Backhoe Is the L39 stronger than the L4600?

[Ducati07]

I'm looking to purchase a new tractor loader backhoe and have been looking at the L4600 with a subframe backhoe attachment. Then, I was told that the L39 would be a better performing backhoe than the L4600. I was told that the L39 is a whole different machine and that everything about it is better and stronger. They said the L39 has a bigger pump and would out-dig and perform the L4600 on many levels. Seems a little strange to me since the 4600 has more HP but I know it all comes down to the pump. I wish I knew the output numbers of the pump comparing the two, and others.

Is there anyone that can backup the dealers opinion?

Thanks for any help with this topic!

 

[nybirdman]

I far as I have read the dealer is correct.The L39 is a purpose built machine vs the L4600 is a tractor with a BH added.Contractor vs home-owner comparison.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I was on a job couple of years ago and homeowner had a new L series with a hoe on it and he gave up digging a foundation for his garage in and called me to dig it.
I showed up with my b26 and was done in 2 hrs, there was several tree roots and it was hard but the tlb are purposes built machines.
We have a m5400 and I would never use it the like the b26 gets used.

 

[Ducati07]

Good to hear...thanks guys!

 

[TomSeller]

It depends what you are going to dig. I have both a Case backhoe and a Kubota tractor with a backhoe attachment. Truth be known, I use the Kubota more. It is not nearly as fast but I am only doing maintenance digging. The Kubota has SSQA on the FEL so it is much more handy. If I were to be doing any serious digging, I would use the Case.

 

[Ducati07]

Well, the digging here is not friendly. I'm digging mostly rock, with some dirt thrown in. It is hard digging...not as bad as when I was digging up in the high country with a lot of granite. But, on my property I have a lot of river rock and in the area I see spots of what I call shale...not sure if that is the correct term but I do know that when I hit it..I end up needing a jack hammer to trench through it. So, I'd like to make sure and get the most bang for my buck having a machine to do what it can to get through the rough stuff.

I need to get by with only a mid size hoe at this time. I'd like to have a full size Case for the real digging and a smaller unit for detail work but this is going to be a one unit purchase for now.

Thanks for the input!

 

[TomSeller]

Well, the digging here is not friendly. I'm digging mostly rock, with some dirt thrown in. It is hard digging...not as bad as when I was digging up in the high country with a lot of granite. But, on my property I have a lot of river rock and in the area I see spots of what I call shale...not sure if that is the correct term but I do know that when I hit it..I end up needing a jack hammer to trench through it. So, I'd like to make sure and get the most bang for my buck having a machine to do what it can to get through the rough stuff.

I need to get by with only a mid size hoe at this time. I'd like to have a full size Case for the real digging and a smaller unit for detail work but this is going to be a one unit purchase for now.

Thanks for the input!

Sounds like you need the L39 backhoe.

 

[TomSeller]

I was on a job couple of years ago and homeowner had a new L series with a hoe on it and he gave up digging a foundation for his garage in and called me to dig it.
I showed up with my b26 and was done in 2 hrs, there was several tree roots and it was hard but the tlb are purposes built machines.
.

Some of that could be because you are a more experienced operator, but you are right, dedicated backhoes are faster. I only get on one of mine a couple times a month and have to idle or adjust them down as it is. Like I said before, serious digging and occasional digging are two different needs entirely. For those with an occasional need, a tractor with a hoe attachment is fine. Power, reach and bucket selection are factors too, don't forget those.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Some of that could be because you are a more experienced operator, but you are right, dedicated backhoes are faster. I only get on one of mine a couple times a month and have to idle or adjust them down as it is. Like I said before, serious digging and occasional digging are two different needs entirely. For those with an occasional need, a tractor with a hoe attachment is fine. Power, reach and bucket selection are factors too, don't forget those.

Nothing makes up for seat time.
From the sounds of your digging L39 or L45 would be a good fit but the most important options would be QA backhoe buckets and a hydraulic thumb to pick the big rocks up and move them.
I would get a 12" bucket for hard digging 18 or 24 for everyday and a 36 smooth(no teeth) for backfilling and grading.

 

[mikesee]

Ducati07: Also take into consideration the size of the bucket you are chosing. Sounds like a smaller bucket (12-18 inch) would suit you better which ever way you go. The 'performance' of digging with my B21 with the 12 bucket vs the 16 inch is much better.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I think all the info you require is on the Kubota website except the actual backhoe specs for the L4600 as it only list the dig depth (106.1") and the pump capacities (7.8 +4.7 for PS= very slow). The L39 has 23.4 combined hydraulic pump capacity, weighs 6887 with total TLB, and lists all the lift capacities for the machine. The one thing that I don't think I would like about it is it only comes with GST transmission. I would have to go to the L45 to get a 3 range HST transmission or the smaller B26. I love the HST in my B26 and I don't think I would like a gear shift for back hoe work. I can move my B26 around while facing the hoe when I need to and don't have to depend on using the boom to position it all the time or get back in the seat facing forward.
Anyway, the B26 is a much more capable machines than the L 4600 and L39 even more so but likely $10-15K more money also. If I were spending that kind of money, I would go for the L45, it isn't that much bigger in footprint and would be the most capable machine with its HST tranny.
I am not familiar with the larger machines, but the one drawback on the B26 is that the FEL is not removable although it does come with a SSQA bucket if you plan to swap things out up front. I don't know if the larger machines are the same way.

