Kubota L47 (or L39)--input please

[Dakota Joe]

Would love to hear from anyone who has owned an L47 or L39--

How is it for bush hogging? Would you feel comfortable cutting 20 acres of five foot high grass if you had plenty of time?

Anyone have turf tires? If so, happy with them? (I know that R4s are the usual choice and understand why.)

They seem like the ultimate machine in many respects ("Swiss army knife"), but wish it had more horsepower. Looked at the M62 and the body and HP are the right size, but the backhoe is WAY TOO BIG and the loader feels too big as well.

Thank you very much

 

[jeff9366]

Here are threads from the T-B-N ARCHIVE with L47 in the title:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=7556373

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Kubota L47 (or L39)--input please
Started by Dakota Joe, Today 09:51 AM
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Replies: 1
Views: 19
Today 11:26 AM
by jeff9366 Go to last post
Buying/Pricing/Comparisons
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2 Attachment(s)
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Switching between 3PT and Backhoe on Kubota L47 (and maybe L45/L48)
Started by HighlandFarm, 08-18-2018 06:10 PM
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by KennyV Go to last post
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10 Attachment(s)
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Views: 4,269
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7 Attachment(s)
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by rScotty Go to last post
Kubota Owning/Operating
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18 Attachment(s)
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02-20-2018 11:47 PM
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12-21-2017 02:23 AM
by Piston Go to last post
Kubota Buying/Pricing
Kubota L47 Price Comparison
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by workinallthetime Go to last post
Kubota Buying/Pricing
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Replies: 9
Views: 2,219
05-06-2017 09:39 PM
by mike69440 Go to last post
Kubota Owning/Operating
Kubota TLBs ~ How many hours is too many? (L39/L45/L47)
Started by sunstardude, 02-23-2017 11:59 AM
12
Replies: 11
Views: 9,688
04-03-2017 01:47 PM
by mikester Go to last post
Kubota Buying/Pricing
L47 or M62
Started by Nick87, 11-06-2016 09:16 PM
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Replies: 13
Views: 13,273
01-02-2017 06:54 PM
by mike69440 Go to last post

 

[jeff9366]

Would love to hear from anyone who has owned an L47 or L39--

How is it for bush hogging? Would you feel comfortable cutting 20 acres of five foot high grass if you had plenty of time?

The L47 HST+ transmission is geared down considerably from Grand L HST+ transmission. You may find mowing twenty acres with an L47 tedious.

I made the plunge and have an L-47 TLB on order. I have tons of questions I can't seem to find answers for... I've never owned a tractor and have only operated a few rentals (B-26) so I'm a newb.

One of my first projects will be to clear 6 acres of scrub and brush. I plan to use a bush hog. To operate the bush hog I will need to add the optional 3 point hitch hardware from Kubota at a cost of about $800. Everything I can find looks like it should be interchangeable, can I buy from another source (for half the money) or should I order from the dealer?

WORMWOOD ( 5/2017) :

I've got the M62. It's 3-point hitch a little funky monkey when compared to the Grand L series traditional 3 point hitch system. Kubota TLB series is a "backhoe" first & "compact utility tractor" second. So the 3 point hitch system played second on the list of importance. I believe we use the same hitch system between the L47 & M62. You might be able to get the Grand L series telescoping lower links to fit but it'll be expensive to buy those lower links by themselves. I'd would NOT consider a generic 3 point hitch, the geometry will not work, same with a quick hitch system.

I bought a generic top link a while back and had to grind on it to get it to fit & it doesn't give me the reach that my kubota top link does, it's in my metal building right now & I'll either sell it or it'll grow legs & run off one of these days.

All considered with an L47 on order, run back up to the dealership and add the factory 3 point hitch. Dealer shouldn't have a problem adding to the L47 order.

 

[Dakota Joe]

Thanks, Jeff, appreciate that--always admire how you like to help folks out.

I have indeed read most of those threads--would welcome any further thoughts/recent experience from any L47/L39 owners online--thanks!

 

[jeff9366]

L47 or L39 seem like the ultimate machine in many respects ("Swiss army knife"), but wish it had more horsepower. Looked at the M62 and the body and HP are the right size, but the backhoe is WAY TOO BIG and the loader feels too big as well.

The L47 Backhoe-Loader is based on the Kubota 'Grand L' tractor, enhanced into a construction grade machine.

Consider a Kubota 'Grand L' Tractor-Loader, with or without an optional 'Grand L' Backhoe.

VIDEO: Comparing Kubota TLB series tractors(B26, L47, M62) - YouTube

KUBOTA USA: Tractors - Compact - Grand L6 Series | Kubota

 

[johncanfield]

I had turf tires on my previous Kubota L2900, they have great traction. Lots of tire in contact with the ground.

 

[Aquabird]

I too am comparing an L4701 to another kubota tractor and I was wondering Jeff, how you found out that the gearing is different for the two tractors?

I could find no info on HST final ratio in any of the 3 ranges.

