1st Tractor, New Owner Help!

[Niki_10-32]

In 2023 I purchased some land. Purchased my first tractor this past summer (2024 Kubota MX6000HST) with loader and backhoe for use on that land. Its about an hour from my house so I only get up there once a week if I'm lucky. Did have a 42x64 barndominium just built so tractor is stored inside.

The delivery experience was absolutely terrible. Never got an orientation on the tractor or implements, tractor was muddy, almost empty fuel tank... (and too much more to bore you with).

I've been going to youtube university to learn as much as I can about tractor operation etc.

First question... I originally spec'd a tractor on the Kubota website and selected a 4WD ROPS model, gave those specs to a couple dealers, made purchase, etc. Again, never got an orientation at the dealership but costs all matched up so I assumed the models in stock were what I had spec'd.

I was so overwhelmed just learning to get proficient with the loader operation (and this being my first tractor) I'm now questioning if I have a 4WD tractor as when I've gone through shifting from L/M/H gear I don't recall seeing the lever for 4WD (but they may be there, I'm often up there after dark)

First (of many) questions. Is there a way to know if you have a 4wd from the serial number or serial number lookup? I'd just go out and look at the tractor but its an hour away.

Nik

 

[mcmxi]

I was so overwhelmed just learning to get proficient with the loader operation (and this being my first tractor) I'm now questioning if I have a 4WD tractor as when I've gone through shifting from L/M/H gear I don't recall seeing the lever for 4WD (but they may be there, I'm often up there after dark)

First (of many) questions. Is there a way to know if you have a 4wd from the serial number or serial number lookup? I'd just go out and look at the tractor but its an hour away.

Nik

The MX6000 is only available with 4WD. The lever is down near the floor on the left.

 

[Niki_10-32]

The MX6000 is only available with 4WD. The lever is down near the floor on the left.

Thank-you SO much! I thought so, but then after the bait and switch the dealer pulled with me on a trailer, I started to worry this morning maybe I got suckered with a 2WD model. You have seriously saved me from having a really bad day. I'm sure this will be the first of many dumb rookie questions I'll ask. I really appreciate the help.

 

[mcmxi]

Thank-you SO much! I thought so, but then after the bait and switch the dealer pulled with me on a trailer, I started to worry this morning maybe I got suckered with a 2WD model. You have seriously saved me from having a really bad day. I'm sure this will be the first of many dumb rookie questions I'll ask. I really appreciate the help.

No worries. The MX5400 is available in 2WD but not the MX6000. If you go to www.kubotausa.com and look at the MX models you can download the specs that will confirm. You bought an excellent tractor, and I know since I had an MX6000HST for a year and have had the current MX6000HSTC for three years. Knowing what I know now, I would absolutely buy the same tractor again.

 

[Hkb82]

number 5
You should’ve also received an owners manual and a basic operations manual that includes things like recommended scheduled maintenance info along with capacity and oil weights. Not saying you did from the sounds of your buying experience. Good thing is that’s over and ya found OTT. Don’t hesitate to ask away but sometimes a quick search doesn’t hurt. Welcome to the group.

 

[Niki_10-32]

View attachment 144706
number 5
You should’ve also received an owners manual and a basic operations manual that includes things like recommended scheduled maintenance info along with capacity and oil weights. Not saying you did from the sounds of your buying experience. Good thing is that’s over and ya found OTT. Don’t hesitate to ask away but sometimes a quick search doesn’t hurt. Welcome to the group.

YES! I did reference the owners manual but because the owners manual is also for the 5400 (which I think does come in 2WD) I says "if equipped" with the 4WD stuff.

I have a 1/5th mile STEEP gravel driveway at Whiskey Ridge (my property) and I was trying to plow snow with the bucket for the first time last night after dark. I was worried I wasn't going to make it back up the hill in 2WD. I was looking for the 4WD lever in the dark and freezing cold and didn't see it but was only looking right next to the range gear selector. Barndo doesn't yet have electric and didn't have the generator on for light when I put the tractor away either.

Plowing snow with the bucket wasn't as easy as I imagined either. hard to get the bucket angle right along with the right downforce. But I'll figure it out.

So glad I found OTT. The experts are always on these forums.

 

[Niki_10-32]

No worries. The MX5400 is available in 2WD but not the MX6000. If you go to www.kubotausa.com and look at the MX models you can download the specs that will confirm. You bought an excellent tractor, and I know since I had an MX6000HST for a year and have had the current MX6000HSTC for three years. Knowing what I know now, I would absolutely buy the same tractor again.

yeah, I 'didn't know what I didn't know' but was hoping to buy more tractor than I probably needed because you always end up needing more than you thought you do.

Its definitely been a learning curve.

Just took delivery of a box blade from Everything Attachments. Soon gonna have to take the backhoe off for the first time and give that a try.

