Do TLBs make "bad" tractors?

[avc8130]

I am continuing my research and searching for a tractor to buy come spring. I have poured over specs and reviews. I have read many times that the TLB series make great...TLBs! I know their hydraulics are much more capable. Their backhoes are much stronger. Their FELs are not quick release.

The thing I can't figure out, is "do they make BAD tractors"?

Is the TLB series less capable with 3-point attachments? Is it the price premium that keeps them on commercial sites and out of homeowners sheds?

The extra lifting capacity (almost double for any given hp class) looks very useful. The extra backhoe strength and capability certainly couldn't hurt when the digging gets tough.

So what's the deal? Why doesn't anyone buy these residential?
ac

 

[mjw357]

What's a TLB? Kinda new here, still getting used to all the shorthand.

 

[RoyJackson]

What's a TLB? Kinda new here, still getting used to all the shorthand.

Tractor-Loader-Backhoe

 

[RoyJackson]

I am continuing my research and searching for a tractor to buy come spring. I have poured over specs and reviews. I have read many times that the TLB series make great...TLBs! I know their hydraulics are much more capable. Their backhoes are much stronger. Their FELs are not quick release.

The thing I can't figure out, is "do they make BAD tractors"?

Is the TLB series less capable with 3-point attachments? Is it the price premium that keeps them on commercial sites and out of homeowners sheds?

The extra lifting capacity (almost double for any given hp class) looks very useful. The extra backhoe strength and capability certainly couldn't hurt when the digging gets tough.

So what's the deal? Why doesn't anyone buy these residential?ac

These machines are built for commercial applications. Heavier built and priced accordingly.
If your primary task is mowing a few acres of lawn , then the TLB isn't a good fit

So, what tasks have you planned for your tractor? That should help in your purchasing decision.

 

[mjw357]

So what's the deal? Why doesn't anyone buy these residential?

Now that I know TLB = backhoe, well I guess because they just are not near as versatile. Can't put a mower on it as far as I know. If you own a farm and are always digging up tile or something, you would probably want one. What's the average homeowner going to do with a backhoe?

 

[radioman]

These machines are built for commercial applications. Heavier built and priced accordingly.
If your primary task is mowing a few acres of lawn , then the TLB isn't a good fit

So, what tasks have you planned for your tractor? That should help in your purchasing decision.

I am going to disagree here. IF you are looking at the BX or B series- the way its designed the backhoe and front loader comes off sooooo easy its a no brainer.
it converts to a mowing dedicated machine with NO tools. just your hands to swap implements. You can install the 3 pt hitch in minutes too.
Its the perfect lightweight tractor that you can use as a TLB for homeowner anytime you need.
things to keep in mind- its NOT a commercial unit and you are not going to do 8 ft deep of backhoe work and then load the TLB into the truck without ramps using hydraulics alone.


However if you are doing commercial work, it doesn't make sense to get either b or BX but the larger dedicated TLB's. It doesn't make it a bad tractor except for weight and cost. the stronger the unit for digging, the heavier it gotta be therefore costs goes up accordingly. costwise for labor, its better to get a dedicated TLB. If you need 3 pt attachments stuff- its better to get a separate tractor for that. The homeowner tends to get something more versatile, not a heavy, clunky machine that takes time to swap implements.

Afterall, If you need additional lifting power and need nimbleness of a mowing machine, I guess you could use more then one tractors.:thumbsup:

 

[Grandad4]

"Bad" isn't the right term; "less efficient and convenient" might better describe it. Examples:

Doing ordinary tractor chores with a permanently attached loader, particularly mowing. Heavy, bouncy, bumps into stuff, etc.
Permanent loader and reinforcing may also complicate maintence work.
Gearing for heavy dirt work may not be the best for other uses.

I'm not any kind of expert, so those are just observations. Some people do just fine using their 110, B21/26, L35/35/45, etc., for non-construction work. They are indeed more costly, which is probably the biggest factor.

If your actual work is 80% dirt work and 20% chores, a TLB would make sense. If it's the other way around, you could probably spend your money more effectively and be more productive overall with a utility or compact tractor .

 

[RoyJackson]

I am going to disagree here. IF you are looking at the BX or B series- the way its designed the backhoe and front loader comes off sooooo easy its a no brainer.

I don't think the B or BX series Kubotas are actually TLB's (although they may be advertised that way). Nice machines...(BX2200 and a B7500 were the first tractors I looked at back in 2000), but these aren't "backhoes"...OK for occasional residential use (planting a rose bush), but not dedicated digging machines.

 

[ryer]

All I have ever owned are tlbs,B26,L39 on my residence (39 acres).I use the tractor for tree removal,road maintenance,mowing,shredding,pond excavation,building etc.You can go from backhoe to shredding in about 15 minutes plus the capacities are so much higher that its a no brainer for me. Your TLBs usually come with R4 type industrial tires so you do give up a little traction if your main mission is to pull a plow or something although I work in pure sand with 4 wheel drive all the time and I pull a box blade and dirt pan and really don't have too many traction problems. I am so impressed with Kubota TLBs that we are looking to upgrade to our 3rd, an M59.
Ryer

 

[Runner]

"What's the average homeowner going to do with a backhoe?"

 

[TripleR]

Just because something is called a TLB doesn't mean much, you really have to compare the capabilities.

 

[rbargeron]

In my view the TLB's make good general use tractors. The B--, L-- and M-- have three-point hitch and rear pto. They have a rugged hood, canopy and armor rings around the valve stems. Except for the fixed loader they make fine tractors for rear attachments.

