Thinking about going from B2601 to L series

[S-G-R]

Definitely go with a cab. I did my duty with open stations a long time ago and would not want to repeat the experience. I went with the Grand L over the MX for the transmission and creature comforts. I could of probably gotten away with the 4760 but went up to the 5460 as @BBFarmer to split the difference with a 6060. The loader will lift almost double what my LX could and again, the transmission is awesome. For the cost of a BH, I'd save my money and rent a mini x a couple times a year to knock out projects.

 

[PaulL]

Mum has the smallest Takeuchi - 1.6T. I'd expect it to massively outdig an MX BH, probably easily run a stump grinder, and they can be had used for reasonable money. At least around us most of the rental fleets are full of them, Kubotas tend to be owner operators. I conclude from that the Kubota is probably a nicer machine, but the Takeuchi probably more durable.

 

[wsurff]

I'm right down the road from you and Bridgewater. We have just over 30 acres, about two thirds forest, the rest pasture, home, eventual barn, and about 1/4 – 1/3 of a mile of gravel drive. I have a cabbed L6060 with backhoe as well as a front mounted snowblower. All seems to work for me in this area. The backhoe is not often on the tractor but even though it takes a bit of time to get it on and off the tractor, still less rigmarole than going through the process of renting. Probably not as much snow down here compared to where you used to live but I generally have the snowblower on the tractor for a few months in the winter. I purchased my a tractor from Mid-state which is now Eagle power on Route 31. Different ownership but most of the same people are still there. Given that the tractor's been trouble-free, I'm usually just running down there for filters and hydraulic oil. When I was looking there is another dealer on 22 which at that time, but the guys at Midstate seemed more knowledgeable and the dealership was clearly larger. The tractor I was interested in was not on the lot so I just ordered from them. They had it put together about 2 to 3 months after I ordered it.

 

[racerboy]

I'm right down the road from you and Bridgewater. We have just over 30 acres, about two thirds forest, the rest pasture, home, eventual barn, and about 1/4 – 1/3 of a mile of gravel drive. I have a cabbed L6060 with backhoe as well as a front mounted snowblower. All seems to work for me in this area. The backhoe is not often on the tractor but even though it takes a bit of time to get it on and off the tractor, still less rigmarole than going through the process of renting. Probably not as much snow down here compared to where you used to live but I generally have the snowblower on the tractor for a few months in the winter. I purchased my a tractor from Mid-state which is now Eagle power on Route 31. Different ownership but most of the same people are still there. Given that the tractor's been trouble-free, I'm usually just running down there for filters and hydraulic oil. When I was looking there is another dealer on 22 which at that time, but the guys at Midstate seemed more knowledgeable and the dealership was clearly larger. The tractor I was interested in was not on the lot so I just ordered from them. They had it put together about 2 to 3 months after I ordered it.

Hi neighbor! I don’t know about the Midstate dealer. I will check them out tomorrow I went to the dealer on 22. He was really pushing the MX6000 (or MX5400) cab models they have on the lot. They said they can’t order an L6060 and aren’t sure that they can find one. Here are the quotes they gave me (excluding tax)
MX6000 cab/LA1065 72”/3rd function/tire ballast: $50,699

L6060 Cab/LA1055 72”/ 3rd function/ballast:
57,845

adding BH92 w/hyd thumb bumps the Grand L up to: 75,699.

I don’t know if these are ‘good’ numbers or not. I did a quick search and saw several other L6060s out there. I saw a dealer in SC has one for $64k, and that includes a rotary cutter and a 20’ trailer. Not sure how legit that deal is, but I did reach out to see if it was still available (not just click-bait).

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Hi neighbor! I don’t know about the Midstate dealer. I will check them out tomorrow I went to the dealer on 22. He was really pushing the MX6000 (or MX5400) cab models they have on the lot. They said they can’t order an L6060 and aren’t sure that they can find one. Here are the quotes they gave me (excluding tax)
MX6000 cab/LA1065 72”/3rd function/tire ballast: $50,699

L6060 Cab/LA1055 72”/ 3rd function/ballast:
57,845

adding BH92 w/hyd thumb bumps the Grand L up to: 75,699.

I don’t know if these are ‘good’ numbers or not. I did a quick search and saw several other L6060s out there. I saw a dealer in SC has one for $64k, and that includes a rotary cutter and a 20’ trailer. Not sure how legit that deal is, but I did reach out to see if it was still available (not just click-bait).

I might be slightly biased…but I just glanced at the site and saw there is incentive on an MX thru September. I did not look at the other models I was more shocked at the price of the L you mentioned and MX. at a glance everything has gone up quite a bit since I picked mine up.

also the item that I miss on MX (I have an open station) is tilt steering…I am not sure that matters or not but I do miss that. Not sure that is a deal breaker or not do you but I’d be sure about the differences if trying multiple machines for all the items you are going to touch with each use (ie treadle, position of loader control arm, adjustable link arms, seat, miscellaneous switches, ease of fuel fill - if I had a choice I would prefer it not to be on top of the hood, etc).