Someone at the service dept. at the dealer suggested the tractor should always be run at PTO or higher speed. Said with emissions stuff now these tractors like 'heat'. Is that accurate? It would be nice to run at a lower RPM for less noise when not doing heavy work

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Someone at the service dept. at the dealer suggested the tractor should always be run at PTO or higher speed. Said with emissions stuff now these tractors like 'heat'. Is that accurate? It would be nice to run at a lower RPM for less noise when not doing heavy work

Yes that's true, low RPM's and idling will cause all sorts of negative issues.

 

[mcmxi]

yeah, I 'didn't know what I didn't know' but was hoping to buy more tractor than I probably needed because you always end up needing more than you thought you do.

Its definitely been a learning curve.

Just took delivery of a box blade from Everything Attachments. Soon gonna have to take the backhoe off for the first time and give that a try.

Someone at the service dept. at the dealer suggested the tractor should always be run at PTO or higher speed. Said with emissions stuff now these tractors like 'heat'. Is that accurate? It would be nice to run at a lower RPM for less noise when not doing heavy work

Wow! An EA box blade? I have one of those but I got mine long before the EA drama that took place earlier in the year. You might get a lot of questions about that blade.

As for rpm range, the service department employee is misinforming you. The engine produces more soot when running at low rpm which can lead to more regens, but you don't need to run the engine at PTO speed unless you're using an implement that requires it.

All last winter I plowed downhill at 2,000 rpm, puttered around at 1,400 rpm, ran the blower at 2,200 rpm and come back up the lower driveway which is quite steep at 2,600 rpm (to generate more heat). I only went through one regen all last winter with something like 50 hours of use. My approach was to reduce fuel consumption and limit the number of regens and that's what I experienced.

 

[jyoutz]

yeah, I 'didn't know what I didn't know' but was hoping to buy more tractor than I probably needed because you always end up needing more than you thought you do.

Its definitely been a learning curve.

Just took delivery of a box blade from Everything Attachments. Soon gonna have to take the backhoe off for the first time and give that a try.

Someone at the service dept. at the dealer suggested the tractor should always be run at PTO or higher speed. Said with emissions stuff now these tractors like 'heat'. Is that accurate? It would be nice to run at a lower RPM for less noise when not doing heavy work

I don’t always run at 540 pto speed if I’m not using a pto implement, but yes higher RPMs are needed on the tier 4 machines.

 

[ajschnitzelbank]

YES! I did reference the owners manual but because the owners manual is also for the 5400 (which I think does come in 2WD) I says "if equipped" with the 4WD stuff.

I have a 1/5th mile STEEP gravel driveway at Whiskey Ridge (my property) and I was trying to plow snow with the bucket for the first time last night after dark. I was worried I wasn't going to make it back up the hill in 2WD. I was looking for the 4WD lever in the dark and freezing cold and didn't see it but was only looking right next to the range gear selector. Barndo doesn't yet have electric and didn't have the generator on for light when I put the tractor away either.

Plowing snow with the bucket wasn't as easy as I imagined either. hard to get the bucket angle right along with the right downforce. But I'll figure it out. View attachment 144709 View attachment 144710 View attachment 144711

So glad I found OTT. The experts are always on these forums.

Nice looking spot!

Easy to spend someone else’s money, but I find the bucket really annoying to plow with. I use a snow pusher, which ain’t too pricey. Also a back blade. Both can be found used fairly easily.

 

[Niki_10-32]

Wow! An EA box blade? I have one of those but I got mine long before the EA drama that took place earlier in the year. You might get a lot of questions about that blade.

Uh oh... lol I actually think it was from a random google search that turned up an old thread from this forum that steered me to EA.

 

[Niki_10-32]

Nice looking spot!

Easy to spend someone else’s money, but I find the bucket really annoying to plow with. I use a snow pusher, which ain’t too pricey. Also a back blade. Both can be found used fairly easily.

Yeah I thought I'd just start with the bucket and see how it went. In my head it didn't seem like a snow pusher would be too much different/better than the bucket but... after one time trying to plow with the bucket.. the shopping list grows

 

[MOOTS]

That’s a nice view.

You got a great tractor too. Search here for the water separator TSB. Go ahead and get that ordered under warranty. Check the front axle fluid, they are known to be low across the whole line.

Like others said, I have found 1800-2600 is good for most tasks. I try not to putt around below 1500ish.

Welcome to the club.

 

[MOOTS]

Heres the threads about the water separator.

