Tractor.com, Author at Tractor News

When Your Machines are Your Livelihood… You Want To Treat Them Right!

By Tractor.com
November 8, 2021

Whether you’re physically out in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (or just living there vicariously through popular online videos) you’re bound to stumble across first generation farmer, Josh Draper. Better known as the Stoney Ridge Farmer from his popular YouTube channel where he shares expert advice on what it takes to be a modern day farmer, Draper’s day starts and ends on his beautiful 150 acre property, growing crops, raising cattle, tending to chickens, and of course filming the tips and tricks of the job for aspiring homesteaders.

While Draper grew up on a cattle farm in rural Virginia, his journey to becoming a farmer in his own right had him on a less than linear path with plenty of twists and turns along the way. In fact, before becoming one of YouTube’s most watched farmers, he served as electrician in the Air Force, owned and operated a handyman business, then went back to school to become a registered nurse. But as a jack of all trades, and someone “naturally curious and self taught,” Josh has taken the experiences from all his different career paths and applied them to his daily life on the farm he’s always dreamed of owning. “Working on the farm is a really rewarding process from making sure cows are safe and healthy, to mowing hay to moving dirt, building fences, putting gravel in. You can look back at the end of the day and see you’ve done something awesome,” says Draper.

Josh shares his experiences through his YouTube channel, whether it’s a skill new to him or something routine, hoping that others will find the information useful in their own lives. “I started the YouTube channel with a mechanical project,” recalls Draper. “I was working on one of my mowers and it excited me that people wanted to watch and I got so many tips and tricks from other folks watching. It’s an ever-evolving community of education, we all help each other and work together.”

Sharing his life with hundreds of thousands of followers on YouTube is one of the most rewarding experiences for this first generation farmer, as he shares “I’ve always loved being the guy that people ask [for help], and like being that guy who can answer that in detail.”

For the past five years, Draper’s fans have seen him tackle all kinds of maintenance schedules. With over 25 different engines around the property, making sure his machines are ready to use at all times is essential to keeping operations flowing.

Machinery is Draper’s livelihood, and since he always does his research and relies on the experts to fix problems on the farm, it only seemed natural to look to Techron as the experts in premium fuel-additives. “I use Techron in all my engines here on the farm. They have a product for everything, from my big tractors all the way to the smallest chainsaw engine,” he says of Techron’s product portfolio.

“Techron gives me the peace of mind to give me what I need out on the farm,” says Draper, who would much rather tend to his cows everyday than his tractors. “I trust Techron to keep my equipment running strong when I need it the most.” Which for Draper, is every day on the Stoney Ridge Farm.

Want to check out a day in the life on a first generation farm? You’ll just have to hit the subscribe button for that! Check out Stoney Ridge Farmer on YouTube and learn more about Techron^® by visiting www.techronclean.com.

This article was published on behalf of Techron.

Check out these Amazon Prime Day Deals for Tractor Owners

By Tractor.com
August 1, 2020

Amazon Prime Day might not seem to directly correlate with tractor owners and operators, but it’s about more than just cheap televisions and computers. Prime Day also brings with it impressive deals on everything from tools to work gloves.

We found an assortment of Amazon Prime Day deals that tractor owners or any garage mechanic can appreciate.

And if you are looking for other deals any time of year, check out DealsForum.com.

26-inch Light Bar – 10% Off

If you are looking for an affordable way to add more light to your ride, check out this 26-inch flood light/spot light. Get it now for 28% off (only $42.19). Deal expires at 6:50pm et.

Buy Now

Master Lock Receiver and Coupler Lock Set – 33% Off

A great way to make sure your trailer stays where you put it is by locking it up. The Master Lock 2848DAT Key Alike Set with Receiver and Coupler Latch Locks is available on Prime Day for $22.45 (10% off). With this set, one key locks your receiver and your coupler. The package includes a receiver lock and shackle, coupler lock and shackle and two keys.

Buy Now

Work Apron – 25% Off

Protect your clothes while giving yourself plenty of storage pockets with this waxed canvas work apron – ideal for working around the garage or doing maintenance on your tractor. Made of 16-ounce waxed canvas and reinforced with steel grommets and rivets, this apron had an adjustable back strap and measures 27 inches wide by 34 inches tall. Best of all…it’s on sale now.

