L48 or L4610?

[JATO_RaT]

Re: L48 Loader Problems

John, I test drove a L48 last week. Tried some of the manuverers you spoke of with the loader and found nothing different from every other loader with the one exception of the auto level feature. When getting the lift and roll "out of synch" that is, stoping lift while rolling the bucket, I could then force the roll to bottom out "pull in" all the way while still lowering the arms. It simply slowed the lowering by a small amount. Other then that, the loader could immediately lift the tractor off the ground with no hestitation. While I realize this is very little load, it indicates that things are moving properly. I was impressed with the L 48's overall ability to move. While running the engine at full throttle, in low, and stomping on the HST pedal, the engagement was very smooth. When going to idle in high range, stomping down on the HST pedal the tractor did load up, but pulled through without stalling. A great way to test how good your HST is. Hope your issue is resolved soon, Rat...

 

[Vtliving]

I have a L4200 and was looking to add a backhoe to it or trade it in for a L48. The L48 is a very impressive tractor, but the upgrade is going to run me $26,000 after trade-in. Ouch. My backhoe needs will only be occasional (I'm a weekend tractor kind of guy) and I do use a lot of other 3pt hitch implements. After reading the post, I think buying a 7 1/2 foot woods backhoe for about $6,000 makes the most sense/cents for me. It seems everyone feels the L4610 is actually easier and quicker to switch between backhoe and other implements. My question is, are you assuming a three-point hitch mounting backhoe or a frame mount backhoe? I guess I'm leaning toward the 3pt model since it's cheaper and easier (I assume) to get on and off and should still meet my needs. I would appreciate any input or advice on this.

thanks Vermont Living

 

[MChalkley]

VL - I would advise extreme caution with that class of backhoe in a 3-pt mount. It will work but if you broke your tractor in half with it, I can assure you that you wouldn't be among the first 50 people to do so. It's been done many times - I've seen two examples of it having been done myself - after the fact, fortunately.

As I said, it will work, and it won't hurt the tractor if you're careful, but some folks just aren't, and it's very hard to be careful if you're inexperienced in backhoe operation. (I'm not intending to imply you are - I have no idea - just stating the warning so anyone whose foot fits can wear the shoe. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif)

The reason 3-pt mount backhoes are so hard on the tractor technically has nothing to do with the fact that the backhoe mounts to the 3-pt linkage - it's because the tractor has no separate "chassis" or "frame". If you think about it, you can see that the only thing holding the front and rear axles together is the bolting of the engine to the transmission and the transmission to the rear axle housing.

Frame mount backhoes have the advantage of providing rigidity to the tractor which prevents damaging it. They have the disadvantage of requiring you to remove the lower links of the three point hitch to mount the backhoe.

There's one frame mount backhoe (that I know of) that offers the advantages of the frame mount without the disadvantages, the Bradco. It's a bit more expensive than the Woods, but you're getting more that the difference in quality and safety, I think. I had a Bradco 609 on my L4310HST - that's a lot more backhoe than the Woods you're talking about, and probably more than you want/need, and it cost a little over $9k - but I could mount and unmount it in 5 minutes or so. Also, check out the "L4310 enhancements" thread in the "Tractor Customization" forum for some details on a hydraulic setup that makes the backhoe installation usage a lot easier. The main message that talks about it is a repost from the previous TBN board, and it's on this page: http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=custom&Number=3472&page=1&view=collapsed&sb=5&part=6&vc=1, about a third of the way down the page. There's also a few pictures in that thread that show the Bradco subframe and the plumbing.

MarkC

 

[Anonymous Poster]

As Mark said... for $9K {better than $26K /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif}, only a few thousand difference, I'd consider the Bradco unit...

 

[MChalkley]

Plus, if you back down to the 509 or so, you're comparing backhoes in the same size class, and the difference is even less...

Thanks for the pics, John.

MarkC

 

[johnjc]

Re: L48 Loader Problems

The dealer Installed the remaining parts in my loader last week and I picked it up last Fri.
But didn't have time to take it out and test it this weekend. Hope It doesn't always take this long to get Kubota parts. Should be able to give it a good workout next weekend.

 

[johnjc]

Re: L48 Loader Problems

Finally got a chance to try my tractor after the new parts had been installed in the loader.
And while is much improved It is still not as good as my 305DT with 1720 loader was.
I have been cutting a flat into the side of a hill to build my cabin on. The grade is a little steep so I have been backing across the face a leveling a strip about 15 ft. wide with the backhoe and dumping the dirt over the side. Then I go down on the part that is flat and move the dirt to build up the low side.
This allows me to back out to the end of the flat I just made and reach over the end with the hoe and brake up the slate rock and dump it over the side. Breaks much easier lifting.
The first problem I was having was when pushing the loader bucket into the loosened rock at the base of the flat I didn't have enough power to curl the bucket. Sometimes I actually had to backup to curl the bucket and only got ½ a bucket load. Now at most all I have to do is let off on the HST.
Second problem. I reach up with the loader and try to pull the loose dirt off of the edge of the flat by down curling the loader bucket. Still can't do this.
I guess my next step is to order a gage and check my hydraulic pressure against the service manual

 

[HR_Mutt]

Re: L48 Loader Problems

johnjc
Sorry to hear you're still having problems. The L48 I rented had similar problems and dealer just said it was a tricky adjustment. Have you tried another dealer service dept? You might just be going about it the right way now, figure it out for yourself. Good Luck!
regards
Mutt

 

[HKSawyer]

John, what is the tractor in the photos you posted with the blue Bradco BH attached?
An NH something or other, I suppose. Do you know what model? Or perhaps someone else does.
thanks

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Horace,

To tell you the truth, I don't remember the model NH it was on... I was experimenting with a cheapo digital camera at the time...

Maybe it was the TC15 or something..../w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif....just kidding.../w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif {the BX killer..........}