L48. Questions.

[Raincoast]

Hi folks.
I'm searching for a TLB to work out the wrinkles in our 6 acres of wild, west coast rainforest. We plan to use the tractor for about 5 or 6 years & re-sell it once the land has been selectively logged, drained, levelled & groomed.
I have been looking at smaller tractors, but started wondering if I couldn't do better with a larger used unit for the same money.
There are a couple of L48 TLBs that'd cost about the same as a new 30 HP Korean tractor. Here in Canada, that's around $32,000 all in. (Including our 12% sales tax.)
The L48s both have around 1,000 hrs and from the pics, look to be in decent shape.
Is 1K hours high time on these rigs?
If I decide to go look, are there any areas of concern I should be aware of? I plan on crawling around them with a flashlight & mirror for quite a while before giving the nod.
So... Whaddyathink. Take a chance on an older more powerful tractor, or go the safer, full warranty route with the lighter unit?
Any suggestions / opinions gratefully received.

 

[Wolfy]

1,000 hours is not many for a tractor. Id say check how loose the pins are, and make sure the hydro transmission is responsive, aside from going it over. The L48 is construction grade, where many are just tractors with backhoes added. But if you are doing heavy logging and leveling, you may be much better served with a full size industrial backhoe, like a John Deere or Caterpillar or Case or Ford.

 

[lhansman]

Welcome to TBN Raincoast

As pointed out 1,000 hours is not much - especially for a Kubota industrial TLB and the L48 has a good reputation. It will be a far superior machine to any of the other new tractors you could look at in that price range. Keep in mind that the hoe is an integrated unit on the L48 - not a three point hitch add on like it will be on the others. It will be a much stronger and faster hoe than the others will offer and you just pivot your seat to switch stations instead of dismounting the tractor and climbing on to a little seat on the hoe. If you anticipate a lot of time on the hoe this is an important consideration.

Check the pins for wear and signs of regular greasing on the whole machine. The HST is also something that should be looked at as repairs for it are quite expensive. See if they have any service records indicating scheduled oil changes for the HST and if they can't provide them I would have it checked out at a Kubota dealer if you are not handy with a wrench yourself.

As Wolfy points out for $32,000 you might want to check out used full size machines too. They will have a cab and you can probably get one in reasonable shape for that kind of money although transport of it then becomes an issue if you want to move it around. I could have gotten a very good used full sized machine for what I paid for my L45 but I wanted the smaller size and ease of transporting it with an F350 so got the L45 and put a cab on it.

If you haven't already done so do a search on "L48" and you will find several good threads on the L48.

Good luck.

Regards,

Lauren

 

[gwdixon]

The L48 is pretty much a backhoe-only machine. Taking off the BH and using the 3PH is a disappointment given the range of the HST "gears".

The L48 works well as a loader also. Don't expect to plow, disc, or other major work besides BH tasks.

If you notice my signature, multiple tractors are used for my needs (which are similar to yours).

I got my L48 at 1000 hrs for $24K. It had been well-used by a septic system company and had hydraulic drips here and there. The pins were a bit loose but, overall, it has performed admirably. My main use for it is digging out tree stumps. It is good for up to a 3 foot diameter eucalyptus tree. Over that and an excavator or a BIG backhoe is needed.

Check out the "Similar Threads" at the bottom of this page to get more input and opinions.

 

[Grandad4]

Good advice already given. A couple of added comments. L48 is a heavy-duty rig that will outwork any 30 hp Korean compact, at least for the kind of work you've got in mind. Compared to a full-size TLB, the L48's advantage is a smaller footprint, which can be important if you're doing selective clearing. Condition is everything when buying used construction equipment. 1,000 hours is nothing with carefully-used, well maintained equipment, and 1,000 hours of rough use can wear out any machine. Give the L48's a careful look and make sure they are in full working order. Key things are the engine, hydraulics, HST, FEL, BH, drivetrain. Cosmetics are nice but secondary to mechanicals. Check for lube on all greasepoints, evidence of major repairs, tire condition, electricals, etc. Service records are a plus.

 

[the8080]

The L48 is pretty much a backhoe-only machine. Taking off the BH and using the 3PH is a disappointment given the range of the HST "gears".

The L48 works well as a loader also. Don't expect to plow, disc, or other major work besides BH tasks.

Are you saying the L48 has limitations because of something about its 3PH or HST? Or is this a general comment about tractors that size with HST?

 

[Navasot]

Are you saying the L48 has limitations because of something about its 3PH or HST? Or is this a general comment about tractors that size with HST?

HST isn't ideal for agriculture use.. not saying it cant be done but the main advantage of HST is tight quarter work, back and forth type work, easy to drive, and then a few precision things like trenchers.

 

[Raincoast]

Hey Guys. Thanks for your very helpful replies!
Since I don't plan to do much in the way of agricultural work, those concerns can mostly be put aside.
I will want to get a brush hog to keep the wicked undergrowth controlled. I assume there'd be plenty of power for that kind of work? I'll have to go check one of these units out & see how it feels.
I love living in a remote area, but it does complicate things, sometimes.
Cheers. Dan

 

[Navasot]

I would stick with a 6ft mower and make sure you get the cruse control option for the HST. You do loose pto hp when you go to an HST transmission

 

[gwdixon]

Are you saying the L48 has limitations because of something about its 3PH or HST? Or is this a general comment about tractors that size with HST?

Specific to the L48. It is not suited as a do-all AG machine. Once the BH is dropped, then it becomes a marginal tractor. With the BH on it is great.

The main problem is it is very heavy for a 48 HP tractor and the three HST gears are 1) excruciatingly slow 2) less painfully slow 3) way too high. Can it work - yes, but not without some frustration. (To the OP: drive the L48 around to determine for yourself.)

An HST is very useful for certain projects. Two of my three tractors have HST and serve well.

Some of these points have already been mentioned.