The m7060 Kubota tractor is an absolute powerhouse of a machine. Its monstrous 70hp engine can handle all the most demanding tasks you can throw at it.
It’s also highly versatile, with various attachments that enable it to rake, mow and lift across large and uneven plots of land.
Despite the Kubota tractor having a good reputation as a solid and reliable tractor manufacturer, the m7060 does, unfortunately, suffer from a few issues many users have reported experiencing.
So today, we’ve gathered up all the most common problems this tractor will encounter. We take a look at how you might go about fixing them and finally share our thoughts on whether this tractor is a worthy purchase.
The most common problems with the Kubota m7060
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The m7060 Kubota tractor carries some pretty impressive stats. With 1.5 tons of lifting power, a 3-ton hitch, and a 3.3l 4-cylinder diesel engine, this is designed to handle the most significant tasks you might need for any farming, agricultural, or landscaping scenario.
But all that power comes at a cost, and this unit certainly isn’t cheap to buy. Yet even with this hefty price tag, the m7060 can still suffer from several problems that you should be aware of and know how to solve.
While these issues are not unique to the m7060, informing yourself of how to deal with these issues will save you a lot of stress and hassle in the long run, should you purchase this machine.
1. The motor shaft does not rotate
One of the most common issues is that the motor shaft will suddenly not be able to rotate. This is usually a fuel or filter-related issue that you can circumvent with a good maintenance routine that can ensure your filters are clean and the fuel is new and fresh.
If this issue is occurring and you need to troubleshoot the problem yourself, the first thing you should check is the fuel filter. Over time these can become clogged with debris, preventing the engine from getting enough fuel to operate efficiently.
You can potentially clean the filter, or if it looks like it’s in poor condition, you may wish to replace it altogether.
You should also check for adequate fuel and top it up if necessary. If your fuel is very old due to the machine being in storage, you should drain it, flush the system and refill it with fresh fuel.
2. Air in the hydraulic system
If you are experiencing issues with your steering system, such as the wheel feeling overly loose, or conversely, perhaps there is excessive resistance when trying to turn. The usual culprit is that air has made its way into the hydraulic system through a connection leak or breach.
This prevents the hydraulics from being able to apply the force they need to control the machine.
You will need to remove the air from the hydraulic system, ensure the hydraulic fluid level is topped up, and double-check that the cylinder is not damaged. Check all hydraulic line connections for leaks and replace/fix any poor connections.
You should also check the hydraulic pump. If this is also underperforming and making the hydraulic fluid level too low, this will also affect the machine’s efficiency. You might also have to source a replacement hydraulic pump if it’s beyond repair.
3. The engine’s power seems low
That mighty 70hp engine needs a fair bit of juice to operate at full efficiency. But many users will experience their Kubota m7060 tractor/lawn mower starting to move either slower than usual or it may start to stutter. A lack of power generally causes this.
In this scenario, you should inspect the tractor’s compression and nozzle. If the compression amount is inadequate, the engine will not be able to run correctly. Unfortunately, this will require a service from a Kubota dealer.
4. The steering wheel’s resistance is low
Many users experience a wobbly or ‘loose’ steering wheel while driving. Of course, this is particularly problematic and perhaps even dangerous on a machine designed to deal with heavier loads and could lead to an accident.
This issue is usually caused by poor hydraulic oil flow or a faulty hydraulic cylinder.
Ensuring adequate oil in the hydraulic system is crucial here. You should also inspect the cylinder for any wear/damage and replace it if necessary.
5. Clutch is tough and shifts hard in reverse
If the clutch feels harder than usual, particularly while trying to reverse, it may indicate an issue with the transmission shift. This is generally due to a faulty or loose connection.
The first thing to inspect is the clutch, as it may have a fault and need to be repaired or potentially replaced. You should also check all connections and repair any loose or damaged wires.
6. The engine stalls suddenly
One of the most common issues on the m7060 lawn mower model, which many users have reported, is where the tractor seems to start and run ok for some time but then suddenly stop. This can be a huge problem when you are in the middle of carrying a heavy load or doing lawn work.
The most liable culprit is that the air or the fuel filter has become clogged. Over time, these can build up with debris and prevent an adequate amount of air or fuel from making it to the engine, which is vital for it to operate smoothly.
Here you should first inspect the filters and clean them if possible. However, if they look old and beyond repair, you should replace them with new filters.
7. Overheating issues
Overheating can present several potential issues, from reducing performance and efficiency to reducing component life or damaging the tractor and its surroundings.
The most likely cause of this issue is a fault within the cooling system. However, misaligned gearing or incorrectly adjusted belt tension may also contribute to this.
In the short term, you can reduce the load and working speed of the tractor, so you don’t cause any undue harm to the machine. But as soon as possible, get the cooling system, belt, and gearing a thorough service to diagnose and correct the problem.
8. The tractor doesn’t start at all
A surprisingly common issue that, at first glance, might seem like a catastrophic component failure, but don’t worry! It’s relatively easy to solve and is usually caused by a lack of fuel, a drained battery, or simply cold weather.
The first thing to check is that there is adequate fuel. If it’s low, top it up. You should also ensure that the fuel isn’t too old. If the machine has been idle for many months, it might be wise to discard the old oil and refill it with new fuel.
The next thing to check is the battery. Ensure it is charged enough to start the machine. Again this is especially important if the machine has been idle for a while.
If you find that it seems to die exceptionally fast after you charge the battery, it may indicate the battery is faulty and will need to be replaced.
The next thing to check is that all the wires and connection points that connect the battery to the tractor are secure, check for any signs of wear or corrosion, and repair accordingly.
Finally, it may be due to extreme cold weather preventing the engine from starting. Give the machine some time to warm up. If you can start it, idle it for 5-10 minutes before proceeding with your work, so it doesn’t suddenly shut off mid-job.
9. Extreme steering wheel vibration
Some users have reported that even with a relatively new machine that had under 100 hours of use, they have experienced the steering wheel vibrating from side to side. This extreme vibration can feel uncomfortable and also make the tractor unwieldy to operate.
If you are experiencing this, you should check the wheel lug nuts and other fasteners that attach the wheel to the tractor.
You should also check the steering column/post. There is a hard rubber bushing inside designed to absorb the vibrations. Still, there is insufficient lubrication between the bushing and the steering shaft itself, and the hard rubber does little to prevent vibrations.
Some users have recommended using silicone grease to help lubricate and absorb the vibrations, which works as a short-term solution to help absorb the vibrations. But over time, this grease will disappear, so you might have to introduce the reapplication of some grease into your regular maintenance routine moving forward.
Kubota m7060 problems: are they a deal-breaker?
The Kubota m7060 tractor is a powerful machine designed for some pretty laborious and intense jobs.
Despite numerous issues that might occur with this machine, when dealing with a harder working and more powerful machine, good maintenance and servicing of the machine are mandatory no matter which model you buy.
For that reason, we would recommend this as a good purchase, providing you can keep on top of it as a user. Make sure you thoroughly read the issues presented in the article. If any of them seem too troublesome, you may wish to continue shopping for a model with a more manageable maintenance routine.
Marvin is an expert in farming equipment with a strong background in agricultural engineering. He graduated from Kansas State College of Agriculture, where he received a degree in Agricultural Engineering and specialized in farm equipment design and maintenance.