From what you are looking at I don’t think there is a bad decision really. They are all a sizable difference from your B and you will immediate grin as you turn the key and notice the significant difference is capability.

Happy shopping.

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[racerboy]

Appreciate the feedback. The MX6000 I sat in did have tilt steering. The interior of the cab was quite nice, considering I only have the open B2601 to compare it against. I would at least like to see a Grand L series tractor so I have a real life comparison.

 

[wsurff]

Hi neighbor! I don’t know about the Midstate dealer. I will check them out tomorrow I went to the dealer on 22. He was really pushing the MX6000 (or MX5400) cab models they have on the lot. They said they can’t order an L6060 and aren’t sure that they can find one. Here are the quotes they gave me (excluding tax)
MX6000 cab/LA1065 72”/3rd function/tire ballast: $50,699

L6060 Cab/LA1055 72”/ 3rd function/ballast:
57,845

adding BH92 w/hyd thumb bumps the Grand L up to: 75,699.

I don’t know if these are ‘good’ numbers or not. I did a quick search and saw several other L6060s out there. I saw a dealer in SC has one for $64k, and that includes a rotary cutter and a 20’ trailer. Not sure how legit that deal is, but I did reach out to see if it was still available (not just click-bait).

Prices have certainly risen since I purchased in late 2020. They used to have a really good equine discount, which is still there but not as good as it was previously. Definitely check out Midstate/Eagle Power on Route 31. Prices were roughly similar, but the guys at Mid State seemed more knowledgeable. For instance, I was interested in having a backhoe and also 2 hydraulic rear remotes. The dealer on 22 did not think that was possible.. The guys at Mid State said there was no problem with that- which was, in fact, the case. For me this was going to be a one and done purchase, so "buy once., cry once" was the way to go for me.

 

[McMXi]

Brother, in my opinion; The MX6000 Cab IS the perfect tractor. And, the KX 40 is the perfect mini excavator.

An MX6000HSTC with the same layout and controls as the cab in the M6060 would be the perfect HST tractor for me. I will say that adding a Scorpion control grip and Summit Hydraulics multiplier, in addition to the three factory rear remotes has improved functionality. Still not a L60 cab, but I'm looking forward to controlling the snow blower chute (rotation and angle) this winter using the one control.

When you think about it, when do we ever need to operate multiple remotes at the same time? A multi-button control grip on one rear remote lever controlling output from a multiplier out back makes a lot of sense. You don't need to move between levers, simply push a button and move the lever fore/aft to control a cylinder.

As for excavators, I'd choose a KX057-5 and might very well go that route in 18 months or so. If I could find a sub 1,500 hour used one in good condition that would be preferred.

 

[McMXi]

Appreciate the feedback. The MX6000 I sat in did have tilt steering. The interior of the cab was quite nice, considering I only have the open B2601 to compare it against. I would at least like to see a Grand L series tractor so I have a real life comparison.

I'm not trying to put the MX cab down, and you get a lot of utility for the money. However, the cab in the L60/M6060/M7060 tractors is so much nicer in every way, and the L60 tractors have cabs much closer to the M6060 than the MX.

You won't appreciate all of the differences just sitting in an MX and L60 cab, but it'd be evident to just about everyone that the L60 cabs are way nicer with much better controls. Go spend some time using an MX and L60 or MX and M6060/M7060 and those differences will become very apparent.

I like my MX and plan on keeping it for years to come along with the M6060. They're not going anywhere, and I'd buy the MX again, but I'm just trying to provide some context based on my personal experience with close to 500 hours in two cabbed tractors running all kinds of implements and doing all kinds of work.
My earlier comment about the front wheel/tire size is relevant. Coming from a BX25 I was very conscious of the issue with small wheel/tires over uneven terrain. The bigger the tires/wheels and the longer the wheelbase, the better the ride, but I would say that wheels/tires trumps wheelbase. I do like the size of the front wheels/tires on the MX5400/6000 tractors compared to the L6060.

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

I agree very much with @McMXi about trying operating first.

When I went to buy the L6060, I came home having ordered the MX as that was my spousal unit’s preference for her visibility over the hood (I did not see a difference and would have liked to have the Mid PTO option to later add a front mount snowblower). However, with the L, I would have been unhappy in the short term at least with the treadle, but the seat was hands down superior. Not sure any are deal breakers but there was clearly a difference in driving each and using the loader a bit.

 

[racerboy]

So i went to the dealer down on 31. They had 2 L6060 cabs in stock and I got to drive a 3560 cab around the lot a little bit. Very nice cab. Not that the MX6000 cab was lousy. Just a little nicer finishing touches on the Grand L cab. They were also able to come in almost $5k cheaper on the L6060. They said if I ordered it next week, they would have it ready in about a week (the L6060s were still in crates). The only thing that would take a bit more time would be the BH92. They also mentioned you could get a lot of mini-ex rentals before you hit the $13k tag for the BH92. lol

 

[racerboy]

Also, as petty as it sounds, the lower fuel fill is big plus for me. My right arm is partially paralyzed from a motorcycle accident years back, and lifting the diesel jug up to fill through the hood on the B2601 can sometimes be a challenge. The MX sits much higher so I could see that being a problem (or I would just get a pump).

is the air ride seat worth the $1000 price
tag?

