Buying Advice Update on Purchase: Kubota M7060

[RickDe7]

I accidently posted in the General forum, posting here because i love you guys more.

Thanks to everyone that posted to my original post, they were all great comments and really helped me hone in on what i needed. I thought I would post an update to help others with this extremely difficult task.

I'm on 150 acres, about 40% woods and 60% previously hayed.

Purchased an M7060 12/12 CAB with FEL (Front-end Loader), Brush Grapple with remote, BB3578 Box Blade, and 8' Land Pride Mower RCF3096.

Few things on the purchase I gleaned on my research:

• Kubota, JD, New Holland and Case are all top tractor brands, listed in order from my research. Really defining your choice is down to how far they are away from you. Make sure they will drop off and pickup at your location and have a solid reputation.
• Lots and Lot of people unhappy on the forums, youtube and even on JD's website made me steer clear of JD. Most all tractors under the 5090M and R series is made in India, which was the strongest reason that i did not go with JD. Fairly common statement is JD only makes good large tractors now (>100hp).
• Most everyone seems to agree that next to the brand the dealer is the next in the decision point. If you don't have a dealer of the brand you want in your area.
• Kubota's HQ is now in Dallas, which affects their operations in Texas zip to zero from what i can tell. All Warehousing for parts is not in Texas, and they are planning on shutting down the warehouse they do have here. All of the dealers we talked to complained about the time it takes to get parts, 2-3 weeks most of the time.
• If you can get a tractor larger than you think you need, you won't regret it. I originally was going to go with a 4 Series tractor and really glad I did not after mowing for 22 hours. Size and weight matter a lot on long term value and potential resale.
• Go with the largest Engine on the series you select. Price seems to be about $2k difference and in the end HP is what matters the most.
• Does not really make sense to go used right now unless you can get a good deal. Due to the EPA changes everyone with an older tractor either keeps it or sells it at a high price.
• Comments on 10-15% off list price is fairly solid assumption with better deals for larger purchases on more implements.
• Props to Messick's, your videos are awesome. Keep up the great work. If you were in the south I would have bought from you guys for just the awesome work you do on the videos learned the most from those. Kubota owes you guys a great deal.

After 22 hours on the 7060 mowing and doing a little FEL work:

Love it! Grew up on old tractors without a cab and this tractor is a dream. Father calls it a Living room on wheels and not a tractor.

• 12/12 is a must, I would be kicking myself if i purchased the 8 speed. 12 is really not enough. I really wish there was a 24 on this size. It seems that the sweet spot to mowing on the 8' is L6 or H1 and a difference of 1.5 MPH at 2000RPM. That jump from L6 to H1 is a pain, having to stop and move to high gear. For me H2 is too fast, or i'm not comfortable yet. Hitting a rut at 7MPH under the tall weeds and I think I'm going to die each time. My eyes are peeled now after the first time that happened.
• Cab is a must in Texas, hands down the best decision i've ever made. Mowing 6' tall weeds in old hay fields I don't think my sinuses would survive.
• Due to the hogs and previous owner putting ruts on the land, I wish I got the air seat. Its a bit of a beating sometimes. Took me a bit of time to realize, ohh the seat is the suspension. I'm the suspension!
• After hitting a few older logs on the size with 8' mower, it seems to wack the balance off a bit for a while, then it will even out eventually.
• Can't use the FEL worth a **** yet. Not sure how to know what angle to hit, where the bucket is or what speed to use, but i'm sure that will come with more practice.
• Have to have an Air compressor handy, need it to clean out the radiator and AC condenser constantly after mowing. Seems like this design could be better, i'm not sure on the other brands how they handle this. Air does a great job of cleaning up everything else as well.
• Wishing a bit that I went with a 10' or 12' mower.
• Still waiting on my Box Blade and Grapple.

 

[Kentuckyfarmer]

I agree with that size of tractor you should have at least went with a 12 foot cutter. And radiator problem every tractor has that problem. Its compounded when you start stacking oil coolers, condensers and everything else in front of it.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks to everyone that posted to my original post, they were all great comments and really helped me hone in on what i needed. I thought I would post an update to help others with this difficult task.

Your followup up post is well written. Thank you.

RE: FEL
Consider a Bucket Spade. Several brands are available. Bucket Solutions' Bucket Spade is the heaviest. It is designed clamp on AND to accept pallet forks.
Bucket Spades are underrated attachments.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/328798-bucket-spade-today-fel-bucket.html?highlight=

 

[TripleR]

Good write up, well worth reading for prospective tractor buyers. My father in laws first cab tractor had an 8x8 and in about a eek, he traded it in on 12x12.

We use a 10' rotary cutter and really like it.

I believe you can buy an air ride base to go with your present seat, we bought one, but haven't had the chance to mount it.

We use a Stihl blower for use in the field and found a stiff bristle brush really helps if you can't get to the shop or blower.

 

[PSDStu]

Good write up on the M7060 12 speed. I know I love mine!

I have both the 8' and 12' Landpride rotary cutters as well a 6' Brown rotary cutter and each has its own place.

The Air Ride seat base is around $500 from your dealer and you can install it yourself, no need to haul it back to have the dealer install it.

Stu

 

[big bubba]

Have to have an Air compressor handy, need it to clean out the radiator and AC condenser constantly after mowing. Seems like this design could be better, i'm not sure on the other brands how they handle this. Air does a great job of cleaning up everything else as well. rickd7

surprised to hear this. jumped from a massey 35 to a M7040 & now a M8540 & never had an issue w/debris build up on radiator, etc. must be the difference between cab & open (my models). & mowed plenty of flowering sedge, etc. hope you can find a fix, sure don't want it to overheat. something to consider while you're housed in a/c on a 90 degree day, easy to forget.

sounds like you are on top of it though. maybe some kind of auxiliary grid. & yes, those leaf blowers work wonders for stuff like that, air filters too....

best regards

 

[ovrszd]

I've had my M9540 grill look like Larry's a couple times. It was always cutting weedy CRP late in the Summer. Otherwise never have a heating problem.

 

[big bubba]

but much better the buildup on the exterior grill than entering into radiator grill itself. just means it's doing it's job. but you're right, that needs attention too.
on my model, kubota did an excellent job keeping out the field debris. temp guage has never wandered above op temp given any load

 

[Herkypilot]

[*] Wishing a bit that I went with a 10' or 12' mower.

[/LIST]

Yes, a 12' Batwing works well behind an M7060. The Bush hog 1812 weighs about 3200#.



HP

 

[Old Red]

Cool. I have the 13 year older twin...or I guess I should say grandfather to your tractor. The M6800 with the ultra cab. I have been very happy with my kubota and it has served me well. Enjoy! Oh, and by the way...I use a 15 foot Landpride batwing with mine with no problems. I have not cut real thick heavy wet tall grasses with it for any extended period of time, but for normal cutting it is a dream and looks like I cut it with my grasshopper riding lawn mower.