5030 VS L48

Muleskinner · Feb 10, 2006

I'm going to add another tractor to my construction business. I will be using a 72" Gannon and never a backhoe. Most of my work is grading, brush removal, road grading, Etc. I need to hear from L5030 GST owners and L48 owners to help me decide what way to go.

I want to compare the two machines with my current L39, which by the way is one **** of a tractor for it's size!

Strength, power, FEL capacity and performance and durability are my main concerns. The L48 has 25.9 GPM pump capacity VS the L5030 at 14.7. The L48 has Hydro and I wonder if it is geared low enough for heavy Gannon grading. I ran into an under powered problem with a L4330 Hydro that I first bought in 2005 and then traded it for my L39 at 26 hours. The L4330 was way under powered,or under geared for the Hydro when I would load up the Gannon and try to pull in sand. I really like the GST, as it provides low gearing when needed. I am concerned the L48 may be underpowered or under geared with the Hydro. I know the L5030 with GST will have plenty of power and gearing.

I would like real world answers from folks who have both tractors.

DUMBDOG · Feb 10, 2006

I do not have the 5030 but have a L4630GSTC, with over 300 hours in the first year. It has performed flawlessly. The only problem that I had was the nuts holding on of the three point lifts came off and the pin fell off, found the pin laying on the attachment, bought and nut and it was ready to go again.

The GST transmission with the shuttle is almost as good as the hydro for operation.

LarryRB · Feb 11, 2006

I have the L 48 TLB. It's hydro and in lo range I think can pull a mountain,, mid range is different though.. One of those things when hog mowing, it is just 2 or 3 miles per hour too slow. Nothing wrong with the machine, and it has performed flawlessly. Mid range is a bit slow and high range, well, when they say move on out, this is the way it goes.

rbargeron · Feb 11, 2006

Another guy who could give you first-hand info is Mark R (RaT). He bought an L48 without the hoe. My bet is the L48 (like your L39) is the better bet for commercial use. Sounds like you are thinking that way too. The question is whether the HST setup will be effective with the Gannon. Maybe RaT will chime in.

Muleskinner · Feb 11, 2006

I would like to talk with Mark. Hopefully he will come up on this thread.

Muleskinner · Feb 11, 2006

( I have the L 48 TLB. It's hydro and in lo range I think can pull a mountain,, mid range is different though.. One of those things when hog mowing, it is just 2 or 3 miles per hour too slow. Nothing wrong with the machine, and it has performed flawlessly. Mid range is a bit slow and high range, well, when they say move on out, this is the way it goes. )

Tell me about Mid range. That was the problem with the L4330 I had. It would not pull in Mid range, so I had to run it in Low range all of the time. With the Gannon full of dirt in Low range it would bog down to the point where the tractor did not have the power to spin the tires. Also Low range is to slow to work in all of the time.

LarryRB · Feb 11, 2006

the mid range has the power to pull fine,, it is just a tad slow in ground movement speed.

MarkV · Feb 12, 2006

This is the wrong Mark, MarkV instead of Rat, but I believe that Rat had the same comments about mid range on the L48 as LarryRB. After finishing his dirt moving project Rat found that for mowing the L48 didn’t have the proper gearing for his mowing needs.

Muleskinner, like you I can’t say enough good about my L39 so I understand why you would be drawn to the L48. With your primary use being grading, I don’t know that the HST tranny would be my first choice for this application. As wonderful as the HST is you do lose some power to the ground and with that big boxblade that is what you need.

Have you considered one of the Kubota utility tractors? I am not completely up to speed on the new M models coming out this year but I could see the larger tires, front and rear differential locks, gear tranny and good loader specs being just the thing for your application.

MarkV

Runk · Feb 12, 2006

Muleskinner:
I followed your process when your were working out the L4330 HST low power issue, how the Hemet dealer gave you such great support etc..how you wound up with the L39 and were happy.
Re that conversation and for perspective on the HST vs the GST, my L4330 GST has the power to pull my 6' box blade.
Like you, I have been considering the L48 as an addition to my tool collection.
A couple of thoughts...
From what I have read here on TractorbyNet the current L48 is going to be replaced soon with a newer model.
I would be leery of the HST, from what I have read on here there seems to be an ongoing conversation re there being plenty of power in the low speed mode but not enough in the higher "ranges".
You said you wont be using a backhoe?
What about other skidsteer type attachments such as post hole digger, demo hammer etc which would benefit from the highr gpm of hydraulics? Do you really require the higher gpm of the L48?
My thinking, and I am in a similar region to you and do alot of the same work you do, is to stick with a tractor with gears and not get into a HST situation.
In my mind the bottom line: A tractor with GST, with higher power than the L39, (50-60HP), that has the gpm to run the hydraulic attachments available and have the power to pull a 6' box blade and have the flexibility/power the GST offers. Is such a model from Kubota available?
Does this make sense to you and others??
It will be interresting to follow where this conversation leads.
Thanks,
Runk

