L39 (Lots of Questions)

[afish]

I will be getting a new (to me) L39 as soon as Barlow's can deliver it. However I do have some questions. I did searches but didnt find what I was looking for.

1. I would like to add a hydraulic thumb to the backhoe. the kubota set up is 1500 plus installation probably since its a used machine ouch. Has anyone hear done it them selves? Ive seen posts about adding them but its always done by a shop. Any info on a DIY install would be great like what kind of valves you used,where you bought them, where did you tap into the hyd. at, pics, how the valve is operated ie. foot,lever,button on joystick?

2. What is the advantage of a pin on thumb opposed to a weld on?

3. I would also like to add 3 rear remotes for a topntilt and hyd control to angle a rake,BB,RB etc. I know there has been tons of posts on adding remotes but I'm looking for L39 specifics.

4. I would also like to upgrade some of the 3pt. linkage. I'm not sure what Kubota was thinking using cheaper lower link and sway bars was but I know they are on my B7800 and I hate them. I would like to get some telescoping lower links and the sway bars like they use on the grand L's With all the holes(not sure what they are called) Does anyone know if any of these parts are inter changeable with another model like a L3940 so I could just buy them and swap them out without resorting to more drastic measures. however I'm a little scared to see what Kubota wants for a set of lower(drag) links. Or should I just get some type of quick hitch and call it a day.

 

[Happyman]

I will be getting a new (to me) L39 as soon as Barlow's can deliver it. However I do have some questions. I did searches but didnt find what I was looking for.

1. I would like to add a hydraulic thumb to the backhoe. the kubota set up is 1500 plus installation probably since its a used machine ouch. Has anyone hear done it them selves? Ive seen posts about adding them but its always done by a shop. Any info on a DIY install would be great like what kind of valves you used,where you bought them, where did you tap into the hyd. at, pics, how the valve is operated ie. foot,lever,button on joystick?

2. What is the advantage of a pin on thumb opposed to a weld on?

3. I would also like to add 3 rear remotes for a topntilt and hyd control to angle a rake,BB,RB etc. I know there has been tons of posts on adding remotes but I'm looking for L39 specifics.

4. I would also like to upgrade some of the 3pt. linkage. I'm not sure what Kubota was thinking using cheaper lower link and sway bars was but I know they are on my B7800 and I hate them. I would like to get some telescoping lower links and the sway bars like they use on the grand L's With all the holes(not sure what they are called) Does anyone know if any of these parts are inter changeable with another model like a L3940 so I could just buy them and swap them out without resorting to more drastic measures. however I'm a little scared to see what Kubota wants for a set of lower(drag) links. Or should I just get some type of quick hitch and call it a day.

Can't answer all (or even some) of your questions....but you make me want to ask YOU some questions .
I have a thumb on my BX90 backhoe that is mechanical. I pull a pin and lower the thumb to a fixed position. It works great. Why do you want a hydro thumb?
Same sort of question about a hydro tilt for a rake. It seems it would be awfully expensive and not real necessary to add all that hydro stuff just to tilt a rake. Everyone has there own reasons, but I like to keep things as simple as possible while still useful. I personally don't mind jumping off the tractor to make a quick adjustment. Less stuff to break if it's not hydro.
Just me

 

[Yankee Clipper]

Happyman,

The L39 powertrain is the same as a L3830GST except for the pump drives. It is tied together with a subframe that the ag tractors don't use for rigidity and strength.

The telescopic three point arms from the Grand L30 (L3830) would fit the L39 in place of the fixed lower arms.

FYI - if you kept your B7800 - the B7800 lower arms can be replaced by the telescopic lower arms from a B27/2910 - same power train on all three models.

To add a thumb circuit to your BT1000, you can use the PB (power beyond) port from the backhoe valve, which is the line that returns the fluid to reservoir. You have to use an open center valve with 3000 PSI capacity. I would use an electrohydraulic valve and mount the switch on the RH stick for thumb operation.

The thumb itself can be aftermarket or you can adapt the Kubota parts as long as the pin diameter is the same at the end of the dipperstick and the thumb itself. You will have to weld a cylinder anchor to the dipperstick for the thumb.

Good luck!

 

[afish]

Thanks yankee clipper for the info so the hyd. for the BH sound like they install just like the third function valve for the loader. Will the CCM kit they sell for the loader, work for th BH then? Sounds like the same parts. I know I'm also supposed to add a pressure relief valve so the thumb dosnt over power the hoe.

As far as needing hyd. controlled implements its not something I would HAVE to have but as long as I'm doing it I my as well do it right. I'm so sick of hoping on and off the tractor to make adjustments. If this is something you enjoy thats great. Have you ever had a tractor with TNT? From the people that I have talked to that have it say they would never be without it.(I believe them) Its only a few dollars more for a three spool valve over a two so why not have it for Hyd. angle or hyd. scarifier control? Thats my thinking. This is going to be my last tractor for a while (as far as the wife knows) So I my as well pimp it out. Anyone know where I can get some spinners that will fit on a tractor?

