Kubota L48

[Jonnydiesel]

Hi all. This is my first post. I currently own a 01 NH TC40D w/Bradco 609 and am working on a deal on a new L48 TLB. I have a few questions for any current owners of this tractor. Number one, witch side are the brake pedals on? Are they on the same side as the HST pedal? Two, I'm getting aux loader hydraulics to power my grapple and I'm wondering where they put the control for that, is it with the other aux hydraulics or a joystick on the loader control? With the backhoe I will be digging in both heavy clay and sandy soils, my 609 has a 20" bucket and handles it ok, I wouldn't get any bigger, but it does ok. The specs on the bota are similar and I'm wondering if anyone has the 24" bucket and how well it handles it. Also on some previous posts I read some issues with the loader bucket having problems with curl power (auto level feature messed up), has this been resolved? Thanks for any input and opinions.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I would be glad to help you out but I know NOTHING about L48's. Sorry, someone will chime in soon and let for you.

Blake
WA

 

[whoodle]

The brakes are opposite the hst, I'm not sure about the aux front hydraulics. I demo'd the 20 inch in semi frozen ground and thought it was a little weak on the lift. I filled the bucket Heaped and could not lift it. I also thought the cycles were slow. Go demo hard! this is a nice machine.

 

[Jonnydiesel]

Thanks for the reply. It only makes sense for the brakes to be opposite the HST pedal, but I had to ask. As for the backhoe, I initially was leaning towards the 18" bucket, but then thought I would get a 12" (for digging stumps and heavy soil), and a 24" for the bulk of my digging needs. I really want to demo one, but it seems almost impossible to find one on a lot in my area these days.

 

[DavidInNH]

I have an L48 with the 24" bucket. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/2-226255-backhoe.gif>Here</A> is a sample of the kind of soil I dig in. About the only time I wish for a smaller bucket is when digging stumps. I haven't found one that I couldn't dig yet, but I have wondered how a 12" bucket would work for cutting through those roots. But then you might want that 24" bucket to lift the stump out.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Whoodle, are you sure it was an L48 you tried? The brakes are on the same side as the HST, the loader is very strong, a heaped bucket of lead would probably not stop it. Its a very smooth and powerful TLB. It has great specifications. The loader issue which was a problem opn the first L48's has been eliminated. It had to do with the control valve and interaction with the hydraulic leveler componet. The underside of the L48 is obviously built for a backhoe, it has a considerable amount of steel in it to carry the constant use of a backhoe. The loader is integral so its there to stay, a downside for me now that I am doing mostly mowing. I did not think it would be an issue. The good thing is that it is very solid, for mowing though it is cumbersome. I have used my L48 for boxblade/loader work almost exclusively. It worked exceptional well for that. The bucket heaped with the toothbar holds about 21 cu ft. of material, a snap for the loader. Since I don't have the backhoe, I can only mention what those folks with it have said. IMPRESSIVE. Many of them have traded from a L35. Two things that are really a standout for them is A. the hoe B. the HST. Rat....

 

[Dozernut]

I have an L 4610 HST. I was told that it is basically the same tractor as the L 48. The brakes are on the same side as the HST pedal. The clutch pedal is on the left side and it has a safety built in that won't let you start the tractor until the clutch pedal is depressed.This tractor does not run out of power when lifting a loaded bucket. I have a 3 pt. hoe on the back and at times this is not enough counter weight to keep the rear wheels from rising. This is a real strong tractor and believe it or not it has pulled out several stuck semi- tractors. Granted they were not buried and assisted during the pull outs by spinning their drive wheels. The L 4610 pulled them out as if a semi was not attached. This is my experience and as Robert Ripley would say, " Believe it or not "! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

RAT- I thought you had a L35? Or do you have a few different tractors? Just curious.

Blake
WA

 

[whoodle]

Boy it has only been a little over a year since I used the l48, I could have sworn the brakes were oposite the hst. (I'd give you one of those faces with the red cheeks, but i don't know how) How do you lock one side for quick turn? My current rig has brakes left, and I must have fabricated the memory! The loader had absolutely no problem lifting anything, I just thought the bucket on the bh overloaded the lift. It is very possible it was an early model, because I remember thinking the springs under the seat looked kind of rusty.

