Kubota L4850

[moonmark1980]

New member here and I just bought a Kubota L4850 with a L5412 backhoe and had a few questions. I originally signed up to get some opinions on the price, but my membership wasn't approved in time and I thought I'd miss out on the tractor. This tractor has the hydraulic shuttle shift with the ever clutch and I was looking for some operating advise. After I got her home I thought I might have got screwed, it was really tricky to get the tractor going in the high gears, but I notice the brakes were dragging and the inching clutch was missing a spring and not completely engaging. Those issues have since been fixed and everything seems to function as it should. I even read somewhere that when the clutch starts to go it will drag, so I jacked it up and put it in gear and then took it out of gear and the wheels stopped, so the clutch seems fine.

The dealer I bought it off of told me the only time I should use the clutch petal is when I'm moving and want to shift into higher gears. Is that correct, should I avoid using the clutch petal and use the shuttle shift?

Do I need to worry about what gear the tractor is in when I shift the shuttle into drive? Say I'm going down the road to fuel it up, is it OK to start out in 5th or 6th and can I do this at high idle? Then use the clutch petal to shift into 8th and do I need to idle down doing this?

Do I need to idle down the tractor before shifting the shuttle from forward to reverse when I'm doing loader work in the lower gears?

Is it OK to use the clutch petal when hooking up 3 point equipment or the backhoe when you want to slowly back into somewhere?

Any preventative maintenance or things to look for on this machine?

I really like it and it seems like a tank and should do everything I want it to. I have a 30 acre hunting property that needs a lot of brush clearing and I do about 5 acres of food plot, I also have gravel driveway maintenance. I am also looking to build a new house in the next few years and the backhoe should come in very handy.

I have a operators manual and work shop manual ordered to hopefully answer some of these questions, but they haven't came in yet.

 

[bspeedy]

Can't help with any of your technical questions. Nice looking tractor. If it isn't a re-spray, that's probably the nicest original 4850 around. Good luck with it.

 

[ovrszd]

New member here and I just bought a Kubota L4850 with a L5412 backhoe and had a few questions. I originally signed up to get some opinions on the price, but my membership wasn't approved in time and I thought I'd miss out on the tractor. This tractor has the hydraulic shuttle shift with the ever clutch and I was looking for some operating advise. After I got her home I thought I might have got screwed, it was really tricky to get the tractor going in the high gears, but I notice the brakes were dragging and the inching clutch was missing a spring and not completely engaging. Those issues have since been fixed and everything seems to function as it should. I even read somewhere that when the clutch starts to go it will drag, so I jacked it up and put it in gear and then took it out of gear and the wheels stopped, so the clutch seems fine.

The dealer I bought it off of told me the only time I should use the clutch petal is when I'm moving and want to shift into higher gears. Is that correct, should I avoid using the clutch petal and use the shuttle shift? My Kubota M9540 is hydraulic shuttle with hydraulic wet clutch. I probably use my clutch pedal more than necessary. But I try to be gentle on the shuttle. If I'm moving in tight quarters, for example backing out of the shop or pulling in the shop, I use the clutch pedal.

Do I need to worry about what gear the tractor is in when I shift the shuttle into drive? Say I'm going down the road to fuel it up, is it OK to start out in 5th or 6th and can I do this at high idle? Then use the clutch petal to shift into 8th and do I need to idle down doing this? Not being specifically familiar with your tractor it' hard to give advice on what gears are appropriate for shuttling. My tractor is a 12 speed. It easily starts moving in all gears 6th and under with engine at idle and just using the shuttle. I don't ever shuttle to start movement or to change direction at WOT (wide open throttle). Again, I try to be easy on the shuttle.

Do I need to idle down the tractor before shifting the shuttle from forward to reverse when I'm doing loader work in the lower gears? I don't think it's a requirement, but I do. If I'm doing shuttle type work I never have my hand throttle past a fast idle. I use the foot throttle for more engine speed, for example when transporting after filling the bucket.

Is it OK to use the clutch petal when hooking up 3 point equipment or the backhoe when you want to slowly back into somewhere? I always use the foot clutch for "inching" purposes.

Any preventative maintenance or things to look for on this machine? Sorry I can't help you with specifics of maintenance on that model. Hopefully someone will chime in that owns one.

I really like it and it seems like a tank and should do everything I want it to. I have a 30 acre hunting property that needs a lot of brush clearing and I do about 5 acres of food plot, I also have gravel driveway maintenance. I am also looking to build a new house in the next few years and the backhoe should come in very handy.

I have a operators manual and work shop manual ordered to hopefully answer some of these questions, but they haven't came in yet.

Congratulations on your tractor purchase!!!! Welcome to TBN!!!!

Where is Melcher Iowa? I'm just off I-35 across the border into Missouri.

 

[moonmark1980]

Can't help with any of your technical questions. Nice looking tractor. If it isn't a re-spray, that's probably the nicest original 4850 around. Good luck with it.

It was a re-spray, not sure why they did it. I don't mind it though, makes it look nice.

 

[moonmark1980]

Congratulations on your tractor purchase!!!! Welcome to TBN!!!!

Where is Melcher Iowa? I'm just off I-35 across the border into Missouri.

Good to know, the dealer made it sound like I should be easier on the clutch pedal and use the shuttle whenever possible.

Thanks

Melcher is 45 minutes SE of Des Moines, kind of between Knoxville and Chariton.

 

[ovrszd]

Good to know, the dealer made it sound like I should be easier on the clutch pedal and use the shuttle whenever possible.

Thanks

Melcher is 45 minutes SE of Des Moines, kind of between Knoxville and Chariton.

Sure!!! I go to Chariton once in awhile for ATV/UTV parts. Have been to Knoxville for the races. Also have been North of Knoxville a few miles to an old abandoned quarry to 4 wheel.

Welcome to TBN neighbor!!!!

 

[Thomas]

:welcome: to TBN and BIG congrats on your new investment. :thumbsup:

 

[geneP]

I have an Everclutch in an L5450. I try to get near an idle when reversing directions or engaging the gear. I pause for a second in neutral to let the pressure out of the clutch so it doesn't jerk when I put it in gear. I also find myself using the foot clutch a lot when I'm in close quarters. It is so much faster than reaching for the lever. When getting to road speed, I start in 5th and shift to 7th. Only the top two gears are synchronized, so you can't shift back down below 7th while moving. You mentioned clearing brush, I just got a deal on a Ratchet Rake on Craigslist and it really is good for small trees and brush

 

[Grandad4]

Very nice tractor! Those models are renowned for being rugged and superbly engineered. You're lucky to find one in such good shape.

 

[newbury]

Good looking tractor!
Needs some LED lights