 

[avc8130]

I have owned an L39 and now own an L45.

I don't see ANY reason to want the L4600 over the L39/L45.

This site tends to look down upon the "TLB" series and I just don't get it. For the size, you will not find more capability.

Put aside the backhoes for a second. The front loader is MUCH better on the "comparable" TLB compared to the AG based tractor. My L45 is rated at ~2200lbs and it taps out too quick sometimes in my opinion. I couldn't imagine how frustrated I'd be with a 1263lb loader capacity on the L4600.

Back to the backhoe. The L39/L45 has a REAL backhoe. You can "crane" up to 1k lbs. They have faster hydraulics with real capability. The hoe is attached to a main frame that attaches to the loader. The machine is a BEAST compared to a tractor whose main "structure" is the engine/trans/rear end.

Yes, the AG style tractor is fine for 3pt hitch work, but the TLB can really handle a PROPER loader/backhoe and the loads/stresses they produce.

The TLBs also have the FULL ROPS/FOPS. I feel MUCH safer with the front bars, plus the included roof makes a great sunshade and place for work lights.

The TLBs have 3 point hitches and PTOs just like the AGs. Nothing to "lose" there.

Do you get the idea which I prefer?

ac

 

[Gary Fowler]

When a TBN member turned me on to a deal on a slightly used B26 for $25K, I did my share of shopping and comparisons to it with similar sized "tractors with a back hoe". There just wasn't any comparison to the capacities between the B26 and any other comparable or larger sized tractor with a backhoe. The B26 is off course the smallest of the Kubota TLB machines and many times I would love to have a L45 but it does everything I want even though it is a bit slower than I would like due to the hydraulic capacity but, it is still faster than a L4600 would be and much more weight thus better digging capacity. I don't know what the price difference would be on the two but for sure the TLB's are going to be much more expensive that a Tractor with backhoe due to their higher capacities and weights.

 

[TomSeller]

This site tends to look down upon the "TLB" series and I just don't get it. For the size, you will not find more capability.

I have never understood why either.

 

[rScotty]

Quote Originally Posted by avc8130,
"This site tends to look down upon the "TLB" series and I just don't get it. For the size, you will not find more capability."

I was kind of surprised when reading that. Agree on the capability part, but as for the "look down on" part that's a new one on me. Well...maybe I've just missed it or have been reading other threads - but I've not run across that opinion at all.

I'll grant you that there hasn't been much written on the TLBs on TractorByNet lately - but the threads on TLBs tend to be long running ones and more about using the machines and attachments than about dealing with repairs or problems. TLBs are built even tougher than tractors - so maybe that's a part of it.
'
If we look back to when Kubota started making TLBs go back a couple of years ago and there's more posted then.
But I haven't found anything I'd call "look down on". That part kinda mystifies me.
rScotty

 

[murphy1244]

I'll take a L-59 or a JD 110 if I had the work for it. But that's a huge outlay of cash for the little BH work I have.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Ducati07: Also take into consideration the size of the bucket you are chosing. Sounds like a smaller bucket (12-18 inch) would suit you better which ever way you go. The 'performance' of digging with my B21 with the 12 bucket vs the 16 inch is much better.

The original owner of my B26 bought it with a 12 and 18" bucket and then cut down the 18" to a 7" for trenching. The 7" is the one I use to dig up stumps because it allows more force to be put on roots for cutting and breaking them. An 18" or larger bucket would be useless for me in my hard soil other than mucking out ditches in which case a 24" would be best if they made one but I think 18" is the largest for a B 26.

 

[smitesmash]

I have never understood why either.

I have noticed that myself. I'd always assumed that just as an Ag machine can do construction chores, if not as well suited for them; a TLB/construction tractor is just not suited for agricultural chores.

 

[smitesmash]

Well, the digging here is not friendly. I'm digging mostly rock, with some dirt thrown in. It is hard digging...not as bad as when I was digging up in the high country with a lot of granite. But, on my property I have a lot of river rock and in the area I see spots of what I call shale...not sure if that is the correct term but I do know that when I hit it..I end up needing a jack hammer to trench through it. So, I'd like to make sure and get the most bang for my buck having a machine to do what it can to get through the rough stuff.

Two thoughts on this

First, these two machines are really 2 kubota sized steps removed. The first step up from the 4600 is to the L4646/4660 (or whatever the actual model number is) the grand L series pretty much doubles the pump size between the two. The between the grand L and the construction L, the almost double again.

The second thought is that if you went with the L39/45, you could potentially run one of these
Hydraulic Breakers for Tractor Loader Backhoes
(I have no personal knowledge if this would fit your machine, or if it would work on your situation)

 

[TomSeller]

The second thought is that if you went with the L39/45, you could potentially run one of these
Hydraulic Breakers for Tractor Loader Backhoes

Anyone know if one of those with a chisel tip would work cutting roots?