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!

 

[big bubba]

the 12 speed op also includes added 3ph lift capacity. (at least on my 8540) if possible, i'd surely go w/the 12 speed. maybe go to the site & look @ the specs.

 

[rustyshakelford]

Not a kubota, but I went with a 24/12 trans for my Deere. It's a huge improvement over the 12/12 I had in the last tractor. Much easier to find the sweet spot especially when mowing. If it lightens up, I'll bump it up a hair, as soon as it gets heavy again, it's easy to slow back down. As mentioned, that upgrade also comes with several others benefits. If the 8 speed is a dry clutch and the 12 is a wet, that makes it a no brainer

Brett

 

[rScotty]

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

Those are all nice things to have available on any tractor, and any one of them might prove to be more useful than the extra gearing of the 12 speed. Are those options also available with the 8 speed tranny? Particularly looking at the Hyd brakes and Limited slip Diff.
rScotty

 

[danisiri]

The only difference I am seeing, other than gear number, is that the 12's have hydraulic wet disc brakes, electro-hydraulic on the go 4WD, and 540/540E - along with a 16.2(61.5) pump capacity on the hydraulics versus 11.0(41.6). They're not saying that the 3pt has a greater lift capacity though. They both have a wet clutch and limited slip diff.

 

[boggen]

maybe a 12 speed with extra benefits....
if you were installing field tile / drainage lines.
if you have a lot of hills. (assumed pulling wide amount of different loads)
if you are running bat wing mowers, or any other wing'ed equipment. were you want faster raising/lowering of the wings.
if you running a FEL snow blower and wanting higher RPM via hydraulics.
if you are running any hay equipment / balers that rely more on hydraulics vs PTO to do something example round balers and opening rear gate.
if you are using a grappler or 4 in 1 bucket for FEL. more GPH / hydraulic pressure for quicker opening/closing.
TNT (top in tilt) on 3pt hitch or box blade/rear blade that is fully hydrualic for swinging and adjust the implement on the go.

boom mowers for ditch mowing alone roads. most likely need a higher GPM to make them more responsive.

 

[Buxus]

I went with the 12 when I purchased a 7060 in February. I wanted the increased speed range, but really did it for all the other goodies noted in danisiri's post (esp the increased hydraulics). Love it.

 

[WVH1977]

I have a 12 speed on my New Holland. I have low, mid, and high with 4 on the tree. I love it. I spend most of my time in mid range when doing loader work and grading work. I go to low range when I am tilling the garden, bush hogging or really need to push something big. I use high range the least. Mostly for driving from one side of the property to the other or down the road to the neighbors house. But it is nice when you want to get somewhere quickly. Also like Buxus stated (increased hydraulics).

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I will take the extra gears every time... My two most used tractors have 16 forward speeds...

I like having the choice of a couple extra gears above and below and close to the speed, I choose for the conditions I'm in, with what ever tool I'm working with.

SR

 

[PSDStu]

The only difference I am seeing, other than gear number, is that the 12's have hydraulic wet disc brakes, electro-hydraulic on the go 4WD, and 540/540E - along with a 16.2(61.5) pump capacity on the hydraulics versus 11.0(41.6). They're not saying that the 3pt has a greater lift capacity though. They both have a wet clutch and limited slip diff.

The wet "Clutch" on both is correct. The wet Hyd disc brakes only on 12 speed. The limited slip on both is correct. The 12 speed has limited slip "Front axle" which the 8 speed does not offer.

You can order the 540e PTO on the 8 speed which is around $1000. So if your going to spend $1000 for the 540e PTO why not spend the extra money and get the 12 speed.

I have had the 8 speed on a M5040 and M6060 and really like the extra gearing on the 12 speed in my M7060.

Stu

 

[PSDStu]

Those are all nice things to have available on any tractor, and any one of them might prove to be more useful than the extra gearing of the 12 speed. Are those options also available with the 8 speed tranny? Particularly looking at the Hyd brakes and Limited slip Diff.
rScotty

No. Only the 540e PTO is avail on the 8 speed.