B26, L39 or 3240

[Vaulter98c]

well, until your second post, I was still going to recomend the B26 ro the L whatever it was, but seeing the scope of work you have planned, and Im not sure of how long your season is, you will be doing this job for a few years, at least. I would say the L39 is you best bet for that workload. Its bigger in the traditional sence compared to the others, but you have some major plans. The part that cought my eye was the 100 or so stumps. You could do it with the smaller units, but the extra 1600ish lbs of bucket force and 1100ish lbs of dipper force will really help your timetable over 100 stumps, REALLY.

edit* sorry about that removable comment, wrong thread lol

The hydraulic thumb is nice, but, again only talking stumps here (thats all Ive used a thumb for) its all doable with a chain and some time. If you are planning on doing this all solo, I would invest the money for a thumb, just for times sake. Ive never had access to a thumb on any other job Ive done, so I can't offer honest insight there, but take the other guys word, its a nice feature.

And on a side note, maybe one of those grabber arm things for the FEL to help carry brush and deadwood, which it seems you will have an abundance of.

[yekrut]

Thanks for the insight. Been out all morning Brush hogging with my current tractor ( Bolens 214 - 21 HP Iseki Diesel 4x4). It came with the property but it'snot a bad little machine. Tough to get parts though. I think that will hurt mt trade or resale value. Was thinkin of trading it in but make keep it???.

Liked the GST vs HST info. Kinda confirmed my research. I guess you lose alittle PTO HP with the HST but not FEL or BH power. That sound correct?

Stumps are going to be a pain. Figured the L39 would help.

I'll have to throw so pics of the property up to kinda put the projects in perspective.

This site is great. I think the will really help my learning curve.

Thanks again all.

[art]

There are thumbs available for all the Kubota backhoes as many of them have the same size booms as the excavators use that are built by Kubota.

Many times the initial work when done makes the unit that was purchased with the thoughts of being correct don't function as well. For some of your work you might do well to have an older used TLB to work with. The need after might show that the 3240 would be just right.

[yekrut]

Art - That makes a lot of sense. Kinda why I started considering it. Just not sure I want to deal with the complexities of an additional piece of equipment. Wish I could just find the perfect match for both the short and long term. Suppose lots of other have struggle with the same dilemma.

[The Gardener]

GST ...

If I understand your description, I am running along in F2 [for example] and I simply slide the shift lever to F4 without having to clutch or brake. The downside is the lag in response before the tractor accelerates to the F4 speed.


If I am running along in F2 [for example] and I desire to stop and go in reverse, I would come to a stop using the brake, and I would shift the lever to R2 [for example] and begin going in reverse after a lag occurs.

When would I ever choose to use the clutch provided?

--------

Assuming my GST guesses are reasonably accurate, am I correct that HST is more beneficial for tasks such as mowing with lots of manuevering or hustling materials back and forth whereas GST is better suited for more methodical tasks such as tilling, grading, or slower stop and go efforts where you might jump on and off the tractor with some regularity to manually load the FEL, etc.?

[The Gardener]

I would say the L39 is you best bet for that workload... the extra 1600ish lbs of bucket force and 1100ish lbs of dipper force will really help...

These numbers are really becoming more important as my wife and I walked the property to discuss the projects to be done. We have a number of large rocks and some small boulders to relocate. The travel distance in some cases is a hundred yards or more. Being able to carry a large rock in the FEL or a small boulder using forks on the FEL would certainly save time. Burying larger boulders below the ground and stumping can only get easier with more power and reach.


The hydraulic thumb is nice...

I have seen on in use. For me, it is irreplaceable once you have seen one being used to access rocks that are tucked in along the woods line. The guy plucked them out like he was grabbing apples off a tree. It's equally helpful when limbing trees. I saw the guy grab the limb, hold it firmly with the thumb, and another guy chain sawed the limb from a ladder without any concern for kick back or an awkward drop to the ground.

[Builder]

Some L-39 pictures:







It's a very handy little tractor and it's "hard". There's no compromises compared to a small farm tractor with a backhoe & loader attachments. It doesn't feel cheap, except maybe the side mount instrument cluster seemed like one good shot with a big branch would crush it. Nothing to really worry about.

It really is a true backhoe, but miniaturized for tighter spaces.

[The Gardener]

Great pics! Wonderful addition!

Thanks for Sharing,
The Gardener

[gchova]

I just traded in my trusty L35 for a used (140 hrs)L 39. My dealer added a front end grapple (Construction Equipment) and a thumb for the backhoe. He did a beautiful job, it looks factory. He said he had to trim down the pin for the thumb.

The front end grapple is quick attach, is incredibly useful for moving trees, brush, rocks, etc. The backhoe thumb works great (foot pedal). Overall, the L39 seems to be a great machine.

[The Gardener]

The front end grapple is quick attach, is incredibly useful for moving trees, brush, rocks, etc. The backhoe thumb works great (foot pedal). Overall, the L39 seems to be a great machine.

Congrats! If you could include images of the grapple, the hydraulic thumb, its foot pedal, that would be great. And, could you please tell us the brand names for the grapple and the hydraulic thumb.

Many Thanks! - Enjoy the new acquisition!
The Gardener