L47TLB vs L4701

[Grandad4]

Nice explanation!

 

[Piston]

Mike,
Thank you for explaining the differences in the frame and loader/backhoe "cradle" design...makes sense.

I'll send you a PM so I don't make this topic go off track....

 

[RichM752]

Seriously looking at the L47TLB. Spent 3 hrs at the Kubota dealer last week. Upgrading from my L3400, which has served me well for 10yrs. Helpful info in this thread. Thanks.

 

[rScotty]

Seriously looking at the L47TLB. Spent 3 hrs at the Kubota dealer last week. Upgrading from my L3400, which has served me well for 10yrs. Helpful info in this thread. Thanks.

Rick, keep us filled in. We've all been right where you are at. The good part is it is hard to go wrong. As Mike said, the TLB is way better at pushing, lifting, and digging....but a tractor can do a decent job of all these things as well.
After 10+ years with each, what stands out in my mind is the amazing strength of the TLB, along with how maneuverable it is. To do the same TLB job, a tractor simply has to be larger. But of course being larger is a huge advantage when doing field work so that's where a tractor is going to shine.... Plus the styling of a tractor just looks so doggone wonderfully rural/agricultural.
I love 'em all.
rScotty

 

[mike69440]

Rick, keep us filled in. We've all been right where you are at. The good part is it is hard to go wrong. As Mike said, the TLB is way better at pushing, lifting, and digging....but a tractor can do a decent job of all these things as well.
After 10+ years with each, what stands out in my mind is the amazing strength of the TLB, along with how maneuverable it is. To do the same TLB job, a tractor simply has to be larger. But of course being larger is a huge advantage when doing field work so that's where a tractor is going to shine.... Plus the styling of a tractor just looks so doggone wonderfully rural/agricultural.
I love 'em all.
rScotty

Prior to my previous neighbor not being able to keep their farm thru the downturn, I got to use their L3400 quite a bit, proving to the be the better mower, light duty box blader and raker than my heavy L39. The L39 would just made a mess in the fields or got nowhere in the soft ground.

Night and day vs. digging, loader work, but the L3400 was a good field tractor.

New neighbor bought an L3901, but this summer bought a SV90 CTL to do his digging and land clearing/firewood. I don't have access to those machines, darn, but my wife still gets to use their indoor arena.

I sure wish Kubota would fit bigger tires on the TLB's.

http://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/construction-equipment/for-sale/list/?Manu=KUBOTA&Mdltxt=L45

PS, My L39 has 2,100 hours and still feels new, especially after I tended to a few items this year, so I certainly would not be afraid of a non DEF fluid low hour L45. I bet you could find someone to haul it cross country for $2K. Just saying.

 

[RichM752]

Things are working right along. I did research and gave thought to buying a used L45 with low hours. Got my mind set on certain features and found the ideal L47TLB at a local dealer. Well, if you consider 95 miles away local. 15-20k was what I could have saved, but I like new stuff.
Set up with 4 in 1 FEL, quick couple bucket w/thumb. Working on rear hydraulic control installation for snow blower chute operation. Sent dealer a deposit, deal to be completed by Mar 1.
Putting my L3400 on the auction block. New snowblower ordered. Trying to time the whole situation as to be without a tractor for a minimal amount of time, if at all.
Talked to CHP today regarding hauling in my dump trailer. It's a PJ 14' low profile dump. My L3400 fit with scrapper/snow blower no problem. With the L47, I'll need to hang boom/bucket over the closed rear doors. 4' over hang is legal, as long as it's flagged red and all hydraulics strapped. I measured the L47 last week. From front grill guard to lowest section of boom at the rear gives me 16-18" of fore/aft play. Curling the bucket up after the doors are closed, I figure maybe 24" overhang.
Gotta find me a red flag somewhere.

 

[mike69440]

Send pictures to make us all jealous! I find having a small CUT (B series size) to go along with my L39 really handy for implements and barn chores. Plus it keeps the hours of my old girl. In some ways you will miss the L3400.

 

[RichM752]

Here she is, patiently awaiting to be picked up.

 

[mike69440]

View attachment 497573
Here she is, patiently awaiting to be picked up.

Nice.

Got all the goodies. Consider adding road pads for the stabilizers.

 

[RichM752]

Nice.

Got all the goodies. Consider adding road pads for the stabilizers.

Road pads are on the list, even though they have a steep price tag on those puppies. Last night, I was looking on the web at a Curtis cab. I called my wife to come take a look, she glanced at the screen and said," slow that train down will ya".

 

[s219]

Nice machine Rich! Those are serious pieces of equipment.

