Kiss principle Buying new or old Compact TLB?

[jrt750]

Hello All I'm looking to buy a Compact tlb. I've ruled out Mahindra and John Dear machines. Id like to buy a used one low hours and less than 10 years old ...If I can't find a reasonable priced one then Ill buy new .My focus is simplicity , Id like to get a machine that has little to no electronics in it. Is there such a machine? There are a lot of seasoned tractor owners here so I'm hoping ill get some good info to make a good decision . I'm 63 a retired Millwright I can fix most things mechanical hydraulic machining welding etc. I don't want software to deal with or proprietary BS .... did that for the last 25 years in the work place .So far I have been watching some reviews on youtube, it looks like kubota ,but it has issues to . So guys which machines have the least problems and are owner friendly.

I live just out side of Belleville Ont if anyone has what I'm looking for Id be interested in talking.

Thank you in Advance John

 

[4570Man]

A real Kubota TLB is by far the best. They’re a built from the ground up mini backhoe not a tractor conversion and the backhoe and loader is twice as strong as a comparable size tractor.

 

[Roadworthy]

I purchased a new Kubota L2501 last July. It appears to be only very slightly more complicated than my forty plus year old Mitsubishi D2350. The biggest difference I see is the HST transmission instead of standard like the old Mitsubishi and it's four wheel drive instead of two. It has more safety switches and a fuel solenoid but it seems to lack a computer.

 

[spitter]

It's hard to beat the new Holland Tc line up . Early 2000 tractors seemed to have a lot of creature comforts no pollution crap. It comes down to ergonomics .. Weather tractor is hydro with 1 pedal or 2 . Joy stick layout [on loader frame or next to seat ] .Only real players back the where JD NH and Kubota Korean and indian tractors LS mih kioti where in their infancy then and were not very realiable. I'm such a believer in that era that you couldn't give me a new tractor. ie . I work on everything myself. Only way to find out if you are going to like a tractor is to go out and try it yourself . I love my tractor but I bought it thinking I could get use to the treddle peddle but I can't I hate it every time I go into reverse.:drink:

 

[PsRumors]

Not sure what is available in Canada but here in the states pre emission tractors are getting hard to come by and are going up in price...significantly. The price of new tractors are dragging the price of used, up.

I just bought a 2000 JD 4700 TLB with the power reverse trans as I wanted simple as well but I also wanted cast iron construction, not aluminum. So many of the newer tractors have cast aluminum trans and rear axle cases and I'm just not a fan.

Interesting to hear no JD

 

[jeff9366]

I'm looking to buy a Compact tlb. I've ruled out Mahindra and John Dear (Deere) machines. Id like to buy a used one low hours and less than 10 years old ...If I can't find a reasonable priced one then Ill buy new. My focus is simplicity.

When I bought my Tier IV standard Kubota L3560 in January 2013, almost all the Tier III emission standard tractors were gone. The remaining Tier III inventory was odd iterations. The L3560 has been problem free.

DPF equipped tractors have a computer chip monitoring DPF soot accumulation. Computer initiates passive DPF regeneration.

DOC equipped tractors, a minority category, have the DOC hot all the time and may not use a computer chip.
DOC tractors include Mahindra India constructed tractors and Branson Korea constructed tractors, perhaps others.
I know not if Mahindra or Branson make dedicated T-L-Bs.

A real Kubota TLB is by far the best. They’re a built from the ground up mini backhoe not a tractor conversion and the backhoe and loader is twice as strong as a comparable size tractor.

VIDEO - KUBOTA T-L-Bs: Comparing Kubota TLB series tractors(B26, L47, M62) - YouTube

Messick's, a multi-line, five store tractor and construction equipment dealer, relates DPF and DOC equipment require the same amount of maintenance and repairs in their experience.

 

[mikester]

You might have better luck finding and buying a full size older construction TLB over a reasonably priced compact. The used stuff Ive seen are either ready for the scrap heap or priced the same as new.

 

[fried1765]

A real Kubota TLB is by far the best. Theyæ±*e a built from the ground up mini backhoe not a tractor conversion and the backhoe and loader is twice as strong as a comparable size tractor.

This is the MOST worthwhile advice for the OP.

Others here will conflate "compact TLB" with compact tractors having an added backhoe attachment.
There is a HUGE difference!