Muleskinner · Feb 12, 2006

Runk. You are right on in your thinking. If the L48 had GST I would jump on it. If I buy one now Kubota will change it next year and offer it with a GST!! Then I will be pissed!

I'm so used to the L39's ability to use lower gearing to push a scoop full, then as I go to transport the load I run up to 9th or 10th gear and move out. It's so easy to shift on the fly with the GST, where with an HST you have to come to a complete stop, push in the clutch and then up shift the HST. That's a pain and too slow. I ran into that with my B7800.

Also with the GST you have 12 speeds forward to choose from, not three. That is why I am thinking about an L5030 with GST. I just wish it had more GPM from the hydraulics to run the FEL. It makes for a better FEL break out force and lift capacity, and a quicker lift run up.

Now as far as the M series I would be open to it, but I know nothing about the M. From what I see most M's look like AG tractors with tall front tires. What M would you look at for construction grading? I looked up the M6800HD and it appears to have some great HP, GPM, and FEL total capacity and break out #'s.

I went to my local Deere dealer last Friday, where I found my dream tractor. The 210 LE. The only problem is the tractor is $62, 495.00 out the door and weighs in at over 13,000 pounds. I am using a 14,000 GVW goose neck trailer with my Dodge/Cummins 3/4 ton truck to transport my equipment. I can't afford to buy a dump truck and trailer too right now.

I have also looked at the L4400 a bit. I'm not sure if it would make a good grading tractor. I do like how simple and "Plastic less" it is though. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Runk · Feb 12, 2006

Muleskinner....
We are in agreement regarding the GST. It is a great trans.
I have never driven a Kubota HST other than trying out a Kubota utility vehicle in a dealers parking lot. Are you serious that you have to stop in order to shift from low to medium and then stop to shift from medium to high? Yikes.
I am an advocate of get what you want so you dont have to repeat. If the Deere is what you need and want for your biz maybe it could be time to take the plunge and get a bigger truck and trailer?
I dont know anything about the M Kubotas either, maybe someone on here will chime in and enlighten us.
Take care,
Runk

Muleskinner · Feb 12, 2006

Oh yea. With my B7800 if you don't come to a stop before you shift you will grind a bag full of gears. The L4330 was the same way. HST has it's place, it's just not in the heavy guty grading business. The specs on the M6800 look good compared to the L5030. It appears to be a bit longer and wider and heavier, but not that much. I want to talk with my dealer and see what they go for.

As far as the Deere, I will be 53 next month and don't want to work for that many more years. If I buy a 210 LE new, truck and trailer used, I'm probably looking at around $150,000.00. I really don't want to jump in that deep at this point. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Runk · Feb 12, 2006

I hear you, I'm 56 and am running on the same level. Let us know what you learn re the M tractor.
Thanks.

LarryRB · Feb 13, 2006

( HST has it's place, it's just not in the heavy guty grading business. The specs on the M6800 look good compared to the L5030. It appears to be a bit longer and wider and heavier, but not that much. I want to talk with my dealer and see what they go for.
)
I would question your thoughts on a L 48 "not" being able to grade, For one, you have no choice, they only come with the HST trans... Secondly, I use mine on occasion to move a lot of dirt with the FEL, and in this respect, the L 48 shines... Constant stop, go, move, and this machine does exceptionally well. They have the power, as I said before, mid range, speed wise, is slow. I suppose it was the only way Kubota could engineer the gearing for it, not sure...