 

[Jonnydiesel]

Thanks for all the info guys. I learned to operate through the years with Kubotas, and when I started my own business and got successful enough to buy a new tractor, I wanted a Kubota, but the then new Boomers really impressed me and were about $4000 cheaper than a similar bota, so that's what I bought. Other than some of the same problems other people on this forum have had (which the dealer has been very good about fixing, INCLUDING FREE TRANSPORTATION AND SERVICE CALLS) it has been a good piece of equipment and there are still a lot of features it has that the other colors don't that I don't care to give up. My reasons for wanting to go to a Kubota are as follows: 1. Better loader. I want/need more lift capacity and I terribly miss the Kubota control box (multiple functions at once--which makes for very fluid operation) 2. The L48 is built much stronger all around which makes a better long term investment. My opinion of all the colors has come to that they are basically built for homeowners and hobby farmers, can't blame them, that is the majority of the market. The Kubota TLBs and Deere 110 are industrial tractors, built to take industrial use. While my Boomer does 90% of what I need very well, the increased capacities of the L48 will greatly improve my business productivity since I am a one man show and now have taken on another full time job, so I need to get jobs done on my three day weekends. 3. I believe Kubota has the best HST on the market.
Things I don't want to give up on my Boomer: 1. Detachable loader. I take it off a couple times a year for mowing. 2. mid mount PTO. I plan on buying a front mount broom. 3. Folding ROPS. I only have a seven foot door in the garage. I don't know how I'll get the L48 in there. 4. Boomers nice flip up hood for maint. 5. Brakes on opposite side of drive pedals. What is Kubota thinking? I can get over many of the these, but just some things I would miss. I haven't been able to demo one yet, or even look at one in person (bad economy equals low dealer inventory) but I used to operate an L35 regularly when they first came out. The company I worked for had one. That was a fine tractor. Please keep the input coming, and let me know if there is anything I can help anyone else with. I'm also knowledgable about Farmall tractors (I collect). Thanks

Steve Carver, If you're reading this, I'm the guy in WI that you recently sent a quote to--I'm still waiting on a reply regarding my last email to you.

 

[DavidInNH]

I don't understand your concern with the brakes. The only time I ever use them is when I park it. The HST rocker pedal is my one step go & stop control the rest of the time.

Since time is important to you, you might want to compare backhoe cycle time. I don't have any experience with anything else, but I've been told that the hoe on the L48 (and L35) is much faster than those normally found on CUT's.

 

[Jonnydiesel]

The brakes aren't that big of a concern. I do a fair amount of work in the woods and being able to use the brakes does help alot, but it's not something that would stop me from buying the tractor. I'm sure the cycle times and the operability of the hoe on the L48 are second to none (in this market), thats why I want it.

 

[JATO_RaT]

Dozernut, the L48 is really a different tractor then the L4610, a tractor I seriously considered before the L48 came along. The L48 has a different engine 148.6 cu in vs 134.1, a planetary drive rear end, much more hydraulic flow about 25 gpm vs about 15, about 1800lbs heavier, a considerably higher capacity loader that does not detach nearly as easy, a large subframe for the hoe, three point hitch lift arms are a bit beefier with more lift. The L48 has a hoe exclusive to itself. Other then that they have the same size wheels, share a similar transmission with HST and most important, are both great tractors. Rat...

 

[Steve_Carver]

Good Morning,
It will help if you will register here at TBN with your email address and other data.
Sorry, CEC answers 100% of ALL incoming weekday email to info@carverequipment.com within 24 hours and all weekend email before noon on Mondays.
If you didn't get a response the email was never received or lost.
Please re-send to wildtrky25@aol.com(Steve_Carver) or to info@carverequipment.com.
We have 5 new L35s today and one used one due in next week.

