Do TLBs make "bad" tractors?
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rbargeron
Elite Member
In my view the TLB's make good general use tractors. The B--, L-- and M-- have three-point hitch and rear pto. They have a rugged hood, canopy and armor rings around the valve stems. Except for the fixed loader they make fine tractors for rear attachments.
It is useful to look at how the Kubota L model lineup got to where it is. Over the years they first outsourced their loader and backhoe attachments. The earliest ones were not readily removable, but soon Kubota brought these items in-house and made them removable. In the '80s-'90s Kubota offered a very heavy and strong L-series, the L-3, with removable high-capacity loader and backhoe. These machines (L4350, L4850, L5450) were expensive, so they did not sell in large numbers, despite their outstanding quality and features.
Enter the L35, a rugged L-series but with fixed non-removable loader. The L35 captured some of the strength of the L3 series. Meanwhile the "Grand L" series was being made lighter and less over-designed - more for the homeowner.
Then came the L48 - nearly identical to the L5450 TLB in strength and rating, right down to the LA1100 loader and 11' backhoe. It has slightly more hydraulic flow (18gpm vs 15 gpm at the back hoe) and HST and a rigid canopy, but they saved by making the loader non-removable, and the rear wheel spacing was fixed. The pressure was on to keep the price down in that market segment.
Kubota's TLBs make fine general-use machines. The fixed loader issue can be improved with a QA plate setup. By leaving the bucket off there is less bouncing mass and better front clearance for mowing.
It is useful to look at how the Kubota L model lineup got to where it is. Over the years they first outsourced their loader and backhoe attachments. The earliest ones were not readily removable, but soon Kubota brought these items in-house and made them removable. In the '80s-'90s Kubota offered a very heavy and strong L-series, the L-3, with removable high-capacity loader and backhoe. These machines (L4350, L4850, L5450) were expensive, so they did not sell in large numbers, despite their outstanding quality and features.
Enter the L35, a rugged L-series but with fixed non-removable loader. The L35 captured some of the strength of the L3 series. Meanwhile the "Grand L" series was being made lighter and less over-designed - more for the homeowner.
Then came the L48 - nearly identical to the L5450 TLB in strength and rating, right down to the LA1100 loader and 11' backhoe. It has slightly more hydraulic flow (18gpm vs 15 gpm at the back hoe) and HST and a rigid canopy, but they saved by making the loader non-removable, and the rear wheel spacing was fixed. The pressure was on to keep the price down in that market segment.
Kubota's TLBs make fine general-use machines. The fixed loader issue can be improved with a QA plate setup. By leaving the bucket off there is less bouncing mass and better front clearance for mowing.
RobertN
Super Member
I have rented, and used TLB's, as well as 12 years of reading about them here.
There is nothing wrong with using a TLB as a general use tractor. What I have found, is that some were not as well suited for mower work, simply because they lacked PTO HP. The B20 and B21 are awesome tractors. But, they are wimpy on the PTO. Now a B26, that is the same size as a B20, but has more PTO HP. And would make a good all-around tractor.
I have used an L35 on occasion; nice tractor. My understanding is the hoe comes off pretty quickly.
There is nothing wrong with using a TLB as a general use tractor. What I have found, is that some were not as well suited for mower work, simply because they lacked PTO HP. The B20 and B21 are awesome tractors. But, they are wimpy on the PTO. Now a B26, that is the same size as a B20, but has more PTO HP. And would make a good all-around tractor.
I have used an L35 on occasion; nice tractor. My understanding is the hoe comes off pretty quickly.
RoyJackson
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All good points...
Bottom line is, you really need to know what you're going to do with the tractor, TLB or whatever.
Just reading the manufacturer's specs just doesn't cut it.
Bottom line is, you really need to know what you're going to do with the tractor, TLB or whatever.
Just reading the manufacturer's specs just doesn't cut it.
Runner
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"Runner, when someone says just 'backhoe', to me it means the whole machine.
The average homeowner would have almost zero use for one of these."
Dang!
Sure wish my 46 had an extendable boom like that. Now something else to buy....
I thought maybe he meant something like a 110 TLB. I have heard of members on here using them like "regular tractors" by removing the hoe and adding the three-point gear. Seems like they had pretty good luck with them.
Point taken.
The average homeowner would have almost zero use for one of these."
Dang!
Sure wish my 46 had an extendable boom like that. Now something else to buy....
I thought maybe he meant something like a 110 TLB. I have heard of members on here using them like "regular tractors" by removing the hoe and adding the three-point gear. Seems like they had pretty good luck with them.
Point taken.
Here is the list:
Snow moving. Have a plow to clear the driveway, but need an FEL to get the piles out of the way during winters like this or I lose access to my garages and my driveway becomes too narrow.
Tree/bush movement. Dig up larger bushes and relocate them. Dig out stumps from trees I cut for firewood.
Firewood operations. Move downed trees. Apply pressure to felling trees. Relocated pallets full of firewood from seasoning area to burning area. Tow around log splitter.
Flagstone patio. I need to build one.
Concrete patio: needs to go and something put in its place.
