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.