L4060 or L3901...ready, set, go...

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
Lets take price out of the picture..assume you can buy either model tractor for same price...FEL, Backhoe, both models well optioned, etc. etc. -- oh and most importantly, NO CAB...do not want or need a cab.

Similar HP machines - L3901 and L4060 -- which would you buy and why..??
Can argue positives or negatives for either model....

looking forward to hearing the opinions and feedback on this one.
 

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
Really, you have to include the price, that's the difference between a Standard L and a Grand L. L4060 has so much more going for it, size and power wise. The Standard L3901 is a bare bone work tractor. Personally, I would look for anything without the DPF emission stuff. Give it 20 more years and see if it holds up. Of course no one is having problems now... time will tell.

Sure, no DPF would be great - but I don***8217;t want a tractor with that amount of Horsepower.
 
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sheepfarmer

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3560, B2650, Gator, Ingersoll mower
Nov 14, 2014
4,451
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MidMichigan
4060 hands down. Both have dpf filters but the 60 series with intellipanel has a bar graph that shows you filter accumulation of soot so you know if a regen is coming up and you can plan accordingly. Mine regens about 4 times a year, takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The dpf system requires the operator to read and follow some directions, but easier on 4060.

Ps directions are dont ignore flashing lights. Push button. Advance rpm til light goes out. Go on working. Not difficult.

The transmission on the 60s is solenoid driven, nicer hst in my opinion. No hst whine. No jerking.

Autothrottle great for loader work. You don't have to take right hand off valve to adjust rpm.
 
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ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
I think you *have* a tractor with more power already!! :D

The L4060 is bigger, larger and heavier, (and can use the bigger backhoe) is that a positive or a negative for you? If you are trying to get into tight spaces that your M5 can't... the Standard L3901 might be better.

In this case if smaller is better for you, that's the only positive L3901 can give you.

Teg - yes, My M5 is a beast and too big for everyday work which is why I want something a little smaller but still very capable. I dont have many tight areas to fit into so I think the L4060 is only like 6 inches wider and 12 inches longer than an L3901. Plus I want this L to run a decent tiller (virgin ground) for deer food plots in a couple fields. Wants the backhoe to dig a few ditches and some stumps but I want to go small enough to feel like a few steps down from my M but not so small that it wont handle the work I ask of it....if that makes sense

I mean too small and its useless but too big and heck night as well try and use the M so thats my real dilemma....? Price is less of an issue as making the right choice of this second tractor....
 
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Ortimber

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Sep 27, 2016
99
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Oregon
I have a JD 5100M (equivalent to your M5) and an L3901. If price was no object, there is no question I'd have an L4060 It's just a whole lot more tractor.

But, the 3901 is still a great little machine.
 

virginiavenom

Member
Jan 30, 2015
373
13
18
Sherman, TX
4060 for a myriad of reasons, auto throttle, high and low for each hst range, smooth hst, better cockpit setup, throttle button on joystick, stall guard, adjustable sensitivity for the hst, better information for understanding what's going on with your tractor etc. I went 4060, I'm very happy, only thing I'll say is if you can swing it, go to the 4760, not just more pto power, better FEL etc.
 

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
I have a JD 5100M (equivalent to your M5) and an L3901. If price was no object, there is no question I'd have an L4060 It's just a whole lot more tractor.

But, the 3901 is still a great little machine.

Ortimber...do you think there is enough difference in size and etc between my M5 and the L4060 that Im not too close to overlapping with similar sized machines ? I know the HP much different, guess I mean more in terms of actual physical size of the machine - length, width etc.?

The actual only reason I bought the M5 was to be able to easily pull a batwing mower to mow some big fields I have - if I didnt need to pull a batwing Id have gone smaller on my original tractor purchase
 
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ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
Went to my Kubota dealer today and looked all over and sat on an L3901 and an L4060...

decision made - going with the L3901...it just feels like the right size for an everyday run around small chore tractor. If I didnt already have an M5-111 my decision would be completely different.

The L4060 just felt too big and although smaller, too similar to sitting up on an M5.
 

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
Went to my Kubota dealer today and looked all over and sat on an L3901 and an L4060...

decision made - going with the L3901...it just feels like the right size for an everyday run around small chore tractor. If I didnt already have an M5-111 my decision would be completely different.

The L4060 just felt too big and although smaller, too similar to sitting up on an M5.
AND just when I think the decision is made..I find out that an L3901 that has a backhoe on it cant take a 3rd function valve !!! UGHH !!! :mad:
 

virginiavenom

Member
Jan 30, 2015
373
13
18
Sherman, TX
it can, just not factory, and I believe the pump on the 3901 isn't as strong as on the 4060. my third function on my 4060 works flawlessly. I auger with it, and grapple with it regularly.
 

Grateful11

Member
Apr 20, 2010
88
7
8
Piedmont, NC
Son has an L3940. The Grand L series are very nice tractors. He had an MX5100 for a few years but as far as which tractor anyone would jump on it was always the L3940 over MX. Quieter, rode better and actually feels heavier in the rear than even the MX. His L3940 has close to 1700 hours on it with no breakdowns, knock on wood.