Buy Now

Tire Repair Kit – 18% Off

Whether its on your truck, trailer or tractor, a flat tire can throw a wrench into your work day. Make life a little easier on yourself by keeping a tire repair kit on hand. This 56-piece kit is adaptable for larger punctures and tears and contains everything you need to get back up and running again except air.

Buy Now

SAE/Metric Wrench Set – 42% Off

Perfect for keeping in your trucks center console or in your work bag, a proper wrench set can save you time and some pain in your knuckles by eliminating the dreaded adjustable wrench. This set comes with 14 SAE and 14 metric wrenches with a 15-degree offset for easier access and a six-point box end for hex fasteners. Buy now and you can save nearly $73.

Buy Now

Lead photo by pajtica/Shutterstock.com

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Tractor Accessories Buyer’s Guide

By Tractor.com
March 19, 2020

Tractors are incredible useful tools for farmers and property owners alike. But when you add the right tractor accessories and attachments, you can take full advantage of everything tractors have to offer.

If you are having trouble finding the tractor accessories you need, fear not. The online marketplace is loaded with pretty much any tractor attachments and accessories you could use.

Our Tractor Accessories buyer’s guide will feature some of the most useful tractor accessories, along with some of our personal favorites. Everything from upgraded tractor seats and lights to a compete backhoe is just a click or two away.

Lead photo by logoboom/Shutterstock.com

Tractor Seats

Though they may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering tractor accessories, tractor seats have come a long way. If the seat on your tractor isn’t as comfortable or functional as you’d like or if you just need a factory replacement, you can find it here. Everything from ultra-comfortable suspension seats to vintage metal seats are availbale.

Tractor Lights

Chances are that if you own a tractor, you will occasionally have to use it before the sun comes up or after it goes down. Adding some auxiliary lighting to your tractor can save you a headache when you need to get some work done before anybody else has gotten out of bed. Whether you need a beacon light to let people know where you are or bright work lights, you can find it here.

Tractor Sprayers

Adding a sprayer to your list of tractor accessories is a smart choice if you need to quickly spray your lawn or crops. There are a wide variety of tractor sprayer sizes available. We have collected some links below from a handful of leading brands.

Three-Point Hitch Attachments

When you need to move a trailer or any tractor implements, a three-point hitch attachment is a necessary tractor accessory. The good news is you can pick up a three-point hitch attachment for as little as $55 for a light duty version or around $140 for a heavy duty Category 1 attachment.

Tractor Plows

Whether for removing snow or digging through soil, tractor plows should be top of mind when looking at tractor accessories. A good plow can make any landowner’s life a whole lot easier. Check out some snow plow blades, disc harrows, and more.

Tractor Backhoes

If you need to get some serious digging done, a backhoe is a must-have tractor accessory. Though it still seems surprising to us, you can actually purchase an honest to goodness backhoe online and have it delivered to your door. Whether you need a complete backhoe excavator or just a replacement part, you can find it below.

Backhoe and backhoe parts

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Bobcat showcases new line of compact tractors at 2020 National Farm Machinery Show

By Tractor.com
February 12, 2020

Bobcat has leapt into the tractor game with a competitive newly minted line of sub-compact and compact utility tractors.

At the 2020 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Bobcat displayed its innovations in the tractor world. Released in September of 2019, the company’s lineup has 15 tractors and a full range of factory-installed implements, including backhoes and frontend loaders. For the largest models, there are four cab options and two for the mid-range tractors.

“We offer a full range from 21 to 58 horsepower,” said James Crouch, Senior Product Manager of the compact tractors division. “This covers a whole range of utility tractors that are very versatile for dairy, poultry, and other light farm uses.”

He also said Bobcat offers four transmission types, which offers flexibility for both cost and tasks.

One big perk, Crouch noted, is Bobcat’s firmly established distribution network. This means that the tractors are serviced by all official company retailers, who also carry a full line of parts. Bobcat has 550 stores nationwide.