 

[S-G-R]

Also, as petty as it sounds, the lower fuel fill is big plus for me. My right arm is partially paralyzed from a motorcycle accident years back, and lifting the diesel jug up to fill through the hood on the B2601 can sometimes be a challenge. The MX sits much higher so I could see that being a problem (or I would just get a pump).

is the air ride seat worth the $1000 price
tag?

The Grand L fuel fill is at hand level, very easy to fill. Having a standard seat in a LX for five years and a air seat for 5 weeks the extra cost was well worth it to me.

 

[BBFarmer]

Also, as petty as it sounds, the lower fuel fill is big plus for me. My right arm is partially paralyzed from a motorcycle accident years back, and lifting the diesel jug up to fill through the hood on the B2601 can sometimes be a challenge. The MX sits much higher so I could see that being a problem (or I would just get a pump).

is the air ride seat worth the $1000 price
tag?

Never had the air ride seat, but I would say it is most definitely worth the price.

That fuel fill being low and, on the side, made a huge difference for me as well.

Before I got a couple of 15 gal tanks with fill nozzles from Dow Industries, I absolutely hated standing up on the front tire of my 3301, balancing a couple 5 gal containers while constantly spilling it all over the hood while I had to swat the abundance of massive horseflies and mosquitos we tend to keep almost year round in my parts.

 

[wsurff]

Also, as petty as it sounds, the lower fuel fill is big plus for me. My right arm is partially paralyzed from a motorcycle accident years back, and lifting the diesel jug up to fill through the hood on the B2601 can sometimes be a challenge. The MX sits much higher so I could see that being a problem (or I would just get a pump).

is the air ride seat worth the $1000 price
tag?

I did not get the air ride seat. If I had to do it again, I would likely go for it. I weigh just over 190 pounds. If I am running the tractor at 5MPH or more and go over a bump in the pasture the seat will definitely bottom out, despite having the tension adjustment at maximum, which likely isn't good for my spine. The reason I didn't go with the air ride seat was when I was ordering my tractor I noted that the regular seat does turn a few degrees to either side if you were looking out the back. I was concerned that the air right seat wasn't able to do that. At this point though, I generally find myself just twisting around in the seat rather than moving the seat off enter and then moving it back when I return to going forward. That feature of the regular seat might come in handy if you plan on using a rear facing snow blower. That said, I Am often looking rearward on the tractor, especially when I have a rear implement on working in the woods so I'm not running into anything with a. ~5000lbs piece of equipment.

 

[racerboy]

Appreciate the feedback on the seat. I think I would add that to the build. What about rear remotes? I asked the salesman and he said people use them for stuff like a bat-wing mower, but I don’t see a need for that for me. Are there are other implements that would use that? A post-hole digger maybe? Just trying to think if I should consider.

I think I am going to go back and order the tractor this week. I’m just going back and forth on the BH92. $13k is a lot of money for mini-ex rentals or even 1/2 the cost of a decent used one. Well, maybe less than 1/2, but you know what I mean. I just found a place about 5 min from me that rents an 8k lb Takeuchi for $375/day or $1200/wk. in theory, I could always add a BH92 later if I really needed it, right? I probably couldn’t get the same 0% financibg, but I’d be ok with that. I think out of the gate, I would get a lot more use out of a grapple and a brush-hog.

 

[GrassLakeRon]

Better to have it, and not need it....then need it and not have it.

I went from a Simplicity Legacy to a B8200. My 3 year in between tractor was a joke. If the B2601 is not doing it go standard L . My next buy if the B8200 has problems can't fix will be a standard L .

 

[McMXi]

The Grand L fuel fill is at hand level, very easy to fill. Having a standard seat in a LX for five years and a air seat for 5 weeks the extra cost was well worth it to me.

The location of the fuel fill is a big deal for sure if you don't have a pump of some sort. I tend to look at problems from the point of view of what would it take to eliminate the problem and how much would it cost. There are much bigger "problems" that don't have solutions so those tend to get priority when it comes to making decisions.

I fill both tractors using JohnDow carrytanks, so filling up the MX is no longer an annoyance.

 

[McMXi]

is the air ride seat worth the $1000 price

I owned and used an MX6000HST without an air ride seat and an MX6000HSTC for almost four years with an air ride seat. I like the air ride seat enough that I bought the air ride pedestal for the M6060 seat (at dealer cost), but given that the M6060 is a much bigger and more comfortable tractor, I still haven't got to installing the pedestal. The seat has to come out through the rear window so I figured I'd combine the upgrade with installing the new rear defrost glass and rear wiper.

In short, the smaller the tractor (smaller wheels/tires, shorter wheelbase), the more an air ride seat is worth it .... in my experience. The upgrade is worth it for an MX6000 or L6060.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Rear remotes:

They are also great for a snow blower shute adjustment. And many other uses.