I'm researching the heck out of my tractor upgrade, upgrading from a Kubota L3830 40hp to a 50-60 hp tractor, have drove a L57, looked at the M6040, drove a JD 4520, Case 55, . I'm pretty set on Kubota, no real problems with my L38 for 6yrs. But I'm noticing in the specs the hydraulic flow is less in the Kubota vs JD and Case. The L57 is around 14 the JD is 17, the M6040 down to 11,. I'm no mechanic, does this make a big difference in the performance of the loader? Is it more for attachements? The bucket in my L38 always seemed pretty responsive, but as I was talking to the JD dealer he said there's a big difference in JD's hydraulics vs. Kubota, the tranny and loader units are seperate in the JD, the Kubota all the same. I never ran anything that needed hydraulic flow but I will be getting a grapple bucket, possible other attachments that'll need flow. Is there a big difference here or am I overanalizing? Thanks for any info!
Hydraulic flow less in Kubota?
- Thread starter ecoscaper
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LD1
Epic Contributor
The obvious one you are missing is the L57 is 14.7 and the JD is 17.1 but those are TOTAL flow. That includes the powersteering.
Why they do that is probabally marketing. PS flow means nothing to me.
But break it down (take out PS flow) and the L5740 is 9.8, the JD is 12 and the M6040 is 11. So those are a lot closer #'s.
In the real world, I doubt you will be able to tell much difference. Unless you are using a lot of attachments that are driven hydraulicly with a hyd. motor. But just pushing loader and grapple cylinders, there will be minimal difference.
More hydraulic flow is good, but it's not the most critical factor for most owners, and you have to be aware of marketing and sales hype whenever you buy stuff like this. For any practical use, these tractors all work perfectly well and will stand up to years of operation with good maintenance. There is virutally no situation you would ever encounter where you'd be saying "Gee, this tractor is keeping me from doing my work because it's lacking 2 more gpm of hydraulic flow for the implements". Anyone telling you his product is the only one that is designed correctly and your life will be miserable if you buy anything else is playing you for a fool. When a salesman puts down the competitor's products, it tells you more about him than the competitor.
leonz
Super Member
Well said;
If you are worried about fluid power and flow look at the Kubota M8540 as it is ment for orchard and vineyard work which requires lots of fluid power for loaders and narrow hydraulic implements in a narrow low profile size.
rjkobbeman
Platinum Member
True, you can get an M8540 in a "Narrow" version which is the orchard version you speak of. However the M8540 does come in the normal tractor version... which is what most of us M8540 owners have (myself included). The "Narrow" version is not the norm... but is available if you need it.
Hydraulic flow was one of my considerations when upgrading to the M8540. Although I don't my 3rd function valve often, I do sometimes rent a hydraulic trencher that requires good flow. My M8540 has 17gpm in the remotes (23gpm total).
J_J
Super Star Member
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GPM's of hyd flow determines the speed of operation. High hyd flow will cause the motor to turn faster, cyl will react faster. If the components and the pressure are the same, you will still have the same power for lifting and curl. Pressure determines the force.
For example, using a 3pt log splitter on a 5 GPM tractor, the cyl will have a certain cycle time. Same tractor with a 10 GPM pump, will decrease the cycle time by a factor of 2.
Larger pump GPM's may require larger hoses, and you can use larger hyd motors, and larger cylinders. That is one reason why they factor in larger hyd pumps for larger tractors and implements.
Some skidsteers have low and high flow for certain conditions.
For example, using a 3pt log splitter on a 5 GPM tractor, the cyl will have a certain cycle time. Same tractor with a 10 GPM pump, will decrease the cycle time by a factor of 2.
Larger pump GPM's may require larger hoses, and you can use larger hyd motors, and larger cylinders. That is one reason why they factor in larger hyd pumps for larger tractors and implements.
Some skidsteers have low and high flow for certain conditions.
art
Super Member
There is more to a hydraulic system then just looking a the gallons per minute! There are tractors that with a full bucket can still turn the front wheels without having to move the tractor. Then again there are brand new tractors that can't!
There are tractors that have less gallons per minute flow but their loaders lift more!
I've seen tractors that have bigger hydraulic systems which you do run all the time and draw power even when you aren't using them from the engine. The worst part is they don't lift as much and some times move it alot slower.
There has to be a good balance to have it all come together.
There are tractors that have less gallons per minute flow but their loaders lift more!
I've seen tractors that have bigger hydraulic systems which you do run all the time and draw power even when you aren't using them from the engine. The worst part is they don't lift as much and some times move it alot slower.
There has to be a good balance to have it all come together.
When I was looking for a tractor this last spring I was a little over the top looking and judging by the printed specs....... made the decision pretty hard, let me tell ya. I finally decided to make my decision which brand to buy based on the reputation of the manufacturer and if/where the present model tractor is made. I ended up with the Kubota M6040 - I'll never look back! I've worked, assulted and generally beat this poor tractor digging this summer (extremely dry) in hard clay around some out houses. I haven't had the first problem with it and I've though somehow it's a little orange Everready if ya know what I mean. Either that or take a lick'n and keeps on tick'n. The hydraulics have not presented any problems in anything I've done so far. One thing the dealers definitely won't tell you I can attest to, Kubota has the best fuel economy of anything I've been on! It runs right around .7 of a gallon per hour in real world usage.
rjkobbeman
Platinum Member
The gallons per minute flow is more of an issue when you run hydraulic pumps (motors) accessories -- like a trencher, post hole digger, jack-hammer, etc.
In a FEL cylinder situation, GPM would have more to do with speed than ability... if designed correctly.
In a FEL cylinder situation, GPM would have more to do with speed than ability... if designed correctly.
