I used to work on a farm that used an M9960, from the same year if I remember correctly. It had a cab, loader, and an 8x8 hydraulic shuttle shift transmission. I operated that tractor for over 2,000 hours during my seven years there.
We used a John Deere 430 round baler for the last couple of years. We baled around 1,000 4x4 bales per year without any issues. The M9960 could pull an 8-inch deep 5-shank Brillion Disc Chisel through sandy loam soil, heavy corn stubble, and rye stubble. Although the tractor was on the lighter side, traction wasn't a major problem, except when pulling the disc in sandier soils.
The rear wheels were heavier cast wheels and were also loaded with rimguard. The tractor could pull a 14-foot disc but would struggle in sandier soils if it sank to the disc axles. We pulled a 3-16 bottom plow with it without any problems.
The loader's lift capacity was around 3,000 pounds if I remember correctly, which was more than enough for our needs. Visibility was pretty good, although it could be a bit tricky switching between the bucket and forks. I recommend adding high-visibility tape to the center of the bucket/forks and the torsion tube on the loader to help with alignment.
We used a 7-foot Land Pride flail mower with it, and as long as we went slowly, it could handle anything. The mower was excellent—it could even chew up rocks with the hammer teeth. It never broke a tooth in seven years. I believe the M9960 is like the Toyota pickup of tractors—it's simply reliable and durable.