MX6000 Water Separator Dash Light Question

Good day. I have question about water separator light on MX6000. Last night MX6000 sat outside (it rained). It was parked on a slight grade (I am not sure any of that matters). This morning I started tractor to put back in the barn and I walked away to let it warm up…everything was fine on...

www.orangetractortalks.com

Water separator warning light

I have a 2020 MX54000 with 65 hours on it. Starting last weekend, about every 4 hours, the water separator warning light comes on for about 10 seconds and it beeps three times. Then the light goes out. When I look at the separator, the red ring is at the bottom. Any ideas? Anyone have...

www.orangetractortalks.com

That is really the only problems we’ve had out of these. There is only about 6 or so of us regulars with a 6000.

 

[Niki_10-32]

Heres the threads about the water separator.

MX6000 Water Separator Dash Light Question

Good day. I have question about water separator light on MX6000. Last night MX6000 sat outside (it rained). It was parked on a slight grade (I am not sure any of that matters). This morning I started tractor to put back in the barn and I walked away to let it warm up…everything was fine on...

www.orangetractortalks.com

Water separator warning light

I have a 2020 MX54000 with 65 hours on it. Starting last weekend, about every 4 hours, the water separator warning light comes on for about 10 seconds and it beeps three times. Then the light goes out. When I look at the separator, the red ring is at the bottom. Any ideas? Anyone have...

www.orangetractortalks.com

That is really the only problems we’ve had out of these. There is only about 6 or so of us regulars with a 6000.

Holy cow you guys are great! This is awesome information. Thank-you so much!

 

[mcmxi]

Uh oh... lol I actually think it was from a random google search that turned up an old thread from this forum that steered me to EA.

Good to hear that it worked out. I have a grapple, box blade, land leveler, cutting edge and suitcase weights, all from EA. The scarifier design and how they attach to the box blade is one of the best out there, so no doubt you'll use and enjoy that box blade for many years to come.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

In 2023 I purchased some land. Purchased my first tractor this past summer (2024 Kubota MX6000HST) with loader and backhoe for use on that land. Its about an hour from my house so I only get up there once a week if I'm lucky. Did have a 42x64 barndominium just built so tractor is stored inside.

The delivery experience was absolutely terrible. Never got an orientation on the tractor or implements, tractor was muddy, almost empty fuel tank... (and too much more to bore you with).

I've been going to youtube university to learn as much as I can about tractor operation etc.

First question... I originally spec'd a tractor on the Kubota website and selected a 4WD ROPS model, gave those specs to a couple dealers, made purchase, etc. Again, never got an orientation at the dealership but costs all matched up so I assumed the models in stock were what I had spec'd.

I was so overwhelmed just learning to get proficient with the loader operation (and this being my first tractor) I'm now questioning if I have a 4WD tractor as when I've gone through shifting from L/M/H gear I don't recall seeing the lever for 4WD (but they may be there, I'm often up there after dark)

First (of many) questions. Is there a way to know if you have a 4wd from the serial number or serial number lookup? I'd just go out and look at the tractor but its an hour away.

Nik

Good day.

Congratulations on the land and the MX!

Based on your OP, if you have not done so already, I’d recommend:

1. read the manual and find all of the service points and check them (oil, fluids, wheel bolt torque, grease locations, etc)

2. Look into ballast (there are lots of threads and videos)

3. If not familiar with center pivot axles make a point to understand them and how they work. Watch some videos on tractor rollovers and see how fast they happen.

4. Go as slow as possible and as fast necessary.

5. Enjoy it.

Not sure if you have already come across these, but here are a couple helpful links:

Tractor Safety : USDA ARS

https://publications.ehs.iastate.edu/tractorsafety/files/assets/common/downloads/publication.pdf

Keep the rubber side down.

 

[jyoutz]

Yeah I thought I'd just start with the bucket and see how it went. In my head it didn't seem like a snow pusher would be too much different/better than the bucket but... after one time trying to plow with the bucket.. the shopping list grows

I have the same tractor as you. I plow snow with the rear blade only when the snow is 8” or less. When it’s deeper, I hold the bucket level about 4” off the ground to push the heavy snow and use the rear blade to clean up. This works well enough that it’s not worth spending additional money to buy more implements. I’ve plowed up to 24” this way. I also turn the rear blade moldboard around 180 degrees so the cutting edge is facing the rear, then I float the blade on the gravel. This technique will plow snow without digging into the gravel.

 

[mcmxi]

I have the same tractor as you. I plow snow with the rear blade only when the snow is 8” or less. When it’s deeper, I hold the bucket level about 4” off the ground to push the heavy snow and use the rear blade to clean up. This works well enough that it’s not worth spending additional money to buy more implements. I’ve plowed up to 24” this way. I also turn the rear blade moldboard around 180 degrees so the cutting edge is facing the rear, then I float the blade on the gravel. This technique will plow snow without digging into the gravel.

Courtney of Good Works Tractor Co. has an interesting video comparing a bucket to a snow pusher. A bucket is absolutely the last implement I'd use for snow but I understand that many don't want to invest in specialist equipment and get by with what they have. Nothing wrong with that.