L48 seat rotation

[gray]

Hello TBN.
I am new to the forum. Have learned much in my viewing and hope to learn more. May even be able to share something of value? My question. Is there anyone who has worked out an improvement to the rotating seat on the L48? I have been sketching a lift and shift mechanisum that may allow a user to remain seated and rotate from the back hoe to the loader position. There is enough room if done right and it would make it safer and faster to do. OK, so I am a frustrated mechanical designer.
The L48 has been a great tractor and a good upgrade from my L35 that was good.

 

[bbfarm]

Gray

Sorry off topic, why did you upgrade to the L48?

I like the L35 and was wondering what type of tasks did you use it for?

Thanks! David...

 

[del]

That seat is a sore point on my L35.

Only someone who has never used a backhoe, or who has only
used a backhoe on streets would ever want such a piece of...

Comfortable seat but I'm going to put another seat for the
backhoe and learn to like the "stock" seat moved forward.

Getting off in the mud when the terrain doesn't allow me to
move the tractor with the hoe, then fumbling with the seat
and climbing back on is ridiculous.

I'll probably build a step panel like I did on my Ford. I'd
rather climb over or use a monkey bar to go from front to
back then get down.

I especially like the fact that going from hoe to front you
have to release the seat IN THE FRONT then go back, lean over
the muddy tire and release the pivot #$%#@%@#$%.

Wife keeps wondering how in the heck I keep getting the chest
of my jacket dirty!

"What are you doing rolling around on the ground?" ha ha

The ROPS/FOPS should have been built much wider to allow
passing easier.

The rest of the tractors good points make up for that but
it boggles the mind that such an otherwise good design could
be tarnished by that jackass seat (fingertip control notwithstanding).

The "creep to position" feature on the JD110 sounds like a
great idea.

I know guys that leave their HST's in gear, idle it down and
goose the pedal with a long stick to move tractor.

I know, the L35 hoe would probably pull the tractor up a
cliff if asked to do so. I'm talking about situations in the
woods and slopes etc where things could get away from you.

I learned quickly with this to only move the tractor with the
hoe with the engine just about all the way idled down.

WHOOPS YOU JUST MOVED 6 FEET IN 1 SECOND AND YOUR SHORTS
NEED CHANGING!!!/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

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[gray]

I had begun to think I was the only one feeling this way. Maybe we are the only 2?
The trackto has so many good features that I can not understand how they (the engineers) could settle for such a crude design.
I got tired of getting off my L35 just to get back on it, that it bscame one of the reasons fo go to the L48. Now I am tired of half standing up and holding on so I don't slip then rotating the seat, then stepping through and getting reseated without slipping and falling somewhere in the process. It is not bad-----but, it is not good!!!!!
With a tractor full of hydraulics and having a battery why not make a simple mechanism that makes this a good seating change over. That is why I am working on it. No prototype yet but parts searching is in progress. Sketches are being worked on and hopes are high that this will work. I am looking at an electric lift at this point for coast and ease of set up. I am dead sure a hydraulic ram would work but I am not experienced in that. It may come to that if my options are too small for electric type.
I don't know if what I am working on would work on the L35 but if not, I am sure something would.
Why the L48? Power, lift height and HST, the seat was also a plus. I have forks for it and do some light construction so lift hight and HST for tight spots became an issue. Hoe strength and reach is also big for me. Some of the footing work on aditions just took too much time with the L35.
I often moved the L35 form the hoe seating possition- carefully. I have a long reach. It helped to do that but was not easy to do and posed a safety issue in some cases. The option to move the L48 form the hoe seat would be great but I felt that instead of installing a linkage to do this(at very low speeds) , a easy rotation seat would be a safer choice.
Let me know more about your ideas.

 

[B21nut]

Guys,
I don't want to start a war on this but I have the B21(little Jr. of the L35,L48). One of the things that have to be compromised on these TLBs are some of the creature comforts of the big boys. After all these are Compact TLBs. I have worked with a buddy on a CAT 416 1997 model and let me tell ya I wish my B21 had alot of those features but thats life. If you buy a Vette and go to the market for groceries don't complain that it does have enough trunk space. Again,
just my 2cents and offered respectfully.
John D.

 

[del]

No offense taken, and your point is a good one.

On the B21 it would be real hard to go from front
to back due to the tractor width.

I have a Ford the same size as the L35 and I go
from front to back all the time. I am not very
"catlike" anymore either.

Having to step off into a bunch of goo and getting
back on is messy. Getting off into a bunch of brush
you are working through is tough. Getting off and
on is not safe either. Everytime is a chance for
a slip or unwanted tractor-to-body contact.

For putting in water lines along side the highway
on flat ground or something there's not much of a problem
as you will probably just push the tractor with the hoe.

I don't like getting off the tractor on a slope if I can
help it anyway, leaning over and operating the seat. I
have always assumed my tractor(s) will start moving and
try to kill me so I keep a respectful distance from them
on slopes.

On the L48, an even wider setup it would be even easier.
I hadn't looked at one so I was surprised by this post
that even on those there isn't a simple swivel seat you
can get around on without dismounting.

