L35 questions

[BeezFun]

I want to buy a larger used tractor, I used to rent L35s for foundations and really liked them but it's been a long time and I have a few questions.

1. 3pt hitch
   I never had the backhoe off, do they have a smooth 3pt hitch? Does hoe come off easy and does it leave part of frame that gets in way of 3pt implements? I will use this a lot for bush hogging.
2. Front snow thrower
   I want to mount a front snowthrower on whatever I get, does it have a mid-PTO? Anyone mounted a front thrower that's powered off rear PTO? Does Kubota make a front thrower for L35 or do I need to get some other brand?
3. Different models
   I know they made the L35 for awhile, were there any problem models or things to look out for? I'm pretty sure none of them had HST, the ones we used had what I think is called GST now, not sure that's what it was called in those days.

Any other comments about L35 are welcome.

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota L35 TLB produced 1999-2004. 35-hp/6,000 pounds.

Are you sure you want to look for a TLB that old? Old backhoes are notorious for problems. Do you need a backhoe for the tasks you foresee for this much heavier tractor?

Todays equivalent is the L3560. So the major upgrades have been L35 to L3510 to L3520 to L3530 to L3540 to L3560. (~no L3550)

Today backhoes are an option, not packaged with the tractor.

Here is a link to the Kubota web site, under heading "LEARN" there is a sub-heading "PRIOR PRODUCTS".

Kubota Tractor Corporation

 

[BeezFun]

Are you sure you want to look for a TLB that old? Old backhoes are notorious for problems. Do you need a backhoe for the tasks you foresee for this much heavier tractor?

I've seen several L35s with a few hundred hours, someone buys them and they sit in a garage. I wouldn't buy a rental unit or high hour unit, but something like that tends to be a good buy because it's older. I wish I had a backhoe about once every few months, so it's not a necessity but sure would be nice because I never take the time to go rent one, I just kill myself trying to do the job some other way.
Thanks for the other info, I'll check that out.

 

[jeff9366]

I wish I had a backhoe about once every few months, so it's not a necessity but sure would be nice.

I have found a Bucket Spade to be very useful and a fair substitute for a backhoe except for trenching. My 33-hp/1,900 pound tractor has about the minimum bucket "beef" to make a Bucket Spade effective.

Tractor Forks, Bucket Forks, Loader Forks

 

[rmk700]

The backhoe comes off and on in just a few minutes. May take a little practice at first though. I take it off to use a tiller and the 3 pt hitch seems to work fine and smooth (up and down). It has a clutch you press just for forward and reverse. No need to use it to change gears.

Mine is a 1996 and haven't had any trouble so far, but only has 400 hrs on it. The L35's do have a good reputation for being strong and well built.

I don't think a pto front snow blower is possible. Need something hydraulic and will need to ad it to the front. You my get lucky and find a used model already set up with extra front hydraulic hoses.

 

[dondc]

I have a 1995 L35 TLB that I bought this spring with 1028 hrs on it. So far I have just put 70 hrs on it doing land clearing plus site preparation and footings for an equipment shed. I have not had any problems with either the loader or the backhoe and it runs like a top. It is a strong little machine for a 35 hp tractor. The newer L39 and L45 have more digging power and are a heavier machines but also more money. I am the third owner of my L35 and the previous two were both farmers in Alberta, so it did not see any rental useage (which I would avoid if buying). I got the L35 because I felt it provided good value at a reasonable price. So far I have not had the backhoe off but I do have all the 3 pt arms etc and I plan to use it that way once I complete the rest of the land clearing (about 2 acres to go). I have seen machines advertised with over 3000 hours so it would seem that they last for a good long time if properly maintained and cared for.

 

[masalser]

Jeff, I would be really careful with that bucket spade. That looks like a great way to destroy a bucket by bending it in the middle.

 

[jeff9366]

Jeff, I would be really careful with that bucket spade. That looks like a great way to destroy a bucket by bending it in the middle.

Thank you for the caution.

Spade is well engineered. There is 14" of support under the bucket. It is a snug first BEFORE the screw pads are tightened. I have used it a lot. The only bucket wear is some minor paint scuffs where the screw pads contact. Good tool.

That said, I would not mount it on the bucket of a BX series sub-compact tractor.

Snohomish.....nice there, along the river. I have family in Everett.

 

[BeezFun]

The backhoe comes off and on in just a few minutes. May take a little practice at first though. I take it off to use a tiller and the 3 pt hitch seems to work fine and smooth (up and down). It has a clutch you press just for forward and reverse. No need to use it to change gears.

Mine is a 1996 and haven't had any trouble so far, but only has 400 hrs on it. The L35's do have a good reputation for being strong and well built.