 

[Dozernut]

Yes I agree with you about the differences between the L-48 and the L 4610. You forgot to add the self leveling bucket, hardened hood, reversible seat, starter switch placement and a host of other improvements. I still say the L-48 is "BASICALLY" the same tractor. Their is a two hp. difference between the two. I am not trying to split hairs or argue but I was told by a Kubota dealer that they took the L 4610 and used it as the base for the L-48. They upped the hp. and hydraulics and added a substantial frame to handle the stress of the powerful backhoe they put on the unit. Please do not construe this as antagonism, but as simple debate which might prove that I am more ignorant than I originally thought./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[JATO_RaT]

Thanks Dozernut. The main reason for pointing out the differences was pretty much on my part to show why I went that way instead of the L4610. The funny thing is, the price difference between the two was not that huge. The difference between the two is still in my opinion fairly substantial. You are correct though about the engine, very little difference there. The rear axle is very different. The gear ranges are much different. In medium, the L48 has a top speed of 4 mph while the L4610 is over 7 mph. I would think the L4610 actually shares more in common with the other great L series below it except that the L4610 has a greater capacity loader compared to the other Lxx10 tractors as well as HP. I was very close to buying one. My dealer actually made the final decision easier saying that the L 48 is just much more heavy duty for the price difference, about $2000. Anyway, in hindsight I probably should have gone with the L4610 which at time I was comparing to the JD's 4700 and the 4600. The Kubota L4610 was much nicer in terms of HST and loader. Sorry if my previous post sounded sarcastic, it most certainly was not meant to be. Rat...

 

[Dozernut]

Hey, no harm, no foul! Wish that I could have found that deal on an L-48. That is a sweet piece of equipment. I think there is a substantial difference between the two also. My point was that they both started from the same base. As to your point of it being a different tractor,you are correct when they add all the improvements. Actually I have really enjoyed the exchange. I hope to trade thoughts about equipment with you in the future. Did you ever think,when you were a kid, that as an adult you would be talking about tractors. Typing on a keyboard,communicating with someone across the country and using handles like Dozernut and Rat. Mind blowing when you think about it. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Tags]

Johnnydiesel,
You definetely can't go wrong buying an L48,they are a well built,strong machine,and being a Kubota they keep a fairly high resale value.As far as the brakes go,if you want to use to "skid turn" you have to cross your left leg over to operate the brakes, while operating the HST pedal with your right,a bit uncomfortable but it gets the job done,I'm not sure why Kubota does this,but it's the same on all their machines.As far as backhoe bucket selection I have found the only way to fly is with a quick coupler setup,this allows you to easily match your bucket to the job,and allows you to work more efficiently.A good example is if you were pulling stumps or trying to dig a trench through frost,a ripper tooth is excellent for this because you are concentrating all of the hoes force to one tooth instead of 3 or 4,and after you get the stump out you can swap over to a 2 foot bucket to clean up the mess,and for drainage work swap to a 12" bucket,less material generated and less stone used.It really opens up alot of options,you don't need to get all the buckets at once either,you could buy the quick coupler and one bucket and add more as you need em'.Of course this is just my opinion,but thought I'd put it out there./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color="blue"> </font>
As far as the brakes go,if you want to use to "skid turn" you have to cross your left leg over to operate the brakes

<font color="black"> </font> That's the same as in my backhoe (except opposite), a case 580B. You have to get all twisted just to skid to your right. But I try not to and just use the brake for skidding on the left. <font color="blue"> </font>

 

[JATO_RaT]

"Typing on a keyboard,communicating with someone across the country and using handles like Dozernut and Rat. Mind blowing when you think about it."


Hehehehe, you are so right. Its been a great experience conversing with folks from all over this country as well as a few from other parts of the world. I think part of the attraction is we all feel a need to not only get information, but a lot of us enjoy dishing it out. I actually was using the internet back in 1986 using Compuserve, they charged by the minute. My "handle" Rat is just the first 3 letters of my name. I started as Paddock and have a few hundred posts with that name as well. Perhaps someday I'll tell the big cheese Mo that he really has one less then the total number of folks registered since I am using 2 names. Rat & Paddock