Sold my L-39 yesterday

[Builder]

Guys, thanks for all the help & advice.

 

[catvet]

Why?? Also, how much did you sell it for, how many hours?

 

[witel]

Good to hear the great news. I've been seeing the posts everywhere for it, so I know you've been working hard to sell it. I hope the deal worked out well.

 

[curtisfarmer]

If I made the mistake of buying one, I would sell it too and by something bigger for the same price. The L39 is too small for landscapers who want to have full capacity without being maxed out all the time machine wise. The price carries too high a premium for the machine. I have an L48 and will buy another before they upgrade to something like the L39.

 

[Builder]

If I made the mistake of buying one, I would sell it too and by something bigger for the same price. The L39 is too small for landscapers who want to have full capacity without being maxed out all the time machine wise. The price carries too high a premium for the machine. I have an L48 and will buy another before they upgrade to something like the L39.

I agree.

So tell us, what new backhoe can you buy for $33,000 that's bigger??? Nothing.

And by the way, an L-48 is just a little machine, too. Barely (maybe 5-10% more capable) more than an L-39.

 

[mike69440]

If you do search of my posts, I think you get an honest +/- assessment of the L-39.

Weakest point IMHO is the front bucket linkages that in conjunction with the regenerative cycle on the loader valve give fast dump cycle times but very weak back curl force and limited breakout.
Many have told mee the L-48 and JD-110 is better in the above.

The bigger machine the harder to maneuver, so the L-39 is sized near correct for a lot of jobs. It’s a Swiss Army knife, but needs about another 10 HP and another 2,500 lbs mass, not shear size.

If I could own toys for what I got planned ahead of me, without buying heavy construction equipment, it would be:
1.) 8000-10,000 lb heavy duty track-steer
2.) 15,000 to 20,000 lb excavator with hydraulic thumb, maybe one that articulates, with front blade & steel tracks,
3.) smallish but high HP GST type utility tractor with cab/heat/air.
4.) small hydrostatic compact tractor
5.) 2-1/2 to 3 Yd all wheel drive dump truck with trailer.
6.) tons of implements for 1 thru 5.

That’s not going to happen anytime soon, so I’ll be happy with the L-39 & my B7200 and hiring out.

L-39 Builder. Did you sell the L-39 or did sale fall through?

 

[curtisfarmer]

If you are looking for a 10K or less tractor to stay under a commercial drivers lisc. then the L48 is the best thing out there. I did my research, test drovem and did the comparison math. I paid $38K I think they are now $39K+ and the L39 is not $33K here in NH. It is more. I drive my L48 everyday, including today, and there is just now way I would ask an L39 to do the same jobs I do. Look where all the hyr. lines are, under the foot petal exposed to rocks, roots, and the like???? Look at the hood, shiny and sleek, but bounce some rocks off it and where are you? Look at the tires. I would get stuck every where I go with those tiny things. A L39 is for a strong homeowner or light landscaper. I wish I new someone nearby so we could go toe to toe with both machines and post the feed back. Sorry, I am just not impressed with the L39 for the price and feel the extra $2-3K is worth the additional capacity and capability the L48 offers. Regarding what you could buy, above 10K lbs. there are many options, but under I think you are stuck with an L48. The JD 110 is a Yanmar machine which is no match for an L48. I am open to ideas and suggestions on what to buy under 10K lbs. as well.

 

[Builder]

Maybe what you say is true, but your original post said this:

"If I made the mistake of buying one, I would sell it too and by something bigger for the same price. The L39 is too small for landscapers who want to have full capacity without being maxed out all the time machine wise. The price carries too high a premium for the machine. I have an L48 and will buy another before they upgrade to something like the L39."

Again I ask you, what machine can do more for the same price? Nothing.

Maybe your L-48 CAN do more, but it also costs $39,000....$6,000 more than an L-39. I sure would hope an L-48 can do more.

Based on the 1 year I owned an L-39 and the 5 years before I owned an L-35, I was easily able to dig full basements for additions with no problems. I think they're more than a homeowners machine. I see lots of 'scapers & contractors use them on a daily basis.

Oh well, it don't matter, I'm leap-frogging over all the little TLB's and getting the real deal in a few weeks anyway.

 

[mike69440]

If you are looking for a 10K or less tractor to stay under a commercial drivers lisc. then the L48 is the best thing out there.

-What is the big deal with a CDL? The machines are too light weight for tough NH digging, but I've made a dent or two.

I did my research, test drovem and did the comparison math. I paid $38K I think they are now $39K+ and the L39 is not $33K here in NH.

-$34,000-34,500 will get you one up here. I think you could still get a L48 for Close to $38,000

It is more. I drive my L48 everyday, including today, and there is just now way I would ask an L39 to do the same jobs I do.

-Loader wise, I agree, BH wise, the L-48 has extra foot of reach, not much else.

Look where all the hyr. lines are, under the foot petal exposed to rocks, roots, and the like????

-Hoses are not in harms way Like a JD-110. The L39 needs 3 more inches of ground clearance however.

Look at the hood, shiny and sleek, but bounce some rocks off it and where are you?

-Dented just like an L-48. It just takes a smaller rock to dent the L-39.

Look at the tires. I would get stuck every where I go with those tiny things.

-I agree, L39 should have 43 x16-20 rears and 31 x12.5 -16.5 fronts.
IMHO, the fronts of L-48 are also too small! Just be glad their not like the B26 fronts!

A L39 is for a strong homeowner or light landscaper.
-Agree.

I wish I new someone nearby so we could go toe to toe with both machines and post the feed back.

-I'm not far, but have no way to trailer my machine.

Sorry, I am just not impressed with the L39 for the price and feel the extra $2-3K is worth the additional capacity and capability the L48 offers.

-Each machine have their points.

Regarding what you could buy, above 10K lbs. there are many options, but under I think you are stuck with an L48.

-In the 10-12K lbs range, I can only think of IR-570 and the JCB, both over $50K, then you jump to 7-10 tons and real Money.

The JD 110 is a Yanmar machine which is no match for an L48. I am open to ideas and suggestions on what to buy under 10K lbs. as well.

-Yanmar's CBL-40 has some nice features, but small tires.

I wonder if the tractor designers ever really use the products they design or listen to focus groups other than the peopole who move bark mulch and square hay bales?

-Come on, I'd like going toe to toe with Kubota engineers.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I went to Chappells yesterday (NH) and looked at the L39 again. I still feel the way I do, basically the L48 is more rugged and value for the dollar. Look at the brochure for the L48, specifically the hardnose, 3/8" steel I think? A 200 lbs. man can stand on the hood of an L48, how about the same guy on the L39 hood??? No way a L39 will take a rock of the hood like that. Regarding price, yes, new you probably are right as I only buy Kubota and don't look at much else. What I meant was buy an L48 used for cheaper than a used L39. Look on the net and other sources, they are everywhere. Before I bought my KX 121 is was 2 minutes away from buying a L48 with 110 hours for $29K. I think they are now $39.6K new. If anyone lives near Wilton NH with a L39 and wants to come to my yard and test them both out, please let me know. Does anyone have a KX and an L48 by any chance? I do and I would be interested in some comparison feedback. I want a cab tractor sooooo bad but the grand L series (5030) is only 1/2 the tractor an L48 is, but makes a difference when you plow snow in an open canopny of L48. I see 5030s cabs now for 26K +/-. The new 40s seem expensive.