On my Ford I stand, flip up the front seat, flip down the
rear seat and climb over. No fuss after you get the hang
of it. I don't look very graceful doing it/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gifbut I
still find it easier than up and down.

Actually as I remember from looking at the B21 it has a
better seat design then the L35.

The L35 is like you mentioned a COMPACT TLB, more crammed
into a smaller space and that's why I like it. Personal
modifications to your car/truck/tractor are always rewarding
when you "beat" the designers.

Everything's a tradeoff and I would never go back to a
"conventional" add on backhoe or loader where the tractor
wasn't designed from the ground up as a TLB. Not many
choices, B21 L35 L48 and now the JD110. JD should get their
heavy equipment designers to work again and come out with
a JD "010" or "070" or something about the L35 or smaller
size.

Heck, sometimes I consider the L35 my macho "stairmaster".
We old toads need the excercise anyway!

dig on!

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[gray]

Del,

Many good points. I hear you. I am just one of these guys who likes to try to improve things. On the L48 there is enough room to do what I am describing. On the L35 I am not sure there is the room to do what I describe, in fact, I don't hink so. The width of the L48 is the only thing that makes this a possiblity.

I understand , it is not nice messing with some things. If it does not work, I will admit it and take my lumps.

Injuring myself on the L35 one time was enough to look at moving to the L48. I guess, I am hyper sensitive to the seat thing.

I totally agree with the thought that these TLB's are best when designed as a package rather than pieces put together. I had looked at some JD models and NH but they did not appeal to me for that reason. The loaders were not bad, mabe even good but the BH left much to be desired. My thoughts-2 cents.

The L48 would be the undisputed top dog in the small TLB if:

The hood sloped enough to get a veiw of the bucket.

The back hoe had a extention option.

The medium speed range is 5.5 mph vs 4.2mph.

Oil and voltage gauges.

SEAT ROTATION WHILE SEATED.

200 pounds lighter for an easy fit on a 10000gvw trailer.



All ideas are welcome.

Gentalmen- fire away.

 

[del]

Gray, how can you consider yourself an intelligent, experienced
TLB operator when you didn't list the IMPORTANT THINGS?

Leather, 8 speaker stereo, reclining seat, multiple cupholders
(wait, in my attempt at humor I hit on something, which I'll
probably have to strap on the FOPS, a THERMOS holder!)

And that other new car MUST HAVE, that I really wouldn't
mind having Nov-Feb, a HEATED SEAT.

Ditto on the idiot lights, I try to spot trouble BEFORE
it gets out of hand myself.

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[gray]

Del,

Your right- how could I have forgotten all that?

On the real side- Did I have any of the improvement issues right in your view? Other then the oil and volt meter.

I did think of a couple of things while reading your note:

I have to find a drink holder that hold work well on the machine. Some makes have them?

I just got done dropping my rebuilt 455 into my Olds Cutlass convertable. Now that is a comfort, stereo, cruising machine that may have spoiled me when it comes to the L48.

When I work, I work hard but I like the best tools I can get. When I play, I play hard with the best I can afford. You don't live forever- make the best of the time you have?

My wife has told me, I enjoy using the tractor too much- must be doing something right?

BTW- I am new to this whole tractor thing. August of 02 was my first time with a CUT (35) === Gee, that sounds bad? Like I'm a teen telling stories? But, it's true---really.

 

[del]

gray

Does your L48 have quick attach for the backhoe bucket?

I know you can install the adaptors to be able to change
the front bucket easily.

An extendahoe would be great, the stuff from the big tractors
is slowly trickling down but it seems to take so LONG.

I also wish Kubota would set the tractor up to already be
plumbed for an electrically controlled hydraulic thumb. I
went to a lot of work to get a unit I like that has been
survivable (knock on wood) for stumping and clearing land.

Would have been SO much easier if tractor was already set up
for it.

Of course I also want hydraulic suspension like the lowrider
cars so I can adjust it for slopes.

Or something cool like those "spider tractors". I don't know
the correct name but they have hydraulic outriggers coming
out the side with wheels on them. They are used to mow highway
slopes you can hardly stand up on. I pulled over once and watched
a guy. People stopped to ask what I was looking at, when I
told them they got back in their cars mumbling.

I'd like Kubota (and JD) to wake up and realize that filling
the fuel tank should be on the SIDE of tractor not in the center
of the HOOD!

If someone agrees to plunk down $$$$$$$$ for a new tractor
they ought to be able to get extra wheel and tire combo's at
Deere's cost as a way of saying Hey Thanks!

FOPS on the L35 may be "legal" for whatever load they test
it with but it will probably work ONCE and then be JUNK.
At least in the front. One bolt? That sucker will probably
twist all up if the tractor tips over. $$$$$$

I had a custom made FOPS on my Ford, you could drop a tree on
it over and over again with no damage. I only did it once
I don't think I even mussed up the paint.

Got cocky pushing trees down hit one low, it looked OK but
instead of falling over it snapped clean off and fell on
me. Other then a heck of a THWAM sound no fuss.

(Yeah right, and my hands ALWAYS shake like that /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)

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