Compare L35 To A B21

[RobbieBones]

Please compare these two machines;

2007 B21 825 hrs comes from a rental yard for $15,000 no problems, well maintained 12" bucket.

2002 L35 one owner 750 hrs for $18,000 comes with 16" or 18" bucket, 3 hooks on frt bucket ,pallet forks pto never used, never add work needed all manuals oil,filter changed regularly.

I will be looking to put a hydraulic thumb on either machine to help build rock walls, move logs, pull stumps etc . I live on a very rocky piece of this earth the car size ones have all been buried or placed in retaining walls what's left are 1' 2' 3' diameter rocks (and smaller) to build walls and the property is surrounded by stonewalls that need to be rebuilt. I also have close to 80-90 7-8' pine trees I would like to transplant to the edge of the property. I will be digging a pond. I can't spring for a B26 or L39! I'm leaning towards the L35 but like the price of the B21. I know bigger is better but I think I can manage the work with either machine. What do you think?

 

[medicshawn]

Go for the L35 it didn't live as a rental. That alone puts it miles ahead.

 

[irwin]

The L35 is a larger more powerful machine. If you have use for something that can lift 1600 pounds with the FEL or dig up large rocks or big stumps..get it.

If all your work can be done with something smaller, get the B21.

Kubota Tractor Corporation B21 Loader/Landscaper Tractors

Kubota Tractor USA - L35

This stump was dug out with a L35..not sure the B21 coulda got it freed or out of the hole. (I had to cut the stump off the root ball, but the L35 got it out )

 

[RobbieBones]

I can see that baby being a little difficult. For the most part I would be leaving any tree that big alone. I used a full size excavator when I built my house to clear the lot along with a ford b455 backhoe both of which had the hydraulic thumb.

 

[BruceWard]

I bought a 2004 B21 with 1150 hours help with clearing approximately 1.5 acres of a heavily wooded 4 acre home site. I had a bull dozer push the trees over and move all the rocks larger than 3'. I have moved hundreds of up to 3' rocks and stacked the trees for burning. There were probably 20 stumps that the B21 FEL would not lift but I was able to push them into and often up the fires.

The small size of the B21 has been helpful to get into tight places especially where I am not clearing the trees.

I built forks for the FEL bucket out of old sign posts and have used them more than anything else.

My B21 was $11K. So far I have replaced a fan belt, changed the coolant, replaced one hydraulic hose added a little hydraulic fluid and used about 30 gallons of diesel in 60 hours of usage.

If would opt for a less expensive B21.

 

[RickB]

The guys recommending the B21 from a rental yard are apparently unaware of the condition of most rental fleet equipment (regardless of appearance). I wouldn't buy a wheelbarrow from a rental yard, let alone a tractor with a backhoe.

A well-cared-for L35 with 750 hours is a much better deal regardless of year model.

 

[BruceWard]

Mine is an ex rental. It was well serviced and only needed the brake cable tensioned.

 

[RickB]

Mine is an ex rental. It was well serviced and only needed the brake cable tensioned.

I'm glad your machine is working out well for you. Not all former rental machinery is so reliable or trouble free. Would you have considered it at $15,000?

The $3K spread between the B21 and L35 is very close to a no-brainer for me given the L35 is owner-operated. If well cared for the age difference is not a factor (to me).

I freely admit being jaded from working on rental and ex-rental stuff.

 

[MarkV]

Robbie I'll vote for the L35 as long as you are comfortable with the gear tranny rather than the HST tranny. It sounds like your task are suited for the stronger loader and backhoe on the L35.

MarkV

 

[MarkV]

Robbie I'll vote for the L35 as long as you are comfortable with the gear tranny rather than the HST tranny. It sounds like your tasks are suited for the stronger loader and backhoe on the L35.

MarkV

 

[CurlyDave]

I don't think you will regret buying the L35. It is a lot more machine than the B21. If you have major league rocks, it is the one to get.

As others have said, single owner beats rental by a mile. Someone may have found the exceptional rental yard that actually does maintenance on its machines, but everything I have ever rented has been a tired, worn out POS. Think about your own experiences renting stuff.

