l45 TLB 4n1, thumb tulsa

[mike69440]

Re: L39 & L45 needs

Good Question! I can help with my own opinion because wehave both an M59 with a thumb and a full size late model Full Size TLB - a JD310SG with extendahoe. Both machines are on similar tires and have 4WD. The JD has twice the weight and 50% more HP than the M59. The JD has front weights. The M59 doesn't have extra weights, but frankly could use more weight to keep the over-powerful back hoe from throwing it around so much.
The thumb is real handy.

rScotty

I will say Kubota does put a really nice hoe on their commercial TLB's. Now if it just had pilot controls.....

 

[workinallthetime]

i guess this thread got blended with another, the dealer got me the arms for nothing so i had to buy a new hat. I cannot say enough good things about these guys, nice the be treated like a customer and not credit card for once in this world we live in.
i have no plans of storing the arms on the tractor, to big of a pain if something gets lost, dont care for the bolt on pins on the lift arms but just using the 3 point a few times a year im not going to cry about it.
now im looking for a smaller bh bucket the 24" is great for trenching but not so great for ripping out trees.

 

[workinallthetime]

Bout to do my 800 hour service, this thing has been a tank! Few broken hoses here and there, tore the BH bucket but had it welded for 50.00 bucks.
Currently using a front bucket off a large M series ag tractor to move material, love this thing

 

[mike69440]

!2 Years ago When I got my L39 I looked it over carefully and added metal to where I though it was built too much like a regular Kubota. BH bucket being one that needed some strength added, FEL Bucket, Frame Tube, Thumb mount, Grill guard, etc.
Nothing like up-armoring a tank. Nearing 2200 hrs.

 

[workinallthetime]

Looking to get a grapple for the tank, local dealer wants 3k for a land pride hmm

 

[mike69440]

Looking to get a grapple for the tank, local dealer wants 3k for a land pride hmm

OK Price for Hydraulic thumb, I have a mechanical, try USA thumb, under $1,000.

 

[workinallthetime]

ended up going with the Land Pride unit from the dealer. my quick-connect hydraulic fittings on the front turned out to be quite a mystery for the dealer. Since my unit was ordered with a 4 N 1 bucket the fittings were some odd size. The dealer was through in a set of male and female coupler ends so that i could get to work today. I am really impressed with the unit and ease of operation, however, just kicking myself for not buying this thing years ago. i moved everything today from a 4' x 4' x 4" concrete slab to a pile of leaves. Ultimately I purchased to help with the clearing of some land that I have been working on for quite a while this thing is a total game-changer for that.

my only complaint will be my first modification. I noticed a limb come right through the 2 open areas on the back of the grapple almost contacting the hose. I have some medium-duty expanded metal that I plan on welding in place to protect the front hoses and the tractor. Probably should build a better brush guard for the entire nose but time is precious these days.

 

[rScotty]

View attachment 630284
ended up going with the Land Pride unit from the dealer.

my only complaint will be my first modification. I noticed a limb come right through the 2 open areas on the back of the grapple almost contacting the hose. I have some medium-duty expanded metal that I plan on welding in place to protect the front hoses and the tractor. Probably should build a better brush guard for the entire nose but time is precious these days.

Thanks for the comments, I'm thinking of getting one of these grapples and that's a good hint about the expanded metal. That also reminds me that I also need to add some expanded metal to the grill guard of my stock M59. It's strikes me as odd that although the brush guard is built to stand up to a boulder, nothing stops a sharp stick from getting into those expensive radiator parts up front.

Or maybe not so odd, I designed machinery for a company for a dozen years and during that time there was a lot of design input from managerswho had never used their own products.... but never once did I hear from a person in the field who actually used the things. At the time that seemed normal..... now I wonder why....?
Anyway, that's my bad; I should have taken the time to go visit with customers myself on my own nickle. The product was good, but if I had talked to customers it would have been better.

When I order the grapple I'll be sure to specify that it comes with expanded metal shielding on the back.
rScotty

 

[workinallthetime]

After another days use i see no need for anything wider than the 60" unit I purchased. Now if I had gone with the more rock bucket-style then possibly a 72 would come in handy however for my immediate need as well what I see myself doing down the road with it the "root" style seemed to be the best fit. I have a 4 N 1 bucket also that I use on a regular basis but for brush, it is not very effective.
I am amazed at the ability to rake the ground with the grapple, after using the backhoe and thumb to grub trees I can then turn around to finish the area with the grapple.