Kubota TLBs? Experences?

[Yardscaper]

I am looking at a compact TLB purchase and was wondering how well the Kubota L35 and L48 are to own and operate. I would like to know how reliable they are ad if there are any trouble areas. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bill

 

[MarkLeininger]

I rented an L35 quite a bit when I was doing foundation work and backfilling. I thought it had the best responding hydraulic controls I've ever used. Not sure what you plan to do with it, but it's a pretty heavy tractor. It was often too big to fit into areas where we did something small like a garage addition, and for that we rented a B21. There was not enough room to turn around and maneuver easily without running into things. Can't speak to the reliability because we didn't own it, but I would assume it was excellent or rental places wouldn't have it.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Its an industrical tractor, one of the strongest made. The fact that many rental yard run them should testify to their build. You do pay about a $5-6000 premium over an L30 with a backhoe.

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am looking at a compact TLB purchase and was wondering how well the Kubota L35 and L48 are to own and operate. I would like to know how reliable they are ad if there are any trouble areas.)</font>

About the only complaint I have (which I find to be shared by others) is
the steering cylinder shields are a rather poor design. It appears at some
point the shields were bolted to both the top and bottom of the front axle
unlike later models where they only bolt to the top. This leaves the bottom
of the shield hanging free ready to catch obstructions when in reverse.

 

[MarkV]

I have the baby brother, the B21, and can't say enough good things about it. 950 hours at this point and never a problem. These TLB's are built to withstand a commercial work setting and have a lot of extra beef.

I see you have a fair amount of other equipment to use in tighter situations. My only concern with the B21, L35 or L48 in a landscaping setting would be size. On these models the loader is not removable so you sacrifice some maneuverability compared to the Grand L's in tight spots.

The main gas company in Atlanta uses B21's for all of their repair work and have for years. They must hold up well even in those demanding conditions.

MarkV

 

[uhmgawa]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( My only concern with the B21, L35 or L48 in a landscaping setting would be size.)</font>

Actually that's something which quickly became apparent.
With loader bucket and backhoe attached you have a considerable
footprint to maneuver in confined areas. There is also the issue
of weight. An L48TLB weighs in at just under 4 tons. Then again
it wasn't intended for planting flowers.

Besides the obvious, one of the positive surprises was the available
torque in low gear. I've been able to bulldoze-over some mid-size
trees simply by using the loader bucket.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( On these models the loader is not removable so you sacrifice some maneuverability compared to the Grand L's in tight spots. )</font>

Opting for the quick-attach bucket will help some here. Yet the lack of
a detachable loader is a design tradeoff -- the performance is impressive.
I've transported [est.] 3000LB water saturated root balls which if not
centered in the loader bucket would cause the tractor to tip as the
payload elevated (see attachment).

 

[_RaT_]

The power in low on the L48 has been nothing short of incredible for what is perhaps on the largest end of Kubotas compacts. While the loader is second to none in lift/curl ability to any compact I have ever used, it's ability to "bull doze" in reverse with my box scraper was unprecidented. I was able to cut and susequently move over 1500yds of what amounted to 12" of top soil and the remaining 6 or 7 feet of highly compacted decomposed granite in very short time. While my L3830 has the same box scraper and tires as the L48 I had, it has no where near the "bull dozer" qualities of the L48. Both are HST. I'm convinced that in low, there would be no compact with a manual that would out muscle it. I recall that low was 0 to 2.5 mph, very low. The integral loader while cumbersome in some circumstances, also meant it was securely attached with no chance of play developing in the typical areas where detachables develop play. For a dirt manipulating tractor, theres probably not a compact that has the L48's power, the JD 110 while a very nice TLB, is definitely weaker in the "bull dozer" category.

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

Bill, I'll second MarkV's comments on the B21. It is a TUFF little machine. I bought new and zero problems @ 400 hours. Mark's comments on the B21 three years ago were in part responsible for my decision to buy the B21. I didn't think it would be enough tractor. I have removed several 150 year old cedar stumps (fresh cut tree). It does not have a cup holder.

 

[Yardscaper]

RaT,

I have not driven the Kubotas yet, but I have driven and demoed a John Deere 110, and both the Bobcat B250 and Bobcat B300. I know that the backhoes on these Kubotas will do what I want, my main concern is lift capacity with pallet forks. I need to be able to lift 2500 ~ 3000lbs. up to 6 foot high on a regular basis for loading pallets of stone and sod onto and off of trucks as well as on site. Have you ever been able to put a number on what the loader will ACTUALLY lift, which is usually more than the brochures state. I had a bobcat B250 that I demoed rated at 2250lbs and my 2445 Power Trac, which is rated at 1800lbs. could outlift it hands down. So, ratings mean nothing to me, I want to know what it will actually lift. Thanks for any info you can give me!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bill

 

[rbargeron]

<font color="blueclass=small">( able to lift 2500 ~ 3000lbs. up to 6 foot high on a regular basis for loading pallets of stone and sod onto and off of trucks )</font>