Muleskinner · Feb 14, 2006

M7040 it is! My dealer has one coming in two months. I put my name on it today! Anyone interested in an M series or a construction tractor needs to look at this site. The new M series tractors are totally awsum! This series tractor will lead the way!

www.deenimplement.com/kubota_m40-series.htm /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

mike69440 · Feb 15, 2006

( Muleskinner:
I followed your process when your were working out the L4330 HST low power issue, how the Hemet dealer gave you such great support etc..how you wound up with the L39 and were happy.
Re that conversation and for perspective on the HST vs the GST, my L4330 GST has the power to pull my 6' box blade.
Like you, I have been considering the L48 as an addition to my tool collection.
A couple of thoughts...
From what I have read here on TractorbyNet the current L48 is going to be replaced soon with a newer model.
I would be leery of the HST, from what I have read on here there seems to be an ongoing conversation re there being plenty of power in the low speed mode but not enough in the higher "ranges".
You said you wont be using a backhoe?
What about other skidsteer type attachments such as post hole digger, demo hammer etc which would benefit from the highr gpm of hydraulics? Do you really require the higher gpm of the L48?
My thinking, and I am in a similar region to you and do alot of the same work you do, is to stick with a tractor with gears and not get into a HST situation.
In my mind the bottom line: A tractor with GST, with higher power than the L39, (50-60HP), that has the gpm to run the hydraulic attachments available and have the power to pull a 6' box blade and have the flexibility/power the GST offers. Is such a model from Kubota available?
Does this make sense to you and others??
It will be interresting to follow where this conversation leads.
Thanks,
Runk
)

The L48 replacement should not be physically larger than the current machine. It should be heavier and more nimble and powerful. Forget trying to finish mow with a machine this size or even Mow for that matter in all but the most open fields. The 3 Pt hitch is for other implements. It should be cat 1 & 2.

I figure the L48 replacement a near 10,000 Lb Class machine with at least 56-60 Hp, 4 Speed hydro or a GST that shifts quick enouth not to loose speed on hills and has a Park feature which IMHO is sorely needed.

The JD type Load Match and an Idle down/up feature after a time of no use would be nice.

An enclosed cab option needs to be available with air and heat. Front Tires should be 12x 18 R4's with a real heavy front axle that can turn real tight. The 12 x 18 tires are rare, but AGCO uses them on their 25-30 hp tractor as a rear tire. The machine wheelbase should be kept the same, but overall width can go up 3 to 4 Inches with a 76" wide bucket. Current rear tires are the right size @ 24 X 17.5 as long as ply rating goes up.

Loader capacity should be 4,000 lbs at bucket center. 0.75-0.8 Yard, +6000 min at the breakout, bucket edge. Breakout is very important!

The Hoe should have about +9000 lbs at the bucket curl and +6000 at the dipper. The boom should have enough power to lift the machine up to get out of dangerous or stuck situations. 11.5 - 12' Dig depth. Hydraulic capacity should match a small skid steer.

The L48 replacement should sell for considerably less than $50 K or about 10 K over the L-39, 5K over the JD 110 without an enclosed cab.etc. Font Rear lights, Horn should be std! The Cab can go for $50 K-ish. This machine will go against the small construction BH's for at least 20K less. I think a lot of contractors will give up 25% -40 in capacity for the $$. The spread between the Kubota TLB's will make sense. The JD 110 will be the odd fit.

I think Kubota is pushing it a bit rating the L39 against a heavier JD-110, but the L-39 is a **** of a lot of tractor for the money. The new L48 replacement should distance itself from the L-39 and JD-110.

Muleskinner · Feb 15, 2006

( ( Muleskinner:
I followed your process when your were working out the L4330 HST low power issue, how the Hemet dealer gave you such great support etc..how you wound up with the L39 and were happy.
Re that conversation and for perspective on the HST vs the GST, my L4330 GST has the power to pull my 6' box blade.
Like you, I have been considering the L48 as an addition to my tool collection.
A couple of thoughts...
From what I have read here on TractorbyNet the current L48 is going to be replaced soon with a newer model.
I would be leery of the HST, from what I have read on here there seems to be an ongoing conversation re there being plenty of power in the low speed mode but not enough in the higher "ranges".
You said you wont be using a backhoe?
What about other skidsteer type attachments such as post hole digger, demo hammer etc which would benefit from the highr gpm of hydraulics? Do you really require the higher gpm of the L48?
My thinking, and I am in a similar region to you and do alot of the same work you do, is to stick with a tractor with gears and not get into a HST situation.
In my mind the bottom line: A tractor with GST, with higher power than the L39, (50-60HP), that has the gpm to run the hydraulic attachments available and have the power to pull a 6' box blade and have the flexibility/power the GST offers. Is such a model from Kubota available?
Does this make sense to you and others??
It will be interresting to follow where this conversation leads.
Thanks,
Runk
)

The L48 replacement should not be physically larger than the current machine. It should be heavier and more nimble and powerful. Forget trying to finish mow with a machine this size or even Mow for that matter in all but the most open fields. The 3 Pt hitch is for other implements. It should be cat 1 & 2.

