Anyone still running an L48 TLB?

[cstamm81]

Hi all, I've read everything I could find on L48's on here, mostly being older posts considering the age of the machine. Is anyone still running one of these for general use? I understand the main complaint is when being used for normal tractor work the speed in medium range, apparently too slow. That said, does anyone know what the max mph is in medium? I have a 10 acre property, some hills and banks, a 6 acre field, lawn and streams. I have a lot of earth moving projects in the future, and I prefer to own machinery when I need to use it consistently as opposed to renting. I have a 30 HP Mahindra that I use for everything right now, and I am happy with it. It's too small to add a backhoe to, and I find myself maxing it out all of the time moving logs and firewood. I really like the brawn of the dedicated TLB's, and the fact that they can use 3 point implements despite the fact that that's not their intended use.

Ideally, I want to spend under 25k for a Kubota with a strong loader (2500lbs plus) and backhoe (don't want a small toy). That seems to be a tall order, and puts me in a slightly older machine. From what I have been seeing, used prices on L35's and L48's haven't really dropped over the past few years, they are still commanding the same or higher prices now as then! The same with the older Grand series tractors, the price differences in used machines between the various series (10, 30, 40) is so close it's crazy.

Here's a 48 I've been tempted to go take a look at, with the SSQA, third function, and 3 point arms included, it's practically set up the way I would want it, minus the price... https://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/construction-equipment/for-sale/192613397/kubota-l48

 

[Industrial Toys]

Don't kid yourself. Those 48s will be around long after even stuff built today is long dead and gone. Just looking at a shiny new brochere from 01 on the 48. Sorry, it doesn't give the range speeds (surprisingly) just a top speed of 16.1 mph.

 

[Peter 315]

HI, That's a nice machine no emission crap , There is a old guy.:laughing: on here that has one I'm sure he will chime in later.......

 

[lomita]

Hello,
My son and I bought a 2006 L48 back in 2013. We live on 26 acres of rolling hills, oaks and rocks with grades from 5% to 25+%. We purchased it at an auction with only 250 Hrs on the meter and had it checked out by a Local Kubota dealer. At that time the dealer value was about $35-$38,000.00............we PAID less.
Now, on to your question. We use medium range 99% of the time and it does not move fast but when on a grade how fast do you want to go? On flat land it in high range it goes much faster but I doubt it will reach 20 MPH.
Bottom line: The backhoe works well, the FEL can lift a lot of weight and for our purposes it's a great machine. The only problem we have had was getting the PTO to lift high when using a rollover box scraper, but that could be operator error.
Good Luck..

 

[Richard]

Let me toss a different question/idea in here....

Why not get an Industrial backhoe/loader?

I bought my JCB....gosh.... maybe 15/20 years ago. I think I paid something like $13K for it. It's ugly but runs smooth as a swiss watch. I've had to wrench on it a little bit (burst hoses primarily, new muffler, rebuild alternator and "today" I have to yank the steering pump and send out to be rebuilt.

For the work I've done with it, for the extra power, reach (digs to 15 1/2' deep with a two foot flat bottom)...

Since mine is in a residential situation, the batter doesn't get charged as much.... but really, other than that (oh, and fixed a radiator twice and replaced hydraulic cooler once instead of having it fixed)

anyway, for the price difference, I think I've got more work done AND saved a few dollars.

 

[Hay Dude]

HI, That's a nice machine no emission crap , There is a old guy.:laughing: on here that has one I'm sure he will chime in later.......

Well, heres one " Old Guy " chiming in....:laughing: :horse: :laughing:

You better jump on that machine. Thats a really nice one and LOW hours/wear.
IMO, that was the best " backhoe " Kubota made. Its tougher and harder to hurt than the other models.
As was said above, thats the type of Kubota thatll still be digging & moving dirt long after the lightweight machines are toast.

 

[fried1765]

Hi all, I've read everything I could find on L48's on here, mostly being older posts considering the age of the machine. Is anyone still running one of these for general use? I understand the main complaint is when being used for normal tractor work the speed in medium range, apparently too slow. That said, does anyone know what the max mph is in medium? I have a 10 acre property, some hills and banks, a 6 acre field, lawn and streams. I have a lot of earth moving projects in the future, and I prefer to own machinery when I need to use it consistently as opposed to renting. I have a 30 HP Mahindra that I use for everything right now, and I am happy with it. It's too small to add a backhoe to, and I find myself maxing it out all of the time moving logs and firewood. I really like the brawn of the dedicated TLB's, and the fact that they can use 3 point implements despite the fact that that's not their intended use.