 

[dodge man]

I saw the road speed of an L47 is 14mph. That seems slow for a tractor of that size. My guess is that is why Jeff is saying the gearing is different.

 

[Aquabird]

I see, thanks. My 25 hp Ford would run faster than that...without a loader on it. With loader, no.

 

[jeff9366]

I too am comparing an L4701 to another kubota tractor and I was wondering Jeff, how you found out that the gearing is different for the two tractors?

I could find no info on HST final ratio in any of the 3 ranges.

Neal Messick describes the L47 vs Grand L gearing clearly. Watch the Messick's video in Post #5.

The max speed of 14-mph for the L47 is from Kubota's "TLB B26/L47/M62" catalog before me. (presumably with R4/industrial tires)

The max speed for an 'Grand L' L4060 HST+ is 16.8-mph. (presumably with R1/ag tires ~~ should be a tad faster with R4/industrial tires. )

 

[Peter 315]

I just run mine in m range and use the high/low range most of the time 99%.......... I never take the backhoe off...

 

[fried1765]

I just run mine in m range and use the high/low range most of the time 99%.......... I never take the backhoe off...

"I never take the backhoe off"
DITTO.......for my L48!

 

[Jchonline]

I have the BH off of my M62 pretty often, but no mowing for me. I also have TnT kit so the arms are easily adjustable. Sorry not much help.

 

[johncanfield]

15 mph on the road is plenty fast for me, there's one tiny slight dip on our road that makes the tractor buck - wouldn't want to hit it doing 20 mph. I think the new generation of the Deere large frame compacts will do 20 mph. Ag tractors and equipment that run from field to field need good road speed.

 

[tradosaurus]

Thanks, Jeff, appreciate that--always admire how you like to help folks out.

I have indeed read most of those threads--would welcome any further thoughts/recent experience from any L47/L39 owners online--thanks!

Jeff has the social skills of a badger. :laughing:

I have the L3301 but am not bush hogging anything near that. I have cut 3/4 mile trail through dense trees and brush using the Land Pride RCR2660.

If you think there is a possibility of going into rough terrain or even woods consider the underside protection.

Had the Kubota salesman even tried to talk to me about it I would have opted for the MX series tractor.

 

[Dakota Joe]

Thank you all for the input and suggestions, appreciated.

I looked at the speeds "gearing" of both the L47 and M62 compared to the L6060 and it was interesting and not quite what I would have expected. If I remember correctly:

Going forward, in each range, L6060 was the fastest in high gear, but otherwise was between the other two, with the M62 fastest.

In reverse the L6060 was consistently slower than the other two.

Thanks again.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Three point hitch sways side to side more than I like. I use the best pin placement but the hitch is a bit worm from over use. I wonder does anyone have a fix for that.

Had my grand l 4740 since new in 2010. No problems with it other than the faulty paint. I haul alot of firewood and use my three point hitch so my hitch seems to be getting a bit worn because it now moves around a more and I notice it when I put on my snow blower. The three point hitch has a pin that you drop into the best hole but the blower will track side to side a more than I like. I wonder does anyone have a fix for that.

 

[mikester]

What you want is max PTO HP for bush hogging and snow blowing type activities...unless you are looking for excuses to sit on a machine longer.

Personally I find the M59/M62 still a small, compact machine. I can still squeeze into tight spots, lift decent sized loads, and manoeuvre comfortably under load. It's not as good as a full sized construction TLB, but I can't put a bush hog on a CAT420IT.

I've never heard any complaints about the loader bucket being too big or too much lift capacity on any tractor...mostly guys buying too small machines because they are scared only to discover it can't lift or carry much and THEN start whining about how they need to make their SCUT lift stupid sized loads and keep their wheels on the ground.

You are splitting hairs trying to rationalize between an L47 and L39. A tractor is a tool to solve a particular problem. You sound like don't know what you want to do yet.

 

[Bullwinkle123]

I can't tell if Dakota Joe ordered a machine, I also don't quite understand why anybody cares about the differences in road speed.

On the OP topic of brush hogging, and for the _tiny_ incremental cost compared to an L47, I'll plug the MX5400. Mine hauls a 6 foot medium duty landpride cutter easily through a full year's field growth (full of saplings and weeds) without any issues. I'm guessing an L47 is fine too, but I'm really happy I spent the extra $1-2k (IIRC) on the MX5400.

 

[fried1765]

I can't tell if Dakota Joe ordered a machine, I also don't quite understand why anybody cares about the differences in road speed.

On the OP topic of brush hogging, and for the _tiny_ incremental cost compared to an L47, I'll plug the MX5400. Mine hauls a 6 foot medium duty landpride cutter easily through a full year's field growth (full of saplings and weeds) without any issues. I'm guessing an L47 is fine too, but I'm really happy I spent the extra $1-2k (IIRC) on the MX5400.

The Kubota L47 is a TLB.
The MX5400 (with loader, and backhoe- as an attachment) would appear to cost almost 20K LESS that the L47 TLB.
The two machines are really not in the same league.