It is useful to look at how the Kubota L model lineup got to where it is. Over the years they first outsourced their loader and backhoe attachments. The earliest ones were not readily removable, but soon Kubota brought these items in-house and made them removable. In the '80s-'90s Kubota offered a very heavy and strong L-series, the L-3, with removable high-capacity loader and backhoe. These machines (L4350, L4850, L5450) were expensive, so they did not sell in large numbers, despite their outstanding quality and features.

Enter the L35, a rugged L-series but with fixed non-removable loader. The L35 captured some of the strength of the L3 series. Meanwhile the "Grand L" series was being made lighter and less over-designed - more for the homeowner.

Then came the L48 - nearly identical to the L5450 TLB in strength and rating, right down to the LA1100 loader and 11' backhoe. It has slightly more hydraulic flow (18gpm vs 15 gpm at the back hoe) and HST and a rigid canopy, but they saved by making the loader non-removable, and the rear wheel spacing was fixed. The pressure was on to keep the price down in that market segment.

Kubota's TLBs make fine general-use machines. The fixed loader issue can be improved with a QA plate setup. By leaving the bucket off there is less bouncing mass and better front clearance for mowing.

 

[RobertN]

I have rented, and used TLB's, as well as 12 years of reading about them here.

There is nothing wrong with using a TLB as a general use tractor. What I have found, is that some were not as well suited for mower work, simply because they lacked PTO HP. The B20 and B21 are awesome tractors. But, they are wimpy on the PTO. Now a B26, that is the same size as a B20, but has more PTO HP. And would make a good all-around tractor.

I have used an L35 on occasion; nice tractor. My understanding is the hoe comes off pretty quickly.

 

[RoyJackson]

All good points...
Bottom line is, you really need to know what you're going to do with the tractor, TLB or whatever.

Just reading the manufacturer's specs just doesn't cut it.

 

[mjw357]

Runner, when someone says just 'backhoe', to me it means the whole machine.



The average homeowner would have almost zero use for one of these.

If they say 'BX24 with backhoe' , that means detachable. I have just never heard the term TLB before.

 

[Runner]

"Runner, when someone says just 'backhoe', to me it means the whole machine.

The average homeowner would have almost zero use for one of these."

Dang!

Sure wish my 46 had an extendable boom like that. Now something else to buy....

I thought maybe he meant something like a 110 TLB. I have heard of members on here using them like "regular tractors" by removing the hoe and adding the three-point gear. Seems like they had pretty good luck with them.

Point taken.

 

[avc8130]

Here is the list:

Snow moving. Have a plow to clear the driveway, but need an FEL to get the piles out of the way during winters like this or I lose access to my garages and my driveway becomes too narrow.

Tree/bush movement. Dig up larger bushes and relocate them. Dig out stumps from trees I cut for firewood.

Firewood operations. Move downed trees. Apply pressure to felling trees. Relocated pallets full of firewood from seasoning area to burning area. Tow around log splitter.

Flagstone patio. I need to build one.

Concrete patio: needs to go and something put in its place.

Pallet fork operations: load and unload ballast from plow truck. Firewood. Other general ops. This is where the loader specs of the TLBs shine to me.

Brush hog: I have about 4 acres to bush hog annually just to keep them from turning into woods.

Dirt work: maintain dirt bike/atv track.

Regrade a few areas around the driveway to aid in snow removal. I need to cut back some slopes to create room to push snow.

Fence: need to build a new fence around the pasture. Post hole digger rental.

Stuck vehicle: twice this winter I could have pulled my own truck/cars out of being stuck at my own house. Embarrassing, but truthful.

Trailer: relocate the trailer around the property more easily than the monster pickup.

Parking area: dig out and lay gravel to create a parking area for my trailer.

Mowing: NO! Nothing will beat my 61" ZTR around my property.

This is pretty much how I wind up yearning after an L39. I keep looking at everything, and it seems best to just buy that. Buy it once and be happy. I have found a few nice used examples within driving distance with <500 hours for ~$25-28k. This is the same I would be spending on a 37hp L series in my area with T/L/B. The capabilities of the L35 just keep calling to me. I CAN move it around as I own a truck/trailer large enough already.

ac

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've bought several Kubotas. Some BX's and B's and even an L and a couple of F's. During my past trading days I thought I might need a Kubota TLB (Tractor, loader, backhoe) sold as a unit, not added parts. Asked for input for average landscaping homeowner with 5 acres for uses for BH. Rec'd no real input. Some years later I bought/traded for a new BX25 because of using it for rental property septic systems.
I've used it more than any of my other tractors in a shorter period of time and haven't taken it to the rental property yet. One day I'll list what all me, my next door brother and few doors down nephew have done with the BH. I actually have a request from my brother now for the next time I get it out.
The average homeowner doesn't buy one usually because of the cost to benefit ratio. Extra $6000 to $7000 for BH and no most homeowners will not get that much in money value out of it but I doubt I'll ever give mine up and if I do I'll probably get another one. If money is the deciding factor, then no for most homeowners. If there are back, convenience and aging factors being of more value than money, then a BH is essential in my opinion. I've done six years without BH and one year with BH on the same property. Wish I had gotten the BH sooner and I probably wouldn't have traded so often.
I do not use the BX25 for mowing but I'm sure it can mow with a MMM or RFM deck.

 

[Argosy]

Neither backhoe I've owned even had a PTO or 3 point. It was a day's work to pull the back hoe off, half a day for the loader. They are dedicated to moving dirt and do it really well. But they can't mow or plow like a tractor set up to easily swap implements. Along with the cost and weight that's probably why they're not real popular with home owners.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Neither backhoe I've owned even had a PTO. It was a day's work to pull the back hoe off, half a day for the loader. They are dedicated to moving dirt and do it really well. But they can't mow or plow like a tractor set up to easily swap implements. Along with the cost and weight that's probably why they're not real popular with home owners.

You had the wrong ones.