Loader Buying

[Anonymous Poster]

I spent my first continuous period of time using the loader on my Kubota L35 today. I must say with all enthusiasm, if you can get a 4-link 45 degree rollback loader for your tractor, do it.

As one who lived with a 10 degree rollback on my Ford 1710, I knew the L35 would be great for picking up and carrying things low, but had no idea how easy it would make it to get a full bucket of dirt in it from a pile.

To get a full bucket it is instaneous, easy and FUN!

I have heard that this type of loader (like "real" tractors have) is being phased in and I think the 4610 has one already? The JD's use this on a lot of a their loaders but I don't think they get 45 degree rollback out of it, maybe 25? Not sure of NH.

Anyway, if you are considering an "aftermarket" loader, if the large rollback angle is available, try it before you choose.

Also, this has a 45 degree dump angle, which may not be unusual, it may be the speed of the dumping that makes moving dirt so much fun.

You must wonder if I have a life, enjoying moving dirt, but before now it was kind of a downer, now it's a blast and I feel I'm getting something done quickly. I got to the point rather quickly that I was stirring my GST stick when I should how I should without a thought.

I know I know, everybody says I'd like the HST better. Eventually I might, I sure feel goofy trying to use the BX with HST moving dirt as I'm stilll stuck on the pedal being a throttle lever and not a "gear ratio" lever!

dig on!

del

 

[Harv]

Del -

Now I am jealous! /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

I'm still new at tractorin', but the wimpy rollback on my LB400 loader takes a lot of fun out of working a pile. Like you say, it's difficult to get a full bucket, and did you also find it difficult to even see how you did? Does your full rollback afford you a better view of your load?

And I'm glad you brought up the GST. With the small amount of time I get to spend in the seat these days, it doesn't really matter, but despite all the rave reviews of HST, I'm not convinced I wouldn't be happier with a GST. I don't mind shifting gears -- I kinda like keeping that separate from applying throttle, but it would be nice to switch from forward to reverse more quickly.

Of course, I'm a newbie, chock full of ignorance, but does anybody out there prefer GST to HST?

 

[DFB]

Del,

Just for comparison the Deere 430 and 460 loaders have 30 degree rollbacks, 25 degrees on the 410. Dump angles are all 45 degrees.

DFB

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Harv,

We all seem to do OK with whatever we have. On my Ford I have a 4 speed box with a 3 speed box. The 4 speed range box can't be shifted without stopping unless you want to try to master the old truck driver method of double clutching and guessing rpm, which is dangerous with such an expensive and hard to fix trans. I can shift the 3 speed box and into reverse on the move, so I have 1st 2nd 3rd in any of the 4 ranges. 4 Range is for highway only or SMOOTH driveway. 1 Range is for careful slow work. 2 range for most everything, 3 range sometimes if it's smooth enough. I always got so danged tired of having to stop and then select another range. The GST allows you to shift 1 through 12th on the go. I sure wouldn't say I've mastered it yet though. My left hand still is more used to the reverse and forward lever on my Ford or on the L35, and sometimes I grab the GST lever, pull it back and expect to be going backwards /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Glad no one is usually around to watch my antics.

del

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Harv, yes I forgot, on the Ford I never knew what was in the bucket, at times traveling and dumping a tiny amount and feeling especially goofy. The bucket on the L35 tilts back so both the bottom edge and top edge are just about even, you can see the load. Because of this, and the danger in dumping the load on yourself if you raise it too high (which I'd never do anyway), it is self leveling, as you go up a rod causes the loader lever to push the bucket forward so it stays at the same angle on the way up. It isn't always a smooth process when it activates at a high level, I've only done this with an empty bucket to grease the joints with it up, and it was scary seeing the bucket all of a sudden move without mycontrol!

The L48 advertises hydraulic control of this, I don't know whether this is actually different then how the L35 works or not, as it also "hydraulically" moves the bucket. I think the bigger professional equipment does this a little smoother.

I'm in the process of having 500 yards delivered from a construction site not too far away. I told the truck driver if the guy loading with an excavator (Cat 445? I think <BIG>) wants to take a brake I'd be glad to come down and load the trucks for free. No takers /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

del

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>sometimes I grab the GST lever, pull it back and expect to be going backwards</font color=blue>

I know what you mean, Del. I don't know how many times I've "thrown her in gear", only to watch my bucket drop. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Snell]

Kubota first did the self-leveling thing with the B20, then the the L35. It is a mechanical self leveling system... you should be able to see the linkage from the bucket to the loader valve. What is strange is watching the loader controls move on their own as the bucket levels out. The need for this is due to the fact that without it, as del explained, there is the danger of dumping the load you have in your bucket all over yourself and the tractor... (although I know anyone who is reading this would never do anything silly like that...) so to keep the lawyers away, loaders weren't allowed to tip back to the angle that could cause harm until there was a self-leveling. The difference between the mechanical and hydraulic is exactly what it says. Instead of the linkage, the L48 uses hydraulics to level the bucket so you won't see the loader controls moving on their own. Smoothness depends on the speed in which you are raising the bucket. Anyone out there owned both to compare other differences? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[WVBill]

<font color=blue>...at times traveling and dumping a tiny amount and feeling especially goofy.</font color=blue>

I'm glad that I'm not the only one! I've been thinking that it's just because I'm a tractor newbie and I just didn't have "the feel" yet. Good to know that equipment limitations contribute to my ineptness.