The only REAL "compact " TLB's that I am aware of are/were built by Kubota and John Deere..
Kubota L-35, L-39, L-48, L-45, L-47, M-59, M-62, and John Deere 110.

If you want a 'compact TLB" you should be looking at those.
4570Man has the M-59, I have the L-48 (2006).
Both are REAL "compact" TLB's, and will do REAL TLB work.

 

[Carl_NH]

JRT - check out these Kubota TLB's there are several here Kubota b26 leader backhoe | Heavy Equipment | London | Kijiji the B26 is a stout smaller TLB that would serve you well. I am familiar with Belleville ON - I've spent time there (at Nortel) over the years and prefer summer time!

fried - you left out the B26/21 series they are just the little brother TLB's to the L and M series, but built on the same principle.

 

[Jchonline]

B21 or B26 if you want small, L48 or M59 if you are ok with bigger. Drop the silly notion of finding one with low hours, just look for one in good condition and snatch it up. That alone will likely take you months.

If you buy new the L47 and M62 will have DPF emissions (no real computer but it has electronic sensors). However I have no issues with mine at 8600 ft. Awesome, powerful, costly machine.

 

[ovrszd]

This is the MOST worthwhile advice for the OP.

Others here will conflate "compact TLB" with compact tractors having an added backhoe attachment.
There is a HUGE difference!

The only REAL "compact " TLB's that I am aware of are/were built by Kubota and John Deere..
Kubota L-35, L-39, L-48, L-47, M-59, M-62, and John Deere 110.

If you want a 'compact TLB" you should be looking at those.
4570Man has the M-59, I have the L-48 (2006).
Both are REAL "compact" TLB's, and will do REAL TLB work.

Good response. And back on track. There was some wandering above. OP clearly states he wants a true TLB.

 

[RickB]

If you buy new the L47 and M62 will have DPF emissions (no real computer but it has electronic sensors). However I have no issues with mine at 8600 ft. Awesome, powerful, costly machine.

Any new Kubota above 25 engine hp sold in North America will have an ECU.

 

[fried1765]

B21 or B26 if you want small, L48 or M59 if you are ok with bigger. Drop the silly notion of finding one with low hours, just look for one in good condition and snatch it up. That alone will likely take you months.

If you buy new the L47 and M62 will have DPF emissions (no real computer but it has electronic sensors). However I have no issues with mine at 8600 ft. Awesome, powerful, costly machine.

"drop the silly notion of finding one with low hours"
.....I think not!.....

I was patient,..... and with some luck, found a 2006 original (CL) owner L48 with only 250.9 hours.
I searched for 7 months on Craigslist, throughout the South, and along the East coast.
Found it in Eastern Maine, and hauled it home on my 14K trailer.
My L48 has: hyd. thumb, 3 rear remotes, 3rd function (plus diverter, for loader QA acc.), QA hoe bucket, even a horn.
32K, last June - not cheap, but except for faded paint, almost new.
I have it for my fun work.....
And.....I'm lovin it!

With patience, it will be possible to find a used machine with well under 1000 hours.

 

[jrt750]

Hello PsRumors....Thank you for the information. I like you responses and agree machines are not built like they use to. We live in throw away world . About JD First of all I've only used a tlb once in my life ,back in the 80s very old already but it worked fine to get stump out of the ground for my mother in law . It was real simply machine. The simpler things are the less problems your going to have . And throughout my career working in heavy automation I watched things evolve from a simply pneumatic mechanical switch to PLC controlled servomotors to servo controlled hydraulic valves optical, sonar, proximity and the most compelling proprietary software ......... if you don't have access your done . One example machine went down and no one could figured out why it wouldn't restart. The Millwrights a line guy electricians even and enginerd couldn't solve it . It was Friday afternoon and Italy was closed for the week end . You see it had proprietary software. Ultimately we did get a hold of the Italian office ran a connection from the machine through the internet and they told us the power light had burned out WHAT ? The power light burned out ??? They actually wrote a line of code if the power light burns out shut the machine off. That would be like if your oil light bulb burned out in you car it would stop . OK after all this rant .....I will not support any company "JD"that does not allow full ownership . Even a JD machine that has no software I still will not support a company that is ripping off so many others. Apple Sony to name a few.