Pallet fork operations: load and unload ballast from plow truck. Firewood. Other general ops. This is where the loader specs of the TLBs shine to me.
Brush hog: I have about 4 acres to bush hog annually just to keep them from turning into woods.
Dirt work: maintain dirt bike/atv track.
Regrade a few areas around the driveway to aid in snow removal. I need to cut back some slopes to create room to push snow.
Fence: need to build a new fence around the pasture. Post hole digger rental.
Stuck vehicle: twice this winter I could have pulled my own truck/cars out of being stuck at my own house. Embarrassing, but truthful.
Trailer: relocate the trailer around the property more easily than the monster pickup.
Parking area: dig out and lay gravel to create a parking area for my trailer.
Mowing: NO! Nothing will beat my 61" ZTR around my property.
This is pretty much how I wind up yearning after an L39. I keep looking at everything, and it seems best to just buy that. Buy it once and be happy. I have found a few nice used examples within driving distance with <500 hours for ~$25-28k. This is the same I would be spending on a 37hp L series in my area with T/L/B. The capabilities of the L35 just keep calling to me. I CAN move it around as I own a truck/trailer large enough already.
ac
Snow moving. Have a plow to clear the driveway, but need an FEL to get the piles out of the way during winters like this or I lose access to my garages and my driveway becomes too narrow.
Tree/bush movement. Dig up larger bushes and relocate them. Dig out stumps from trees I cut for firewood.
Firewood operations. Move downed trees. Apply pressure to felling trees. Relocated pallets full of firewood from seasoning area to burning area. Tow around log splitter.
Flagstone patio. I need to build one.
Concrete patio: needs to go and something put in its place.
Pallet fork operations: load and unload ballast from plow truck. Firewood. Other general ops. This is where the loader specs of the TLBs shine to me.
Brush hog: I have about 4 acres to bush hog annually just to keep them from turning into woods.
Dirt work: maintain dirt bike/atv track.
Regrade a few areas around the driveway to aid in snow removal. I need to cut back some slopes to create room to push snow.
Fence: need to build a new fence around the pasture. Post hole digger rental.
Stuck vehicle: twice this winter I could have pulled my own truck/cars out of being stuck at my own house. Embarrassing, but truthful.
Trailer: relocate the trailer around the property more easily than the monster pickup.
Parking area: dig out and lay gravel to create a parking area for my trailer.
Mowing: NO! Nothing will beat my 61" ZTR around my property.
This is pretty much how I wind up yearning after an L39. I keep looking at everything, and it seems best to just buy that. Buy it once and be happy. I have found a few nice used examples within driving distance with <500 hours for ~$25-28k. This is the same I would be spending on a 37hp L series in my area with T/L/B. The capabilities of the L35 just keep calling to me. I CAN move it around as I own a truck/trailer large enough already.
ac
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JOHNTHOMAS
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I've bought several Kubotas. Some BX's and B's and even an L and a couple of F's. During my past trading days I thought I might need a Kubota TLB (Tractor, loader, backhoe) sold as a unit, not added parts. Asked for input for average landscaping homeowner with 5 acres for uses for BH. Rec'd no real input. Some years later I bought/traded for a new BX25 because of using it for rental property septic systems.
I've used it more than any of my other tractors in a shorter period of time and haven't taken it to the rental property yet. One day I'll list what all me, my next door brother and few doors down nephew have done with the BH. I actually have a request from my brother now for the next time I get it out.
The average homeowner doesn't buy one usually because of the cost to benefit ratio. Extra $6000 to $7000 for BH and no most homeowners will not get that much in money value out of it but I doubt I'll ever give mine up and if I do I'll probably get another one. If money is the deciding factor, then no for most homeowners. If there are back, convenience and aging factors being of more value than money, then a BH is essential in my opinion. I've done six years without BH and one year with BH on the same property. Wish I had gotten the BH sooner and I probably wouldn't have traded so often.
I do not use the BX25 for mowing but I'm sure it can mow with a MMM or RFM deck.
I've used it more than any of my other tractors in a shorter period of time and haven't taken it to the rental property yet. One day I'll list what all me, my next door brother and few doors down nephew have done with the BH. I actually have a request from my brother now for the next time I get it out.
The average homeowner doesn't buy one usually because of the cost to benefit ratio. Extra $6000 to $7000 for BH and no most homeowners will not get that much in money value out of it but I doubt I'll ever give mine up and if I do I'll probably get another one. If money is the deciding factor, then no for most homeowners. If there are back, convenience and aging factors being of more value than money, then a BH is essential in my opinion. I've done six years without BH and one year with BH on the same property. Wish I had gotten the BH sooner and I probably wouldn't have traded so often.
I do not use the BX25 for mowing but I'm sure it can mow with a MMM or RFM deck.
Neither backhoe I've owned even had a PTO or 3 point. It was a day's work to pull the back hoe off, half a day for the loader. They are dedicated to moving dirt and do it really well. But they can't mow or plow like a tractor set up to easily swap implements. Along with the cost and weight that's probably why they're not real popular with home owners.
JOHNTHOMAS
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You had the wrong ones.
