New Kubota Tractor Purchase

[charlessenf]

So why are you looking at the Grand and MX vs the M series? I just purchased a M7060 with 12 speed tranny for under 50K. Way more tractor than the MX series from what I remember anyways. I absolutely love it. Moving dirt today and have 10 hours on her now.

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Wow! looks like it was a pitch black night - doesn't the tractor have lights?

 

[charlessenf]

Maybe I missed it but what type of work do you plan to do with the tractor? Sure everyone that has a 30hp wishes they had a 50hp tractor so they could use some implement, and the 50hp guy wishes he had 75hp to do work a little faster. But what are you looking for other than 50hp?

Odly enough tractors were never designed to pick up large loads in a FEL, which is a reason why you need a large tractor to lift even a moderate load. If that is your primary concern, have you considered a skid steer?

Oddly enough, you've hit on 'the question' right off the bat!
For those who accept that Form Follows Function and the admonition to 'begin with the end in mind,' one should develop a list of (essential/required/intended) tasks, operations and activities to which this fifty thousand dollar 'investment' in a depreciable asset is to be applied.

After I bought a place with some acreage, the wife and I discussed the need for a van or pickup truck. Unbeknownst to me, she lost he company car on day and went out an bought a Tacoma the next. When she called to proudly tell me she'd gotten us a truck, I asked "How long is the bed? Does it have Cruise? Does it have postreaction or similar?

"I don't know, no, I don't know" came the responses - long after any option of getting something else had ended!

She was buying a truck for me - she intended to take over the sedan (it has cruise, FWD, etc. etc.) because "You needed a truck."

Ah, married life . . .

 

[charlessenf]

become familiar with the HST Plus transmission, you will miss it once going back to the MX.

I have that and appreciate it.

Also have the PATS Quick Connect/Disconnect on my 3PT - no more bashed knuckles or lengthy change overs! Best $160 (Rural King) I've spent so far.

 

[charlessenf]

Have a look at the Yanmar. I bought a brand new YT359C this year. 59hp. Amazing transmission and comes factory with two rear remotes and a 10 year powertrain warranty.

Take a look at Yanmar. 59hp, amazing transmission and a 10 year powertrain warranty.

Well, if they come with the beautiful barn . . . I'm in!

 

[cpainter]

Would there be many benefits to finding a good used tractor, maybe a 2011 or older, that doesn't use a computer or def?

 

[tradosaurus]

Have a look at the Yanmar. I bought a brand new YT359C this year. 59hp. Amazing transmission and comes factory with two rear remotes and a 10 year powertrain warranty.

Take a look at Yanmar. 59hp, amazing transmission and a 10 year powertrain warranty.

Nice tractor. How much did you pay for your Yanmar?

Did you figure out the power steering issue at idle?

 

[tradosaurus]

A lot of good information and that gave me plenty to think about. I appreciate everyone's input. After reading all the comments, I sat down and went though how I would likely use the tractor and how much HP I would actually need. As someone noted, guys with 30 hp tractors always wish they had a 50 hp, and 50 hp guys wish they had a 100 hp tractor. Another point someone mentioned, would a turbocharger be the best for my application? I would say no, I would prefer normally aspirated. I'm just not a fan of the added complexity of a turbocharger.

Weighing it all out, a 30+/- hp will likely be enough for what I need to do, mainly homeowner/hobby farm applications and some light material moving. Thinking back to my previous experience. I was quite satisfied with my L3430. It did everything I asked from it 95% of the time. Except for a few rare times the front end loader couldn't lift the load for stuff such as bulk bags of mulch on a pallet, my 3 point forks typically lifted what the front end loader couldn't, after I filled up the front bucket to balance the load.

Clearly, some of you use your tractor much more than I would, and for far more demanding applications. As an example, I had my L3430 for about 10 years, total use was 365 hours when it was sold. My use should be about the same. I'm not plowing fields or doing other heavy PTO work, likely using only a rotary cutter with the PTO will be about it. The one item I used the most on the tractor, was the FEL with a grapple for moving trees and brush.

I returned to the dealer today. I looked at everything he has in stock in a cab. He had both MX5200 and MX6000, M4, M7 and larger, and he had one remaining 2022 Grand L 3560 Limited Edition. Ultimately, I settled on the Grand L3560 Limited Edition, I added the front and rear remotes I wanted, mirrors, front and rear work lights, loaded/R4 tires, the LA-805 loader + bucket, and a Land Pride grapple. The cost came in just under budget.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Congrats on a deluxe tractor.

You did a good job at figuring out the right size you need.

Interesting that you bought almost the same size and style you had previously.

 

[MHarryE]

Our M59 has 1200 hours, OK maintenance, nothing special. It is now 15 years old. It lives outside - tarped. That's as close to 100 hrs a year as makes no difference.