 

[jrt750]

Hello Fried1765 Low hours to me would be very much like the machine you found . Many machines I see for sale have a few thousand . I'm not in to much of a rush but do hope to find something by April or May. I am in Canada our choices are less that what you have available . I could buy from the US but shipping two taxes other fees renting a trailer ?? It mite no be worth it ... But I'am looking.

Thanks for your response John

 

[RickB]

Hello PsRumors....Thank you for the information. I like you responses and agree machines are not built like they use to. We live in throw away world . About JD First of all I've only used a tlb once in my life ,back in the 80s very old already but it worked fine to get stump out of the ground for my mother in law . It was real simply machine. The simpler things are the less problems your going to have . And throughout my career working in heavy automation I watched things evolve from a simply pneumatic mechanical switch to PLC controlled servomotors to servo controlled hydraulic valves optical, sonar, proximity and the most compelling proprietary software ......... if you don't have access your done . One example machine went down and no one could figured out why it wouldn't restart. The Millwrights a line guy electricians even and enginerd couldn't solve it . It was Friday afternoon and Italy was closed for the week end . You see it had proprietary software. Ultimately we did get a hold of the Italian office ran a connection from the machine through the internet and they told us the power light had burned out WHAT ? The power light burned out ??? They actually wrote a line of code if the power light burns out shut the machine off. That would be like if your oil light bulb burned out in you car it would stop . OK after all this rant .....I will not support any company "JD"that does not allow full ownership . Even a JD machine that has no software I still will not support a company that is ripping off so many others. Apple Sony to name a few.

Guess what? Deere gets the publicity because they have the market share and a widely understood policy on proprietary software. But every single off-road equipment manufacturer handles the issue exactly the same.

 

[jrt750]

Hello RickB


I came to the right place , This is what I was looking for . I know nothing about tractors and need to learn everything . Thank you for pointing this out, I will be researching this more thoroughly. Looks like many prefer the Kubota . What I've found in the used market to date, I mite as well buy new and sell it 10 years from now for close to what I bought it for.


Thank for your response John

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think Kubota is the only company that still makes dedicated TLB compact tractors. Starting with the B26 which replaced the B21 older model and as already mentioned the L and M series of TLB. I think used is the only way to go for these TLBs since they are stupidly expensive when bought new. My 2009 model B26 that I bought in 2010 now has about 680 hours on it and I use it exclusively for FEL and backhoe work. I have the 3 PH to go on it but never installed them. They are also stupidly expensive at over $1000.
You will be amazed as to what the little B26 can do as far as pushing and lifting things. The boom is not that long but can dig holes in the 6 foot deep range if needed. The TLB B26 is 4001# which is at least 1000# heavier than a B series compact tractor with added backhoe. The only con to having a dedicated TLB (B26) is that the FEL bucket can be removed but the frame stays on the tractor. The backhoe is very easy to take off by just pulling two pins and using the stabilizer to lift it off. The 3 PH has to be removed to install the backhoe and it takes longer to put on the lift arms than to disconnect the backhoe.

You should have no problem finding a B26 with less than 1000 hours on it if you keep searching and my 2009 has none of the added environmental crap on it. I really dont know when they started putting anything (if ever) on the B26 since it is right at the break point for requiring DPF.

 

[Jchonline]

"drop the silly notion of finding one with low hours"
.....I think not!.....

I was patient,..... and with some luck, found a 2006 original (CL) owner L48 with only 250.9 hours.
I searched for 7 months on Craigslist, throughout the South, and along the East coast.
Found it in Eastern Maine, and hauled it home on my 14K trailer.
My L48 has: hyd. thumb, 3 rear remotes, 3rd function (plus diverter, for loader QA acc.), QA hoe bucket, even a horn.
32K, last June - not cheap, but except for faded paint, almost new.
I have it for my fun work.....
And.....I'm lovin it!

With patience, it will be possible to find a used machine with well under 1000 hours.

Sure if you can wait 7 months that might work out.

 

[Carl_NH]

JRT750

You can find a quite a few nice Kubota TLB's in your area here https://www.kijiji.ca/b-ontario/kubota-backhoe/k0l9004

You will see several B21, B26, L45, M59 and some other nice machines - they tend to be 25-35% higher due to the CDN $ to USD primarily.

You can find one in the US but with the exchange rate and taxes you aren't saving much, unless you find a "deal" stateside.