Ideally, I want to spend under 25k for a Kubota with a strong loader (2500lbs plus) and backhoe (don't want a small toy). That seems to be a tall order, and puts me in a slightly older machine. From what I have been seeing, used prices on L35's and L48's haven't really dropped over the past few years, they are still commanding the same or higher prices now as then! The same with the older Grand series tractors, the price differences in used machines between the various series (10, 30, 40) is so close it's crazy.

Here's a 48 I've been tempted to go take a look at, with the SSQA, third function, and 3 point arms included, it's practically set up the way I would want it, minus the price... https://www.machinerytrader.com/listings/construction-equipment/for-sale/192613397/kubota-l48

Well....here is the "old Guy" that Peter315 is referring to.

I bought an L48 TLB last June on Little Deer Isle, Me.
A 2006 edition with 250.9 original owner hours.
I had a 1970 Ford 3400 TLB for the 33 years prior.

My "new" 2006 Kubota L48 TLB has a 3 pt. hitch (which I will never use, because I also have a Ford 1920), PTO, QA bucket, 3rd function w/diverter for hyd. SSQA (no need to dismount), hyd. thumb, QA hoe bucket, and 3 rear remotes.
I had looked for 8 months, and since I was then approaching 79, I decided it was time to either do it or get off the pot.
I didn't want to pay as much as I did, but I knew It was not likely (especially in New England) I would ever find another original owner L48 with 250.9 hours.
The owner was really a great guy, but now has Parkinson's disease.

What did I pay? .......$32K, and I hauled it 350 miles home on my 14K trailer.
So far,..... I have removed the fenders, sandblasted, painted, and remounted them.
Repainted the wheels. Replaced the seat (Seatwarehouse.com $150)
Touched up some gray paint areas.
Removed the ROPS system, because I need to maneuver under branches.
Sandblasted and primed the loader bucket, and left for the Winter in Florida.
I am still in Florida for another week or so.

Try offering $25,000 for that L48......you might get lucky at 26K, or even 26.5K.
Looks like a nice machine,... though I would not ever want to be without my hydraulic thumb.
If you buy it, you will automatically become a charter member of the Mary Kay pink tractor club.

Pushin 80 now, so hope I get at least a few years to play with my "new" toy.
Good luck !!!!
They are known to be great machines!!!!

 

[Carl_NH]

Richard - agree - for $14-20K one can find a JD/Case/JCB/CAT full sized BH with 4000-5000 hours on the clock and if well cared for might not need to much other than some hoses and maintenance like you describe. On the other hand you can get one of these higher hour machines that every year you invest $1K or $5K so the key is finding, and buying a well maintained one.

The Kubota L48 link is a 750 hour "pretty clean machine" and at $27K may be 2-3K high, but as the price of these machines keeps going up, its not a bad deal - I think Fried paid $32K for a 250 hour L48 last year - but had Hyd Thumb and other goodies included.

Sum and substance, buy well used commercial unit, spend $500-1K a year on maintenance, and use it for 3-5 years until the major work is done and sell it for probably what you paid, or buy the lower hour L48 and spend $100-500 yr for maintenance and sell it at the end for a few thousand less - either case cost is probably is a wash unless the commercial unit needs a big repair.

So it depends on ones mechanical ability to select the right machine and acceptance of risk or going with a lesser risk low hour unit.

 

[Hay Dude]

Lets also remember an L48 can be transported behind a HD pickup, where something like a full size New Holland backhoe like mine needed a much larger truck and trailer. I do agree 25k is a lot for a smaller machine, but it’s 4wd and it can also do 3pt work.
Youre not getting a 4wd full size backhoe for 13k without high hours, old age and probably a lot of drips and repairs. :laughing:
Maybe you can get a solid 2wd full size, but he will suffer from traction loss and he stated he wants 3 point capability.
Then there’s indoor storage. The L48 probably fits in a larger garage, full size needs a a larger pole barn.
If the price on the L48 seems high and older full size seems low, there’s a reason for that, they consistently hold high value because theyre an excellent machine in high demand.
Cant dig 15’ deep, but other than putting in a house foundation or a deep pond, theres little reason for digging 15’ deep. I used my full size and my smaller backhoes way more often to dig 3-8’ deep than 15’. Now the full sizes best advantage is longer reach.

 

[PsRumors]

I'd love to have a commercial TLB, the only drawback is weight (and getting through the door of shop). I can put my L45 on a trailer behind my F150 and get across town. The 150 isn't optimal and is over tongue weight but it can be done, can't say that with a commercial unit.

I was able to get a '14 L45 with 850 hours for $22k (with thumb). It needed a few things and cosmetically a little rough but still ended up below $23k with all needed repairs and complete service.