The compact tractor model number provides valuable insight on each machine’s structure and power. The first two digits represent the tractor’s frame size, or whether it is a 1000, 2000, 4000 or 5000 platform machine. For example, in CT2XXX, the number “2” indicates that the tractor in question is a 2000-platform machine. The digit following that first numeral indicates whether the tractor has an open canopy (ROPs) or a deluxe cab. While a CT50XX has an open canopy, a CT55XX offers a deluxe cab. The final two digits in the model number represent the engine horsepower of each tractor. For example, the CT4055 offers a 55 horsepower engine while the CT4058 has a 58 horsepower engine.

Key Features and Benefits

Each machine is designed to provide high performance and value to the industry:

Standard four-wheel drive: Every Bobcat tractor model comes standard with four-wheel drive. Customers can easily engage four-wheel drive whenever the work demands it to provide superior power and traction in even the toughest working conditions.

Maximum maneuverability: Bobcat compact equipment is known for maneuverability. Compact tractors are no exception. A tight turning radius of as little as 96.4 inches is essential for effective mowing, tilling, and operating in close proximity to barns, fences, trees, and other barriers.

Select Bobcat tractors also offer steering brakes — models CT2025 and up — to give customers greater control when working between buildings, in pens and barns, or around other obstacles. This feature improves maneuverability by helping maintain a tighter turning radius — nearly pivoting the tractor on the inside wheel.

Standard quick-attach mounting system: Time-saving features like the Bobcat quick attach mounting system come standard across all platforms to save customers valuable time and money. This feature enables customers to easily exchange front- and mid-mounted attachments for multiple jobs — providing greater value and versatility to any property.

Attachments and implements: Bobcat compact tractors are the perfect tool for trimming down hours of work thanks to the versatile lineup of compatible attachments and implements:

Attachments: front-end loader, backhoe and mid-mount mower
Implements: box blade, angle blade, tine rake, rotary cutter, tiller, snowblower, finish mower, post hole digger (auger), rear ballast box and quick hitch
Three-Point Hitch: The three-point hitch is essential to a tractor’s versatility. With the standard three-point hitch, operators can perform a large number of tasks, or replace work previously done by hand, by attaching and removing implements and attachments with ease.

Rear PTO: Bobcat compact tractors stay on top of any project with powerful rear power take-off (PTO). This feature is essential for transferring power from the engine to any rotary implement – keeping users moving regardless of the chore.

Tire options: Tires have a large impact on a tractor’s traction, flotation, ground disturbance, wear and overall performance. Bobcat tractors are available with three different types of tires to match the requirements of your work: Agricultural tires are designed for towing heavy loads or pulling implements, turf tires are ideal for providing excellent traction with minimal damage to lawns or finished surfaces and industrial tires offer maximum traction and outstanding protection against long-time wear or punctures.

Transmission types: With multiple types to choose from, there’s a transmission option for any user. Bobcat compact tractors are designed with one of four different transmission types, depending on the tractor’s frame size and model:

Manual shift transmission is an economical and reliable option that changes gears and ranges by stopping and clutching – perfect for jobs that require a constant speed, such as mowing or spraying.
Synchro shift transmission is a manual option that provides the greatest ease of use – allowing users to clutch and shift between all speeds and ranges as they travel.
Hydrostatic transmission (HST) provides maximum ease of use and is ideal for front-end loader work. HST also allows the operator to quickly and easily change direction from forward to reverse and back.
Electric hydrostatic transmission (E-HST) boasts all the same benefits of HST, however it also allows operators to maintain their uphill speed without travel pedal adjustments.

Uptime and serviceability: Bobcat compact tractors are designed with features that enhance uptime and ensure the machine is easy to service. With one-sided maintenance, users have easy access to engine fluid fills and filters from one side of the tractor. This keeps tractors in prime condition with minimal effort. The metal hood on select models also works to protect a user’s uptime by shielding the engine and components from dirt and debris while providing greater visibility from the operator station. A heavy-duty brush guard protects the front of the machine from debris, branches and other obstacles. In addition to superior uptime and serviceability features, each tractor is backed by an extensive dealer network and a 24-month, 1,500-hour warranty.

