My next work partner: L5030

[Gasifier]

My new to me 2004 Kubota L5030 HST. It’s in nice shape for the year with only 785 hours when bought. I’m at about 808 now. I’ve been mowing with rotary cutter and now moving a bunch of sandy loam type topsoil. Great to be back to hydrostatic! Anyone own one of these? And how has yours been for you?

 

[5030]

Years ago I owned one with a Grand Cab on it... L5030HSTC (where my screen name came from. Nice medium sized Kubota but not nearly enough beans for what I do (commercial forage) so I stepped up to an M9000 with a cab (2004) and subsequently purchased a used (2002) M9000 open station. Have them both yet today, one has 6000 meter hours on it, the other has 2000 hours, both have been issue free (other than required maintenance) and both are hydraulic shuttles which I find is better than a hydrostat. The hydraulic shuttle has no dry clutch and is easy to use with a loader (both have loaders on them). For medium usage a 5030 is a dandy tractor. Like I said, not enough beans to run forage equipment and really not enough tractor weight to pull them around either.

 

[Gasifier]

Years ago I owned one with a Grand Cab on it... L5030HSTC (where my screen name came from. Nice medium sized Kubota but not nearly enough beans for what I do (commercial forage) so I stepped up to an M9000 with a cab (2004) and subsequently purchased a used (2002) M9000 open station. Have them both yet today, one has 6000 meter hours on it, the other has 2000 hours, both have been issue free (other than required maintenance) and both are hydraulic shuttles which I find is better than a hydrostat. The hydraulic shuttle has no dry clutch and is easy to use with a loader (both have loaders on them). For medium usage a 5030 is a dandy tractor. Like I said, not enough beans to run forage equipment and really not enough tractor weight to pull them around either.

So far I like it. Kubotas seem to have the least amount of issues. I use to own an M series with hydraulic shuttle. M6040 with a backhoe with hydraulic thumb. R-1 tires. Very nice with good power for it’s size. I wish I had kept that one. LOL I often buy something to get certain jobs done. Then turn around and sell and get all my money back. Sometimes lose a little, sometimes gain a little. But, I get a lot of work done with whatever I have at the time. And have fun doing it. Nice to have one around all the time to get things done whenever you want/can.

 

[Gasifier]

Heys guys. Does anyone know if a Kubota 4560 backhoe will fit my L5030? I see one for sale not too far away. But he does not have the subframe for it. He says he has the brackets that mount to the subframe. Looks to be in good shape. Looks to have a PTO pump. Did these run off PTO pumps if you went with that option? And can I get a subframe from Kubota dealer? Thanks for your time.

 

[tacticalturnip]

My stepfather has an L3830GST he purchased new in '03; it was the first tractor I operated with any regularity, and it was quite forgiving. We mowed with it, cleared snow, and did basic tasks around the house; like a YouTube channel but at least a decade too early. It was a lot of fun for a teenager.

Two decades later my stepfather still owns it, though it sits idle more often than not, at my mothers place. I can't think he does much to maintain it, as he never did in the past; it sits outside too, and has for most of it's life. With all that said to provide a bit of background, I would almost put money on it starting first turn of the key right now. I say almost because I'm just not that ready for irony to plant my foot in my mouth.

Suffice it to say I love the L-30 series.

 

[Gasifier]

I found out they don’t make a subframe for the Kubota 4560 backhoe and my L5030 Tractor. Called Messick’s and they called me back after some research.

 

[tacticalturnip]

That's unfortunate, but good of them for getting back to you quick.

 

[johnems]

I found out they don’t make a subframe for the Kubota 4560 backhoe and my L5030 Tractor. Called Messick’s and they called me back after some research.

I have a 5030 with a cab and there are aftermarket backhoes there are sub frames for it. I have a Bradco 711 on mine. I think Everything attachments sells them. Thanks John

 

[Gasifier]

I have a 5030 with a cab and there are aftermarket backhoes there are sub frames for it. I have a Bradco 711 on mine. I think Everything attachments sells them. Thanks John

Thanks. So I do not have hydraulics on the back of my tractor. I would have to add them or go with a PTO pump and self contained hydraulics in the backhoe.

I don’t want to go with just a three point hitch hook up. Unfortunately, whatever way will be expensive.

Kicking myself in the rear for selling an old John Deere 300B I had. Strong, reliable, and inexpensive. What was I thinking?

 

[5030]

Most of them Bradco you can get with or without a pto pump. I'd get one with the pump myself.

 

[rScotty]

Most of them Bradco you can get with or without a pto pump. I'd get one with the pump myself.

So would I. I had one with a PTO pump. It takes less than a minute to couple to the PTO, uses its own fluid, and has the right flow for the BH.

 

[5030]

So would I. I had one with a PTO pump. It takes less than a minute to couple to the PTO, uses its own fluid, and has the right flow for the BH.

An added plus with a pump driven BH is, you don't have to have the pto spinning at rated rpm to work the BH. Most times you can get by with a lower pto speed plus no hose hook ups and being 100% self contained, no fluid worries. The last one I owned, many years ago, I never had to run the pto at rated speed (540) to get the backhoe to operate properly and with the cost of fuel today, that can be a big plus.

 

[rScotty]

An added plus with a pump driven BH is, you don't have to have the pto spinning at rated rpm to work the BH. Most times you can get by with a lower pto speed plus no hose hook ups and being 100% self contained, no fluid worries. The last one I owned, many years ago, I never had to run the pto at rated speed (540) to get the backhoe to operate properly and with the cost of fuel today, that can be a big plus.

Yes, I'd forgotten about that. My tractors are old style pre emissions & for anything other than plowing, I tend to run at a high idle rather than at rated RPM - It's just the way I like to work. Doubt that my tractor would have enough flow for the BH at high idle, but with the PTO pump there was plenty of jump. Plus as you say it is adjustable by where the throttle is set.

Not having to mess with hoses and fittings was a big plus. Just slide the pump onto the PTO shaft, trigger the latch - and good to go.

Of course now we have a dedicated BH with heat and AC. It even has a (homemade) buddy seat. I don't miss the old tractor accessory BH at all. And if I did, my buddy still has it so I can get to see it every month or two....
rScotty

 

[5030]

Mine (BH) is long gone. If I need a BH, I go rent a mini-ex for the day. gets delivered, full of fuel and serviced. All I do is use it and they pick it up when I'm done.

 

[ljjhouser]

Nice looking tractor. Good choice.

 

[5030]

It is a nice looking tractor that I forget to add. It has the usual Mary Kay pink patina that is inherent to older Kubota's (mine too) and you do need to straighten out the bent bucket level indicator rod on the FEL. Works much better if the rod is straight.