Please try & talk me out of a Kubota L4060

[Fallon]

Just the top & tilt cylinders. Still recommend OEM valves for cab tractors. :thumbsup:

Ya, learned a lot working with Brian building the whole system including plumbing in the 3 new spools on my old L3200. Great learning experience, but don't want to fight with all the plumbing again on a cab.

 

[Fallon]

Not what I found when I last shopped. I was much more impressed with the Korean brands overall. So much so that I purchased one for myself and have been very pleased with it ever since.

Filters buried where it would take massive pain to change them. No or hard to service radiator screens, steering gear up infront of the axle where it's easier to damage (some Kubotas are this way too though, but a bit more protected). Side panels were hard to pull off & on, watched the sales guy fight for 5 minutes to get one of em back on the TYM & you had to pull it to do nearly any maintenance on the thing. Poor HVAC setup, one of em had air return stuff running through easily bumped or closed exit style vents that were identical to the adjustable exit vents.

Don't get me wrong, they aren't bad tractors at all & definitely cheaper (and include some additional hydraulics that add a few grand to a Kubota). Really wish I could have seen a NX, but they didn't stock smaller Kiotis saying they weren't as good of a deal as the LS & TYM.

There are 4 Kubota dealers within 2 hours of my place, including 1 20 minutes out & another 45 or so. In 3 years the only time I took my Kuobota to the dealer was for loading the tires (they didn't have the working plumbing gear when I got it) & for an appraisal. Only warranty work was a leaky hose & I fixed it myself at home after getting the warranty hose from the dealer. So I know warranty work isn't the end all support requirement. But there is only 1 Korean dealer in the state & they are working out of an old gas station. They had some tractors split under the canopy where the pumps use to be. Just not as much of a warm fuzzy on prompt support from that as well as some of the other supply chain & dealer support delay issues I've heard about.

Some of the photos of some of the stuff I noticed when looking at the Koreans...

Korean tractors - Google Photos

 

[Fallon]

Well you all failed. Talked to the guys at Front Range Kubota & ordered up my L4060 today. They have 4 of em crated up on the lot, but some of the accesories will take a week or so to get in. Might be an extra week or so given the holidays.

 

[LD1]

What loader? Were they able to get the bigger one, or did you decide it couldn't be justified?

 

[Fallon]

Getting the LA805 loader. They thought they could spec the big one for a bit & I was all ready to cough up the extra cash for that, but they couldn't. Need to step up to a L4760 at least for the bigger loader.

 

[BCrouse]

Getting the LA805 loader. They thought they could spec the big one for a bit & I was all ready to cough up the extra cash for that, but they couldn't. Need to step up to a L4760 at least for the bigger loader.

So....you changed out to a L4760 then? =]

 

[Fallon]

So....you changed out to a L4760 then? =]

Nope, getting a L4060 & LA805. Couldn't justify the $5k or whatever it was for the extra 7hp & the bigger loader.

Initially Dale thought he could spec a LA1055 for me & it was going to be an extra $500 or so. I was going to do that, but after some checking it wasn't an option.

 

[mike69440]

I think 40hp net is pretty low for a 4,100lb cab tractor.

My 8,000 Lb L39 is 40 Hp with the fuel turned up. Now that is under powered!

 

[adventure bob]

Fallon your near me. I bought my 6060 in Pueblo cause the deal. I had a 4060 and it just wasn't enough loader for the logging I do.

 

[Lynyrd]

Well, after suffering two bouts of heat exhaustion mowing this summer I will be picking up my new L4060HST with a cab tomorrow. I have a Kubota M5400 that I am keeping. I ordered the new one without a loader because it is so much easier to maneuver around trees while mowing if you don't have the loader sticking out there. My M5400 has a strong loader, so I really didn't need one on this tractor. It will be used strictly for mowing.

For those of you who have owned one of these machines for a while, do you have any advice in regards to maintenance, problem areas, etc.? I've been running tractors for 40 years but this will be my first one with a cab and AC.

 

[sixdogs]

Don't know about cab maintenance but I do believe the tractor you bought is one of the best around. It would be nice if you would post a few pictures when it comes in. I too love a tractor without a loader for getting things done.

 

[TripleR]

I can't think of anything unique to a cab model, just keep your cab air filter and condenser unit blown out. I have a foot long extension eith side air vents my brother made, but you can buy them. I use air only and if I am going to be away from the shop, I use a high power leaf blower for radiator and condenser.

