KUBOTA L48 TLB - SEAT REPLACEMENT

[fried1765]

Two weeks ago I picked up a 2006 Kubota L48 TLB with only 250 hours.
The machine has been outside for 13 years, and is generally in excellent condition, except for the seat.
I called Messick's, and they want $698 + shipping for an OEM seat.
THAT is NOT the seat for me!

I decided that I could certainly find an aftermarket seat for much less.
NOT SO!
Monday I will be sending back my third seat that is SUPPOSED to fit an L48 TLB.
What I need is both the OEM back and bottom cushions, or a one piece aftermarket seat.

Two of the one piece aftermarket seats I ordered, came from E-Bay sellers, and one from Amazon.
They all looked great, and the descriptions clearly stated that they would fit the L48 TLB.....but they don't.
All 3 seat mounting bolt patterns were way out of wack, and could not be easily modified.
I suspect that 2 of the 3 sellers I tried, actually buy from the same Chinese manufacturer.

I can possibly resurrect my original badly rusted back & bottom seat frames, and then have them recovered, but that is definitely not my preference.

Does anyone here know where to purchase an L48 TLB aftermarket seat that will REALLY fit the original L48 TLB seat mount?

 

[Grid6135]

I replaced mine a year ago with one from Princess Auto (Canadian Harbour Freight). I think it was only about $60 on sale. The bolt pattern wasn't a concern, as I had in mind to make a riser/adapter plate anyway. The pictures explain it a lot better but because I'm 6'3" I needed to make things a little more ergonomic! I used 1-1/4" square tube, mounted the front hinge bracket, then drilled and counter bored the holes to match the seat pattern. I purposely drilled them about 2-3" further back than the previous seat to gain more leg room. I was impressed by the room I had gained but needed a little more, so I added the plastic spacers to gain a bit more height. This is so much better now, especially using my heal on the reverse pedal.

If you don't need to gain height, the easier option is to use a 1/4"steel plate. Drill as required and bolt up your favourite seat! If your not that handy working with steel, then head to the local machine shop or welding shop.

Hope this helps!

 

[Professor Marvel]

Two weeks ago I picked up a 2006 Kubota L48 TLB with only 250 hours.
The machine has been outside for 13 years, and is generally in excellent condition, except for the seat.
I called Messick's, and they want $698 + shipping for an OEM seat.
THAT is NOT the seat for me!

I decided that I could certainly find an aftermarket seat for much less.
NOT SO!
Monday I will be sending back my third seat that is SUPPOSED to fit an L48 TLB.
What I need is both the OEM back and bottom cushions, or a one piece aftermarket seat.

Two of the one piece aftermarket seats I ordered, came from E-Bay sellers, and one from Amazon.
They all looked great, and the descriptions clearly stated that they would fit the L48 TLB.....but they don't.
All 3 seat mounting bolt patterns were way out of wack, and could not be easily modified.
I suspect that 2 of the 3 sellers I tried, actually buy from the same Chinese manufacturer.

I can possibly resurrect my original badly rusted back & bottom seat frames, and then have them recovered, but that is definitely not my preference.

Does anyone here know where to purchase an L48 TLB aftermarket seat that will REALLY fit the original L48 TLB seat mount?

on a suggestion by TBN folks i went to ebay and looked a little and picked up what looks to me lika an OEM seat for less than half of messicks price

 

[rmk700]

https://www.amazon.com/MILSCO-L4310...8+kubota+seat&qid=1561294255&s=gateway&sr=8-2

 

[fried1765]

on a suggestion by TBN folks i went to ebay and looked a little and picked up what looks to me lika an OEM seat for less than half of messicks price

I too thought I could buy an E-Bay seat that is an OEM seat.
It ain't so!
Have returned two so far.... for no fit!

Oh .....I do know I could modify a seat, but when they advertise it as an L48 replacement, I expect it to be so.

 

[fried1765]

https://www.amazon.com/MILSCO-L4310...8+kubota+seat&qid=1561294255&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Thank you for the suggestion.
I've got it already,....MILSCO "DESIGN2FIT".....yeah, right!
It is currently sitting beside me, awaiting a return label from Amazon.
There is no mounting hole combination that comes even close to matching the original L48 seat bolt pattern.

I am going to investigate re-upholstery (rusty seat frame) tomorrow, but will also now consider making a seat mount adapter plate as suggested above.

 

[fried1765]

Took the L48 seat to a re-upholsterer today.
Estimate was $300+, and I would still have the rusty seat frame.
I sealed the rusty frame with OSPHO, followed by marine two part epoxy.

Reassembled it today with contact cemented fabric patches, for temporary use, while I continue to search for a permanent solution.
Just discovered online photos of a one piece seat that looks like it might fit.
Will call Seat Warehouse tomorrow to try to confirm the L48 fit.

 

[rmk700]

Is this your seat part number? TA140-47710

If so here is a seat for $230.
There is a new style and old style part number for l48. The new is much more expensive.

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