Comfort features: A Bobcat compact tractor’s superior comfort features turn a long day, and a long list of projects, into no problem for operators. These features include a suspension seat for absorbing bumps and creating an overall smoother ride, a rubber deck mat to dampen vibrations through the floor and a comfortable operator station with ergonomic controls to enable hours of comfortable and confident work. All of the controls, gauges and buttons on Bobcat compact tractors are thoughtfully laid out with operator ease of use in mind. The illuminated dashboard allows users to easily operate and monitor performance in any light condition, so operators can finish a long day’s work in comfort.

Tractor Parts Buyer’s Guide

By Tractor.com
January 30, 2020

Tractors are designed to work hard and help you get the job done. However, that doesn’t mean that things can’t break or wear out. Whether you’ve got a broken water pump or a worn-out gasket, you need to your tractor working again. When you’re looking for Tractor Parts, the vendor in the Tractor.com Buyers Guides can help you find what you need to get back up running.

Having the right tractor parts on hand or at least quickly available can mean a lot to a landowner or farmer. Tractors, by their very design are hard working machines. When you work a tractor hard, things do wear out or even break and that means lost time and potentially lost revenue.

The good news is you can easily find a lot of tractor parts online and have them delivered right to your door. Whether that means repair parts you should always have on had, or parts you only buy when things break, you can find most anything you need in or Tractor Parts guide.

(Lead photo by pajtica/Shutterstock.com)

Tractor PTO Parts

The PTO is the lifeblood of many of the most essential tractor implements. If your PTO isn’t working…neither are you. Whatever parts you need for your PTO, you can find them in the links below. What kind of PTO parts are available online? Here’s a small sampling to give you an idea:

Tractor Alternators

Replacing an alternator is a relatively painless job and one many tractor owners choose to do themselves. Tractor parts like alternators eventually wear and stop working, just like the do in your car or truck. Alternators are mated to your engine and when the engine is running, the alternator charges your battery and helps power any electrical systems on the tractor. When your alternator stops working, the battery gets drained and all the vehicle’s electrical components will decide to take a nap. The good news is you can find an alternator to fit your tractor from a variety of vendors, along with some associated parts.

Tractor Batteries

Just like your car or truck, your tractor battery needs to be properly maintained or else you might have to replace it. If your tractor sits for long periods of time, using a trickle charger or battery tender can save you a serious headache when it comes time to put your tractor to work again. Even when your battery is not in use, it the charge will slowly deplete. A trickle charger basically works by not allowing the battery to deplete its charge when its sitting idle for a long time by slowly adding charge to the battery. Of course, sometimes you just need a new battery. Fortunately, you can order one very easily online.

Tractor Bearings

When it comes to stocking up on tractor parts, we’d suggest you keep a good collection of tractor bearings on hand. Bearings wear out over time and fresh bearings just make things run smoother and quieter. You can also maintain your currently bearings by cleaning out the grease with a solvent and packing them with fresh grease.

Tractor Brake Parts

While you will never travel at highway speeds with your tractor, that doesn’t mean you don’t need brakes work well. Tractor brakes can be replaced or repaired at home with the right tools and a little knowhow. You can pick up all of the brake parts you need with some online sleuthing, but we’ve already done that for you.

Tractor Clutch Parts

If the clutch on your tractor needs some serious TLC, we’ve got you covered. Whether you need a whole new clutch kit or just a clutch disc for your tractor, check out the link below to find what you need.

Tractor clutch parts

Tractor Exhaust Parts

While we are not sure you need to keep these tractor parts around, if your tractor exhaust ever gets damaged or breaks, you can find everything you need below. From entire muffler and exhaust kits to exhaust silencers and retainer/fastener kits, check out the link below.

Exhaust parts

Tractor Filters

Keeping extra oil filers, air filters and fuel filters around for your tractor makes a lot of sense. These don’t last forever and it takes very little time to make a quick replacement when the time comes. Our links below will lead you in the right direction.

Tractor Gaskets

To make sure your tractor’s engine is running with maximum efficiency or the oil pan isn’t leaking all over the place, you need gaskets. Rubber gaskets can dry out and crack, rendering them useless over time. Keep a spare or two around in case of emergency so you can get back to work as quickly as possible.

