Which tractor?

[Orangejuice]

Members, I’m upgrading from a Grand L 6060 and have a choice of an M4D-071 or M5-111 and there’s a 20k delta between the models. I’m pulling a 15’ bat wing bush hog 90% of the time, otherwise I’m using the bucket and a grapple. No space or other limitations. Other than saving 20k is there another reason to choose the M4 over the M5? Many thanks,

 

[mcmxi]

Members, I’m upgrading from a Grand L 6060 and have a choice of an M4D-071 or M5-111 and there’s a 20k delta between the models. I’m pulling a 15’ bat wing bush hog 90% of the time, otherwise I’m using the bucket and a grapple. No space or other limitations. Other than saving 20k is there another reason to choose the M4 over the M5? Many thanks,

The M5 will have DEF right but just DPF on the M4? This is a nice problem to have though. Personally I'd go for the M5-111 over the M4-071, but there's the M5-091 to consider as well. More power pulling a folding cutter around is a good thing. How did your L6060 do pulling that beast? Whatever you choose, it's a big step up to an M4 or M5 from the L6060.

I pull a 12ft RC3712 with the M6060 over my hilly property and the tractor doesn't struggle at all so no doubt the M4-071 would handle your cutter with ease.

I'll be interested to see responses with members that have an M5, and there are a few here, and particularly those that have or had an M60/M4. Since an M5 is a dream tractor for me I'm not very objective.

 

[Orangejuice]

The M5 will have DEF right but just DPF on the M4? This is a nice problem to have. Personally I'd go for the M5-111 over the M4-071, but there's the M5-091 to consider as well. More power pulling a folding cutter around is a good thing. How did your L6060 do pulling that beast?

I'll be interested to see responses with members that have an M5, and there are a few here.

Thanks for your response and that’s what my gut’s saying. The L6060 did fine. In summers I’d need to keep the screens clean during cutting and the AC was anemic. I’ve read on these forums about the cab heat from an HST tractor and it was a factor in the summer. Once during a regen I had a fire ignite on top of the engine and although I put it out immediately it was 5k to fix. Ouch.

 

[Orangejuice]

The M5 will have DEF right but just DPF on the M4? This is a nice problem to have though. Personally I'd go for the M5-111 over the M4-071, but there's the M5-091 to consider as well. More power pulling a folding cutter around is a good thing. How did your L6060 do pulling that beast? Whatever you choose, it's a big step up to an M4 or M5 from the L6060.

I'll be interested to see responses with members that have an M5, and there are a few here, and particularly those that have or had an M60/M4. Since an M5 is a dream tractor for me I'm not very objective.

My dealer says the price difference between the M5-91 and the 111 is only 3k so well worth buying the 111. My Grand L 6060 is in nice condition and has 475 hours -2019. I’m being offered 40k to trade.

 

[mcmxi]

Thanks for your response and that’s what my gut’s saying. The L6060 did fine. In summers I’d need to keep the screens clean during cutting and the AC was anemic. I’ve read on these forums about the cab heat from an HST tractor and it was a factor in the summer. Once during a regen I had a fire ignite on top of the engine and although I put it out immediately it was 5k to fix. Ouch.

Yes, the cab in my M6060 is way cooler when working hard in the summer compared to the MX. The HST in the MX along with the routing of the HVAC ducting in the roof is partly to blame.

You will love the upgrade to an M5 but it'd also be a huge upgrade pulling that 15ft cutter around with an M4. I don't think that you'd find the M4 wanting, but if you can afford and M5 and are not put off by DEF then it would be a wonderful choice. Hope you post some photos.

 

[Orangejuice]

Yes, the cab in my M6060 is way cooler when working hard in the summer compared to the MX. The HST in the MX along with the routing of the HVAC ducting in the roof is partly to blame.

You will love the upgrade to an M5 but it'd also be a huge upgrade pulling that 15ft cutter around with an M4. I don't think that you'd find the M4 wanting, but if you can afford and M5 and are not put off by DEF then it would be a wonderful choice. Hope you post some photos.

Very helpful, thank you. So the M5 has DEF — which means I need to add the fluid vs the auto regen? How often do I need to add the fluid? Is it a PITA? Below is a photo of the M4. Those front tires look scrawny. Is there a wider tire that doesn’t compromise ride quality. I’m in pastures 90% of the time, but I do traverse my lawn frequently.

 

[mcmxi]

Very helpful, thank you. So the M5 has DEF — which means I need to add the fluid vs the auto regen? How often do I need to add the fluid? Is it a PITA? Below is a photo of the M4. Those front tires look scrawny. Is there a wider tire that doesn’t compromise ride quality. I’m in pastures 90% of the time, but I do traverse my lawn frequently.

The M5 has DPF and DEF. I'm no M5 expert and have no idea how often you'd need to add DEF, but regens are still a thing.

I changed the front wheels and tires on my M6060 for the same reason. I didn't like the skinny front tires. If you go to Build My Kubota on Kubota's website you can see all of the wheel and tire options.

But honestly, an M4 is a big upgrade over an L6060, being way more capable, so there's no bad choice here.

 

[PaulL]

It sounds like the M4 is plenty. But the M5 is more. Go big or go home........my theory is that once you'v thought seriously about options, you probably should pick the biggest.

If you pick an M5 you're unlikely to wish you had an M4 (given the constraints you've talked about).

It's possible you buy the M4 and wish you had bought the M5 - maybe you find a bigger cutter, or some other implement you want to operate.

 

[Orangejuice]

It sounds like the M4 is plenty. But the M5 is more. Go big or go home........my theory is that once you'v thought seriously about options, you probably should pick the biggest.

If you pick an M5 you're unlikely to wish you had an M4 (given the constraints you've talked about).

It's possible you buy the M4 and wish you had bought the M5 - maybe you find a bigger cutter, or some other implement you want to operate.

Paul, Neither the M4 nor the M5 have a quick disconnect for attachments like my Grand L 6060. Do any of the kubota tractors in this series have the quick disconnect? Getting on and off the tractor to secure attachments is a pain in the ass. This

 

[PaulL]

I'm not overly familiar with the larger series tractors, but surely there's an aftermarket option?

 

[mcmxi]

Paul, Neither the M4 nor the M5 have a quick disconnect for attachments like my Grand L 6060. Do any of the kubota tractors in this series have the quick disconnect? Getting on and off the tractor to secure attachments is a pain in the ass. This

Do you mean a Quick Hitch? My M6060 is the size of an M4 and both the QH10 and QH15/QH16 work fine on all of my implements that are QH compatible.