Inspecting/Buying a used L48

[rbargeron]

Back in March I disassembled 2001 L48 for HST repairs. Reverse had been weak since I got the tractor several years before. We found the swash plate cradle bearings had worn down until one went out of position without warning, blocking reverse. There's a thread about the split/reassemble posted here. That thread rambles on a bit, so this one summarizes specific HST findings that might be useful to people considering a used L48.

The L48's HST is the same unit used in Lxx10 tractors, which weigh half as much. I've been a cheerleader on TBN and OTT for Kubota's HST - but this discovery has shaken my faith in the adequacy of this unit for the L48's weight. I think operator technique can have an effect too. This is relevant in a prospective purchase situation because Without major disassembly of the tractor the condition of the cradle bearings is completely unknowable, even if nearly worn out, .

Other than the worn cradle bearings the oil inside was clean, with no identifiable wear on any other parts. The HST operated silently except reverse was weak. With new cradle bearings its all working fine now. I bought it in 2013 knowing it might need several hundred in parts and a lot of wrenching, so its an ok outcome. Hope this is useful. Dick B.

 

[fried1765]

Back in March I tore down my 2001 L48 for HST repairs. Reverse had been weak since I got the tractor several years before. We found the swash plate cradle bearings had worn down until one went out of position without warning, blocking reverse. There's a thread about the split/reassemble posted here. That thread rambles on a bit, so this one summarizes specific HST findings that might be useful to people considering a used L48.

The L48's HST is the same unit used in Lxx10 tractors, which weigh half as much. I've been a cheerleader on TBN and OTT for Kubota's HST - but this discovery has shaken my faith in the adequacy of this unit for the L48's weight. I think operator technique can have an effect too. To complicate this the condition of the cradle bearings is completely unknown, even if nearly worn out, without major disassembly of the tractor.

Other than the worn cradle bearings the oil was clean, with no identifiable wear on any other parts surfaces. The HST operated silently except reverse was weak. With new cradle bearings its all working fine now. Just needed a few hundred in parts and a lot of wrenching. Hope this is useful. Dick B.

How many total hours on your 2001 Kubota L48 ?

 

[rbargeron]

I bought it in 2013 when, at just under 2000 hours, the HST had stopped going into reverse. I made some regulater and servo piston adjustments (had functioning reverse again - but not full strength) and I've put another 250 hours on using it with weak reverse. So now after the repair its showing 2200+ hours. How many hours on yours?

 

[fried1765]

I bought it in 2013 when, at just under 2000 hours, the HST had stopped going into reverse. I made some regulater and servo piston adjustments (had functioning reverse again - but not full strength) and I've put another 250 hours on using it with weak reverse. So now after the repair its showing 2200+ hours. How many hours on yours?

A 2006 model.
Just bought 3 weeks ago in Maine, from the original owner,.... with 250 hours.
A bit of sun damage.....but absolutely no wear.
I am planning to do a partial repaint. I like my toys to look sharp.
I am not happy with the color in some areas that are actually beginning to look more pink than orange.
I do not want any pink tractor parts!

I am in Eastern, MA.

 

[rbargeron]

A 2006 model.
Just bought 3 weeks ago in Maine, from the original owner,.... with 250 hours.
A bit of sun damage.....but absolutely no wear.
I am planning to do a partial repaint. I like my toys to look sharp.
I am not happy with the color in some areas that are actually beginning to look more pink than orange.
I do not want any pink tractor parts!
I am in Eastern, MA.

Sounds like a great find - congrats on a good acquisition. You'll really appreciate its performance.

Finding a good used L48 takes some looking, as you well know. Many are owned commercially and
have a variety of different operators. Their mass and strength set them apart from lesser models
and encourage tackling bigger work. With any machine, overloading usually leaves visible clues.
But health of the HST can only be inferred from the hourmeter and external appearance.
With an "experienced" L48 (2000+ hrs?) the risk of an expensive HST unknown is unfortunately real.

Glad you found a "fresh" L48 - faded paint is easy to fix. Take care, Dick B

 

[fried1765]

I actually started looking last November when I got to Florida for the Winter.

I concentrated my L48 (internet) search on an area from Florida to Maine, and as far West as the Mississippi.
I knew I could transport it myself, but I did not want to go beyond 500 miles from MA. (I am 78 years old).
For greater distances I would need to use commercial trucking, and that was going to be as much as $2000+.
The Maine travel distance was 350 miles, so I hooked up my 14K equipment trailer, and away I went. The seller just happened to live only 7 miles from a long ago college roommate, so I was able to spend a night visiting with him and his wife.
Coastal Maine state roads tried to pound the he!! out of my trailer.

Some nice L48 goodies were included.

Hydraulic thumb
Three rear remotes.
One front remote
Loader bucket w/hydraulic QA
QA backhoe bucket
All 3pt hitch parts
PTO
L48 Shop manual

I will need to buy a set of QA forks.
My 3400 Ford has forks, but they are not QA, and the Ford will now be sold.
I cannot live without forks.

 

[fried1765]

Agreed - and a 2-lid grapple. I'm 74 and prefer not to manhandle brushpiles.

A grapple would be nice, but I enjoy an alternative.
My landscaper neighbor has a big beefy rubber tracked CAT skid steer, with an 8' wide hydraulic powered brush/bush hog.
I have no brush piles.
He chews anything up to 4" for me, wherever it is/falls.