Why are Kubota FEL's so weak?

[clarkharms]

I believe Kubota to be the best designed, built, and fit n finish tractors on the market. To that end I just bought a L3901 and so far I am happy with it. One thing that does stand out though when comparing this model to similar models from other manufacturers is the FEL is weak. Kioti has a ~1800# rating LS even more than that. My 525 is 1150#. This is basic physics so how are the other manufacturers getting so much more lift, has to be higher operating pressure or larger cylinders since they lift to the same height. Also I doubt this is an oversight by Kubota, they are too well thought out. Maybe they just realize this size machine should not be lifting more weight than this? I have ballasted rear tires and have had them come off the ground when being too aggressive with the loader, I can't imagine what it would be like with 50% more weight out there. Anyway is there a reason Kubota chose to limit the FEL by so much other than they are trying to save us from ourselves?

 

[bcp]

Are the loaders being measured at the same point?

Bruce

 

[JimRB]

Tiny tractor at 2,700 pounds. My tractor weighs 200 pounds less. Moving round bales I can do if I keep the weight low. Not so sure it would be the kind of weight I would want to move all day long. I would not be surprised if I break something on the front axle someday. I wouldn't want the loader to do even more weight because the front end would not. I suspect the Kubota engineers are thinking the same thing and just set the pressure relief valve at a value that preserves the tractor instead of breaking it.

 

[kennyd]

Ballasted tires are not adequate to offset the loader, great for traction but you need weight BEHIND the rear axle to help counterbalance the loader. You have already proved that to yourself by writing " I have ballasted rear tires and have had them come off the ground when being too aggressive with the loader...". Every pound the rear lifts is a pound the loader can't.

 

[Billrog]

Maybe the tractor weighs less ?

 

[diesel85]

You should always have a rear ballast when using a FEL. It's stated in the manual.

I've seen many accidents and equipment damage by not adhering to it.

 

[k0ua]

I haven't kept up with some of the newer models. But when I bought my Kioti, in comparing Kioti models to the same size Kubota's a couple of things come out. The Kioti models weigh more, and have larger front axles, These things are what the engineers consider when building the loaders. There is no mystery why a given loader lifts more, that is just a function of cylinder size and loader geometry, but other things have to be considered. Such as hydraulic pump flow rate, and how much weight can the front axle stand, and how much does the tractor weigh.

Kubota tractors are light by design, because they build to a different philosophy. They build lighter tractors because a lot of people want to run them across their lawn. You can put more weight on them, and you should if you intend to use them for loader work. And it needs to be weight on the 3pt to help balance out and un weight the front axle.

But you cant take steel out of my Kioti to make it a better mowing tractor. It is what it is. My Kioti 35 horse tractor that replaced my Kubota 35 horse tractor is 1066 lbs heavier and the front axle is much thicker.

Grand L Kubota tractors are built much heavier than the "Standard L" tractors. They have more steel in them and bigger axles and are able to have more powerful loaders. The Korean tractors offer more weight and loader capacity because they are trying to compete at a price point similar to the Standard L Kubotas, but have better specs. But you need to be sure to still add plenty of counterweight on the 3pt to take full safe advantage of that more powerful loader.

 

[k0ua]

Maybe the tractor weighs less ?

Exactly. Kubota Front End Loaders are not "weak", they are engineered to match the weights of the tractors they are built for. Standard L Kubota tractors are lighter than the Korean tractors he is comparing them to. Also a 35 horsepower Grand L Kubota tractor will weight much much more than a 35 horsepower Standard L Kubota tractor and will thus be fitted with a much more powerful loader.

 

[LD1]

Kubota front end loaders are competitive. Not always the strongest, not always the weakest.

I am afraid you just are not comparing apples to apples. Different machine classes (cant just go by HP alone)....or different points of measurement for the spec.

What models are you comparing in the kioti and LS line up?

You are comparing an economy model kubota.....and no the loader isnt stellar on that machine but it is sufficient.

Same HP class but a grandL kubota and you get the LA805 loader. Which probably compares favorably with the kioti's.

And yes......you need much more than just loaded rear tires. If you want to make full use of your loader on THAT machine....you need an implement that sticks back, like a brushhog or blade.....in the 700# ballpark. Or something short and compact like a ballast box.....you want closer to 1000#

 

[4570Man]

I’d guess the Kubota loaders are under rated and the others are over rated making them pretty close to equal. The loader on my L3800 can lift the back wheels off the ground with a 500 pound box blade and loaded tires. You could up the loader pressure to 5000 psi or increase the cylinder size to 5” ( not recommending either solution because the results would be catastrophic) and it wouldn’t lift any more.