New Kubota Grand L 6060 or Yanmar YT 359C

genze · Feb 28, 2017

Looking to purchase a new tractor. I was almost ready to buy the L6060 and then came across the new
Yanmar YT 359.

The specs, fit and finish all look very high quality. I've tried to research on this site and others but can't find much at all
from new owners.

I will be using it for winter snow blowing, bush hogging, grading, digging and maintaining our property.

I think the Kubota is more proven but the L6060 is going on four years old. It seems like its due for a new model.

The Yanmar YT looks more up to date and more state of the art. Its almost like comparing a 2017 truck to a 2013 truck.

The Yanmar seems so new that it may have growing pain issues.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this matter or to here from some new Yanmar Yt3 owners or Kubota L6060 owners.

Thank You

MinnesotaEric · Feb 28, 2017

L6060 with an auto hitch.

houser52 · Feb 28, 2017

I'm no expert and I don't know anything about the Yanmar but you need to think about after the sale.

They'll be a time when you'll need parts and things for regular up keep and you'll always need things for your tractor. Go with the brand that has a broad dealership network so that you can what you need and when you need it.

Also, think about the resale value of the machine. I have a 25 year old Kubota L3600 GST and I can sell it for almost what I paid for it.

genze · Mar 1, 2017

The auto hitch looks nice and easy but seems like i read on here where they were having a bunch of issues with it.

Luke'sScreenName · Mar 1, 2017

Do you often gamble with $50K?

TripleR · Mar 1, 2017

I'm sure the Yanmar makes good stuff, but dealers seem to come and go, so that would seal the deal for me.

ProjectKing · Mar 2, 2017

Luke'sScreenName said:
Do you often gamble with $50K?

Best comment of the week! Lol

ProjectKing · Mar 2, 2017

The new Yanmars are nice but too new to know track record. The Kubota's are nice machines. If you are concerned about the Kubota getting old wait awhile and see if a new model comes out soon.

What are you doing with the tractor? I think the grand l cabs are crazy expensive for their size. You could buy a big cabbed John Deere for that kind of money.

genze · Mar 2, 2017

I'm trying to find the highest quality best built tractor with a cab that's in the size range of the grand L 6060 Kabota.

I know Luke thinks it's a gamble and it probably is, but for those of you that haven't went and looked at that brand-new Yanmar Tractor YT3 series don't realize until you get in the cab and operate the tractor. the tractor inside and out as well as the function and the transmission. It's a much nicer tractor function wise and fit and finish then the new Kabota in my opinion. But the dealer network is weak and it is somewhat of a gamble, in less you were able to get such a good price on it that it made sense.

I'll probably end up with the Kabota, but I sure wish I had a better closer dealer because it is a really nice tractor and the controls and that new transmission makes the tractor function really nice.

plowhog · Mar 2, 2017

I was ready to sign a purchase order and hand over much more than $50k, cash, for a Kubota L6060 with all the trimmings. My experience drove me to another brand. I purchased a Massey 1758 instead. I had this same experience previously, and was determined to buy a Kubota BX25 but my experience to purchase was poor. At that time, I purchased a Massey GC1710 instead. I had never before heard of Massey as that was my first tractor purchase.

From my experience, I don't think you can safely presume one brand is better with parts or aftermarket service than another. Obviously it must vary by area. So I would check this out in *your* area. I think Kubota is a fine product, and a broad brush criticism would not be fair. I just got the feeling that, in my area, local dealers were on allocation, and didn't want a single-sale residential customer like me. I got the sense they would rather hold back, wait for a commercial operator, and sell them their L6060 instead-- hoping to build future relationships and more downstream business. I can't find any other good explanation otherwise why multiple dealers would not more diligently pursue a cash buyer with a finalized configuration, ready to hand over money.

You might also consider not revealing if you prefer to do your own service, like I did. You telegraph to the dealer you are a lower value customer. I asked for the L6060 tractor quote to include all the filters and fluids necessary for the first service. More than one dealer asked "why would you want that, since you can just bring it here instead?"