M6060 vs M7060? (8 Speed)

[Stitchit1]

I’m about to buy either the m6060 or the m7060 8 speed. I’ll be doing mainly loader work on 40 acres, and using the tractor to pull a big dump trailer with sand and pit run for road building on the property. (I also have a kx057-5 for digging).
Is it worth the bump up to the m7060? The cost would be an additional $1800.00. I’m curious if anyone knows what the difference in fuel consumption would be going up 10hp?
I believe I’d be looking at the 8 speed in both. Lots have said to get the 12 speed but I don’t travel far with it so having a faster traveling speed won’t be an issue. I’ve also seen where there have been some issues with the 12 speed. (But I’m no mechanic).

I would appreciate any advice you all can give me!

Thanks in advance!

 

[JasonW]

There are several other benefits to the 12 speed upgrade. But the big ones are better brakes and closer ratios between gears. Its a noticeable difference in speed between 3rd and 4th gear on the 8 speed.

You probably couldn’t tell the difference in fuel usage between the two.

 

[JasonW]

Consider adding creeper gears to either model also

 

[Stitchit1]

There are several other benefits to the 12 speed upgrade. But the big ones are better brakes and closer ratios between gears. Its a noticeable difference in speed between 3rd and 4th gear on the 8 speed.

You probably couldn’t tell the difference in fuel usage between the two.

Are the “upgrades” automatic when you get the 12 speed? Assuming it’s considerably more cost?

 

[JasonW]

Are the “upgrades” automatic when you get the 12 speed? Assuming it’s considerably more cost?

Yes they are standard with the 12 speed. Definitely wouldn’t hurt to get prices on each. If your financing it might not be much of an increase per month payment.

One difference I forgot to mention is the M6060(only available in the 8 speed) and the M7060(either 8 or 12 speed) is the M7060 has a limited slip front axle where the M6060 has an open differential.

 

[McMXi]

Had I ordered an M I would most definitely have chosen the M7060 F12/R12 over the M6060 F8/R8 that I bought, but the M6060 was sitting on a lot in Sheridan, WY for $52k, no sales tax and a second rear remote. The same tractor today would cost around $66k so I have no regrets, and after some really nice upgrades it's got more hp and torque than a stock M7060.

So what do you get when you step up to the M7060 F12/R12 compared to an M6060/M7060 F8/R8?

• 6-speed gear box
• hydraulic wet disc brakes
• push button electric/hydraulic 4WD
• transmission parking lock
• H6 rpm overdrive limit
• limited slip front differential
• 16.2 GPM oil flow (11.0 GPM F8/R8)
• 540/540E PTO standard

I've had my M6060 for four years and I can't say that I miss any of the features listed, but closer gear ratios would probably be the most important and most noticeable, but you'd have to try both to really experience that. You don't miss what you don't know about right?

99% of my use is in L1, L2 and L3. I did have the creep cassette added and that's a great thing to have when getting on/off a trailer if nothing else, or hooking up to an implement. The 4WD lever in my tractor is light years ahead of the MX so the electric/hydraulic button means nothing to me. The oil flow isn't relevant to me either since the the SSQA PHD (HD25) doesn't need 16.2 GPM, nor does the grapple, nor does the loader, nor does the 3-way hydraulic rear blade, or the hydraulic angle snow blade, or the folding cutter and on and on.

I added the 540E PTO option, I could add the LS front differential, the parking brake is nice but not essential, so it really comes down to the transmission. More choices is typically better, but without spending some time using an F12/R12 on my property I'm not going to know how much better it would be. As it is, it'd take an M5-111 or M6-111 or bigger to get me to upgrade, and I'd rather buy the excavator you have than upgrade the M6060.

 

[McMXi]

One more point, the difference between a new M6060 F8/R8 and M7060 F12/R12 is about $3k. When you're looking at spending around $63k or $66k respectively for the base models, the $3k seems almost meaningless given the list of features above.

Having the 540/540E PTO option added by the local dealer almost accounted for half of the $3k difference so yep, the M7060 F12/R12 is definitely the better value in my opinion. I still love my M6060 though. It's an awesome tractor for sure.

 

[Stitchit1]

One more point, the difference between a new M6060 F8/R8 and M7060 F12/R12 is about $3k. When you're looking at spending around $63k or $66k respectively for the base models, the $3k seems almost meaningless given the list of features above.

Having the 540/540E PTO option added by the local dealer almost accounted for half of the $3k difference so yep, the M7060 F12/R12 is definitely the better value in my opinion. I still love my M6060 though. It's an awesome tractor for sure.

Thank you! Is it true the 12 speed transmissions Kubota has had a lot of issues with?

 

[McMXi]

Thank you! Is it true the 12 speed transmissions Kubota has had a lot of issues with?

I don't know ... I've never owned one and wouldn't know how to determine what a "lot of issues" is. Perhaps @whitetiger can comment on that. The M6060/M7060 in its current form has been around for more than 10 years and they're still being made. I'd find it hard to believe that Kubota would still be making them if there were major issues. The M4 was supposed to replace the M6060/M7060 but so far they're all still available.

The local dealer sold three M4s last week and even traded an M5 for an M4 from a dealer that's 6 hours away. Lots of demand up here for M4s it seems.