Gaskets

Tractor Hydraulics

Hydraulics make like a whole lot easier and more functional, so when putting together a shopping list of tractor parts, don’t forget the hydraulics. From oil to tie rod cylinders to hose replacements to hydraulic pumps, these are some parts you should have available.

Hydraulics

Tractor Ignition and Starter Parts

Is your ignition causing you problems? Will your tractor not start like it should? If so, it might be time to look into ordering some ignition and starter parts for your tractor. In the links below, you’ll fine ignition coils, ignition switches, and starters for a variety of tractors.

Tractor Pump Parts

Your tractor relies on a variety of pumps to take care of any number of duties. Pumps can break down or cause problems over time, but pretty much anything is fixable or replaceable if you take the time to learn how. Check out the link below to water pumps, fuel injection pumps, power steering pumps, or parts to repair any or all of them.

Tractor pump parts

Tractor Radiator Parts

Tractors work really hard, which generated a lot of heat. Your tractor’s radiator makes sure everything stays cool enough to work properly and can prevent some seriously expensive damage when things really heat up. You can find everything from complete radiators for many different tractors to an assortment of hoses and other parts for radiators in the link below.

Radiator parts

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5 of the Best Tractor Implements from Tractor Supply Company

Get more out of your tractor with these accessories

By Tractor.com
May 25, 2018

Having the right tool for the job is essential and that is no different when it comes to your tractor. When it comes time to find the perfect accessory for your tractor, Tractor Supply Company offers a host of affordable alternatives to the ones you will find directly from your tractor’s manufacturer.

Here are five of the best tractor implements that you can drive home with today from your local Tractor Supply Company or even order them directly from TractorSupply.com.

Rotary Tiller

Whether Tilling a garden or even tilling up fresh ground to plant a bright lawn, you will need a tool that doesn’t break the bank or your back. Hooking your 25hp tractor to this Countyline rotary tiller will make all of the headaches in the joys of gardening disappear. Also, with the adjustable runners turning up soil from one inch to depths of up to four inches is possible. Using this same tiller to turn the soil, the food plots at our hunting camp are now ready for seeding. MSRP $1499

Box Blade

There are many uses for the standard box blade. The tines will dig into the soil and the box will even the playing field, so to speak, by retaining the soil or mulch as it levels out. We use our box blade across our weathered gravel road to smooth out the ruts and sometimes maybe to work up a nice level pile of mulch or topsoil. Either way this is a good investment if you are looking for that next big tool. MSRP $799.99

Landscape Rake

Recently our hunting property had been cleared of dead or dying pine trees. This left acres of small brush and branches as well as very uneven terrain from the tractors that worked these sections. We were able to use the landscape rake to gather the brush into several piles and burn off the debris. The 6 ft. rotating landscape rake allowed us to push and pull the debris into manageable areas while knocking down some of the ruts left by the tractor. MSRP $649.99

Hitch Mounted Sprayer

Getting rid of unwanted overgrowth or even plant eating bugs can be a difficult task. Using a sprayer with the correct pesticides or herbicides inside can make the job easier. If you have a good 20-60hp tractor and need a reliable three-point hitch mountable sprayer, then maybe consider this one. This 60-gallon sprayer runs off the tractor’s PTO and has a pressure of up to 150psi. MSRP $869.99

Seed Planter

Working a garden by hand that is less than an acre or so is rewarding, but as the acreage begins to grow you might consider tools to help get those seeds in the ground quicker. One item you may consider is a pull behind planter like this corn and bean planter. You can adjust the row width from 14 inches to 36 and the hoppers hold up to 15 lbs of seed. The Ground-driven 13-inch pneumatic tires get the seed out and into your soil and the adjustable openings on the seed box allows you to drop light or heavy depending on the product. MSRP $799.99

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.

Cheap Tractor Cleaning Supplies

Regular tractor washing can pay dividends in the long run

By Tractor.com
May 11, 2018

One of the most thankless jobs of a Tractor owner’s weekly routine is cleaning the money maker in the barn. Getting the week’s work finished is generally all most consider when looking at the workload, but if you do not clean up the mess after the work is finished that pile of mess just gets bigger. Cleaning your tractor is very important not only from an aesthetics or appearance standpoint, but you can also identify problems that may be coming and stop them before it turns into something much worse. With this in mind let us take a look at some affordable products that will help you get the grime of a tough week off of possibly your most valuable asset.

