Which Kubota model?

[PACMMAX]

I'm on the market for a new or just slightly used CUT/TLB.

I have good dealers close by for Kubota and JD but I am still undecided on what the right model is. There seems to be strong opinion about the value of a good dealer so these two brands are top of my list. Key priorities for me are mid sized CUT/TLB with heavy duty FEL, BH with 8 ft depth and most importantly a hydraulic thumb. Seems the first choice is the Kubota B26 but it is a bit on the small side and I'm a little concerned with only 26 hp (for maneuvering on steep grades and rear PTO work). Much of my needs are on rough and hilly terrain and include mostly clearing/maintaining about 8 acres with the usual tree, stump & rock removal. I will be grading a steep 500 ft driveway as well as tending to lots of field stone walls (why I want the thumb). I'm not sure I need a MM PTO but will likely run a small brush hog off the back from time to time. Ground clearance, good sized tires (worried about geting stuck) and maneurability are also concerns.

If going up in tractor size from the B26, there is the L39 but the Kubota BH doesn't seem to be equipped to take a hydraulic thumb. The L39 is also perhaps a bit on the heavy side for my uses. I'd like to be able get across the lawn without making a total mess of it.

So my question is, in the Kubota line, what model and set-up would you recommend if aiming between the B26 and L39 while still having a stout machine that has lots of earth working capability?

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[RadarTech]

Check out the L2800/3400...
Maybe closer..

I don't think any of the Bota's have a factory thumb for the BH.


J

 

[Cat_Driver]

My advice always get a bigger tractor than you think you need because you will always find more and greater work for a tractor. Most guys including myself went with the "just right" size and then ended up getting what we really needed "the next time".

So buy bigger now and avoid " the next time"

 

[art]

It's hard to tell which would be right not knowing exactly what your property looks like but it is always easier to trade up then it is to go down!


With the three range transmission the Kubota makes good power and some pull five foot bush hogs with them. It might not pull the five foot as fast as an L-39 but that width tractor should have at least a six foot to cover the wheel tracks.

 

[newbury]

The quality and Distance of a dealer also needs to be factored with the value of your time, your skills at wrenching and the ratio of your patience.


If you are running an operation that requires the equipment for $$, you can't screw in a lightbulb and you are impatient become a dealer or live next to one.

If you are running a mower on occasional weekends and it can be put off for a month, and you don't mind it taking a while to get a part which you can replace blindfolded, distance will be overcome by quality easily.

Many of us fall into the latter category.

Also - based on a study of Kubota prices for the last few months, if you are not afraid to sell it you won't lose much money.

 

[rickster]

I don't think any one machine will fill your needs. You may need to rent
a machine for the heavy work. I don't think the big tractors are what you want
to use on you yard projects. Just my thoughts.

 

[afish]

The L39 sounds like a good fit for you except if you are going to try to mow with it. I cannot imagine mowing my yard with this beast so I purchased a 0-turn mower and use the l39 for the big jobs. The L39 is not made to be a mowing machine I dont even think a mid pto is a option. But if you need a powerful machine made for lifting and digging the TLB'S are the right option. If you are looking to mow your lawn weekly look elsewhere. I'm not sure of the b26 but the loader does not come off on the L39 plus it is to heavy in my opinion for mowing. The hydraulic thumb can be added kubota offers the hydraulic's but not the thumb. I drew up my own thumb just waiting to send the steel off to the laser cutter. So a hyd thumb can be added but will be a little bit of a DIY project. There are a couple of aftermarket thumbs also.

 

[dodge man]

Let me ask you this, are you sure you need a TLB? Would you be happy with a CUT with a backhoe added to it? The reason I ask is that would open up your options in terms of horsepower, wieght etc. If you will be doing alot of end loader and backhoe work, the TLB is the way to go, but it costs more and weighs more.

 

[PACMMAX]

Wow,
Thanks for all the feedback. I'll try to respons to each of you.

Radartech - Thanks, I'll look them over on the web.

CATDriver - That's my only fear. The B26 seems just adequate and feels like it fits most of my needs. I'm just worried I'll regret not having a slightly larger machine for the bigger stuff.

Art - Are you referring to the B26 when you say it has plenty of power to run a 5 ft brush hog?

Newbury - I consider myself to be a capable wrench and it is my hobby to tinker. Infact, unless it was warranty work, I'd not likely take it to the dealer unless special tools were required and even at that, I'v been known to make them if I have to. It is clearly homeowner use so the time = money is not such a big deal. I'm more worried about being limited on some of the bigger things I'd like to do. Someone does bring up a good point however; rent a machine for the bigger stuff especially if there is fewer of it than the smaller projects.

Rickster - I'm likely to be taking on more than your average homeowner would and for me, it is another tool I have for big projects. Currently on the project list are: light foundation work (4 ft frost wall for large storage building) some moderate regrading with concrete slab removal, clearing/stump/rock removal on about 4 acres, lots of stone wall work, relocating an existing 12'x16' storage shed and snow removal during the winter.

afish - I mow about 2 acres (weekly) with a rider right now and while it might be nice to get that out of the tractor, I know something sized to do that puts me in a category too small for all my other needs. Besides, I have teenagers for another four years and I've delegated. You are correct though, none of the Kubota TLB's have MMPTO's. Any mowing I would be doing with this tractor would be clearing brush with a rear mount brush hog.
I'm glad to hear you are working on a thumb. I may end up going that route.

Dodgeman - Well, honestly, I'm torn. One of the things that has me troubled is the whole backhoe and hydraulic thumb issue. It seems the only factory available BH with a hydraulic thumb is the Woods BH-90 and to support that, you are talking a pretty good sized CUT. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the L39 is right in the size range of the CUT's that will handle the BH-90Rough, hilly terrain and ground clearance are important so the tighter (closer to the back) BH mounted machines are desirable for tight hilly terrain. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not on a mountain side but the grades are a bit steep ant it would be nice if the BH pivot didn't catch the ground all the time. I don't really envision needing the MMPTO so the TLB's are an option and I like that they are rugged earth working machines. The B26 is probably the most really attractive right now but for the $$ I feel like there may be an option for a CUT that gets me the same digging capability with a little more utility and maneuverability.

Does anyone have an opinion about the functionality differences of the Backhoe (effective work capability) between the TLB's and CUT with frame mounted BH?

I'm also thinking about taking on the thumb project myself. I have all the resources but I was hoping not to have to start modifying a brand new backhoe right out of the gate....

Thanks again everyone, this is a great way to get valuable information that on one's own, it is hard to get even a fraction of it!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Look for an L-serires tractor without a bachoe, then buy a new Woods backhoe with a thumb to mount on the machine. This way you'll end up with a package thats not hacked together. You'll also have way more PTO power than the TLB packages to do that mowing.

Or, if your liking the L39 package, you can do that and add a hydraulic thumb. They weld to the boom, we've done it before... its not hard. Just get ready to open your wallet, the plumbing alone is more expensive than adding the whole hydraulic package to the Woods backhoe.