mx5400 vs m5660

[HowdyAcres]

Hello, I am new to the forum but have been lurking for some time.

I am looking for a a tractor for a 50 acre sheep farm, will need to mow with a 6-7 foot bush hog. Will be using loader and grapple for regular work use.

My Local dealer is offering a new 2023 M 5660 shuttle shift and a new 2024 mx5400 HST for about the same exact price. I am stuck between the two, I know the MX will be perfect for what I need but the M is beefier all over but will more likely rut and destroy my pastures compared to the MX.

Does anyone have any thoughts on which way to go? The value of the m5660 imo is more than the mx but would it be too much tractor and end up shredding my pastures?

MX
pros:
HST convenience
wider tires, less rutting

cons
HST power loss
lighter
less PTO power
less strength in loader

M
pros:
Shuttle drive
stronger loader
stronger tractor
comes with one rear remote

cons:
too much tractor?
tires are bigger but skinnier, rip the grass

thank you so much!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

You sort of lost me at too much tractor…there is no such thing.

Have you looked through some of older threads? There are several comparison threads that might have some suggestions.

I sort of think need to come to terms with which transmission and how much machine…to me you are comparing fairly different machines.

Then also if mowing all 50 acres are you sure about 6-7’ brush cutter? I think M would give more options if you would want a wider cutter. I recently added a few more acres and now have a small pasture that I am mowing with a 6’ cutter. If I had 50 acres I’d be getting an M or some other larger machine to handle a much larger cutter. 50 acres would take a chunk out of your week with a 6’ cutter.

Do you handle pallets of feed or totes of water or round bales? Despite HST being better suited to loader work, I think the M would be a lot more stable lifting a ton.

I am not sure you have other machines or not but it would be not be unreasonable to have multiple machines. (I am up to three and still counting on 40acres)

Tractor upgrade L6060, MX6000 or M7060 / M4

I am new member here, but owner of a Grand L-4240 for 10 years. My L-4240 has been a great tractor but always felt like it was a little under sized for my needs. I am at a point where I would like to upgrade to a more capable tractor. I have 24 total acres that I maintain with about 18 acres of...

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[HowdyAcres]

Good day.

You sort of lost me at too much tractor…there is no such thing.

Have you looked through some of older threads? There are several comparison threads that might have some suggestions.

Tractor upgrade L6060, MX6000 or M7060 / M4

I am new member here, but owner of a Grand L-4240 for 10 years. My L-4240 has been a great tractor but always felt like it was a little under sized for my needs. I am at a point where I would like to upgrade to a more capable tractor. I have 24 total acres that I maintain with about 18 acres of...

www.orangetractortalks.com

hey thanks for the quick response

I agree, never too much power but the only reason Im thinking this is because alot of the comparison threads said the M would tear through and rut pastures. The Mx is a bit lighter and has wider tires, I think the Mx would have enough power but for the same price the M is a great value!

Its always soggy where I am and obviously Im not trying to rut the pastures but I think an M with the extra weight and ag style tires would rip the pasture and then id end up crying

I do agree the M would allow a wider cutter and make the mowing easier. totes of water and square bales but I do like that the M is stronger in those abilities.

Unfortunately a second tractor is out of my budget right now but I know the itch will hit my next fall and ill join the multi tractor group

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I think Id ask the dealer if they would let you drive the M in the areas you are concerned on your property (demo). If it works out you sign the papers and they can leave it…if not bring the MX back and sign the papers. I’d want to know for sure on your property before making that choice since there is a substantial difference between the 2 machines. Good luck. (I am not sure either would more or less fun to get unstuck )

 

[MtnViewRanch]

You do not have to have Ag tires on the M series.

 

[mcmxi]

You do not have to have Ag tires on the M series.

But even if you still want Ag tires, there are options. One of the first upgrades I made to the M6060 was to swap out the front rims and tires from the standard 24" with R1 Goodyear Dura Torque tires to a 20" rim with an Alliance Farmpro 320/85. Still an Ag tire but wider than the standard offering.

I don't have wet, boggy ground anywhere on my property so don't have an issue with tires rutting up the ground.

 

[JimmyJazz]

In my opinion once you have had a tractor with a hydrostatic transmission it would be very difficult to consider anything else. Its so easy to use that with minimal training your wife and children can also use it without your having to worry too much.

 

[mcmxi]

Hello, I am new to the forum but have been lurking for some time.

I am looking for a a tractor for a 50 acre sheep farm, will need to mow with a 6-7 foot bush hog. Will be using loader and grapple for regular work use.

My Local dealer is offering a new 2023 M 5660 shuttle shift and a new 2024 mx5400 HST for about the same exact price. I am stuck between the two, I know the MX will be perfect for what I need but the M is beefier all over but will more likely rut and destroy my pastures compared to the MX.

Does anyone have any thoughts on which way to go? The value of the m5660 imo is more than the mx but would it be too much tractor and end up shredding my pastures?

MX
pros:
HST convenience
wider tires, less rutting

cons
HST power loss
lighter
less PTO power
less strength in loader

M
pros:
Shuttle drive
stronger loader
stronger tractor
comes with one rear remote

cons:
too much tractor?
tires are bigger but skinnier, rip the grass

thank you so much!

I always enjoy these threads. I don't have a 50 acre sheep farm but I sure as heck know which tractor I'd choose. I have an MX6000 and M6060, so both are the next model up from your choices. Here are the reasons why I'd choose the M5660 over the MX5400.

