Tractor Sizing Tractor buying advice for 47 acres at 8600 ft

[mljenkins]

Way too complicated for me. And I hate controls where you have to push a button on the dash, then push another button, then hold a button down, then turn around twice and then dance a Jig, before you get what you want. And when the thing starts to screw up? I can just imagine with the repair costs would be.

I hate Kubotas controls with regards to the HST controls. I liked how the JD 4R series were setup for the same controls, knobs and buttons that were not squirrelly menus. Nonetheless I did buy the grand l and I do worry if it breaks. The electronics in the newer tractors are as bad as modern cars. But, the features do make things nice when operating. I set my response rate and leave it, but if you had 2+ people using the tractor it would be annoying. Plus sometimes it would be nice to adjust when working closer to buildings or in the field.

Overall though I think the HST+ or whatever it is called on other manufactures makes ease of use very nice when using the loader, and somewhat reduces fatigue on your body when having the ability to reduce the responsiveness. The auto throttle advance is one of my favorite features coming from having a geared tractor with the foot throttle.

 

[Jchonline]

Thanks much for all of the great replies.


I was listening to a podcast yesterday and a they were discussing how farmers are hacking tractor computers to perform routine maintenance on their tractors. Coming from the IT industry, I much prefer NO IT in my vehicles and tractors. Sure you have to remember to click this or turn that if you need it, but I kind of like mechanical knobs instead of an electronic switch. I am all for simple and mechanical. I realize this means more work on my part. Any thoughts on this from others? Am I missing something? Perhaps the modern answer is that any tractor I choose is going to be loaded with electronics anyway, so there is no way around it.

 

[Old Red]

Thanks much for all of the great replies.


I was listening to a podcast yesterday and a they were discussing how farmers are hacking tractor computers to perform routine maintenance on their tractors. Coming from the IT industry, I much prefer NO IT in my vehicles and tractors. Sure you have to remember to click this or turn that if you need it, but I kind of like mechanical knobs instead of an electronic switch. I am all for simple and mechanical. I realize this means more work on my part. Any thoughts on this from others? Am I missing something? Perhaps the modern answer is that any tractor I choose is going to be loaded with electronics anyway, so there is no way around it.

I read something similar....it is mostly where farmers can't do anything without calling the John Deer tech who went to John Deer school and brings a laptop out to the field. Charges 800 bucks to perform the analysis....farmers like to work on their own stuff sometimes and I think this new system of maintenance is bothersome for a lot of them because of the expense and having to depend upon someone else. I don't think the little tractors we all use are in the same category as some of these sophisticated pieces of quarter million dollar machines farmers are using these days.

 

[Blue14]

Way too complicated for me. And I hate controls where you have to push a button on the dash, then push another button, then hold a button down, then turn around twice and then dance a Jig, before you get what you want. And when the thing starts to screw up? I can just imagine with the repair costs would be.

I agree, Thats why I went with Yanmars Ihmt transmission.

 

[jeff9366]

Way too complicated for me. And I hate controls where you have to push a button on the dash, then push another button, then hold a button down, then turn around twice and then dance a Jig, before you get what you want. And when the thing starts to screw up? I can just imagine with the repair costs would be.

With the exception of the half-range transmission steps, which you step up/down with a wand, HST/PLUS operates in the background. After configuring HST/PLUS sensitivity you do not adjust or move anything. My favorite iteration is STALL GUARD. I do not recall stalling my tractor once doing loader work in the last year.

I have had Kubota HST on two new Kubota tractors in seven years ~~~~ around 2,000 hours combined. No problems.

Consumers considering Grand Ls often gag on the price.

Grand L owners very, very, seldom regret spending the money. I am in the 'no regrets' camp.

 

[Jchonline]

With the exception of the half-range transmission steps, which you step up/down with a wand, HST/PLUS operates in the background. After configuring HST/PLUS sensitivity you do not adjust or move anything. My favorite iteration is STALL GUARD. I do not recall stalling my tractor once doing loader work in the last year.

I have had Kubota HST on two new Kubota tractors in seven years ~~~~ around 2,000 hours combined. No problems.

Another great point. If the technology is aged and refined, perhaps it is reliable enough that it won't need to be fixed that often, and thus worth the effort.

 

[ericm979]

Bransons have the least electronics of any new tractor- they still use mechanical fuel injection. The only CPU is in the data logger that monitors the DPF and the tractor does not need it to run. They're as simple as you can get with a new machine.

The Kubota 60 series hst sounds really nice though. There's times I wish I had a half step gearbox in addition to the three ranges. If some feature makes operating the tractor more efficient or more fun it may be worth the added complexity. If all we wanted was simplicity we'd be running 8Ns.

 

[Jchonline]

Hi Everyone,

Thoughts on moving up to a Utility level tractor vs staying at a Compact? I have 47 acres. For instance I checked on the M7060 cab and it is still under 9 ft tall, so it will fit in my garage.

 

[jeff9366]

You do not have any tasks, less stumps, than an L6060 will not accomplish in a reasonable time. However, more tractor weight does not hurt if the budget allows.

If you will want to unload 2,000 pound pallets from semi-trailers an M7060 would be more stable and have a greater margin of safe lift capacity.

M7060 has dual Cat I/II Three Point Hitch.


L6060/Cab/HST-PLUS is 4,068 pounds. FEL lift 2,300 (+/-) pounds.

M7060/Cab/Shuttle Shift is 5,380 pounds. FEL lift 2,500 (+/-) pounds.

The weight difference is 32%. You will notice some capability increase, but not a huge capabllity difference between the two tractor models.

Sit in both models and see which one feels more comfortable for long hours at work.

 

[Jchonline]

You do not have any tasks, less stumps, than an L6060 will not accomplish in a reasonable time. However, more tractor weight does not hurt if the budget allows.

If you will want to unload 2,000 pound pallets from semi-trailers an M7060 would be more stable and have a greater margin of safe lift capacity.

M7060 has dual Cat I/II Three Point Hitch.


L6060/Cab/HST-PLUS is 4,068 pounds. FEL lift 2,300 (+/-) pounds.

M7060/Cab/Shuttle Shift is 5,380 pounds. FEL lift 2,500 (+/-) pounds.

The weight difference is 32%. You will notice some capability increase, but not a huge capabllity difference between the two tractor models.

Sit in both models and see which one feels more comfortable for long hours at work.

How about stability on hilly terrain, lifting larger logs? The log grappler will probably be the most stress I put on the front end of the machine.
With regards to cost, I didnt see much difference between an L6060 and M7060. Am I missing something?