L48 with 6.6 hours

ozarkhorses · Feb 13, 2002

Traded in my 'newish' L4610 and very well worn(out) Case 480D for the L48 with the heavy duty front bucket, 24" back bucket and a rear light kit. So far, with 6 hours of use, it's been a good decision. The '48' easily has the best of the 480D and we are not yet missing the reach of the rear bucket.

We have 65 acres of cleared pasture land with stream and ponds for horses plus another 30 acres that we need to clear into a parl like setting. Soon we'll be puuttng up an arena, barns and all that other good stuff. As the dealer gave me a great trade in on the L tractor, the 480D was just about shot and I negotiated hard on the L48, it wasa worthwhile move for us.

After a few hours of operation, we have noticed that after 30 minutes of running, the rear boom 'droops' about 2-3 inches. Sure, you can cinch it back up and even pin it, but this did not even happen with the very worn 480D.

One other thing that worries me a little. The shaft driving what I believe to be the hydraulic pump off the front the engine appears very out of round. Each end seems to be supported in some kind of rubber bearing/gimbal style seating, but it looks kind of weird to me. The dealer is ordering a new shaft, but I'm not sure it is the shaft itself. How is this mounted?

The only bad news about the whle experience is that the dealer, who also sells NH, are very light in the experience department with this unit. They tell me the L35 is very different. They also know nothing about any recalls or changes or problems on the L48 and give me a blank stare about UDT or Super UDT.

Anyone with any words of wisdom?

JATO_RaT · Feb 14, 2002

ozarkhorses, I have now got about 60 hours on my L48 TL, no hoe. I would say just use the Super UDT when it comes time to change it. It has superior cold weather characteristics and as I noted in a earlier post somewhere, it has a better high temperature stability (I think) based on the tech sheet for UDT, Super UDT and Amsoil 30. 50 hours will come very quickly, the HST filter will be pretty dirty with metal particles, the hydraulics will be much cleaner. I needed 49 quarts (manual says 53.9 qts.) and used Amsoil 30 in the front axle because I had it (8+ qts). The manual says Super UDT or UDT is fine for it as opposed to 80W or 90W oil and Amsoil 30 seemingly rates somewhere between UDT and Super UDT. The out of round you mention is more likely the flex couplings which are need to eliminate any loads on the bearings from misalignment as things flex and move. That pump runs the hoe swing hydraulics. I'm finding that as the tractor is breaking in, it gets better and better. I am having for me a relatively small issue with the self leveling hydraulics on the loader. It does not have sufficint dump (bucket extend) force and am emailing Kubota about it. The dealers are doing what Kubota tells them to do but I don't think it has eliminated the problem. I'm getting about 8 or 9 hours per tank of diesel at about a steady 1800 to 2000 RPM which seems to be about max torque and minimum noise level. Good luck with your L48, it has alot of great features, Rat...

MarkV · Feb 14, 2002

CONGRADULATIONS on the new L48. I think there are now 4 or maybe 5 L48 owners on the forum and a bunch of us who wish we were./w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif I do hope you will share your feelings as you get some hours on the new tractor. Your perspective after owning the L4610 will be very interesting to many here. In the Kubota Buying/Pricing forum there is a thread called “L48 or L4610”. If you have not read it, some of the new L48 owners have been discussing their tractors.

Welcome to the forum and hope to hear from you often.

MarkV

foz · Feb 18, 2002

My L48 has abot 200 Hrs now, & I don't regret the decision to purchase it at all.

1. Just had the new relief valve installed to correct the problem with the down pressure (dump curl) on the loader. Your dealer should be able to get it fixed courtesy of Kubota.
2. The hydraulic cylinders at the backhoe may need to be replaced, as I have had both stabilizers worked on & now all is fine.
3. three reps from Kubota (including 2 from Japan) are supposed to meet me & the machine at my dealer on Feb 25th, let u know from there.
4. all considered a very nice machine, we use it commercially for my business & it works well

ozarkhorses · Feb 19, 2002

Hi Foz
Did they just install a replacement relief valve or is this a new part number? My FEL has distinct trouble getting the front end in the air. No problems with the rear bucket.

JATO_RaT · Feb 19, 2002

Foz, looking forward to hear what you hear. Let then know that there are others with this problem and are looking for answers. The L48 I have now has 61 hours on it and overall is really nice, tight and a loader with some power other then the one mentioned here. Until they get it resolved, I would hold off on the purchase of one. If they agree to deal with the problem headon, I will definitely give it my "Buy" endorsement, Rat...