So we don't put a lot of hours on it, but when it works it works hard. Not unusual for it to idle for an hour or more while we do chores and then use it full throttle like a rough country dump truck delivering 3000 lbs of rocks in the FEL bucket two miles away. We use it in the creek and forest for some rugged work. It runs and works like new. Yes, it was expensive. Even back in 2007 it cost more than comparable HP Kubotas do today. I guess the cost is the TLB vs Tractor thing.

I'll be curious to see if the next 1200 hrs goes as well as the last. Don't see why not. At that point the M59 will be 30 and I will be ... good god!

Was just looking at the Kubota brochure -online showing those new M7060s. Wow! What a nice tractor that is! I don't blame you a bit for jumping on it. Love that tranny, too. Seems like a whole lot of machine for a very reasonable price.
rScotty

"If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went" - Will Rogers

I think you did well. I went from an L3710 to a L5740 to a L6060. The Grand L's were always great, with the step from the L5740 to the L6060 being my best upgrade. Now my needs have outgrown the L6060 which didn't match well with my M7-171. It couldn't handle some of the haying jobs I have while the M7 was overkill, bought primarily for my grain business. So a year ago I traded the L6060 for a M5-111. The M5 is a great tractor for the haying jobs but at my age, shifting gears is a pain. The M7 with KVT is like the L6060 - no gear shifting from 0 to 31 mph. The Grand L electric range shift just like my SVL75-2 CTL. If it wasn't for the SVL75-2, the M5 would have been an addition, not a trade, but the CTL can do so many of the things that I used a compact tractor - except PTO work. The rotary cutter and roto-tiller sized for my Grand L's are little toys attached to the M5 - but they do the job.

 

[mike peyerl]

Hi All,

I'm in a position where I need a tractor again to use on some acreage I've acquired. Previously, I owned a Kubota Grand L Cab Tractor 34hp (L3430). I purchased that one new around 2005 and sold it in 2018, when I moved from my previous home that had acreage. I learned a few lessons with that ownership, one is to get 50hp or bigger, that seems to be the cut off for some implements, and I always wished for greater capacity on the FEL.

I visited my two local Kubota dealers, interested in the current Grand L60 series. Basically, what I had before, but with a larger engine. However, the sales reps were really steering me towards the MX series with a Cab rather than the L. Oddly, they mentioned the MX is heavier and larger (longer and wider) than the L, but the published specs don't support that. Perhaps they were speaking cab vs non cab?

I compared the specs. It seems like a tradeoff, more FEL capacity with the MX, but less three point capacity than the L. Price is around 50K for the MX5400 with Cab and FEL, standard bucket, maybe 2K more for the MX6000. We didn't get into pricing for a Grand L60, but I'm sure the cost is substantially higher.

I've been away from any land work and Kubota for years, and haven't really kept up with the good and bad regarding Kubota's current production. Still trying to figure out what I would miss with the Grand L60 vs the MX6000.

Thoughts?

I think the biggest reason to get the grand l would be if you are going hydro transmission I have a 4740 and the basically 6 ranges is great

 

[jyoutz]

I think the biggest reason to get the grand l would be if you are going hydro transmission I have a 4740 and the basically 6 ranges is great

I guess I’m blissfully ignorant of the need for 6 ranges. I’ve been able to do anything I need with 3.

 

[JenniferKubotaM62]

Hi All,

I'm in a position where I need a tractor again to use on some acreage I've acquired.

M62 gets my vote, but I’m biased.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I guess I’m blissfully ignorant of the need for 6 ranges. I’ve been able to do anything I need with 3.

I think this depends on terrain and how you use the tractor.

I deal with a lot of slope where I am which requires that I often have to stop and shift from H to M on my 3 range HST. With the HST+ 6 range, I can shift from H+ to H- on the fly without stopping. A big time saver for me anyway. I can see where HST+ isn't necessary for everyone though.

 

[jyoutz]

I think this depends on terrain and how you use the tractor.

I deal with a lot of slope where I am which requires that I often have to stop and shift from H to M on my 3 range HST. With the HST+ 6 range, I can shift from H+ to H- on the fly without stopping. A big time saver for me anyway. I can see where HST+ isn't necessary for everyone though.

Yeah, I really don’t have much slope, and typically only use M and L. I only use H on roads, which I don’t do often.

 

[Ed27]

I bought a [AFFILIATE=1, nofollow=true, newwindow=true, title="Kubota"]Kubota[/AFFILIATE] M7060HD12 three years ago. I have about 400 hours on it. I also bought a bucket, grapple, brush cutter, and tree saw. I am extremely happy with my tractor. I wouldn't change a thing.

My recommendation is to make sure you get a big enough tractor for your needs now, and anticipated in the future. I was worried that the M7060 was a little too big for my needs. Turns out that it is just right. I think buying a tractor or building a garage are similar in that you always wish you had bought a bigger one.

 

[droy]

I guess I’m blissfully ignorant of the need for 6 ranges. I’ve been able to do anything I need with 3.

