grapple?)
3 rear remotes, two float, one detent, Aftermarket protection for 3rd rear hydraulic hose, Top n tilt
Land Pride RBT 3596 8 foot rear blade w/hydraulic angle control, Retractable parking stand for blade
Wallenstein FX85 skidding winch

I will add radio and aftermarket LED lights myself. But, after paying for this tractor I might be down to using a hand held transistor radio!!!

Please comment with any suggestions-- this is a major purchase and I'm still new to tractors!

It looks like you have it configured nicely.

I thought about getting rear and side window defrosters for the 4240 but I did not. I have not had a need for them. I just run the a/c with the heat and it keeps the windows clear. The only time I think you may need them is if you plan to run a snow blower. I also got a rear wiper. I never use it. I'm glad it was only like $180. Again if you run a snow blower you will need it.

If you do get the defrosters be sure the dealer gives you your old windows.

 

[Fallon]

Last week I called a different nearby Kubota dealer asking if they had a L6060 on the lot. "Yes we do, a cab model" I heard. I drove there and found it was one of the very narrow tractors, with a cab. Certainly not a L6060. The sales lady sent me out with the yard worker to look at it, and within 10 seconds I knew it was completely the wrong tractor. I went back to the counter, said it was the wrong tractor, and the sales lady said "sorry." Did not ask for my name, phone number, when I was looking to purchase, or, nothing. I asked at the counter to buy a 5/16 Grade 70 grab hook. The counter guy brought out a 5/16 red colored grab hook. I said "that's not Grade 70." He said "yes it is." Then he looked at the packaging and learned it is not.

Had a similar experience with a dealer in Denver. Took a half a day off work to go test drive a L4060 they said they had... They didnt have a single grand on the lot. Ended up heading off to Front Range Kubota & test driving one there. Got my old L3200 & current L4060 from them. I'd rate them at an 85% on responsiveness. Sometimes they are a little slow on responses, but they take care of business when needed & I had been in the tire kicking stage for quite a while. It all depends on your dealer & sales guy, not the manufacturer.

My L4060 ended up immidiately having hydraulic issues (3pt feedback out of adjustment causing loader to intermitently not work when the 3pt was lifted). Front Range was all over things the next day & hauled it on their dime. The Korean dealer was 2 hours away & a small mom & pop shop, no way I'd have gotten the same response & support if I'd had a similar issue.

 

[Fallon]

It looks like you have it configured nicely.

I thought about getting rear and side window defrosters for the 4240 but I did not. I have not had a need for them. I just run the a/c with the heat and it keeps the windows clear. The only time I think you may need them is if you plan to run a snow blower. I also got a rear wiper. I never use it. I'm glad it was only like $180. Again if you run a snow blower you will need it.

If you do get the defrosters be sure the dealer gives you your old windows.

I was out in the 3 degree weather today clearing some drives with my bucket. I was glad I had the rear defoster (lines on the window like a car). Took care of my fogging issues. Even fiddling with vents I was struggling with my side windows. Almost wishing I got the side defrosters. A/C with heat & fans on full was trying to cook me alive, but struggling with fogging in several places.

Used the rear wiper a little as I got a lot of condensation and/or kicked up snow melting on the rear window when roading. It worked ok, but not nearly as good as defrost.

 

[plowhog]

I size up tractors like a tool, just a much more sophisticated one. In that sense, either a DeWalt or Milwaukee sawzall will equally get the job done. I think the exact same thing exists with the Kubota L6060 and Massey 1758. Similar equipment. There are good reasons why Kubota is more prominent and sells more tractors in my trading area. But on the other hand, the pricing is similar enough that if Massey didn't offer a compelling competing product they would have been run out of the market long ago. Neither of these tractors are new year models, they have been offered in the same configuration for years. I probably saved $1,000 buying my Massey SCUT instead of a BX25, but that was not even a consideration. And I might save a few thousand by choosing a 1758, again, given the size of the purchase, not a reason to choose the wrong tractor.

Choosing Kubota is probably a "safer" choice should my Massey "mom and pop" dealer implode. I liked the cab on the Massey slightly better, but not enough to sway a decision. And I like the dual pedals instead of the treadle, more of a consideration for me. The Kubota has 9 more PTO horsepower which is surprising since the rated engine PTO is similar. But I think about 44 PTO horse will run any mower I want to pay for to attach to it. Someone, somewhere wrote to give good consideration to both the tractor and the supporting dealer, as both will be relied upon in the future. When I do that, Kubota is coming up short based solely on dealer experience.