 

[Stitchit1]

I don't know ... I've never owned one and wouldn't know how to determine what a "lot of issues" is. Perhaps @whitetiger can comment on that. The M6060/M7060 in its current form has been around for more than 10 years and they're still being made. I'd find it hard to believe that Kubota would still be making them if there were major issues. The M4 was supposed to replace the M6060/M7060 but so far they're all still available.

The local dealer sold three M4s last week and even traded an M5 for an M4 from a dealer that's 6 hours away. Lots of demand up here for M4s it seems.

Thank you!!

 

[PaulL]

When I was buying a boat my brother gave me great advice. When you have a choice of engines, you always pick the big one. I followed his advice and it proved to be good. I'm pretty sure the smaller engine would have done everything I needed.....but I know I've never regretted the larger one.

 

[McMXi]

When I was buying a boat my brother gave me great advice. When you have a choice of engines, you always pick the big one. I followed his advice and it proved to be good. I'm pretty sure the smaller engine would have done everything I needed.....but I know I've never regretted the larger one.

It's exactly the same engine in both as you might know, but if your point is go for more and have no regrets then I have to agree. All of the extra features for a "mere" $3k seems like a no-brainer, unless of course there's a deal on a lesser model that's too good to pass up.

I put the money I saved back into the tractor by adding useful, functional features. Now I have a tractor that I never want to part ways with.

 

[Stitchit1]

It's exactly the same engine in both as you might know, but if your point is go for more and have no regrets then I have to agree. All of the extra features for a "mere" $3k seems like a no-brainer, unless of course there's a deal on a lesser model that's too good to pass up.

I put the money I saved back into the tractor by adding useful, functional features. Now I have a tractor that I never want to part ways with.

You’re saying you went with the m6060? Can I ask what features you added?

 

[McMXi]

You’re saying you went with the m6060? Can I ask what features you added?

Upgrades can add a lot of additional cost to the initial purchase price of a tractor, but I haven't regretted any of the upgrades I've made. Some are for safety, for function, for productivity or for comfort. Some of the upgrades listed are available as dealer installed options when ordering.

• Creep range cassette
• 540/540E PTO
• Third rear remote (FD)
• 3rd function
• Reimer Tuning upgrades
• Summit Hydraulics 4X multiplier
• Scorpion Technologies control grip
• Top-n-tilt (hydraulic top and side links)
• Six wheel weights
• Rim Guard in rear tires
• 320/85R20 R1 tires up front
• 10 suitcase weights
• Factory front weight bracket
• Kenwood head unit
• Bluesea Systems USB outlet
• Scosche phone mount
• Air ride pedestal (yet to install)
• Rear window defrost/wiper with 100A alternator (yet to install)

 

[SDT]

Thank you! Is it true the 12 speed transmissions Kubota has had a lot of issues with?

Having once owned a M9960 with 6X2 transmissions I am aware of no issues with the 12 speed transmissions.

Were I tractor shopping I would certainly pay the difference for the 12 speed over the 8 speed and for multiple reasons.

 

[McMXi]

Having once owned a M9960 with 6X2 transmissions I am aware of no issues with the 12 speed transmissions.

This is where input from @whitetiger would be helpful rather than a sample of one. I'm sure he's been exposed to hundreds of samples. However, I doubt there's an issue, and if there ever was an issue I'm sure it was resolved long ago. As I said, M7060 tractors with the F12/R12 are still being made, not to mention the M4 and M5 which I would imagine have the same or similar transmission.

 

[SDT]

Had I ordered an M I would most definitely have chosen the M7060 F12/R12 over the M6060 F8/R8 that I bought, but the M6060 was sitting on a lot in Sheridan, WY for $52k, no sales tax and a second rear remote. The same tractor today would cost around $66k so I have no regrets, and after some really nice upgrades it's got more hp and torque than a stock M7060.

So what do you get when you step up to the M7060 F12/R12 compared to an M6060/M7060 F8/R8?

• 6-speed gear box
• hydraulic wet disc brakes
• push button electric/hydraulic 4WD
• transmission parking lock
• H6 rpm overdrive limit
• limited slip front differential
• 16.2 GPM oil flow (11.0 GPM F8/R8)
• 540/540E PTO standard

I've had my M6060 for four years and I can't say that I miss any of the features listed, but closer gear ratios would probably be the most important and most noticeable, but you'd have to try both to really experience that. You don't miss what you don't know about right?

99% of my use is in L1, L2 and L3. I did have the creep cassette added and that's a great thing to have when getting on/off a trailer if nothing else, or hooking up to an implement. The 4WD lever in my tractor is light years ahead of the MX so the electric/hydraulic button means nothing to me. The oil flow isn't relevant to me either since the the SSQA PHD (HD25) doesn't need 16.2 GPM, nor does the grapple, nor does the loader, nor does the 3-way hydraulic rear blade, or the hydraulic angle snow blade, or the folding cutter and on and on.

I added the 540E PTO option, I could add the LS front differential, the parking brake is nice but not essential, so it really comes down to the transmission. More choices is typically better, but without spending some time using an F12/R12 on my property I'm not going to know how much better it would be. As it is, it'd take an M5-111 or M6-111 or bigger to get me to upgrade, and I'd rather buy the excavator you have than upgrade the M6060.

We may not be far apart.

I'm in Billings since June of 2024 and the new GMC PU that I recently bought was delivered to Sheridan.

Though a GM retiree, I could not deal with the local GMC dealer who wanted to charge me $700 in so-called Doc fees, despite such being prohibited by the franchise agreement from doing so.