I don't think a pto front snow blower is possible. Need something hydraulic and will need to ad it to the front. You my get lucky and find a used model already set up with extra front hydraulic hoses.

Amazing how many of those older machines have so few hours. Thanks for info about backhoe, I would probably leave mine off most of the time.
I've looked at after market front snowthrowers, they can generally be run off the rear pto using a gear box and long shaft, but it's an expensive and difficult to mount solution. Maybe a hydraulic unit would be better, not sure about cost.

 

[BeezFun]

So far I have not had the backhoe off but I do have all the 3 pt arms etc and I plan to use it that way once I complete the rest of the land clearing (about 2 acres to go).

Do the 3pt arms need to be removed to install backhoe? My concern was that the presence of backhoe subframe might restrict motion or use of 3pt in some way.

 

[BeezFun]

I have found a Bucket Spade to be very useful and a fair substitute for a backhoe except for trenching. My 33-hp/1,900 pound tractor has about the minimum bucket "beef" to make a Bucket Spade effective.

Amazing the inventions people come up with, I've never seen anything like that.

 

[MarkV]

BeezFun the 3pt arms do have to be removed to install the backhoe. If you start looking for an L35 check and make sure the 3pt arms are with the tractor. It is hard to find replacements and they are expensive. Also, in case you are unaware the L35 and the other commercial duty Kubota TLB's do not have removable loaders like the other models do.

MarkV

 

[troutsqueezer]

Are you sure you want to look for a TLB that old?

I've got tennis shoes older than that. For a tractor, that's pretty new, if you ask me.

 

[BeezFun]

Also, in case you are unaware the L35 and the other commercial duty Kubota TLB's do not have removable loaders like the other models do.
MarkV

Darn, I was not aware. That might be a show stopper for me since a large fraction of use is with bush hog. It's a bit congested for me to keep the FEL on while I mow, also no fun having all that weight bouncing around the whole time I'm mowing. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[dondc]

You could look at an aftermarket quick hitch for the FEL to adapt to the L35. I have seen on the internet different suppliers that build a quick hitch modified for a specific tractor. This would of course increase the end cost. I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[avc8130]

Darn, I was not aware. That might be a show stopper for me since a large fraction of use is with bush hog. It's a bit congested for me to keep the FEL on while I mow, also no fun having all that weight bouncing around the whole time I'm mowing. Thanks for pointing that out.

I brush hog with my l45 without a quick release loader. My machine does have a skid steer style removable bucket. With the bucket off I don't think there is much difference honestly.

Ac

 

[BeezFun]

I brush hog with my l45 without a quick release loader. My machine does have a skid steer style removable bucket. With the bucket off I don't think there is much difference honestly.

Yes, actually it's just the bucket that's a problem running into things, I don't enjoy taking off the whole loader. I guess a QA solves that problem but increases the cost.

 

[cheekme]

Actually, I believe the L35 was replaced by the L39 a few years ago. I have owned an L35 since 2002 when I bought it with about 800 hrs. on the meter. I've had two issues with my unit over the 800 or so additional hours I've put on it. There was a pressed in plug somewhere on the front of the engine that would loosen and cause oil pressure to fall. I had the local dealer repair it. I also had a leaky axle seal on the front which I repaired myself. Other that that I can't say enough good about this very well designed tractor. It is truly a construction machine that is meant to work and work hard. The backhoe is easy to remove and install and the three point hitch is also easy to install and remove. My only regret is I didn't convert to a front end quick attach for buckets and forks because I switch between buckets and forks a lot. I have scrapers, logging winch, bush hog, 4 in 1 bucket, and forks all of which I use fairly often. I use the backhoe fairly often as well. Great for trenching or stump digging.

 

[rbargeron]

Darn, I was not aware. That might be a show stopper for me since a large fraction of use is with bush hog. It's a bit congested for me to keep the FEL on while I mow, also no fun having all that weight bouncing around the whole time I'm mowing. Thanks for pointing that out.

From their appearance, it has always appeared that Kubota developed their commercial TLB models (B21, L35, L48....) by starting with their regular-strength compact tractor chassis and adding a major additional reinforcing frame under it. The under-frame allows a much stronger loader (and backhoe) than the regular compact tractor chassis would handle. The three-point hitch lower pivots are integral with the underframe too. It's all very strong, but the frame and loader are rigidly attached to the tractor and are not removable without major wrenching.

 

[BeezFun]

My only regret is I didn't convert to a front end quick attach for buckets and forks because I switch between buckets and forks a lot. I have scrapers, logging winch, bush hog, 4 in 1 bucket, and forks all of which I use fairly often. I use the backhoe fairly often as well. Great for trenching or stump digging.

So you pull the pins every time you want to switch from bucket to forks?