Trying to connect to a LR260 level sensor via a hart modem(USB) - What software is needed?

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Split from PDM and HART modem.

You have a choice of software

1.  Siemens PDM software
It is purchased, licensed software.  There is no free version; no trial version.

PDM is really intended to be an asset manager program for Siemens HMI and DCS software, and those groups relunctantly offer it as a configuration and troubleshooting tool.

PDM requires a DD (device-specific device driver) file.  PDM includes a huge library of the DDs' for all HART registered devices at the time the PDM CD was created.   The LR260 DD file would be included with the PDM software purchase.

There is a single point version and multipoint versions at respective price levels.   The single point version is for point-to-point connection for configuration and troubleshooting and costs less than $100 US.  

The Single point license is considered disposable software by Siemens.  It is never replaced if the PC on which it is installed fails catastrophically, whereas the more expensive multippoint versions are replaced on a case-by-case basis).  

PDM gets periodic updates.   There is no update path for single point versions.    The old version becomes obsolete, the new version is purchased as new software without any discount for having an old version.   Multipoint versions have some discounted update path.

Individual DD files for Siemens products are list on the Siemens support site and can be downloaded and installed one-by-one, as needed.   I do not believe that a DD from another vendor (not part of the PDM installation) can be installed in PDM and work.   

I've been told that there are combined DD file updates (for recently released HART devices) somewhere on the Siemens site, but I've never tackled finding them or attempting to install them.

The PDM sales brochure (dated 2012) on the USA site lists PDM V9 as the latest version with Windows 7 listed as its O/S.
PDM US sales site

As I recall, it took Siemens about 4 years to get a Windows 7 version after the release of Windows 7.  I'm not sure how old Windows 10 is, but there's a pattern to the delay between Windows releases and PDM releases.

2.  Pactware
Pactware is an instrument configuration app that is produced by a consortium of non-USA instrument vendors to bypass the perceived problems with getting HART DD's approved by the former HART Foundation, now the FieldComm Group, the overseer of the HART standard and HART approvals.

Pactware uses device specific driver files called DTM's.  Siemens publishes DTM files for some of its products.   DTM files are downloadable from the Siemens support site as a 'download'.  DTM and DD files are not interchangeable.   Each software needs its respective driver file.  Individual DTM files can be added to the catalog of DTM's.   DTM's are published by the device vendor.

Some vendors sell their version of Pactware and support Pactware.  Other vendors offer Pactware for free, but there is zero support for devices outside that vendor's domain.  If you use Pactware for Siemens devices, you're on your own for support. 

I've used the Vega and the Krohne Pactware versions at one point or another and either worked as it should.

The Pactware HART driver is not part of the Pactware framework.  The Pactware HART driver must be downloaded separately from some German web site and installed in Pactware.  I believe you have to register on that site to get the Pactware HART driver download.

In Pactware, Siemens Devices require a special universal Siemens driver (the SITRANS DTM), which is mentioned and linked to where DTM files are offered for download.   There have been versions over time of the SITRANS DTM, so be sure to get the latest SITRANS DTM (from Siemens).  One downloads and installs the drive in PDM one time and then all Siemens device-specific DTMs operate with that SITRANS DTM.

To my knowledge, there is no library of all Siemens DTM's.  Each DTM is listed as a download for a specific HART device.

Overall

Neither software package is in the least sense "intuitive".   They're difficult, tough-to-use pieces of software.  There is no wizard to step through the connection process.  It's blank slate that requires periodic use to remember where the next item needed to get the project up and running is hidden.    There's no apology that either is intended for use by a specialist.   Neither if for the faint-of-heart.

There are issues getting right version DD or DTM for any device.  Either package is incapable of recognizing the device's firmware version and announcing the proper DD or DTM version needed to connect properly.  

I've never actually counted, but I'd guess that it takes about 30 steps (clicks and right clicks) to create a project and get either software package talking to a HART instrument.   There might be a video on Youtube, I haven't looked.  One is certainly needed.

If it were me, I'd be using the display and keypad on the LR260 to figure out what's happening and going to software as a last resort.

Make sure the 4-20mA loop has at least 250 ohms of resistance or the HART modem will not connect to the LR260.