L39 Backhoe Thumb?

[Alt5600]

I looked at the Addington website. I've seen them before. I requested some information to be sent since their site is quite thin.

The remainder of this response is crying out to be in another thread and I'm sure this may stir-up a war-of-colors, but ...

Check out what a 110 really costs at a dealership. I paid a lot less than list price.

The only issue is that you need to order it with all of the hydraulics you will ever need because they can not be added once it leaves the factory. My dealer just ordered them loaded and that is how I got mine.

The L39s seemed cheaper, but when I added in the cost of all the hydraulics and considered the value of HST (which is great) vs. GST (I haven't tried that but it seems less than HST), the 110 was very competitive. About $1500 higher than a similar L39, but what is the value of HST, which isn't even available on the L39?

Admittedly, I have been so focused on the L39 and trying to make sure it will fit my needs that I have neglected the 110 to a degree. I like the power in the slightly smaller package of the L39. That said, I will make my purchase color-blind, and I know the 110 will do everything that I want without question. So why not go with the 110? Potential cost. A fully-loaded L39 is about ~$40k (with spoiler and racing-stripes), and the equivalent 110 (build your own ... known to be higher) was ~$50k+. Once the boss gives me the financial go-ahead for a machine, I fully intend to do due-diligence and take a look at the 110 price/financing at the dealer in order to get the real story. I just want to have alternatives. There is a JD dealer on the very-very-long-way home from work that I intend to stop at (time-permitting ... yeah right).

The L39 has to be factory-ordered with all of the remote hydraulics as well ... and cannot (will not) be added after the fact. Waiting for the order is not a problem as long as I get what I want ... once I know what I want ... which takes the longest time for me. I suffer from analysis-paralysis at times, and especially on high-dollar items. However, once I make a decision, I have absolutely no regrets.

I've questioned the transmission issue ... especially since I'll be doing some hill-work. My understanding is that GST is not as good as the HST due to the rolling-potential during the brief pause while shifting. I'm not certain I'd be brave enough to be shifting out of the lowest gear or going faster on a slope anyway ... but I have to check it out. The thumb and transmission are my #1 and #2 open-issues on the L39 that I need to be comfortable with prior to making a decision that it is a viable option for me. Some TBN threads have mentioned the exposed hydraulics underneath the 110 and having to buy a $700 skid-plate. This won't be an issue for me since I have eight whole scrub-brush trees on my 35 acres and any rock that I'm driving over needs to be pulled-up and moved out of the way with the hydraulic-thumb anyway. How's that for coming full circle and tying back into the subject of the thread.

(Noting the long response.) Boy, I can yack.

 

[catvet]

My dealer added hydraulics to my L39 for a grapple and would add for a backhoe thumb so don't understand the comments about needing to order from the factory.

 

[MarkV]

My dealer added hydraulics to my L39 for a grapple and would add for a backhoe thumb so don't understand the comments about needing to order from the factory.

Yep I agree. There have been numbers of people who have had dealers add remotes and front hydraulics to the L39. Not sure about the backhoe hydraulics so may be something there. WR Long makes a kit for front hydraulics on the L39 that isn't to bad for the home mechanic to add. Could be a job your dealer just doesn't like to do.

MarkV

 

[art]

The factory assembly of components on tractors is less costly then dealer installed options. Many times the units need to be taken partially apart to assemble the options.

 

[mc faulkner]

We happen to make a L39 mechanical and hydraulic thumb, and normally we have them in stock The hydraulic thumb is a direct pin thumb (a longer boom pin is provided with the thumb to hold on the bucket, the thumb, and if you have one, a quick coupler). we recommend the hydraulic thumb be installed by a kubota dealer, and the Kubota foot peddle kit, with some modifications, is normally used to control the thumb. The mechanical thumb can be installed by any competent welder - it takes about an hour to an hour and a half to weld on and retouch the paint. These same thumbs also fits the L 48 and we offer a joy stick control for the L 48 hydraulic thumb, as an option. We have been making these thumbs for about 4 years, and sell enough of them to make it worth our while to stock them. Please go to our web site for photos of the hydraulic thumb, and information about us. Maine construction equipment attachments, heavy-duty repairs, custom fabrication

 

[SkyPup]

The one thing that really bothered me was how expose the hydraulic were under the machine. Crazy.

You got that right, I took one look at the JD 110 hydraulic lines and instantly brought our L-39 650 hours ago......

 

[Alt5600]

I feel better now ... much much better.

 

[catvet]

McFaulkner,

Thanks for the info and link. I'll need to contemplate the situation. Can you supply prices for the various L39 options?

 

[mike69440]

My biggest beef with the L39 is it needs to weigh a ton more and have the HP to handle that extra weight. I like the small size and 6' bucket.

I have about 520 hours of hard use. Machine has been overall good to me.

I still use the thumb on the L39 even since buying my little excavator, just not as much.

USA Thumb photo attached.

 

[yekrut]

My biggest beef with the L39 is it needs to weigh a ton more and have the HP to handle that extra weight. I like the small size and 6' bucket.

I have about 520 hours of hard use. Machine has been overall good to me.

I still use the thumb on the L39 even since buying my little excavator, just not as much.

USA Thumb photo attached.

Mike - After seeing the type of work you are doing I can certainly understand your beef but from my perspective I wouldn't want another ounce. I'm running through my yard all the time down to my creek bottom, working around timber farm tree's, a 3 acre muck field and a lot of sandy soil. Only reason I'm not out there right now is the grounds to soft from the rain a couple days ago but if it was working I just be creating other work and I got plenty to do. I have the rears half filled and the L39 is right where I want it. I'm at 205 hrs - 2 weeks and I'll of had her a yr. Couldn't be happier with the big bang in a tight package and tons of versatility. Just got a BB and LR to help tiddy things up.