L45TLB Info

[srl28]

Well it is, but HST trans, making it for some very easier to use. Very interested in the machine and will be upgrading from our b7800 to this. Just want some more pictures and all.

 

[bandit67]

That's going to be a nice upgrade.

If I ever "need" to upgrade, I think the L45 would be a great all-around workhorse. Not too big, not too small, and a ton of power. I for one, like the upgrades they've done to create this L45.

It would be my "ideal" machine. I just don't really "need" my "ideal" machine, and probably won't for a while. But it's nice to know if I ever can make a move to my ideal machine, it's there, waiting for me.

 

[Muleskinner]

Here is the Front cover and rear cover for the L45TLB Brochure

Holy crap!!! Look at that. Kubota is going to offer a four in one front bucket option on the L45! Now that will sell like hot cakes!!

 

[_RaT_]

Don't expect just a little bit less from a L45 than a L48, take a look side by side. They are, in my opinion, 2 different class machines. It should be more the size of a L48 and not have smaller tires like the L39.

Yes, lets not confuse the two tractor models. The L45 updates the L39 by adding a cylinder on the engine (don't really consider that an update), HST plus (which may or may not be an upgrade) etc. It is not a L48 and that is for some a very good thing. If the L48 had four ranges and had come out with hydraulic self leveling as an option instead of a standard "convenience" it would indeed be a long lived tractor following the footsteps of the L35. It has been a relatively short lived tractor design. A tractor with some good strengths and some glaring weaknesses. I suppose you might say the same about the L39 or this is just the new tractor marketing mentality. Don't just keep up with the Jones's, surpass them.

 

[Muleskinner]

I'm a bit curious about the L45 as well. Having owned a TL48 in the past I'm am quite aware of its deficiencies, the HST gear ranges being number one on the list and one of the reasons I really liked the L39 with GST. I will be curious to try the HST Plus on the L45. After I sold the TL48 I picked up a L3830 HST. That HST was superb with very nice High, Medium and Low ranges. I'm also with Muleskinner on the L3830 or L39 3 cylinder. It was and is a very smooth and powerful engine, basically a L48 engine with one less cylinder. Since I never got to do any dirt work with the L39, I cannot comment on its abilities, size wise it would have been ideal for my needs. I suppose the good thing is that the L39 leftovers will be around for some time should I get interested in a TLB and the L45 TLB not much of an improvement over the L48's HST. The M59 is more than I need and as has been mentioned, getting into a price range that makes one think twice about going into the next class of tractors, the industrial TLB's. I picked up my TL48 in 2001 for about $29K

I can attest for the L39's dirt capacity. I put over 300 hours on mine grading roads, grading building pads, finish grading for concrete, removing brush, Etc, Etc. The L39 is one heck of a work horse. With the GST trans it has super low end grunt and can flat move out when transporting material with the front bucket. The tractor NEVER let me down and was always an amazement as far as what it could do with only 39HP. The biggest mistake I ever made was the day I sold it!!!

The only short coming it had was when you were up real close to an objet using the front bucket. I had to use the clutch to stop in time on more than one occasion. This is where the HST Plus will shine. But other than that, I would take an L39 with a GST ANYTIME!!

 

[srl28]

Yes, but i think the little bit extra HP and the hydro trans may make it a little more nible and easy to use. Find it a pain to use the GST at times on the l39, rented it a few times, loved the lift height, etc....wish kubota or someone had some more info and especially pictures of the machine. All we have is that 1 brochure pic!!

 

[curtisfarmer]

I have 2 L48s and neither came with hyd. self leveling, but did come with mechanical leveling. Which I disconnected as soon as they where delivered. The older L48s must be what Rat is talking about. Wish the L45 had L48s heavy metal skin. I didn't realize they are adding another piston to the L39 engine. Does anyone else think the L39/45 tires are too small?

 

[Muleskinner]

I never use the self leveler anyway. I keep mine turned off on my M7040 and also did so on my old L39. Once you get used to operating a FEL it's too slow for me. I guess if you are loading rolled hay or pallets it would be okay. But for a "stick jockey" loading dirt, rock or sand like me it's a waste of time.

I never found the L39's tires to be too small. They worked just fine for the application. I used mine on hard dirt and desert sand most of the time. I NEVER got stuck or felt like I needed wider or taller tires. (More wieght would have been nice) I always load my rear tires with one gallon of automotive anitfreeze per tire and the rest water. I put 32 oz of slime in each front tire. Keeps the slow leaks down from thorns and such. I run my rear tires at 15 to 20 pounds for traction. Never had a tire slip the bead or roll off at that pressure. I run the fronts about 3/4's of what the factory calls for. Works better in sand and such.

 

[art]

Does anyone else think the L39/45 tires are too small?

Thats an easy question to answer! For some applications they might be, but for the majority of all work I can't see where they need bigger tires. If you look at full sized machines that weigh in at 15,000lbs plus that use the same size rears as the L-48 and M-59 why do they need to be on a 9,000lb machine? Why do they need to be on the 10,000lb machines?