 

[Happyman]

As far as needing hyd. controlled implements its not something I would HAVE to have but as long as I'm doing it I my as well do it right. I'm so sick of hoping on and off the tractor to make adjustments. If this is something you enjoy thats great. Have you ever had a tractor with TNT? From the people that I have talked to that have it say they would never be without it.(I believe them) Its only a few dollars more for a three spool valve over a two so why not have it for Hyd. angle or hyd. scarifier control? Thats my thinking. This is going to be my last tractor for a while (as far as the wife knows) So I my as well pimp it out. Anyone know where I can get some spinners that will fit on a tractor?

Good for you...too often people don't know what they want. Glad you also know how to pimp out the tractor. I'm not quite as savy with the hydro stuff.
Best of luck ...if I find any spinners I'll send them your way

 

[MarkV]

Hey congratulations on the new tractor. I have really enjoyed my L39. The hydraulic kit offered by Kubota for a thumb is a foot operated control. As I recall it runs about 1k for the hydraulic parts so your quote of $1500 does not surprise me installed.

I think you find some hoes using a pin on, or bolt on if we are talking the same thing, thumb because of the material the backhoe is made of makes it difficult to do a proper weld.

Three remotes from Kubota were running about 1k three years ago when i bought.

Yankee Clipper may well know more than I about the telescoping arms but the ones on the L39 look to me to be shaped much different than the ones on the Grand L’s. There have been a few post from people that bought used L35 that did not have the 3pt equipment included and were quoted over a thousand dollars for the parts. Let us know if you follow up on the replacement lower arms. That would be a great upgrade although the quick hitch system from Pat’s works well for me.

MarkV

 

[afish]

Thanks MarkV I knew that linkage was going to be pricey. Does the Pats QH get in the way when you store the lower links when not in use (BH mounted)? I might go that route 1000 bucks and thats probably for same non telescoping and turn buckle setup. I'm sure the Telescoping ones are more. Thats a grand towards a new implement

The pin on thumb I am talking about is where they use a longer pin where the bucket attaches to the dipper instead of welding on a bracket. I remember reading somewhere that a pin on thumb was much better but didnt explain why. I wasn't sure if it was a welding issue or performance issue. I plan on fabbing up my own thumb (since I should be able to get the steel for free from work) the L39 I'm getting already has a quick coupler for the BH bucket so its got a longer pin already and since kubbota dosent offer a thumb on the L39 I'm not sure If they offer an even longer pin unless the pin from the B26 will fit since they offer a pin on thumb and quick coupler from the factory.

The 1500 dollars for the BH hyd. was just the price I got off of the build your kubota page on the Kubota web site. Not what I was quoted from my dealer. So just figured it would be around there plus installation. Is the foot control like a HST pedal (two way) forward to close and backward to open the thumb or is it more like a old HI beam switch in the older cars push once to close push again to open. Went to my local dealer, has a new L39 on the lot but its a basic unit so couldn't check it out

 

[MarkV]

I took off the 3pt equipment from its storage point and have never put it back so I can’t say how PATs would fit. I would guess it would get in the way. It is just easier for me to store that stuff in the shed until needed.

Oh I see what you mean by the pin on thumb. I think from what I have read the advantage is that range of motion is better being located at the pivot point. What is your use for the thumb? I would not mind having one I just never could find where my needs could justify the cost. Seems many here on the forum use them for working with rock, which I don’t have. I could see there value for demolition but don’t think the L39 is really big enough to do that seriously. For moving trees and such I would find it slow to set up the backhoe and only be able to move the tree 180 degrees at a time. Think I would rather have a grapple for that type of work.

What do you hydraulic thumb owners use yours for?

MarkV

 

[LBrown59]

I will be getting a new (to me) L39 as soon as Barlow's can deliver it.

Congrats good place to buy a tractor.
I bought 2 there last fall.

 

[Yankee Clipper]

Happyman,

I would not use the loader third function kit (TL1715) but you could, I guess. I would go to a hydraulic jobber and get the electrohydraulic valve there. Again, open center, double acting 12 volt coils and pressure rated at 3000 PSI (minimum). The system should have it's own relief valve or you could crush the thumb weldment or break the pivot pin.

"Mark" asked about the foot controlled valve for the BT1000 backhoe - there is no kit. If you used the kit from the BT820 backhoe (B26), it is BTB405 - list price $760 - it would be a good fit but you may have to make some hoses or fab a bracket. This is a double acting foot operated valve that is compatible with most backhoes. Bear in mind, this is just the valve and hoses - the thumb, thumb pin, cylinder anchor and cylinder are not in the kit.

Have fun with your new L39 - they are a nice piece and it will last a long time.