Backhoe frame mount or dedicated tlb

[Carl_NH]

Jomar,

With your stated uses digging around a house foundation, doing dirt work, and driveway refurbish then based on your experience with the full size machines you will want a machine in the L35-L48 size. For digging around a house foundation smaller is better but if you have experience running a BH that will help.

The B21-B26 TLB will get it done and just take a little longer to finish.

Some other considerations;

- Storage/Garage - the L-35-39-48 will all be over 8' clearance so you will need a 9' high door.
- The L35-48 series usually have a fixed front bucket (no quick attach) the L39 and L45 have a QA bucket - this is important if you want to have forks, bale spear or use other QA attachments
- The L35-48 usually dont have a hydraulic thumb but a mechanical one - and the newer L39-45 can have a hyd thumb setup

I say "usually" the older Kubota L series TLB dont have these options - they may have been added so its possible you will find a QA bucket or hyd thumb on the older ones - its not typical tho.

Bottom line it comes down to $ if you can afford a newer machine L39 I would go that route otherwise you can find a L48 for high teens to mid $20K range.

 

[jomar215]

Therein lies the determining factor perhaps. I've got a budget of $12,000. I could push it to $15,000 if I had to, but I don't want to if I don't have to.

As near as I can figure I need 1,000 lb lift in the loader - at least - but 1,500 lbs lift to full height with a half a yard of material would obviously be more productive. A decent, frame mount backhoe would suffice but I really like the idea of the integrated tlb. I would like to be able to dig at LEAST 6 feet deep, but 8 or so would be better. I do live in Maine and we have some hearty soil up this way - a lot of hard packed clay and rocks. I'm not in the excavation business, but I would work it for sure. Time is money, and all that, and bigger is faster. But, what would you guys look for? Which machine should I hope to find around my price range?

I'm not completely clear on Kubota's naming convention either. The first couple numbers are the HP? The B is bigger than the bx? L bigger than B? And then M, etc? But then the B3200 weighs out a couple thousande, a little more with the hoe and the B26 tlb is like 2 thousand more pounds?!

I'm confused .....

 

[LD1]

In order of size, Bx, B, L, M.

And you are correct on the HP.

The B26 is a "integraded" TLB, and not a tractor with a backhoe attachment. Those are built heavier and will outweigh their "similar sized" tractor counterparts.

The current kubota "integraded" TLB's are the bx25, B26, L39, L45, and M59

Ones of past that I can remember are the Bx22, bx23, b20, l35, l48

 

[jomar215]

ok, so any difference between a b26 and a b20?

 

[MarkV]

The B20 was the first in that size commercial integrated TLB. In 1996 it was up graded and named the B21 which had some changes including stronger hydraulics. The latest model up grade is the B26 which added 5 more horsepower and again stronger hydraulics. You might be able to find a B20 in your price range, I think the others will be over your target price.

MarkV

 

[Carl_NH]

Jomar,

For your price range the B21 or a L35 is possible. The B21 weighs in at 4000 lbs, the L-35 about 6000 Lbs and both are integrated TLB's. The B21 will lift 950Lbs all day long and dig 7.5' deep so is in your desired/required range.

I see several on Craiglist - here's and L35 in Londonderry NH for $15K L35 Kubota TLB and a B21 in Portland 2005 Kubota B21 Tlb

Then a newer B2620 in Falmouth - its not a TLB technically but does have the close mounted BH and flip seat (like the TLB series)
Kubota 2003 B2620

If I was buying today the L35 is a decent machine - it would depend on the condition of the unit - tightness etc at 1500 hours it has a good amount of life left but you may have some occasional repairs. The B21 is an 05 with 600 hours so thats a good machine with reasonable hours you can expect to get another 1000 hours without any major issues.

I put in the B2620 as its newer and similar capacity to the B21 in lifting and digging - but it has turf tires and if you are in rough rocks and stumps the R4 is a better choice on the B21.

Hope this helps..

Carl

 

[jomar215]

That is particularly helpful. Thanks, Carl.