L4701 vs L4060 Purchase for Hill Country

[kosherdill]

Good afternoon all! I am about to make my first tractor purchase and I have a cabin in the foothills of NC. I have a heavily wooded 15 acres and need to move timber, and grade dirt and gravel driveways and trails, up and down elevation changes of over 100 ft. I would love to have your opinion for either model in this type of environment. Thank you in advance!

 

[pokey1416]

What’s your elevation? If you’re relatively high you’ll appreciate the turbo in the models above the 4060.

 

[kosherdill]

I'm at 1650-1900 Ft.

 

[pokey1416]

You should be ok with normally aspirated engine. Only downside I have with 4060 is the LA805 loader lift capacity. Oh, and the height as I need to dump into trucks with sides.

 

[pokey1416]

I shouldn’t complain though it will lift a lot.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I don’t have any experience with either machine you are considering…but at a glance it seems like the L4060 has a little more weight vs the L4701 having a little more HP…how did you narrow it down to those two choices? I think you may need to consider your priority. Both are great machines. Personally I would quote multiple machines in the same size and based on your priorities buy the most machine you can. IMO there is no shame in an MX once you are in that size/HP range, but I am biased. I think it would be helpful to set some criteria in terms of what you want to safely lift and move or run off the PTO or your priority tasks and which one does them the best to your expectation…frequency of the tasks may be another factor. Otherwise there are lots of overlap between models IMO. My recommendation would be price models above and below what you think you need. And then buy as much as you can that satisfies your criteria. If you are really set in just the two options I’d sit on / drive drive both and see which you prefer driving operating from the seat/comfort to the controls. Good luck.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

CAUTION OPINION AHEAD:
The L4060 is a better tractor!

 

[TGKY]

I went L4701DT.
price was a factor. I would have liked an MX but price was a factor.
for me the 4701 is still the nicest and first new/modern tractor I have ever operated so compared to what I was used to it’s a Cadillac.
weighted the tires and off I go.
you won’t go wrong either way I think.

 

[GrizBota]

Not sure which configuration you’re after, but I’m guessing 4WD HST. If the choice is one or the other, I’d go L4060. Higher capacity loader, HST plus transmission, tilt wheel, cruise control, nicer dash with more data display options.

The kubotausa web site should allow a side by side comparison. I took a look and unfortunately the comparison options don’t really allow a toe to toe comparison. If you can find the spec sheet on both, maybe that would help you. The PTO horsepower will probably less that 5 Hp difference, in the L4701’s favor. The L4060 will cost a fair bit more.

 

[NCL4701]

I haven’t operated a L4060 so maybe there’s some unintentional bias due to ignorance here. From a technical spec sheet standpoint the 4060’s loader will lift more and the 4701’s PTO is more powerful. But they’re both so close unless you have some specific task where that extra little bit makes a difference I doubt you’d ever notice the difference in PTO or loader capacity between those two models, so I wouldn’t get would up in those two aspects.

The notable differences that stand out to me:

• 4060 offers a cab. 4701 doesn’t.
• 4060 offers HST+. 4701 doesn’t.
• Don’t know what kind of cruise control the 4060 has. The 4701 has a mechanical cruise that works fine, but it basically is a lever that holds the HST pedal, which is fine for mowing or other stuff where precise speed isn’t critical. The cruise isn’t tied to a speedometer like it is in a car (or a lot of tractors) and as a matter of fact, there is no speedometer on my L4701. Which I find odd and the only thing I would say is a glaring deficiency in the 4701 as a “basic” tractor. If you now or ever plan to perform relatively precise spray operations (where you are applying X gal/acre of some product that doesn’t allow much tolerance for variation) you need to be able to set your ground speed and keep it there. With a gear drive without a speedometer you could do that with gear selection, engine RPM, and some math skills. Using a HST for spraying you need a speedometer; and a cruise control tied to the speedometer is highly preferable.
• Past that the 4060 is a nicer tractor in a Lexus/Toyota kind of way. Depending on use, that can be a very practical issue as well. The more hours you spend in the seat, the more that matters as it plays into operator fatigue and overall operator experience. Kind of like a Mack tractor with a day cab, non-air ride seat, and camelback suspension may be swell for local non-continuous use, but driving it long haul 13 hours a day 6 days a week; it’s going to wear you down a lot faster than a tractor with the same load capacity that has air ride suspension, a nice air ride seat, etc. to be set up for that kind of continuous duty.

