Second-guessing my L4060 LE purchase

[CanyonDuck]

Upgrade to an L6060 or sink $6k+ into modifications?


Hi everyone,

I recently purchased our first tractor—a 3-year-old L4060 LE HSTC with under 500 hours—to manage our 15-acre property in Central Oregon. The ground here is high-desert sandy loam mixed with extensive basalt and lava rock flows.

While it’s a great machine, I’m quickly realizing it wasn't configured for the heavy land-clearing work we have ahead, and I’m second-guessing the purchase.

Here are the main issues I’m running into:

1. R-1 Ag Tires: My biggest oversight was the tire choice. The deep R-1 cleat tires aren't ideal for our sharp volcanic rock and heavy loader work. I’ve priced out swapping over to a full set of wide R-4 Industrial tires (including new wider wheels and rear liquid ballast), and it’s going to run $4,000 to $4,500+ out of pocket.
2. "Limited Edition" Trim: I didn't fully realize how stripped-down the LE trim is compared to the standard Grand L. I’m already pricing out adding side mirrors, rear work lights, and front loader lighting just to make it comfortable to operate.
3. Missing Hydraulics: We need a grapple for brush/juniper clearing and want hydraulic top-and-tilt for box blade work. Adding a front 3rd function valve and double rear remotes to the L4060 will add another $2,000+ in parts and labor.

The Alternative: I came across a 3-year-old L6060 HSTC with under 200 hours listed for $10,000 more than what I paid for the L4060.

Besides the huge jump in engine and PTO horsepower (+20 HP) and loader lift capacity (+645 lbs on the LA1055), the L6060 is already fully loaded:

• Galaxy 17.5L-24 R-4 tires (already ballasted in the rear)
• Front 3rd function valve pre-installed
• Double rear remotes with Hydraulic Top-and-Tilt
• Full cab lighting package, side mirrors, and extra service filters included

By the time I spend ~$6,500+ converting the tires, adding hydraulics, and installing cab accessories on the L4060, I'm almost at the price of the L6060—and I'd still be missing 20 PTO horsepower and the extra loader lift capacity.

I am leaning heavily toward buying the L6060, using it for our property, and attempting to sell the L4060 for whatever I can get for it.

Does this logic hold up to seasoned Grand L owners, or am I missing another angle here? Appreciate any insights from the group!

 

[JimDeL]

You'd also have to consider some - probably considerable - down time while your L4060 sits at the dealer's waiting for the features you need/want to be installed. All three of my 'local' dealers have a month or more of shop backlog.

With its already installed features, and the relatively small cost difference when you include the L4060's add-ons, I'd opt for the L6060 and sell the L4060.

You can very likely sell the L4060 for what you paid for it - or maybe even more if you got a particularly good deal when you bought it.

Good Luck!

 

[CanyonDuck]

Great point on dealer wait times - I had not thought about that issue. I did think about the time and effort to source and install tires/wheels/ballast, front & rear lights, mirrors, third function, rear remotes, etc.

 

[S-G-R]

I'd sell the 4060 and grab the 6060. It sounds like a better fit and ready to to work.

 

[CanyonDuck]

I'd sell the 4060 and grab the 6060. It sounds like a better fit and ready to to work.

Thanks for the validation! The 6060 is about 2.5 hour drive away, but the seller has offered to deliver it for gas money. I haven't seen it in person yet, but will try to do so this week.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I'd say so far you've made a good decision. I'm a proponent of used tractors for first timers - less depreciation if the first purchase turns out to be less than optimum, as it often does.

I agree with swapping to the 6060. You mention rock, are you reasonably certain this will get you what you need?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You should be driving right now if you aren't already.

 

[Caden]

I’m quickly realizing it wasn't configured for the heavy land-clearing work we have ahead,

Not trying to cut you down, but no tractor is made for clearing land.

They are great for maintaining land, but clearing is not the stongsuit of a tractor, no mater how big.

 

[Orangeglow]

Did you buy your first tractor from a dealer or privately ? How about the same question for the next one you want ? If you bought the first one from a dealer, maybe they might have something else you want, and could trade yours back in. Saves the hassle of trying to sell it privately to all the tire kickers that don,t have cash, and cann,t get financing.

 

[Shawn T. W]

My first gut reaction is skip the L6060, and look at a MX or M ... Even those with the same 60 HP, will be a much more rugged tractor, not sure if you can get a HST in the M ...

What type of "land clearing" do you have in mind?

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

OP,

Good day….id like to politely ask more about your ‘recent’ purchase of the L4060…how long have you had and how many hours you put on it?

what brought you to conclusion your R1s NG?

Are you sure what you need now?

If you just want the L60, that’s fine, but if trying to buy correct machine, I’d generally suggest get a frame size larger than what you think needed. Is the L60 that? What are your use cases and How much lift capacity are you are wanting to have?

that’s where I would start before getting too happy with the throttle.

good luck.