 

[Fallon]

Keep the radiators under the hood (and the hood itself) clean.

Got warm last week because junk plugged up the black screen on the hood. Trivial fix just brushing it off. Checked things under the hood & they were fine.

Had some near overheating issues a week or 2 ago. Cleaned off the screens, but that didnt help. Got to looking & most of the radiators were plugged with dirt & fibrous debris you couldn't easily see from the side. Only 2 of the radiators have screens on them & there are 4. The real radiator, A/C coils & I presume 2 hydraulic oil coolers. Things seem to be in good shape after washing them out with a hose (dont shock cool things doing it when the engine is hot). Compressed air might work better than water depending on your dirt & debris. Actually, try air first, less likely to make things cement in worse.

I can usually tell the cab getting warm & humid before the needle on the temp gauge starts getting to high. Mowing thistle or other stuff with lots of fuzz can plug things in an hour or 2. Or sometimes it will be days or weeks before as nothing shows up on the screens. Just get in the habit of checking things as part of your daily routine. Cab filter itself isnt that hard to get at outside.

I'm fighting an issue with my front windshield sprayer spritzing intermitentsly. As far as I can tell the washer fluid is heating or boiling & spraying for a second up to a few times an hour. Fluid is hot when it comes out & the problem stays up front when I swap electrical plugs front/rear. The hose is routed pretty close to the DPF, not that there is any other routing options.

The grands with a 3rd function have some pretty vulnerable hydraulic lines underneath, but not relevant with no loader.

May want to get a brush guard (standard with the loader) & generally armor up a bit. Depending on what you mow.

 

[TripleR]

Fallon's post reminded me, must have if you ever operate in the brush.

 

[kthompson]

Have a JD with cab. Thought had issue with cab. My shop asked had I change the a/c cab filters...nope...that was the problem. Be sure you keep windows closed if not locked to keep heavy rain out. At least on my tractor.

 

[Lynyrd]

Fallon's post reminded me, must have if you ever operate in the brush.

I got the Kubota grill guard, but I already have plans to add on to it and build some screens like what you posted to help keep the front hood grill cleaner.

 

[Lynyrd]

Don't know about cab maintenance but I do believe the tractor you bought is one of the best around. It would be nice if you would post a few pictures when it comes in. I too love a tractor without a loader for getting things done.

Well, since you asked, I'll try. Never posted a picture here before but I'm sure my wife will take some. Should pick up the new tractor tomorrow.

 

[mike69440]

Well, after suffering two bouts of heat exhaustion mowing this summer I will be picking up my new L4060HST with a cab tomorrow. I have a Kubota M5400 that I am keeping. I ordered the new one without a loader because it is so much easier to maneuver around trees while mowing if you don't have the loader sticking out there. My M5400 has a strong loader, so I really didn't need one on this tractor. It will be used strictly for mowing.

For those of you who have owned one of these machines for a while, do you have any advice in regards to maintenance, problem areas, etc.? I've been running tractors for 40 years but this will be my first one with a cab and AC.

I suggest getting the loader, for when you sell the tractor, because you will probably want a smaller loader for a lot of chores anyways.

 

[Lynyrd]

I suggest getting the loader, for when you sell the tractor, because you will probably want a smaller loader for a lot of chores anyways.

I would never, ever, be without a loader. My other tractor has a strong loader. It lifts 2850 lbs. But you are right about not being able to sell it without a loader. At least not nearly as easy. However, there are lots on tractors around here that work in the hay fields and pull mowers that don't have loaders. And besides that, I don't ever think I will sell either of my tractors. They will outlast me. LOL

 

[mike69440]

I would never, ever, be without a loader. My other tractor has a strong loader. It lifts 2850 lbs. But you are right about not being able to sell it without a loader. At least not nearly as easy. However, there are lots on tractors around here that work in the hay fields and pull mowers that don't have loaders. And besides that, I don't ever think I will sell either of my tractors. They will outlast me. LOL

In 4 Days I'm going in for back surgery. Today I cleared a bit of brush, hand loaded a bucket full of rocks, and moved a few tons of dirt & spread gravel. I have a larger tractor will lift and carry a fair amount also but today I used my little Max 28 that can on a good day maybe a bit less than half of what the L39 loader is good for. I would have worked too hard using the big tractor. A smaller tractor suits my pace just about right and is very maneuverable. Sometimes a small FEL is just right.
I hope I have a good recovery so I can plan bigger projects like the old days.