If I had a do over and there was a 4060 sitting beside a 4701 and I could pick either, I’d pick the 4701 again. I’m in the trees too much for a cab so that’s not a factor for me. It’s a good fit for what I do and I don’t need, or even want, the extra amenities offered by the 4060. That doesn’t mean the 4060 isn’t overall a better tractor. Cadillacs are nice but they still sell a lot of Chevy’s to someone.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

In addition to others advice, if you have some concern on hills with the transmission, I’d recommend to try to demo both HST and geared on your place…as the dealer if that is an option…IMO depending on the incline, I think a HST can lug down under load / incline, ie mowing up steep hill or traveling up steep hill carrying load on forks. I haven’t had that issue with my MX yet, but both my BX and B did/do…anyway if there is opportunity to demo that might help you decide as well.

 

[jimh406]

In general, more HP is better for implements you tow. That being said, I think either would be fine and are much more than you “need” based on what you described. Frankly, from the description, a L2501 would be plenty big.

 

[drumminj]

4701 owner here, in the hills of middle TN. On 28 acres with about 7 cleared at the moment. As others have said, I think they're both great choices. I've used mine moving many trees/logs (we did a lot of clearing of mature hardwoods), some grading, mowing, and maintaining a private gravel drive.

I'm happy with my 4701 and have no regrets. I've never wanted for more HP, but have wondered if I would find the 4060 works just as well for me.

I don't regret not going bigger at all, but given the decision again I might go for the 4060LE. Downside to that choice is the 4060 is slightly larger and I feel the 4701 is already about as big as I want/need. The weight/stability of the 4701 is already quite a bit better than the other standard Ls so I don't think I need/want to go wider or heavier. Haven't run into a lift capacity issue yet.

Personally, I prefered the naturally aspirated engine of the 4701 just for simplicity's sake....even though I know turbo diesels are robust.

If you haven't, sit on the standard L and see how you feel about the ergonomics? The seat and tilt steering wheel may end up being important to you?

 

[mikester]

I would want big front tires for rough terrain, ride control/accumulator for the loader, front and rear remotes, and maximum tractor weight for lifting logs and pulling trailers/wagons.

If I didn't need a PTO or 3PH I'd consider a compact telehandler, wheel loader, or CTL over a CUT. Some telehandlers like Merlo have a 3PH and PTO. They will out lift, out maneuver and do more than any CUT.

 

[kosherdill]

Thanks for everyone's input and opinions. I went with the L4060HST as it was running about $5K less than the last L4701HST my dealer had, and about $8K less than waiting for a L4802HST to come in... when the first one comes in. It sacrifices about 5 HP, but is still plenty of machine, and comes with many of the bells and whistles you might want to add, or always wish you added later. Also gets a little more FEL capacity with the LA805, and I picked up a 6ft grapple, 6ft grading scraper, and a set of 48" dealer aftermarket forks. I'll add a picture when they deliver it. Thanks again to all!

 

[drumminj]

Wow, that's great. Sounds like a good deal if the 4060 was less than the 4701!

(btw, your profile says "4080"...is there a new model out we don't know about?! !

 

[GrizBota]

Thanks for everyone's input and opinions. I went with the L4060HST as it was running about $5K less than the last L4701HST my dealer had, and about $8K less than waiting for a L4802HST to come in... when the first one comes in. It sacrifices about 5 HP, but is still plenty of machine, and comes with many of the bells and whistles you might want to add, or always wish you added later. Also gets a little more FEL capacity with the LA805, and I picked up a 6ft grapple, 6ft grading scraper, and a set of 48" dealer aftermarket forks. I'll add a picture when they deliver it. Thanks again to all!

Congratulations! Solid choice.

I’m really surprised the L4060 was less expensive than the L4701. Were the both new units? Or is the L4060 used?

 

[JimmyJazz]

The HST is a delight to operate. I will never purchase another tractor without it. If your wife (or husband) or children ,if you have them, are inclined to operate it I feel the HST is easier and possibly safer as well. I have 100 hours today on my B2601 HST purchased new about 2 years ago and love it. You will not regret your purchase. Good luck.

 

[kosherdill]

Congratulations! Solid choice.

I’m really surprised the L4060 was less expensive than the L4701. Were the both new units? Or is the L4060 used?

I was told the L4060 is a new 2023 but was last of those before a price increase. I suppose the L4701 may have had a price increase for the last of those units, before the L4802's arrive.

 

[kosherdill]

Wow, that's great. Sounds like a good deal if the 4060 was less than the 4701!

(btw, your profile says "4080"...is there a new model out we don't know about?! !

Thanks, I fixed it lol. Probably looked at too many numbers this morning... or I could just be starting rumors