1. Bigger engine (displacement) with more torque
2. Higher efficiency with more real-world power to the ground
3. Heavier, stronger frame
4. Longer wheelbase (more comfortable on bumpy surfaces)
5. Wider track width (more stable)
6. More capable loader (lift height and load)
7. More capable 3-point (load)
8. External 3-point lift cylinders
9. Higher hydraulic flow rate for implements and such
10. Much bigger fuel tank
11. Much better fuel economy
12. Lower maintenance cost (hydraulic oil and filter for example)
13. Larger operating station (more comfortable)
14. The layout of the operator's station is more ergonomic (e.g. rear remote levers)
15. Better/easier/nicer 4WD engagement (I'm basing that off the MX6000 and M6060 comparison)
16. Programmer available to tune the ECU (significant performance increase not available with the MX)

You'd be getting way more tractor with the M than the MX. Don't get me wrong, I love my MX and would hate to part with it, but it's a toy compared to the M6060. Don't be fooled by the engine/pto hp numbers. They are close on paper but not in the real-world. Also, the M rear tires are wider than the MX and with the much larger wheel diameter the contact patch should be bigger too, but as @MtnViewRanch says, you can always change the tires.

I pull a 4,000lb 12ft folding cutter around with the M6060 which is an absolute game changer over the 7ft rotary cutter I also have. The M pulls it like it's not even there. You have so much more room for expansion with the M in terms of implements. The hydaulic shuttle is excellent and easy to use and I have no problem going back and forth between the HST and gear drive.

The best solution is to have multiple pieces of equipment but that's not always an option. I use and like both tractors, but if I had to sell one it'd be the MX. It's much easier to outgrow an MX than even an entry level M.

 

[mcmxi]

In my opinion once you have had a tractor with a hydrostatic transmission it would be very difficult to consider anything else. Its so easy to use that with minimal training your wife and children can also use it without your having to worry too much.

I will respectfully disagree! The noise of an HST, the extra heat generated, the loss of hp/torque to the ground, the higher maintenance cost, the greater fuel consumption etc. On a hot, summer day when cutting tall grass or weeds, the M cab stays nice and cool and the tractor doesn't even struggle, and that's pulling a 4,000lb cutter over hilly terrain. This isn't the case with the MX. As good as that tractor is for many tasks, when it's working hard there's a lot more heat generated which translates into a hotter cab and a reduction in power, among other things.

As I've said many times, if I have to sell a tractor it'll be the MX on the auction block. An M is a farm grade tractor capable of a a much higher and more stressful duty cycle, whereas an MX is still a hobby or homeowner tractor, albeit a good one.

 

[mcfarmall]

"I bought too much tractor!" - said no one ever.

With that being said, I love my M5660. Handles the Land Pride RCD 1884 7 foot twin spindle cutter with ease. I highly recommend the Kubota Shockless Ride accumulator system for the loader and the e-PTO option. The thing is a beast.

 

[HowdyAcres]

thank you everyone,

looks like Im going with the 5660 and ill see if they can either swap out tires and rims for wider set or sell me at cost, My biggest concern is rutting up and destroying pastures but shouldnt be a big issue with wider tires on the m5660

 

[JasonW]

I’ll add to the above the MX5400 and M5660 have the same 2.4L engine. The M6060 and M7060 use the 3.3L engine.
Also the M5660 SU is a stripped down version of the M6060. The operator station is different, no floor mat, its open to the ground behind the seat. The seat is different, gear shifter is different. Tire size is also different.

Another big difference is the transmission is different on the M5660 which it cannot accept creeper gears.

I recently bought a set of like new R1 radials for my M6040 from a farmer that upgraded to the R14 style tires on his M7060. He had problems with the R1’s rutting his property while the R14’s don’t.

 

[mcmxi]

I’ll add to the above the MX5400 and M5660 have the same 2.4L engine. The M6060 and M7060 use the 3.3L engine.

Oops! I hadn't realized that the M5660 uses the same V2403 4-cylinder engine as the MX. Hmmmm .... I'd still choose the M over the MX5400 though.

 

[HowdyAcres]

any recs for r4 tires? I think industrial tires will be good for everything I need. Probably go for the wider over skinnier rear tires

 

[BAP]

Rutting up and “Destroying Pastures” is more a result of operator stupidity than the blaming it on the tractor. If it’s wet then don’t drive there. If all you are doing is maintaining pasture, then you shouldn’t be driving on them if they aren’t dry enough. Wait until it dries enough. Industrial tires will provide you a wider tire surface than AG tread, but stink in mud traction.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

any recs for r4 tires? I think industrial tires will be good for everything I need. Probably go for the wider over skinnier rear tires

Ask the dealer, I don't see any specs for them, but I know that I have seen R4s on these tractors at the dealer.

 

[mcmxi]

Ask the dealer, I don't see any specs for them, but I know that I have seen R4s on these tractors at the dealer.

Build my Kubota shows the following R4 tires as being an option.

FRONT - 14-17.5 R4 W/ 0.55" INSET
REAR - 16.9-24 R4 TITAN IND TRACTOR LUG
$3,914
AMR8797,ALR8917

 

[HowdyAcres]

Rutting up and “Destroying Pastures” is more a result of operator stupidity than the blaming it on the tractor. If it’s wet then don’t drive there. If all you are doing is maintaining pasture, then you shouldn’t be driving on them if they aren’t dry enough. Wait until it dries enough. Industrial tires will provide you a wider tire surface than AG tread, but stink in mud traction.

unfortunately we get about 150 rainy days a year with over 40 inches

Won't be doing any dumb things like running in deep mud but realistically work can only wait for so long for weather to clear out

On the otherside I talked a used l5030 down to 25k
with 1k hours, full cab, loader, bush hog, weighted wheels and mid mounted snow blower. decisions decisions

 

[PaulL]

On the otherside I talked a used l5030 down to 25k
with 1k hours, full cab, loader, bush hog, weighted wheels and mid mounted snow blower. decisions decisions

That's a good machine. Grand L, and a cab. Hydrostatic or glide shift?