I have a hydraulic thumb on my JD110. On a scale of 1 to 10, no thumb is a 1, mechanical thumb is a 4 or 5, and hydraulic is a 10.

 

[CurlyDave]

The L35 is a lot more machine than the B21. With the rocks you describe you will want that extra capacity.

Go for the hydraulic thumb. I have one on my JD110 and on a scale of 1 to 10, no thumb is a 1, mechanical thumb is a 4 or 5, and hydraulic is a 10. Really handy for working with rocks.

You do not want a rental yard machine. Oh, someone might find a gem every once in a long while, but most of the time the equipment they sell is worse than what they rent. I have never rented anything that was in perfect shape, and most of it was pretty sorry.

 

[RobbieBones]

Well I did it! Just bought the B21 for $15,000. The deal for the L35 never materialized. All in all the B21 is in great shape for a rental. Everything is still tight no lealks. Used it before purchasing moving some dirt and some 2x3 rocks. Small dent on the seat canopy and one work light needs to be replaced which I'll fix. Seller will deliver 73mi to my door included in price. I'll change all the fluids and look to put some kind of thumb on it. Sorry for not taking everyones advice but I think I will be very happy with it.

 

[MarkV]

Congratulations RobbieBones, If yours is as good to you as mine has been to me you will be happy. Let us know what you decide to do about a thumb. I've always wanted one and never got around to doing it.

MarkV

 

[RobbieBones]

Thanks Mark.
I will be needing a toothbar also. The bucket has a bolted on cutting edge, which toothbar will work? Do I have to remove that cutting edge first?

 

[Botabill]

Mine is an ex rental. It was well serviced and only needed the brake cable tensioned.

Regardless of how well the rental company treats their machines as soon as the renters get out of sight they hammer the (comment adjusted with respect to Bird) living tar out of the machine. I'd stay clear of a rental.

 

[Botabill]

Regardless of how well the rental company treats their machines as soon as the renters get out of sight they hammer the (comment adjusted with respect to Bird) living tar out of the machine. I'd stay clear of a rental.

Sorry I didn't know you'd bought it when I posted but hey it's up now so I can only wish you the best now.

 

[tandttravis]

Robbie, Congratulations on your new piece of equipment, as for the tooth bar over a bolt on cutting edge, do a search for RichT , he fabricated one, and gives all the contact info for the shanks and teeth. After searching around for a TB for my B-26, I gave up, and had one built. The cost for the teeth and shanks was about $120 with shipping, then I printed out the pictures that RichT posted and took them to my welder friend, and he had it done in 2 hours. I've been using it for about a week now, and it works great! also I reccomend filling the tires on your machine, it made a world of difference in the stability on mine. Travis

 

[MarkV]

Thanks Mark.
I will be needing a toothbar also. The bucket has a bolted on cutting edge, which toothbar will work? Do I have to remove that cutting edge first?

I think my tooth bar is from Woods. No I never removed the factory cutting edge. It sure does make a difference when you put one on. Mine hasn't been off in nine years. The other mod that makes a big difference is loading the rear tires with ballast. I used water and the non toxic antifreeze. It was easy to do at home with an inexpensive valve and drill pump.

MarkV

 

[Carl_NH]

I have the Bro-Tek mechanical thumb with the B21 and lots of rocks here too - 3-5' variety (and bigger) - cant lift them but do push up to 3-4' into position with the FEL/BH. The thumb is good for smaller rocks 1-2' typical, however the Bro-tek seems better suited to the BX series than the B21. I have bent the 3PTH connecting rod (I had a spare) and the pivot points are a bit loose after building a 200' wall two years ago. It still works and as others have said a mechanical thumb is better than none at all.

Hindsight I would have gotten a more HD serated thumb with a fixed extension bracket that allows for several positions, then a Hyd Thumb would be perfect but thats not in the budget, but all in all I am happy not visiting the Chiropractor due to the "thumb".

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy the experience..