I think the Kubota dealerships are good, just not hungry for a single tractor sale like mine. Not sure why. One salesman just bagged a huge multi-unit order right in the middle of my shopping. So maybe he is out shopping for a new sports car. Maybe they perceive me as not serious, or too thoughtful with too many questions? Or, maybe it is the time of the year. Maybe in my area, which is near much farming, the bigger boys are shopping for their fleets of new tractors to use next Spring, possibly crowding me out. At the end of the day I will be lucky and fortunate to own either cab tractor and enjoy whatever I purchase. I usually am a "glass half full" type instead of "glass half empty." So I don't resent poor treatment, and am trying to be objective in factoring it into the best decision.

 

[94BULLITT]

I was out in the 3 degree weather today clearing some drives with my bucket. I was glad I had the rear defoster (lines on the window like a car). Took care of my fogging issues. Even fiddling with vents I was struggling with my side windows. Almost wishing I got the side defrosters. A/C with heat & fans on full was trying to cook me alive, but struggling with fogging in several places.

Used the rear wiper a little as I got a lot of condensation and/or kicked up snow melting on the rear window when roading. It worked ok, but not nearly as good as defrost.

Were you on fresh air or recirculate?

 

[SDT]

I size up tractors like a tool, just a much more sophisticated one. In that sense, either a DeWalt or Milwaukee sawzall will equally get the job done. I think the exact same thing exists with the Kubota L6060 and Massey 1758. Similar equipment. There are good reasons why Kubota is more prominent and sells more tractors in my trading area. But on the other hand, the pricing is similar enough that if Massey didn't offer a compelling competing product they would have been run out of the market long ago. Neither of these tractors are new year models, they have been offered in the same configuration for years. I probably saved $1,000 buying my Massey SCUT instead of a BX25, but that was not even a consideration. And I might save a few thousand by choosing a 1758, again, given the size of the purchase, not a reason to choose the wrong tractor.

Choosing Kubota is probably a "safer" choice should my Massey "mom and pop" dealer implode. I liked the cab on the Massey slightly better, but not enough to sway a decision. And I like the dual pedals instead of the treadle, more of a consideration for me. The Kubota has 9 more PTO horsepower which is surprising since the rated engine PTO is similar. But I think about 44 PTO horse will run any mower I want to pay for to attach to it. Someone, somewhere wrote to give good consideration to both the tractor and the supporting dealer, as both will be relied upon in the future. When I do that, Kubota is coming up short based solely on dealer experience.

I think the Kubota dealerships are good, just not hungry for a single tractor sale like mine. Not sure why. One salesman just bagged a huge multi-unit order right in the middle of my shopping. So maybe he is out shopping for a new sports car. Maybe they perceive me as not serious, or too thoughtful with too many questions? Or, maybe it is the time of the year. Maybe in my area, which is near much farming, the bigger boys are shopping for their fleets of new tractors to use next Spring, possibly crowding me out. At the end of the day I will be lucky and fortunate to own either cab tractor and enjoy whatever I purchase. I usually am a "glass half full" type instead of "glass half empty." So I don't resent poor treatment, and am trying to be objective in factoring it into the best decision.

You need a new Kubota dealer, Plowhog.

Clearly the dealers that you have contacted are not interested in your business even before sale. One can only guess how disinterested they may become after the sale.

FWIW: The smaller MF tractors, including CUTS and SCUTS are quality units made in Japan by Iseki. I've owned an Iseki SCUT in the past and found it to be well made and reliable. Though not a MF fan due to bad treatment by both MF and their local dealer in the past, the Iseki made tractors are good machines. If you like your local MF dealer, perhaps you might want to stop back.

SDT, who after past experiences would otherwise never recommend MF.

 

[SDT]

Just curious, but do you feel that the L6060 is that much better of a tractor than the MF1758? With your current dealer responses, I would for sure be seriously considering the Massey.

Good luck. :thumbsup:

I researched both before buying my L6060.

The 6060 is noticeably more powerful than is the 1758, albeit at the expense of higher RPM and greater fuel consumption. Even though I'm old school and like cubic inches and do not like turbos, this sealed the deal for me as I was looking for all of the HP that I could find in a hydro CUT, and the local JD dealer was arrogant and non responsive regarding the 4066R (?).

SDT