My 2 cents is with 3000 lb pallets you'd be a bit past the upper limit of what the L48 will handle with ease. The hydraulics are strong enough, but the front wheels (and the machine weight) are on the small side for it. A bigger machine would have more comfort margin with that much weight up that high. Other factors are whether the ground is usually level and whether the same person will usually be the operator. If several people will be handling loads like this, a bigger machine might be better. My L5450 is just a hair heavier than an L48 (essentially the same capacity - has an 1150 loader but 12x16.5 front R4's) and although it will do what you describe, I would want something bigger if we were lifting loads like that every day. For example, using a chain off the center hook of my FEL I can lift up a Volkswagen Golf (3000 lb?) but I would not want to travel around much.

p.s. Golf is wrecked, but complete. I was doing a little crude straightening of the roof when I put a chain through the A pillar and lifted the car by it. I use my tractor for everything /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Chechnya]

The two Kubota L35's i have at work are absolutly incredable. They do everything i put forth and never whimp out. I love GST, i have a number for each job and i leave the 4x4 in gear ever since we got both L35's in 1998 and nothing bad has happened. Since we got the, ive only had to replace the clutch recently and a rear lift arm. No big deal. Heres the boxblade L35 with a gannon 6 foot boxblade.

 

[gray]

HI.

I owned an L35 for a year then traded up to an L48 last year.

The L35 was nice and had good power for its size. It had a nice GST transmission. It had a bit of a boom swing jerk because it has only one pump running all back hoe functions.
On hills the slight shifting delay causes some uneasyness.
It has a good quick off system on the BH. The loader is strong and easy to use.

The L48 is larger in all respects. I have found the HST to be very nice for loader work and close up details. I do not miss the GST. The loader is powerfull and has the lift height to load full sized dump trucks. The back hoe handles many jobs that a full sized hoe is used for. I have a 4 in 1 bucket on my loader which has been a good addition to the machine.
.
I prefer the L48. It is larger but due to it's HST it can get into most of the same spots. It has a swivel seat which is better in function and safety then the L35 system. I did not like having to get off the L35 to rotate the seat. Even the L48 could be improved on but it has been much nicer to use.
With the 24 inch BH bucket , even digging in a 1000gal. septic tank takes little time. You do need a stout trailer for the L48. It uses much more fuel.

If I could change a few things on it the list would go like this:

A bit faster mid range speed.
A mechanical self leveling linkage( the new ones have this)
A sit while you rotate seat system.
A extenda hoe option.
A lower hood design for better veiw on bucket work.
A low, ground fill fuel tank.

One other point of note. The L48 has 2 pumps running the BH and this makes for a smoother and always active boom swing that helps make working on angles much nicer.

 

[johnjc]

I too have had problems with the steering cylinders shields. Was working with it last weekend and it caught on a stump. It bent up and out and the corner punched a hole in side of my tire. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Anyone know if Kubota has a fix for this problem?
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[johnjc]

Another picture

 

[TORQUIN]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I too have had problems with the steering cylinders shields. Was working with it last weekend and it caught on a stump. It bent up and out and the corner punched a hole in side of my tire. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Anyone know if Kubota has a fix for this problem?
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif )</font>

JohnJC,
I know of no Kubota-sanctioned fix for this, but I'd like to suggest one of my own. What about putting 2 or 3 large hose clamps on shield once the new one is in place. The hose clamps, and maybe you'll need 4 of them, should pull the bottom of the shield up as close the axle as possible, to hopefully keep it from snagging anything, and will offer support to keep the shield from moving if it does get snagged.
Another thought would be a big truck muffler clamp, but I'm not sure if one is available that would be the right size for the axle and still have a snug fit. The hose clamps are pliable and will conform to the shape of the axle/shield as they are tightened.

Chris

 

[gray]

johnjc.

I had to straighten my steering covers out many times and finally got a new one and found that the axel has holes tapped for bolts under it iand the cover lines up with them so I put bolts in and have had no trouble ever sense. Knock on wood. I do not know why Kubota did not but the bolts in right away????????

One more point- if they placed a bit of a frame or stamped rib in the gaurd they would have even a stronger cover. After all these are TLB's and are used like that. They do get more demanded of them than a tractor by it's self?

Good luck.

BTW- does your boom leak down alot?

 

[johnjc]

Yes the backhoe boom leaks down slowly. Kubota replaced something in the valve assembly after I bought it and that helped. The thing that is more annoying is the jack stands. They pick the tractor up fine but the first time the hoe pulls down on them they collapse and then the tractor moves.
Also if I have any weight in the loader it leaks down at a rate of about 2” a minuet. I sometimes use the loader to do thing like pick up the back of my trailer to change a tire and I have to keep picking it back up. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif My 1975 Case 580B will pick up the back of my ¾ ton dodge and it takes all night to leak down.

 

[gray]

Johnjc.

I have talked to the dealer about the leak down on my boom and one stableizer. He told me they may replace it? He said it was likely a scared cylinder wall? I don't know if he is right or not.

I have a mild leak down of my loader but not real bad. I would much like to have no leak down but that is not normal. I have heard that some others put pilot valves on cylinders to block leak down????

My BH can not pull down on my tractor causing the stableizers to fold up? If that is what you have happening, my guess is that you have air in your system? Maybe a bad relief valve?

Have you asked the dealer about it? That is not right.

I love my L48 and will get the small issues fixed soon.

Gray.