Degreaser

One of the cheapest yet surprisingly effective degreasers on the market can be found at any Dollar Tree store or online and it is called LA’s Totally Awesome degreaser. This can be purchased in the gallon size or spray bottles and a case of six one-gallon bottles will only set you back $6 dollars plus tax. That’s a whole lot of cleaning power for six bucks!

Scrub Brushes

Should you decide to put a little effort into the washing of your tractor and need a helping hand, the Dip & Wash scrub brush with a long handle is a great buy. Getting into those tight areas or maybe those places that are a little longer distance than your arms can reach makes the long handle dip and wash brush perfect!

Spray Nozzle

Getting a good spray nozzle for the water hose is an investment in cleanliness for the tractor owner. Getting one that is free of gimmicks and that can withstand abuse is the key, but better than that how about something that is cheap? Try this metal pistol shaped spray nozzle. Its under $5 and it has proven itself worth many times over that at our shop!

Spray Nozzle with Suds Attachment

A spray nozzle with a suds attachment is a great invention of recent years and I can say it makes a great tool for those who love taking the stress out of a cleaning job. Just pour in some of your best foaming cleaner, spray the big tractor down and hose off the wear and tear of a hard week on the ranch. I’d say it probably doesn’t get much better than this!

Water Hose

If your budget is so tight that no budget describes it best, then the easiest way to get to the bottom of a messy tractor is to simply use the water hose and spray off the grime. Cleaning off dust or even mud is made easy with a good source of pressured water. Be sure to clean with a little forethought, though, as you do not want to push mounds of grit and grime into places with that water hose that cannot easily be cleaned out later.

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.

Black Friday Tractor Deals

By Tractor.com
November 24, 2017

With Thanksgiving here, that means it’s officially deal season in the retail world. We combed through as many Black Friday Tractor deals we could find that tractor owners might find interesting and put five of the best ones here. Happy shopping.

Dremel 3000

Amazon.com is having an incredible deal on the Dremel 3ooo Rotary Tool Kit for today only and you can pick one up for just $49. This particular kit comes with a host of cutting and grinding accessories – perfect for those small jobs that can cause big problems if you don’t stay on top of them.

Click here to learn more. (more…)

2014 Kubota Grand L6060 Cab Review

Exploring Kubota's flagship Grand L60 Series model

By Tractor.com
January 24, 2014

The Kubota Grand L60 Series is comprised of six tractor models that range from the 37-horsepower L3560 to the 62-horsepower L6060. The L60 Series is a replacement for the L40 Series it replaces. Loyal readers will recall the Kubota L4240 we tested back in March of 2012 and how impressed we were at the “deluxeness” of the package. That generation tractor met EPA Interim Tier 4 standards, but now with Final Tier 4 (FT4) requirements a reality, we were curious as to how the new engines performed as well as what other improvements/changes had been made.

The L6060 is powered by a Kubota four cylinder 148.5 ci E-TVCS liquid-cooled common-rail indirect injected turbo diesel that uses exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) muffler to achieve those tightened emissions standards. Power take off (PTO) horsepower is 53 at 2700 engine rpm. Fuel capacity is 11.2 gallons, which seems a little low compared to some of the competition – a price paid perhaps for that nice 20 percent increase in cab space.

Though the Grand L60 Series comes with three choices of how to get that power to the ground: 12 speed Glide Shift Transmission (GST), 8F x 8R Fully Synchronized Shuttle Transmission (FST), and Hydrostatic Transmission (HST) Plus, the L6060 only comes with the latter hydro unit. But what a transmission it is. With three ranges and two additional speeds fingertip selectable on the steering column (Auto H-DS) within each range, the L6060 effectively gives the operator six ranges. This means infinite control over the 0-10.1 / 0-16.8 (L/H) mph forward and 0-9.1 / 0-15.2 (L/H) mph reverse speed ranges. Control is by a modified treadle pedal that gives the operator a choice of standard toe/heel operation; or for those so inclined, the ability to go forward by pushing down with the toe and reversing by slipping the toe under the pedal and lifting up. Either way, the system offers well-modulated directional control.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Kubota M7060 Open Station