I figure the L48 replacement a near 10,000 Lb Class machine with at least 56-60 Hp, 4 Speed hydro or a GST that shifts quick enouth not to loose speed on hills and has a Park feature which IMHO is sorely needed.

The JD type Load Match and an Idle down/up feature after a time of no use would be nice.

An enclosed cab option needs to be available with air and heat. Front Tires should be 12x 18 R4's with a real heavy front axle that can turn real tight. The 12 x 18 tires are rare, but AGCO uses them on their 25-30 hp tractor as a rear tire. The machine wheelbase should be kept the same, but overall width can go up 3 to 4 Inches with a 76" wide bucket. Current rear tires are the right size @ 24 X 17.5 as long as ply rating goes up.

Loader capacity should be 4,000 lbs at bucket center. 0.75-0.8 Yard, +6000 min at the breakout, bucket edge. Breakout is very important!

The Hoe should have about +9000 lbs at the bucket curl and +6000 at the dipper. The boom should have enough power to lift the machine up to get out of dangerous or stuck situations. 11.5 - 12' Dig depth. Hydraulic capacity should match a small skid steer.

The L48 replacement should sell for considerably less than $50 K or about 10 K over the L-39, 5K over the JD 110 without an enclosed cab.etc. Font Rear lights, Horn should be std! The Cab can go for $50 K-ish. This machine will go against the small construction BH's for at least 20K less. I think a lot of contractors will give up 25% -40 in capacity for the $$. The spread between the Kubota TLB's will make sense. The JD 110 will be the odd fit.

I think Kubota is pushing it a bit rating the L39 against a heavier JD-110, but the L-39 is a **** of a lot of tractor for the money. The new L48 replacement should distance itself from the L-39 and JD-110.

)

And when will this new L48 be available? I see nothing about it on the Kubota site. That means next year?

_RaT_ · Feb 16, 2006

The L48 has plenty of power in both Low range (0-2mph) and medium range (0-4mph) which is about half the speed of the L5030. It is in high range that it really lacks the umph to do much other then travel on flat terrain. Perhaps it is the extra weight it has that causes this. It also has a completely different rear end over the L5030. Planetary drive versus spur gear. Perhaps that makes the difference in what I found to be weak performance in high versus that of my L3830 which does very well in high range. I surely found the HST very useful for dirt work, but far to slow for a multipurpose tractor. If I needed more then the L39, I think I might opt to go for something like a Deere 210. Once you get into a industrial design, your in a whole different world of tractoring. Everything from the loader pivot points to the shear mass of the 3 pt connections is where the difference is and where it is needed. I find I wear the pivot jonts pretty quick on the compacts regardless of manufacturer even with frequent greasing. My opinion is that they are not made for everyday heavy duty use, not even the L39 or L48. On the otherhand, their convenience cannot be denied. I still have my L3830 HST which is one cylinder short of the L48 engine, it can pull my 72" box scraper in low range OK, but certainly not like my L48 could in medium range. (which in the end are almost the same despite one being in M and the other in L range) I am not sure what your intention is as I had just enough time to scan TBN and came here because of Dick Bargeron. I did not get a chance to read through all the posts. Anyway, my reply is quick, if your still wondering about the L48, let me know, I'll get back on later. Rat...

mike69440 · Feb 18, 2006

And when will this new L48 be available? I see nothing about it on the Kubota site. That means next year? )

I should have prefaced my post that my description is my wish list of what the L-48 replacement should be.

Kubota as far as I know is nt coming out with such a machine.

_RaT_ · Feb 18, 2006

If I already owned a L39, the L48 would certainly not be on my wish list. If I owned a L39 and wanted industrial performance but with a smaller machine, the Bobcat T190 would do things for me that the L39 and L48 could not match. If another hoe was important, a small excavator would be the ticket. Once you have used a track steer for dirt work, you will understand why they are becoming so incredibly popular. Bulldozers, stable, verstile and about the fastest dirt machine made. Dennis, if I was you, that would be my course of action. You can still pull a T190 with a light truck.