Anyone with M7060 experience yet?

[toxic]

Good morning,
Just wondering if anyone has any real world experience with the new M7060? I have been thinking about a new tractor lately to replace my L4330. First I was going to get the new l6060 but I am now thinking that moving up to an M series would be a good move for the work that I do.

 

[TripleR]

Check with unclebilly, he recently bought one: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/296690-jd-5075e-vs-kubota-7060-a.html

 

[Oiltech]

Should get mine on Friday

 

[ovrszd]

Big jump from L series to M series. A jump you'll enjoy. Good luck on your search. Post results.

 

[TripleR]

Richard's right that is a pretty big jump not only in size but capability. We have an L5740HSTC and M8540HDC, there are times the 5740 just won't do it and the 8540 just breezes through it. Of course there are times the 8540 is just too big, but overall we really like it. I highly recommend the 12/12 and hydraulic shuttle shift, next best thing to an HST for frequent direction changes.

 

[toxic]

That's why I was thinking of moving up to the M series. I own a landscaping and snow removal business and use my current tractor often for both of those jobs. But it seems lately that the L series while a great mid range tractor, most jobs I do leave me thinking that it is either too big for one job and too small for the next. So I've been pondering the idea of getting two tractors, an M and a B series. That way I can cover a wider range of jobs more efficiently.
Barret

 

[TripleR]

Two tractors sure makes it easier. My brother recently retired and bought a small B size Kioti for the jobs his other tractors are too big and to have something easier to transport.

 

[toxic]

TripleR, what is your overall opinion of the 12x12 transmission? Hst is so nice and user friendly for most operations but leaves a lot to be desired in some of the things I do. In my snow removal for example it is great for precision when blowing snow away from objects (backing up to garage doors for instance). But on my snow route I probably drive around 10 miles each trip and the Hst is painfully slow and noisy going down the road.

 

[xring100]

TripleR, what is your overall opinion of the 12x12 transmission? Hst is so nice and user friendly for most operations but leaves a lot to be desired in some of the things I do. In my snow removal for example it is great for precision when blowing snow away from objects (backing up to garage doors for instance). But on my snow route I probably drive around 10 miles each trip and the Hst is painfully slow and noisy going down the road.

I have an M8540 8x8 hydraulic shuttle I love the power shuttle. I do occasionally wish I had the 12x12 when doing ground engaging work. The gear ratios are a little far apart when plowing in hard soil. But for everything else I do it's fine. The M8540 has a top speed of 21 mph it feels plenty fast especially on the dirt roads
I think 2 tractors sounds like a good idea. The M7060 should also give you the limited slip front diff definitely nice when you need it.
I would like a smaller L series sized cab tractor in addition to the M. Neighbor has a B2400 it's a little small for me but may suit your needs

 

[DT86]

Toxic,

My 9540 with the hydro shuttle 12/12 will do 24ish on flat ground and 25 or 26 down hill with a tail wind or a heavy load. My buddy has the 9540 8/8 with a dry shuttle and it seems painfully slower on the road.

I wish mine had the gated, single park/gear lever like the xx60's. That's the only thing of change about it.

 

[xring100]

Kubota claims the 12x12 is 0.9 mph faster than the 8x8 with 18.4x30s 20.9 v 20.0 mph

 

[TripleR]

TripleR, what is your overall opinion of the 12x12 transmission? Hst is so nice and user friendly for most operations but leaves a lot to be desired in some of the things I do. In my snow removal for example it is great for precision when blowing snow away from objects (backing up to garage doors for instance). But on my snow route I probably drive around 10 miles each trip and the Hst is painfully slow and noisy going down the road.

Overall we love it, but the hydro clutch does not lend itself to precise, close in work as unlike a regular clutch it is difficult to impossible to feather. To do so is possible, but requires use of the brakes and good timing. I believe if I was doing close in work, I would add the creep speed kit. When precise work is needed, we often just default to the 5740.

Road travel is much faster and quieter with our 8540.

We traded a 12/12 synchronized shuttle in on our hydraulic shuttle and it is a real improvement. For us, it is the next best thing to HST.

 

[Oiltech]

I did get a little seat time on my M7060 yesterday, it seems the clutch is going to be a bit tricky to feather, it's almost like a switch either engaged or disengaged. Even shifting gears on a roll is a bit jerky. The new cab design is awesome and very quiet compared to my L3540. The air ride seat really makes for a smooth ride. :thumbsup:

 

[TripleR]

You will adapt to it, just takes a little time and as you get use to it shifting gets easier, no way around the "on/off" engagement though without a lot of practice and I'm not sure it's good on the tractor. This has been discussed on other threads.

 

[xring100]

I did get a little seat time on my M7060 yesterday, it seems the clutch is going to be a bit tricky to feather, it's almost like a switch either engaged or disengaged. Even shifting gears on a roll is a bit jerky. The new cab design is awesome and very quiet compared to my L3540. The air ride seat really makes for a smooth ride. :thumbsup:

you can be smooth but it does require light pressure on the brakes. Its wet clutch and brakes should not have to worry much about slipping them slightly. Definitely takes some getting used to after using a conventional manual

 

[ovrszd]

There's another thread going on now about HST versus other types of drive. In the M series Kubota you don't have a choice. I believe there's a reason for that. The M series tractors are simply larger and designed to do more heavy work. Over the years Manufacturers have tried variations of HST in larger tractors with little or no success.

Your solution might be two tractors if that's financially possible. HST is definitely the way to go in L series and down. Hydraulic Shuttle is the way to go in M size or larger.

In my case, I've not noticed a problem with delicate movement such as getting close to an object or hooking/unhooking attachments. My Hydraulic clutch seems to work very well. Rarely does it not allow the exact movement I was after.

Go for the 12 speed. The reason being it gives you 6 speeds on the go without having to stop. With the 8 speed you only get 4. Then you must stop and change ranges. Range changes cannot be done on the move. The 12spd models have a 6spd tranny and two ranges. The 8spd models have a 4spd tranny and two ranges. Not trying to talk down to anyone, just wanted to make sure readers understand the difference between the two.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a significant difference in chassis size and capability between and L series and the M7060. There is also significant differences in chassis size and capability between the M7060 and the M8560/M9660. For the work that xring100 and TripleR and myself do, we chose the 85/95 series. That might be too big for your work but you should at least look at them if you can find them on a lot side by side.

Lastly, for me at least, if you are stepping up into an M series with an FEL, load the rear tires. I also added cast iron centers and now have added 280lbs of rear weights. I finally have the balance I'm after without having to add 3pt ballast everytime I want to use the FEL.

Add on at least a second rear remote and third if you think there's ever the slightest chance you'll need it, because you WILL. Also add 3rd function on the front while you are spending.

I also added dual PTO. That's dependant on whether you'll use rear PTO attachments?? I can switch from 540 pto speed to 1000 pto speed in a minute or less. I use attachments of both speeds.

 

[TripleR]

Agree completely with ovrszd, wish we had gotten third function when we bought, will probably use a rear remote now. I thought two rear remotes would be plenty, but ordered three on my L5740 later.

I couldn't wait on cast centers, but put fluid in them and still need 1100 pounds or more rear ballast on the 3PH to get full use of the FEL which can get tight in the woods.

If at all possible the ideal setup is two tractors, we tried it with one and it just didn't work for us. We have a mix of new and used, used works well with a limited budget.