12 speed versus 8 speed transmission...is the 12 necessarily better?

[danisiri]

I'm looking at getting a M7060HDC. I plan to do a lot of ground engaging work (box blade, tiller, rotary cutter, etc.), not much loader work. I use an HST tractor right now and just go at a speed that seems right for me.

My dealer has a bunch of 8 speed tractors in stock but no 12 speeds. I don't know enough to know if I really need the 12 different gears or will 8 suffice.

Any suggestions?

 

[Bravo Xray]

Unless the extra gears include lower and higher range gears than the 8 speed, I'd guess that the only difference is that you might end up working in a slightly lower gear for a particular job than with the 12 speed. For most folks, that's probably not an issue. Sometimes less is enough.

 

[jeff9366]

Will eight gear transmission give tractor slow enough ground speed to operate your PTO powered roto-tiller?

 

[danisiri]

According to Kubota, the 12-speed gives an extra two gears in low and high, but those seem to be at higher speeds. The low end speeds seem to be about the same. I actually don't have the tiller yet, but I have everything else, for which I go at a speed that sounds right (e.g., engine sounds like it's not working too hard), lol.

 

[oosik]

My Kubota M6040 is 8 speed. Been fine for everything I do. Your rototiller will probably be the slowest ground engagement piece of equipment. The M7060 8 speed in low range, first gear will travel at 1.5mph at MAX rated engine rpm. At rated PTO rpm it will something less than 1.5 mph. This should be fine for any tiller you choose to drag on the 3-point. If it is a little fast, simply back down on the engine rpm.

I know when I run mine in low range, first gear at between 1800-2000 rpm- you almost have to set stakes to see if its moving.

 

[Turbys_1700]

My previous tractor was a 12 speed shuttle shift. 3 ranges with 4 gears. My current tractor is an 8 speed shuttle shift. 2 ranges with 4 gears. With the old tractor I was never in the "low" range. Always in either mid or high range. I never had an implement needing that slow of a speed.

My new tractor I typically still stay in "low" range but use 3rd or 4th most of the time mowing. When using the box blade or other ground engaging implements I don't find the speeds to be too fast. With the power and weight of the M7060HDC you should be fine.

 

[danisiri]

Awesome. Thanks y'all!

 

[PSDStu]

The 12 speed option I think is about $1500.

It also includes a few other items including, Overdrive in H6, Hyd Wet Disc Brakes, Limited Slip Front Diff, and 540E PTO.

Just a few things to consider that you get by going with the 12 speed.

Stu

 

[moriboy]

I have the 8 X 8 on my M7040. I wish I would've gotten the 12. There is a big jump when shifting from 3rd to 4th (or 7th to 8th).

 

[motownbrowne]

More gears is more better!