B26, L39 or 3240

[mike69440]

Considering how hard I use the L39 and am running the hydraulic pressure +5%, I have no compalints as I have not broken it yet this year.

Except for curl force at the extremes of bucket travel, the machine is as strong as it weight allows.

[The Gardener]

What is a ball park figure for the L39?
What is a ball park figure to add a hydraulic thumb?

Thanks!
The Gardener

[_RaT_]

Originally Posted by 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.

If you have that many stumps and they are big, I would really consider hiring it out to a industrial hoe. As great as these compact hoes are, I find the rate at which the pivots wear pretty darn fast and I grease the heck out of mine. Stumps can be pretty hard on a hoe.

[witel]

Originally Posted by Vaulter98c

And, I didnt know the boom swing was on a differant pump. Thats really smart

The beefier hydraulics are one of the major L39 selling points for me.

Originally Posted by The Gardener

What is a ball park figure to add a hydraulic thumb?

In my research for that ultimate L39 machine (meaning every option and then some), I had a local dealer tell me that they could weld on a hydraulic-thumb mounting bracket (similar to that seen on the B26 dipperstick), paint it Kubota-orange, and add a U25 excavator hydraulic-thumb for a couple of thousand. This scheme requires the K7770 Quick-Attach Coupler and the BTB404 Remote Valve Kit for the backhoe, which isn't cheap at a suggested list price of ~$719.00 and ~$1607.00, respectively.

[Builder]

Originally Posted by The Gardener

What is a ball park figure for the L39?
What is a ball park figure to add a hydraulic thumb?

Thanks!
The Gardener

33-35K.

Of course you'll get the stray guy on the internet who got one for thousands less but that's the "realistic" price range. Mine was 33K back in 1/06.

Kubota, just like the other equipment/machinery companies gets you on the attachments, not so much the machine.

I wouldn't do the hydraulic thumb unless you plan on having to pick up items like a giant pair of fingers. Just get a mechanical thumb and let the B/H bucket pinch the object against the thumb. You'll spend thousands more just to make that little thumb open & close hydraulically. Now if you really have that much thumb work, then I guess it'd be worth it.

[witel]

Originally Posted by Builder

I wouldn't do the hydraulic thumb unless you plan on having to pick up items like a giant pair of fingers. Just get a mechanical thumb and let the B/H bucket pinch the object against the thumb. You'll spend thousands more just to make that little thumb open & close hydraulically. Now if you really have that much thumb work, then I guess it'd be worth it.

Good feedback. I've been wondering about this very issue as well. For me, I will be moving rocks, pulling scrub-brush, moving more rocks, probably even more rocks, and I cannot forget the rocks. Oh, did I mention the rocks? These are fit-in-your-hand size to large-suitcase size rocks. So, deferring to experience, would a hydraulic-thumb or a fixed-thumb be better suited for that scenario?

[Builder]

Originally Posted by witel

Good feedback. I've been wondering about this very issue as well. For me, I will be moving rocks, pulling scrub-brush, moving more rocks, probably even more rocks, and I cannot forget the rocks. Oh, did I mention the rocks? These are fit-in-your-hand size to large-suitcase size rocks. So, deferring to experience, would a hydraulic-thumb or a fixed-thumb be better suited for that scenario?

Most thumbs are adjustable. The can be set into a pair of notches that make the thumb stick out progressively further from the backhoe boom. Some have 3 settings on them. Then you simply use the curl action of the bucket to "pinch" the object you're lifting against the thumb's serrated teeth until you have a firm grasp on the object. I would think the smaller the objects you're picking up, the more farther you set the mech thumb out off the boom. Not as versatile as a true hydraulic thumb, but like I said, you really NEED a hydraulic thumb to warrant the cost of installation.

remember, you'll need extra money for other inplements, fuel, insrance, etc.

[mike69440]

In my research for that ultimate L39 machine (meaning every option and then some), I had a local dealer tell me that they could weld on a hydraulic-thumb mounting bracket (similar to that seen on the B26 dipperstick), paint it Kubota-orange, and add a U25 excavator hydraulic-thumb for a couple of thousand. This scheme requires the K7770 Quick-Attach Coupler and the BTB404 Remote Valve Kit for the backhoe, which isn't cheap at a suggested list price of ~$719.00 and ~$1607.00, respectively.

Originally Posted by witel

Good feedback. I've been wondering about this very issue as well. For me, I will be moving rocks, pulling scrub-brush, moving more rocks, probably even more rocks, and I cannot forget the rocks. Oh, did I mention the rocks? These are fit-in-your-hand size to large-suitcase size rocks. So, deferring to experience, would a hydraulic-thumb or a fixed-thumb be better suited for that scenario?

I remember the cost being the reason I went with a mechanical thumb. My dealer welded it on as part of the deal.

Good Company, USA Attachments. See my machine on their website.
USA Attachments

132 Charles Rd

King, NC 27021

800-870-3610

A mechanical thumb is great over a range +/-2' from its ideal reach point. Out further or in closer it either is in the way or you can not grab well.

I never used a hydraulic thumb. Talk to me in two weeks regading a hydraulic, as my excavator should be on site by then.

[witel]

Originally Posted by Builder

you really NEED a hydraulic thumb to warrant the cost of installation.

Boy, I'll say. I've found myself staring at some photos that Mike69440 has posted that show his fixed-thumb ... and wondering how effective it is vs. a hydraulic-thumb ... for the money. It's all pretty pricey. Thanks for the attempted corrective action.

[witel]

There he is. He beat me to the response!