Looking like I’ll be trading my L4740 for an MX6000 so adding couple points to an old post. Primary use (80%?) is rotary cutting approx 15 acres with some box blade & plowing.
*M6060 is in the neighborhood of 1100 lbs heavier than MX6000.
This was a big factor in my decision to eliminate the M6060. We often cut when ground is wet & soft making ruts with the 4740
* I enjoy playing in dirt, & not having the Grand L rabbit & turtle option while box blading with the MX is going to be sorely missed.
*The MX bigger front tires (R4) are a definite + compared to the L.
*After speccing rear remote, & air seat for the MX, it wasn’t a big price difference comparing it to the M6060 where those features are standard. I really feel the M6060 is a lot more tractor but again weight is a factor for me, not just in the pasture but if I would ever have to trailer it somewhere my 1/2 ton pickup wouldn’t handle it.

 

[5030]

Me, I'll stick with my pre 4 M9's. One they have been paid for, for years. two they have no emissions junk to worry about and 3, both are turned up a bit as in 15% over stock. I read on here about how the new post 4 tractors are more fuel efficient but I don't see how when they inject raw fuel in the DPF on regen to burn off the accumulated carbon. I don't have any of that fuel being wasted for the EPA.

 

[scootr]

Me, I'll stick with my pre 4 M9's. One they have been paid for, for years. two they have no emissions junk to worry about and 3, both are turned up a bit as in 15% over stock. I read on here about how the new post 4 tractors are more fuel efficient but I don't see how when they inject raw fuel in the DPF on regen to burn off the accumulated carbon. I don't have any of that fuel being wasted for the EPA.

The Regen burn off does seem ironic at best. I think they do it so they can say look it burns clean for 20 hours and then we reburn the little nasties we held back when we told you it was burning clean.

 

[troverman]

Looking like I’ll be trading my L4740 for an MX6000 so adding couple points to an old post. Primary use (80%?) is rotary cutting approx 15 acres with some box blade & plowing.
*M6060 is in the neighborhood of 1100 lbs heavier than MX6000.
This was a big factor in my decision to eliminate the M6060. We often cut when ground is wet & soft making ruts with the 4740
* I enjoy playing in dirt, & not having the Grand L rabbit & turtle option while box blading with the MX is going to be sorely missed.
*The MX bigger front tires (R4) are a definite + compared to the L.
*After speccing rear remote, & air seat for the MX, it wasn’t a big price difference comparing it to the M6060 where those features are standard. I really feel the M6060 is a lot more tractor but again weight is a factor for me, not just in the pasture but if I would ever have to trailer it somewhere my 1/2 ton pickup wouldn’t handle it.

Keep in mind that loading the rear tires of an MX6000 adds about 1176lbs of weight, or the difference between the M6060 vs MX6000.

I seriously considered the M7060 or M6060 tractor compared to the MX6000, but ultimately chose the MX because I wanted an HST transmission. The MX6000 is the maximum tractor you can get from Kubota with a hydrostatic transmission. Frankly, the M60 series is far "more" tractor...for one thing, you are getting the 3.3L I4 instead of the 2.4L I4 in the MX. Even though the horsepower is similar, the MX engine is cranked all the way up while the M60 is understressed. The M60 also has considerably larger tires and a couple of additional features on the instrument cluster more similar to the Grand L. That said, I do slope flail mowing and wanted the very precise and effortless control of the HST while on steep slopes and near water. And so far, I'm happy. The A/C condenser screen is poor quality and needs to be cleaned frequently, and the cab could use a bit more insulation, but the three range transmission is working fine for me. I miss the Grand L's digital cruise control probably the most, followed by the very informative message center.

 

[jyoutz]

Looking like I’ll be trading my L4740 for an MX6000 so adding couple points to an old post. Primary use (80%?) is rotary cutting approx 15 acres with some box blade & plowing.
*M6060 is in the neighborhood of 1100 lbs heavier than MX6000.
This was a big factor in my decision to eliminate the M6060. We often cut when ground is wet & soft making ruts with the 4740
* I enjoy playing in dirt, & not having the Grand L rabbit & turtle option while box blading with the MX is going to be sorely missed.
*The MX bigger front tires (R4) are a definite + compared to the L.
*After speccing rear remote, & air seat for the MX, it wasn’t a big price difference comparing it to the M6060 where those features are standard. I really feel the M6060 is a lot more tractor but again weight is a factor for me, not just in the pasture but if I would ever have to trailer it somewhere my 1/2 ton pickup wouldn’t handle it.

I love my MX6000. I think you will like it. It is a basic tractor, but seems to have most of the important features such as telescoping lift arms, cruise control, electric operated pto, brakes on left, and no clutch. As you noted, the larger front wheels really add to stability and ride comfort.

 

[5030]

The Regen burn off does seem ironic at best. I think they do it so they can say look it burns clean for 20 hours and then we reburn the little nasties we held back when we told you it was burning clean.

Exactly...and then you have to pay to have the loaded element cleaned or buy a new one. Not for me at all.