Hydraulics run through a twin pump system that flows 4.7 gpm to power steering needs and 9.4 gpm to implement requirements (14.1 gpm total). This gives the Cat I/II three-point hitch (3PH) a lift capacity of 2980 lbs at the industry standard of 24” behind lift point. Position control is standard fare, so an implement can be returned to the exact operator-selectable point each and every time. Draft control is an option. Lower link arms telescope for ease of implement attachment as do the outboard stabilizers. Standard is a rear 540 rpm PTO, with a 2000 rpm mid PTO as an option.

Climb up into the cab (both doors swing wide for easy access, though steps are located only on the left side) and the abovementioned increase in space is immediately evident. And not only is the cab larger, but the seat has been repositioned rearward to give even more legroom. As expected, the seat is a deluxe high-back suspension design that swivels 12 degrees in each direction. And for those wanting more plush, an air-ride equipped seat is available as an option.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2014 Massey Ferguson 6615

Another area of improvement is the levers, which now have a high-quality automotive feel. While the previous generation controls didn’t lack for functionality or ergonomics, the new setup is really that much nicer – including the loader joystick which is thoroughly integrated into the right hand console. And integrated into the joystick is a Throttle-Up switch which raises the engine rpm at the push of a button. The amount of bump is operator programmable and set on the IntelliPanel (more on this later) and since the bump is on-demand only, fuel is saved. The HVAC system can be adjusted to draw on external air or to re-circulate cabin air and is a dual level system that can maintain a 7-14-degree cabin differential. Other niceties are the adjustable arm rests, tilt wheel, cup holder, storage bin/tray, behind seat power supply access and slick PTO switch that the operator pushes and turns to engage and then taps to disengage.

With the electronics we’ve barely touched on so far, the IntelliPanel display puts full status readout a glance away and full control over the L6060s vast systems at the operator’s fingertips. With a display that reads Welcome upon startup and in standard configuration displays engine hours, trip meter, fuel consumption, PTO speed, HST info, DPF status and ground speed, the IntelliPanel can be customized to operator needs. Menu changes are accomplished using a dash mounted touch pad.

Along with the already mentioned Throttle-Up and Auto H-DS, the L6060 comes with Auto Throttle Advance where the linking of the HST pedal and engine throttle are just a fingertip button away, HST Response Control (six gradients left of median to gradual and six gradients right of median to quick), HST Mode that customizes Stall Guard and Auto H-DS combinations to task needs and automotive-style cruise control. Though all the electronics may seem daunting at first, everything is intuitive and easily learned. And at the end of the day, the operator will have had more control than ever before possible over the number one cost past tractor purchase – fuel – and precise input as to how the tractor performs.

Other upgrades over the L40 Series include improved legroom, FT4 compliance, increased HP, improved lever positioning and easier behind the seat power supply access. As well, an all-new one piece hood combines the front grille for easier access and a two-tier headlamp setup that makes for better night visibility.

Our test tractor was equipped with Kubota’s LA1055 loader. Able to lift 2361 lbs to a lift height of 112.7”, the LA1055 is well matched to the capabilities of the L6060. Standard bucket is a 72” square back design with other options available, including 36” and 42” pallet forks, and a bale spear. Two backhoes are available – the BH77 with a 7’6” dig depth and the BH92 with a 9’2” dig depth. Each model can be equipped with a hydraulic thumb.

COMPARISON: Read our review of the 2012 Mahindra 6110 Shuttle Cab

Measuring 126.4” in length and 67.3” wide and riding on a 75.4” wheelbase, the 4376 lb L6060 has a turning radius of 9.2’ with brakes applied. Tire options include Galaxy Turf, LSW Turf, Turf (R3), Industrial (R4) and Ag (R1).

So, are the improvements to the L60 Series enough to offset the added cost of FT4 compliance? That is a difficult question to answer. For those that think not, few if any L40 Series machines are left in the pipeline. That alone may determine the outcome. In our opinion, anyone in the market for a high horsepower compact utility tractor (CUT) would do well to include the L6060 in their short list.

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By Tractor.com
September 6, 2012

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