If you were to need floatation great, the bigger tires would probably help. otherwise they are fine. They are not overloaded at all, not even close.

 

[bandit67]

If you look at full sized machines that weigh in at 15,000lbs plus that use the same size rears as the L-48 and M-59 why do they need to be on a 9,000lb machine?

That was what I was thinking, as I've used full size TLBs, and those tires are not very big in comparison to the size & weight of those machines. I haven't run an L39, but I've not heard any complaints about tire size on them, either.

 

[_RaT_]

Its just the look... Its like when a guy buys a truck from the dealer, yanks off the perfectly decent tires and rims and puts on some big fat oversized meat. It looks better at least in their eyes. Have yet to have the oversized rims do anything for me except think "what a waste of money" I have yet to do that.... Now if you want to talk tiny, look at the B26. The size on the front is so tiny that a marble could present a challenge. I'm not talking about your normal quarter pints, half pints, peewees, clearies, cat's eye's, steelies, boy scouts, bumble bee, etc., size, I'm talking the boulders.

If you dig through the postings (2001 or so), there's a guy (RichH) Kubota 4610 with MChalkey Kubota enhanced 4310 that added Michelin 19.5 etc., etc., monsters to their Kubotas. The one guy had to cut parts of the loader support to make it work. Bird and some of the others will know what I'm talking about. There are pictures as well. I think the soil loading lbs per sq. ft was beat only by a small excavator.

 

[bandit67]

Its just the look... Its like when a guy buys a truck from the dealer, yanks off the perfectly decent tires and rims and puts on some big fat oversized meat.

Yeah, I did that with my truck. It looked much better. Then 16 months ago when it was time for new rubber, I decided to save some money on the tires and get my mileage back up and go with the stock size.

Performance is just as good, if not better, mileage is up, and I saved $200 on the set. Guess I'm getting old and my priorities are changing.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I still like big tires with decent HP for mowing, heavy forestry work, deep mud, picking rocks, going over obstacles, and more. I guess I have never expected more from anything else and i came from Ford farm tractors to industrial Kubotas. I have....and learned on a Ford 1100 4X4, probably 1 of the smallest 4X4 diesel machines built. Now I have a small son..and 1 one the way, and I want a small Kubota for them to have the same GREAT experiences I had. I am taking suggestions.............M59 for dad.....what do you guys think for the little 1s?

 

[MarkV]

Isn't the L45 basically an updated L39 on steroids? Bigger engine, higher FEL capacity, and HST Plus, but everything else the same, including backhoe? And isn't the L39 going away, so now it will be the B26, L45, and M59 as the only commercial TLB machines?

Sounds like the L39 is a good size machine and a very big seller, but just needed a little more power.

The L39 is not going away, they have added another player in that size range with the HST tranny.

MarkV

 

[mike69440]

I've have an L39 that has develped front axle seal leaks @ 650 hours.

I've always said Kubota should have used heavier front and real axles and 16 x 20 tires in rear over the 15 x 19's and 12.5 x 16.5 in the front vs. the 10.5 x 15

The fronts on the M59 look rediculously small.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

leaks at the axle seals are common on all tractors, its nothing specific to the L39.

 

[srl28]

Any news on the l45?? Kubota is still offering 0% financing and what not. One offer ended the 31st but starting the new year off with 0% again should be good!

 

[MarkV]

I've have an L39 that has develped front axle seal leaks @ 650 hours.

I've always said Kubota should have used heavier front and real axles and 16 x 20 tires in rear over the 15 x 19's and 12.5 x 16.5 in the front vs. the 10.5 x 15

The fronts on the M59 look rediculously small.

Now Mike in all fairness you have added,what, 2000lbs to your tractor, goosed up the hydraulics, blown a hydraulic pump carrying heavy loads and dug enough rock to build a castle. I can't say that a front axle leak surprises me. Actually for what you have been doing the L39 is way undersized,IMO, and it is impressive how well it has held together.

I've enjoyed your house building thread. It is really coming together.

MarkV

 

[mike69440]

Now Mike in all fairness you have added, what, 2000lbs to your tractor, (more like +1100 Lbs) goosed up the hydraulics, (just tiny bit) blown a hydraulic pump carrying heavy loads (learned a lesson) and dug enough rock to build a castle. (I should have bought my excavator sooner and bigger) I can't say that a front axle leak surprises me. (Nor me) Actually for what you have been doing the L39 is way undersized,IMO, and it is impressive how well it has held together.

As things are shaping up, it's size is getting to suit better.

I've enjoyed your house building thread. It is really coming together.

Thanks, I really look forward to getting the shell weather tight.

MarkV

Next question.

I know the L39 needs a turbo for snowplowing and an enclosed cab, but I have the chance to buy 8' plow with hydraulics and Kubota QA right. Is an 8' plow too much for the L-39 or should I be looking at 7' - 7-1/2' plow?

Mike