L48 or L4610?

hayden · Sep 27, 2001

It sure sounds like the self-leveling is causing what you're seeing on the loader.

As for "push power", I find on my 2910 that without the BH I can spin the wheels pushing into a pile. With the BH on it's pretty much impossible to sping the wheels. The engine gives out before I lose traction. This is why I'm a total believer in weight.

High techie, reciently founded a startup company and struggling for tractor time.

MarkV · Sep 27, 2001

John,

I think I would get your loader checked out. The self leveling on my B21 will change the bucket curl as the loader arms are raised to keep the bucket level. When I have the bucket on the ground I often curl forward to back drag with the tooth bar as a rake or curl back to use the back edge of the bucket (square bucket) to smooth. Even if I lift the front tires off the ground, the bucket will remain as set.

I think the self leveling system on the L48 is hydraulic and it is mechanical on the B21. Even with differnt systems it is hard to believe you can't lock the bucket for back dragging. I think something is set wrong on your control system.

MarkV

johnjc · Sep 28, 2001

My tractor has an appointment with Dr, Dealer Tuesday to check the hydraulic pressure . Will let you know how it comes out.
John

JATO_RaT · Oct 2, 2001

Hey John, any news about your tractor, anxiously waiting to hear. Still debating on the L 48TL (no hoe) or the L4610 HST, R4's and loader. The difference in price is about 3300 dollars, the L 48 being more expensive. Rat...

johnjc · Oct 2, 2001

Dropped the tractor off Saturday because I needed to haul cement blocks out to my ground and bring back firewood. The appointment was for today (Tuesday) but I didn't get a call. I had told them that I wouldn't be using it this week so maybe they didn't get started. Or again maybe it's real bad. Now you have got me worried. I will let you know when they call.

foz · Oct 3, 2001

Traded my L3600 GST on L48 in April, have +/-200Hrs on the L48 now. After removing the backhoe a couple of times, I can now remove the hoe & have the 3pt setup in abot 10 to 15 minutes. If you don't need the extra capacity of the hoe & are likely to change 3pt implements often, I would go with the L4610. However, I swaped because I use my unit commercially most often with the backhoe. As far as the down pressure on the front bucket, it is a relief valve design flaw that according to my dealer, Kubota is intending to offer replacements to fix. If you bought a L48 I would be sure to get this corrected before taking delivery. The loader has a much greater capacity & strength than my old L3600 so yes I think the power is worth the extra $$.

MarkV · Oct 3, 2001

Foz,

Thanks for the information. There are several of us looking at the L48 and only a few owners on the forum, so we enjoy all the information you can offer.

Hard to believe that Kubota didn't figure out the relief valve issue before introduction. It isn't like it is rare for someone to want down pressure on the loader bucket.

MarkV

johnjc · Oct 4, 2001

L48 Loader Problems

Just got off the phone with Dr. Dealer. I had ask to have four things checked and this is the status.
1. Left front tire rubbing guard over steering rod. They realigned (bent) it out of the way.
2. When using the loader and you don't have the transport pins in the backhoe it slowly drifts to the right takes 5 minutes or so. Thery aren't seeing this one.
3. After running the backhoe for about 3 hr. the lift cylinder gets very hot. Told me this is normal. Has anyone seen this on other Kubotas.
4. Loader has low curl power, and won't hold position when dragging the bucket backwards, to level dirt. Kubota knows about this one and has faxed a parts list to replace one of the Loader Spool Valves. Parts should be here in about 3 or 4 days

JATO_RaT · Oct 4, 2001

Re: L48 Loader Problems

"After running the backhoe for about 3 hr. the lift cylinder gets very hot. Told me this is normal. Has anyone seen this on other Kubotas."

John, I suspect this is quite normal. Cylinders get hot from the oil. The more the cylinder is used, the more often that new, hot oil gets to keep heating things up. Unless its burning the paint, I would not be concerned. Thats the report about the curl/loader problem eh, sounds simple enough. The dealer told me that big valve body below the loader control valve is the hydraulic loader/leveler valve. It sure is big for what little it needs to do. Rat...

P.S. while looking at a brand new L48 at a local dealer yesterday, I could not help but notice not only did it have a horn button, but also a light switch knob and PTO engagement lever that looks to be built by Playskool or Tonka. With all the steel in the machine, the knob and lever are a bit anemic. The rest of the machine looks great.

MarkV · Oct 4, 2001

Re: L48 Loader Problems

Johnjc,

Glad to hear the dealer is taking care of your baby. I have a B21 and the lift cylinder can get pretty hot after doing a hard dig session. Of course the B21 is much smaller than your L48, so I don't know if it is fair to make a comarison.

MarkV