 

[aarolar]

All of the backhoes and boom trucks/cranes I've ran and been around just used laminated plywood discs to protect concrete from the downriggers may be a good deal cheaper

 

[RichM752]

All of the backhoes and boom trucks/cranes I've ran and been around just used laminated plywood discs to protect concrete from the downriggers may be a good deal cheaper

Exploring options as we speak. $248 for Kubota pads is a little steep. My neighbor has a bandsaw, a friend in town owns a tire shop. A little effort and a couple of six-packs can solve this problem.

 

[avc8130]

All of the backhoes and boom trucks/cranes I've ran and been around just used laminated plywood discs to protect concrete from the downriggers may be a good deal cheaper

That works great for cranes/boom trucks whose loads are mostly vertical. On a backhoe you'd be sliding all over the place.

ac

 

[aarolar]

That works great for cranes/boom trucks whose loads are mostly vertical. On a backhoe you'd be sliding all over the place.

ac

Promise it works I've done it.

 

[mike69440]

Promise it works I've done it.

Even with loaded tires, the BH on the L47 will toss around the tractor. Putting plywood "Skates" will make it way worse.

 

[rScotty]

Exploring options as we speak. $248 for Kubota pads is a little steep. My neighbor has a bandsaw, a friend in town owns a tire shop. A little effort and a couple of six-packs can solve this problem.

Yes, I agree. They're just friction pads; nothing wrong with trying various configurations and materials. you can't go too far wrong, and they are unlikely to last all that long anyway. So I'd say try a few different configurations and see what works for you.
In my work I've found that the backhoe will tend to slide the machine around no matter how the stabilizers are planted. The hoe is way stronger than the weight of the TLB can nail down. And if not careful, then stabilizer feet can dig big ugly holes in asphalt or dirt pretty much regardless of what kind of pads or cleats you have on. My advice is to to look down every once in a while and see just what the stabilizer ends are up to.

About chains.....When we got the M59 TLB about 10 years back, I got with it a set of front chains "just in case" we had some seriously deep snow. Well, the traction this TLB is so good we've never needed the chains. It slides around, but still does lots of work. Just last Saturday I worked on several hundred feet of shaded dirt road that had a few inches of snow over an equal depth of compacted ice. The M59 surprised me all over again with lots of traction and how well it responded to the wheel brakes. No problems pushing a bucket full of snow on the level. I used 4wd all the time, and the wheel brakes often, but rarely had to resort to the diff lock. Kubota TLBs have a good balance of weight and traction - though I'm not sure exactly what makes it is so good. Probably has something to do with the shape of the industrial tread, the unusually wide tires, and the HST response.

As for cabs, it amazes me that Kubota never offered one for any of their TLBs. I like mine open in most weather, but certainly could use a windshield during snowstorms.
enjoy, rScotty

 

[mike69440]

As for cabs, it amazes me that Kubota never offered one for any of their TLBs. I like mine open in most weather, but certainly could use a windshield during snowstorms.
enjoy, rScotty

My big beef with the Kubota TLB's is that you are getting roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of a big construction TLB for about 70-85% of the cost. Yikes! This has to be profitable for Kubota, otherwise they would not be in this small niche market.

Unfortunately Kubota is the only game in town for this type of machine in a small size if buying new. An expensive little Swiss Army knife. So when a machine like this fits your needs better than any other piece of equipment, guess you just suck it up.

 

[RichM752]

Well, sold the L3400 today. Headed to the dealer Monday to get some photos/measurements on the front loader hydraulic hose set up for EA grapple.
Single or dual lid? That is the question. Leaning toward 72" single lid. Lots of big rocks and stumps around here. For the smaller lighter brush/limbs just a few more moves with a single lid vs dual lid. Anyone dare to reply?
Waiting on the dealer to give me info on a rear remote valve kit for the snowblower chute control. Kubota want $1286 for their's. I only need single actuator for chute direction. Should be able to find something installed for under $500.
Still pretty wet here, so I've got a few weeks before I can do any work. In the meantime.......I'm headed to Baha for a week for some fishing,tequila, and play guitars with an old high school buddy who lives down there. It's a yearly February thing I've started since retiring last year. I'll pick up tractor when I return.
Fish tacos for everyone!!!

 

[RichM752]

My big beef with the Kubota TLB's is that you are getting roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of a big construction TLB for about 70-85% of the cost. Yikes! This has to be profitable for Kubota, otherwise they would not be in this small niche market.

Unfortunately Kubota is the only game in town for this type of machine in a small size if buying new. An expensive little Swiss Army knife. So when a machine like this fits your needs better than any other piece of equipment, guess you just suck it up.

I hear ya Mike. This L47 TLB will fit on my PJ dump well for travel, and I prefer a more compact rig to maneuver in tighter spaces. Also, got a price on a Curtis cab w/heat and wipers. $6875 + freight from MA to the west coast. I'm on standby for now with the cab.