Backhoe L39_ Sure helps to have some weight and wider rear track

[mike69440]

I have a bit more than 1,000 Lbs. additional iron on my L39, in the form of custom wheel weights and some addition reinforcements to frame and bucket, a mechanical thumb , etc.

I was still surprised that the BH could lift and hold out full extension a 30" ID x 36" OD x 34" tall Well Tile with the hoe full y swung 90 degrees and the stabilizers up. The well tile weighs 800 Lbs. Max. rated crane lift with the hoe is 1,100 lbs, but I do not know if the rating is for straight out full extension.

I did install one 12 tall riser that is 24 I.D. The cover is also 24 so If I ever have to remove that cover, I will have to chisel a bit around the tapered edge. For the24 risers, I will use 30 I.D. x 26 O/D x 24 tall well tiles.

Even with 2000 hrs. on the old girl, the L39 still amazes me.

I have a Komatsu PC75UU2 excavator, as I was killing the L39 transforming the raw land on this ridge turned farm. Now that the heavy lifting is done, I only have put a few hours on the excavator in the last 2 years. The L39 still gets used quite a bit. Plowing snow with an 8' commercial plow, light digging, Lots of loader work, logging, etc. I have a small B7200 for 3 Pt work. and the excavator is better ripping stumps, and placing rocks, but the L39 and the RTV 900 are the machines that are used daily.

They are the tools in the shed you want to keep.

 

[rmk700]

That is impressive. I'd guess if the front bucket was up it would tip though.

 

[skyhook]

Nice, are those rear tires loaded also.

 

[mike69440]

Nice, are those rear tires loaded also.

No the rear tires are not loaded. that would bring the weight up to 9000 Lbs,

I noticed they were low on air so I pumped them up fron 21-22 psi to 25-26. Front tires I run at 45 psi.

Overall the Kubotas are an excellent machine but My wish list for the TLB Kubotas.

Bigger Front tires on L26- Thru M59

Bigger rear Tires on L39 L45. i.e 16" X 20" (43 in tall)

More power on B26-L39 & a bit more on L45.

a Little bit Bigger BH and Stronger loader on L26

L39 needs the front axle and Loader curl Cylinders off the L45

BH could use a bit stronger bucket curl for ripping.

BH & Loader Pivot Pins to have more wear resistant joints.

More weight on all, expecially the M59

CAB Option

COST!!!, even with the improvements above, cost should not rise. Heck you can get a good used full size machine for what these things cost.

Not going to happen, but I'm spoiled by the fine pilot valve controls of a excavator. The controls on the L39 are not horrible.

The worst backhoes in general to operate are the add on little backhoes on the compact tractors. They make you look like a klutz. I can't believe manufactures could not do a better job on the valve controls.

 

[smitesmash]

but I'm spoiled by the fine pilot valve controls of a excavator. The controls on the L39 are not horrible.

The worst backhoes in general to operate are the add on little backhoes on the compact tractors. They make you look like a klutz. I can't believe manufactures could not do a better job on the valve controls.

Oh, good. Its not just me then

 

[smitesmash]

but I'm spoiled by the fine pilot valve controls of a excavator. The controls on the L39 are not horrible.

The worst backhoes in general to operate are the add on little backhoes on the compact tractors. They make you look like a klutz. I can't believe manufactures could not do a better job on the valve controls.

Oh, good. Its not just me then

 

[mike69440]

Re: L39_ Sure helps to have some weight and wider rear track More "Workcation" photo'

Attached are some of what we got done during the the week my wife I took off over the Memorial day week.

I need a vacation! A real one not a work one.

 

[skyhook]

I'm impressed, with that tree trunk shot, she seems pretty sturdy.

 

[rScotty]

I'm impressed with that Komatsu track loader. After our flood it was a toss up between augmenting the M59 with a larger TLB or a small trackloader. I decided to buy the nicest example of either whichever came up first....and modified by my feeling more comfortable evaluating used TLBs than used excavators. But someday we may yet own something like that Komatsu. I'm curious about them.

On our place it's the M59 that gets the most work. It's got the right combination of strong, handy, maneuverable, and easy on/off. My wife was even surprised at how easy it was to operate. If it had a factory cab they'd gain a decent chunk of the construction trade . - the machine has the cabability.

As an aside....almost by accident we found a tine-style QA rock bucket that compliments our sandy rocky soil and the M59 both. What a treat it is to be able to look right through the back of the bucket and see what's happening out at the cutting edge! I don't know how many times I've wished I could see what the front lip of the standard universal loader bucket was actually doing....& surely not alone in that.

Nice looking project farm you've got there.
Luck,
rScotty

 

[mike69440]

I'm impressed with that Komatsu track loader. After our flood it was a toss up between augmenting the M59 with a larger TLB or a small trackloader. I decided to buy the nicest example of either whichever came up first....and modified by my feeling more comfortable evaluating used TLBs than used excavators. But someday we may yet own something like that Komatsu. I'm curious about them.

On our place it's the M59 that gets the most work. It's got the right combination of strong, handy, maneuverable, and easy on/off. My wife was even surprised at how easy it was to operate. If it had a factory cab they'd gain a decent chunk of the construction trade . - the machine has the cabability.

As an aside....almost by accident we found a tine-style QA rock bucket that compliments our sandy rocky soil and the M59 both. What a treat it is to be able to look right through the back of the bucket and see what's happening out at the cutting edge! I don't know how many times I've wished I could see what the front lip of the standard universal loader bucket was actually doing....& surely not alone in that.

Nice looking project farm you've got there.
Luck,
rScotty

I would love to have a TLB the physical size of the old L48 with M59 power, 5 ton weight, big tires, cab, and really stout durable Loader/Bucket with 11-12 ft. hoe. The yellow stuff is just a bit to big, CASE comes close to '"ight size".

I like the M59, but to keep it trailer friendly, Kubota did don't put enough iron in it (IMHO). That applies to the L39- L45 also.

adding weight to my machine was a good move for me. Much safer and capable. Hoverer the practical limit on ballasting the L39- l45 is about 8500 Lbs. max, making it heavier would be rough on the machine mechanically and a real dog with the limited HP.

The teeth on my bucket are neat. I have a grapple, and know what you mean regarding seeing the working edge.

The Komatsu is parked in the woods right now. When I find time, I putter building a logging path and skidding out firewood with it. It does not get a lot of use, as it makes a mess moving it around and the L39 can do most of the work.
An excavator is great, if you have work for it. I'd sell mine, but even if it is wore out, still runs/works great, and the equipment market is suppressed. I want what I paid for it, as it runs so well and is real handy.