Kubota L39

[Weather25]

I am buying an L39 with the GST transmission. I was wondering if you can shift into forward or reverse from a stop without pressing the clutch? Also the dealer said something about being able to use the brakes to turn the machine more quickly. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thanks,

Weatherman25

 

[TripleR]

I don't know anything about the GST transmission, but there is a 30+ page thread on this in the general forums under Owning/Operating. Some people find using their split brakes useful while some don't; depends on what you are doing.

Congratulations on the L39, real nice tractor.

 

[Orchard Ex]

I am buying an L39 with the GST transmission. I was wondering if you can shift into forward or reverse from a stop without pressing the clutch? Also the dealer said something about being able to use the brakes to turn the machine more quickly. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thanks,

Weatherman25

You can make any shift without the clutch. F/R and changing gears up and down. Locking one brake makes the tractor pivot around the stopped wheel.

 

[kolmstead]

Weather, although the owner's manual does not say much about it, most people here recommend that you try NOT to use the foot clutch. It is reportedly a lot less durable than the wet (automatic) clutch. I confess that I often forget; 45 years of habit is hard to unlearn. The only time you really need to use the foot clutch is when trying to approach something very slowly and precisely, or getting moving when you have something tippy on a pallet. Best to be in first or second gear then, anyway.

It is a good idea to come to a stop before you reverse direction. Otherwise the automatic clutch gets used as a brake. Better to use the real brakes.

No need to use all the gears. I normally start out in 6th or 7th, then jump to 10th. The gap between 10th and 11th is huge. Tractor starts easily in 10th, not in 11th. Seldom use 12th except on pavement. 2nd or 3rd for most loader tasks. You'll run out of traction before the engine bogs down.

Orchard Ex's recommendations are concise and correct.

-Karl

 

[jlrsn]

I am buying an L39 with the GST transmission. I was wondering if you can shift into forward or reverse from a stop without pressing the clutch? Also the dealer said something about being able to use the brakes to turn the machine more quickly. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thanks,

Weatherman25

Like Orchard Ex stated above. As I don't use my PTO the only time I touch my clutch pedal is when I'm putting my L39 onto or off of my trailer. I can go months without touching my clutch pedal. You have 12 speeds forward and 8 in reverse. Every time you move your shift lever you are engaging an electronic clutch in the transmission.

An example of my use is prior to starting my engine I make sure my shuttle shift and gear shift lever are in neutral. I usually start my L39 in the frigid mornings by standing on the right side, insert my key, listen and watch the panel for when the glow plugs have cycled, twist my key and she'll start within 1 to 2 revolutions of the starter. I make sure that my oil pressure light goes out immediately and I let it idle while I open my shop doors and make sure my path is clear. Within 5 minutes I'll get into my seat, gently raise the FEL a few feet, select the 1st speed, lift my shuttle handle and move it forward. As it inches forward out of my shop at idle speed my engine and hydraulic fluid are warming up. In cold temps let the temps warm up. Bear in mind that if you leave your seat with the shuttle in gear the engine will quit as a safety factor.

Once I have an indication of at least one or two bars of coolant temp with my shuttle handle in neutral I'll select any where from 2nd to 4th gear if I have to start moving snow right out of my shop, or if I want to go someplace faster I'll usually select the 7th or 8th gear and then move my shuttle handle forward. If I'm moving in say 4th gear with a load and I want to go faster or slower I shift the gear lever "only" with a rapid firm movement. I can actually start out at idle speed and accelerate then as necessary with the accelerator pedal even in 8th gear.

Make sure when you are using your shuttle shift handle when moving from forward to reverse to momentarily let the engine come to idle while selecting neutral to change to the opposite direction. The salesmen from different dealerships let me believe you can just slam the shuttle shift handle forward or to reverse. It is warned in the manual to make a change of direction, even if fairly fast, that you momentarily take your foot off of the accelerator pedal while moving your shuttle shift handle in three distinct movements momentarily stopping in neutral or you can damage your transmission.

Read page 28 of the L39 Operators Manual.

Be very careful when going forward down hill with using just one brake pedal as it can accelerate a rollover. I have yet to find a need to uncouple my brake pedals. Make sure your parking brakes are off as the L39 will move as if the brakes are not locked. A quick glance at your panel will show a red "P" if the brakes are locked!

You selected a great can-do tractor and if treated right it will last!!!

Welcome to the forum and ask any questions that might come up. Don't be intimidated by a few members telling you to use the search function. When you are comfortable with your machine and the forum fell free to use the search button but again, ask questions!!!

Good luck,
Jim

 

[Goodluck w/ That]

I read the book for the same question, it states you can shift without using the clutch but atleast be close to stopped & don't jamb it in gear. Im old school, everything I've ever had uses a clutch with the exception of my skid steer. I find myself clutching alot, it's habit. For the brakes.... my old farm tractors you can hit the brake for the direction your turning & it will tend to slide the front tires & make a sharper turn. As for the L39, so far I have kept both brakes locked together. With the weight of the loader on the front your not really going to slide the front end. I'll have to test it some more this summer but thats my opinion as of now.

 

[Weather25]

Thank you for all the great information! I tried searching for this question but could find anything that matched what I was looking for. I probably just don't know the right things to click and unclick.

Anyhow, thanks again. It looks like I am buying a good tractor and will have years of use out of it. I am looking forward to picking it up.

Weatherman25

 

[Carl_NH]

Good Post Jim - like to hear about these units as I am looking at upgrading from my B21 and looking at L39s but really would like HST so the L48 is the other option. Seems like the GST is easier than I anticipated or imagined - guess I need to test drive one..

Weatherman25 the advice offered is good regarding warmup and overall operation - attach some pics when you get your unit and have fun!

 

[jlrsn]

Good Post Jim - like to hear about these units as I am looking at upgrading from my B21 and looking at L39s but really would like HST so the L48 is the other option. Seems like the GST is easier than I anticipated or imagined - guess I need to test drive one..

Hi Carl,
The L48 is also a great machine! I would highly recommend that you drive an L39 with GST. I've driven HST but I really like the additional operator control of different combinations of power and speeds not available with HST. I feel much more in control, but then again I've always liked to be able to control what I'm doing. The new L45 is basically an L39 with HST, a little more horsepower. and a slightly modified FEL for a little more lifting capability.

Good luck on your quest!!
Jim

 

[Stonehaller]

Congratulations on the L39. It's a great TLB. The GST is much handier for loader work than gear drive transmission with a foot clutch but it is not an HST. The GST still activates a clutch any time you shift so you should not shift under heavy load. You should back off on the throttle when changing ranges and come to a stop and back off on the throttle before changing directions.

When digging with the FEL, I often use the foot clutch to stop the tractor. With one hand on the steering wheel and one on the FEL control it is much easier to use your feet to back off on the throttle and operate the foot clutch than to let go of the wheel and grab the shuttle leaver to shift to neutral. Once the tractor is stopped, I shift the shuttle to neutral and let out the foot clutch and use the shuttle to back up. For this type of work an HST is far more convenient.

You need to be careful when shifting the GST on hills as well as any time you shift ranges the tractor briefly goes to neutral and of course when changing directions you go through neutral and the tractor can roll.

I also use the foot clutch when changing implements. I switch between the bucket and pallet forks and I take the back hoe off to use three point implements quit often. Using the foot clutch allows you to creep up slowly to get things aligned.

I use the split brakes to help with steering and traction on snow and ice. I also use them when I have to do tight maneuvering in the woods.

Good luck with the new tractor and do not be afraid to ask questions here.