Adding Telescopic Stabilizer Kit-Worth It?

[GPintheMitten]

Mark Hodge is still in business but I believe you can buy an equivalent setup from Kubota.

 

[4570Man]

I think they are great. The only thing better than telescopic stabilizers is telescopic arms. My L grand has both. Hook up is a snap. No more trying to move the tractor 1/2 inches. My grandpas L3800 doesn't have any of those luxuries. Hooking up an implement on his tractor requires the better part of the afternoon, a large amount of swearing, a big hammer, a large pry bar, a screw driver, a helper, and a case of beer. The Grand doesn't require any of that.,

 

[The Deerslayer]

Telescopic stabilizers were one of the best mods I did, perhaps THE best mod.

I recently added Pat's Easy Change but still would not be without the telescopic stabilizers.

Can you tell me more about your experiences with using both the Pats and the stabilizers? What do they allow you to do better?
I would probably go with the ones from the dealer which list at $175 so I'm trying to determine if the benefits are worth it. Right now, the hook up of implements is not horrible because of the Pat's....way better than without.
From what others have said here, I'm getting the sense that if I did not have the Pat's, getting the stabilizers would be a no brainer. That's one of the reasons I'm interested in hearing more about the experiences where the tractor has both.

 

[Mendonsy]

I did something a bit different for stabilizers on my B7500. It keeps the hitch centered no matter what width the arms are at. It was modeled after the hitch linkage that came with an old IH 686. I do have Pat's on my hitch.

 

[devildog1]

I have the telescopic stabilizers on my Grand L3540, I didn't on my B3200TLB or BX23TLB, I now know what I've been missing, won't leave home without them, Lol.
DevilDog

 

[GPintheMitten]

Can you tell me more about your experiences with using both the Pats and the stabilizers? What do they allow you to do better?
I would probably go with the ones from the dealer which list at $175 so I'm trying to determine if the benefits are worth it. Right now, the hook up of implements is not horrible because of the Pat's....way better than without.
From what others have said here, I'm getting the sense that if I did not have the Pat's, getting the stabilizers would be a no brainer. That's one of the reasons I'm interested in hearing more about the experiences where the tractor has both.

I've had the telescopic stabilizers for several years but only have had Pat's for a week or two.

Prior to having Pat's the stabilizers allowed me to pull one pin on each slider so I can slide them out to disconnect easily, then slide them back to hook up a new implement. Then I would raise the 3 point, center the implement and pin one side, then push the implement to the other side and pin the other side. No more fighting the stabilizers.

I don't know how it will go with Pat's. I haven't changed 3 point implements yet. Pat's may not give me much advantage. I'll know more this summer when I switch heavy implements more often.

If I could only have one, I would opt for the sliding stabilizers.

 

[RaydaKub]

My turnbuckles on my BX were bent badly. I bought a set from Mark Hodge and love them. One thing I can do with them that you can't do at all with turnbuckles is that I can swing my blade totally offset to one side or the other in seconds. Pull the pins, swing over, reset the pins and go. It let's me more easily catch spill from my bucket when pushing snow. Or extends the blade out to the side as more of a wing. Hookup is the other main benefit.

 

[Mike from MI]

My turnbuckles on my BX were bent badly. I bought a set from Mark Hodge and love them. One thing I can do with them that you can't do at all with turnbuckles is that I can swing my blade totally offset to one side or the other in seconds. Pull the pins, swing over, reset the pins and go. It let's me more easily catch spill from my bucket when pushing snow. Or extends the blade out to the side as more of a wing. Hookup is the other main benefit.

That's a great idea never crossed my mind.

 

[s219]

Mark Hodge is still in business but I believe you can buy an equivalent setup from Kubota.

Just posted this in another thread:

You can get them directly from kubota for the L3200/L3800/L3301/L3901 and similar sized tractors. Part # L8430. They were $175 when I bought them. Also available for B models, but I don't have that part #.

 

[SLIMSHADIE]

My 3pt implements are different widths, without major modifications a regular quick hitch will not work. I opted for Pats. Then fought the turnbuckles for width, not very long though, ordered Hodges telescopic stabilizers. Kubota didn't make them for the BX. The stabilizers were the key and Pats was a bonus for my situation. As stated you can swing from one side to the other rather quickly, also can snug them up with washers on the pins, if needed. I don't think a little play on the pins hurts anything.

 

[JoeBabbs]

This is an old thread, but I'll ask for input about the Telescopic Stabilizers for a Kubota L3800. The original turnbuckle set up I have rubs my tire chains, but only when when I'm pushing in reverse with my box blade. Will the clearance be even tighter, or will it be wider with Telescopic Stabilizers?

 

[s219]

The telescopic stabilizers are close to the R4 tires on my L3200, but I always adjust them so they can't make contact. I recall the same about the turnbuckles. If yours rub, are you sure you have them set right?

 

[JoeBabbs]

The telescopic stabilizers are close to the R4 tires on my L3200, but I always adjust them so they can't make contact. I recall the same about the turnbuckles. If yours rub, are you sure you have them set right?

I have R4 as well, in addition to the chains. It is possible that I have the stabilizers set too loose - the turnbuckle is extended far. I'm still learning, as the tractor and implements are new to me. I think I have only recently figured out the top link and lifting arm adjustments for my box blade, and now I may need to play with the stabilizer adjustments. I expect there is always something to learn.

 

[Fallon]

I keep my stabilizers tight. I hear you want them loose when running an old dirt plow, but not sure. I keep mine tight for all my impliments though (box blade, mowers, 3pt trencher, land plane, etc.). I like them staying put rather than flopping around side to side, especially when transporting them lifted.

 

[s219]

Here's a video I made a few months back but never uploaded. It would have been timely for another thread I forgot about. Whether you run them tight or loose, the main thing is to make sure the stabilizer links stop sway by putting one link in tension, and that no links ever go into compression. They are not meant to handle compression.

 

[LouNY]

Nice video, mine seem to hit tension and compression about the same time.
One thing to add is to check your stabilizers through out the full travel of your lift arms,
I have seen several where the length needed could change from full drop to fulllift.