Opinions on the L5460?

[Wobblin-Goblin]

I've been looking at adding a tractor to the farm. We've got an '88 70hp Belarus/loader that's under the weather right now with a head gasket leak, an '80 John Deere 850 2wd (no loader), and a '13 Massey Ferguson Hydro 1643 with loader.

Specifically, I'm interested in a tractor around the 50-55hp range with a loader stronger than the Massey's, as we use round bales that get up to 1,600+lbs. and it really, really struggles with them. Sometimes the Massey won't actually lift them, we just sort of drag the forks over the frozen ground to where the bale is going.

I was looking at the L5460 with a cab and loader (and possibly the biggest backhoe available for that model), as that's the sweet spot I'm looking for in a new tractor, but I'm not sold on the HST pedal setup. I think I'd prefer the clutchless shuttle, and it's not offered on that model. This tractor will most likely replace the 70hp Belarus, so I don't want to go any smaller. Besides, we already have the 1643 Massey, so it makes no sense to duplicate that. More weight, more power, and more loader are what we are interested in.

Anyone have experience with an orange tractor like what we're interested in? How's the loader? How are orange backhoes?

 

[jeff9366]

Here are L5460 threads from the T-B-N archive:
L546 site:tractorbynet.com - Google Search


I have the smallest Grand L model, the L3560, now with 1,100 hours. I love it.

 

[mljenkins]

You can check my thread on my initial impressions on the L6060HSTC. I traded it for my New Holland WorkMaster 55 which was a 4/2 with shuttle. I really liked the shuttle but I needed HST to do debris cleanup on the hill and I was afraid I would eventually burn the clutch up.

The HST is a bit clumsy to get used to at first coming from the shuttle, and my last HST had the 2 petals like the Deere’s have. I looked at the Deere equivalent and was more impressed with Kubota so I went that way. It’s honestly not bad on Kubota because even though the treadle has front back on one petal, directly to the right on the same pedal is a plate just for forward.

I still am jerky with it but not any more than I was my shuttle when I first got it. You can adjust the hst responsiveness on the grand series which helps. I’d recommend watching a video on how to set the responsiveness setting and then go test drive one, which is what I did (ended up being a L4060).

If you want glide shift you could look at the L5060 which is about the same as the L5460 but I think available as a ROPS model only. Personally I don’t mind the HST and I think I’ll love it when I start working it more when the weather breaks. I just went with the 6060 because it wasn’t much difference in price. Initially I was looking at the 4760 but I wanted something with about the same HP and lift as my previous tractor.

Edit: If you would like any pics of the pedal setup or what not, ask and I can get them for you. I know I was really appreciative of other's advice when doing my shopping leading up to my purchase.

 

[wmonroe]

Not sure what else you use it for other than round bales but a 6040, or whatever the new model is, with a cab and hydraulic shuttle sounds like it might meet the needs you have and handle the bales better.

 

[Fallon]

I have a L4060 with the medium size loader. You can spec the big loader on the L4760 & bigger.

My loader is rated to 1,800lbs. I just unloaded a pallet that scaled at 1,901lbs (plus 200-300lbs for the forks). Glad the truck had a lift gate. I really couldn't lift it. Got it an inch or 2 off the ground to drive up the driveway to the shop. Pulled off packing & the PTO shaft (20lbs maybe) & was able to lift it to a foot or 2. Part way through the later lift I realized my LPGS was on the ground, so effectively had no 3pt ballast. It still felt nice & stable even without proper ballast.

My L3200 lifting "1,200lbs" hay bales + forks in a 1,200lbs rated loader was sketchy as ****. I had lots of ballast too, pile of 50lbs bags if stuff on the back of a heavy rotary cutter. Pretty sure I had more ballast on the L3200 than the L4060.

As all the Grands have the same frame, you'll be fine. The bigger machines just have bigger tires & more HP. I'm pretty sure the abity to spec the larger loader is an artificial marketing limitation.

 

[jeff9366]

L4060 - L4760 have naturally aspirated engines.

L5060 - L5460 - L6060 have turbocharged engines.

 

[JimP]

Hi Wobblin. I picked up a low hour used 5460 cab this year from Marshall Machinery in PA. It replaced a Kubota 5240 cab. I speced it with R1s (loaded rears), front and rear hydraulics, work lights, rear defog and wiper and radio. I replaced the front tires with Michelin XM27s for increased front load capacity. The loader is stronger than my 5240. Last week I picked up 2,000 pound pallets of wood pellets + the skid steer forks off a trailer in a straight lift before using any curl. The load was a couple feet high and could have gone higher with no problem. With 800 pounds tire loading and 1100 pounds of box blade on the 3 point the tractor was stable with this load. A few weeks before I unloaded 34 4x5 round bales off a trailer with no problem, although the top ones were right at the max loader height. The 5460 and 1055 loader shouldn't have any problem moving your round bales.

The hydrostatic tranny is fine and the hi/lo feature in each range is really useful. I have used the Deere twin pedal and Kubota treadle. Maybe its practice but I like the treadle better. The gear ratios seem changed as this tractor won't pull hills in high range as well as well as my 5240, no problem in medium or low range though. As others have reported the 60 series machines have some vulnerable hydraulic lines. I am in central CT so if you want to take a look or have any questions feel free to email me. Jim

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

Hi Wobblin. I picked up a low hour used 5460 cab this year from Marshall Machinery in PA. It replaced a Kubota 5240 cab. I speced it with R1s (loaded rears), front and rear hydraulics, work lights, rear defog and wiper and radio. I replaced the front tires with Michelin XM27s for increased front load capacity. The loader is stronger than my 5240. Last week I picked up 2,000 pound pallets of wood pellets + the skid steer forks off a trailer in a straight lift before using any curl. The load was a couple feet high and could have gone higher with no problem. With 800 pounds tire loading and 1100 pounds of box blade on the 3 point the tractor was stable with this load. A few weeks before I unloaded 34 4x5 round bales off a trailer with no problem, although the top ones were right at the max loader height. The 5460 and 1055 loader shouldn't have any problem moving your round bales.

The hydrostatic tranny is fine and the hi/lo feature in each range is really useful. I have used the Deere twin pedal and Kubota treadle. Maybe its practice but I like the treadle better. The gear ratios seem changed as this tractor won't pull hills in high range as well as well as my 5240, no problem in medium or low range though. As others have reported the 60 series machines have some vulnerable hydraulic lines. I am in central CT so if you want to take a look or have any questions feel free to email me. Jim

View attachment 534097View attachment 534098

Jim, is yours an emissions tractor? If so, how does it all work?

 

[JimP]

Yes, EGR, DPF, and everything else. Bought it with 200 hours, it has 377 now (that is going up today once I start plowing this bombogenesis snow ). Every 12 to 20+ hours the DPF bar gets to 100% and the regen alert comes on. I just increase throttle to 2000+ rpm, keep working and 20 to 30 minutes later regeneration is over and the DPF bar reads 0%. Regeneration has not been a problem. Problems so far are minor. The third function valves are "sticky" (sometimes stick open and need to actuate the opposite valve to close) and the cab resonates at a few rpm/road speed combinations. When I traded my 5240 it had 1400 hours and no problems. We will see how the 5460 holds up over time, but I am an optimist.

Overall I like the 5460 as much as the 5240 it replaced. The loader is noticeably stronger. There are some differences I am still getting used to and there are some design areas where the Kubota design folks missed and the 5460 is lacking. I really need to start a new thread comparing the old and new tractors.

Feel free to message me through this forum if you want to take a look. Jim

 

[JimP]

Just to clarify, there is no DEF (diesel fluid) on the 5460. Jim