L39s are arriving!

_RaT_ · Mar 14, 2005

How big is that tractor, HP wise. I have heard repeatedly from a fellow here mention that a .05 cent oring can cause you to rebuild a HST. That conflicts with what my local dealer says.

PS, try your tractor at about 1800 to 2000 RPM and tell me how you like that range. I find the engine does very well in that ballpark. For mowing, I'm at about 2300 RPM, a noticeable difference in sound level.

SkyPup · Mar 14, 2005

The MF 1030 4WD Hydro has 3-cylinder and is 30HP, it is basically a minimalistic subcompact.

curtisfarmer · Mar 14, 2005

Regarding HST and GST on either L39 or L48, I would have to say either tranny is suitable for certain needs. Nothing is going to be everything to everyone. I love my L48 and the HST, and yes, Rat makes a point about it being slow. It is slow because it is 2X the machine a L3830 is and is way to heavy to be charging around on. An L3830 will not do what an L48 will do, nor should it be expected to. Put a frame, huge loader and hoe, and many other heavy duty items on an L3830 and I bet it would not be as peppy as you describe. The TLB machines are not CUTs and should not be compared as such. An L39 or 48 is in a different class than the Grand Ls and both have short coming when making comparisons. I had a L2350 GST after owning Fords forever and I thought the GST was the best thing since getting laid. I would love my L48 to be GST in certain circumstances, but HST is what it has and it does what it should do well, move lots of dirt and dig.

How are the straight arms on the L39 anyone?

I feel my L48 can be shaken around by my hoe (BT1100), how is the L39?? I am working in snow though.

_RaT_ · Mar 14, 2005

You are quite correct. The L48 is a dirt machine. It did a incredible job with my boxscraper that is now on my L3830. It also handled the Harley landscape rake with ease. Medium gear turned my boxscraper into a bull dozer when used in reverse. There I notice the difference in the physical size and ability of the L48 and other machines I have operated. I would find it was the one time that I needed low on the L48. It is perhaps the most glaring difference between the L48 and the L3830 in terms of power. Did you know the L3830 engine is basically the L48 engine with one less cylinder. Same bore and stroke. The loader on the L48 was also quite strong but its biggest advantage was how high it could lift/dump a load. I miss that.

JimMorrissey · Mar 14, 2005

Keep going.....$35+

_RaT_ · Mar 14, 2005

I remember when Carvers had a L48 with hoe for $32,900 new.

JimMorrissey · Mar 14, 2005

Kind of makes you want to cry... : [

JimMorrissey · Mar 14, 2005

Really, you hardly ever use the clutch...Maybe it's just that I am preconditioned to use a clutch when shifting gears from forward to reverse. Moving from one gear to the next while going in a particular direction was slick. There is a slight delay and it picks up perfectly. I did like that, but I'll get used to the rest of it. I'm certainly glad to hear you like the transmission and I'm looking forward to learning more about it.

_RaT_ · Mar 14, 2005

Jim, I'm sure you will find GST to be a snap. I still use a L4850, a 5 cylinder tractor from Kubota. It uses hydraulic shuttle shift and I find once you get it down, you go clutchless for most of the things you do. There is still that slight clutch slip that you need to do when doing loader work in tough material.

JimMorrissey · Mar 14, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The TLB machines are not CUTs and should not be compared as such.)</font>

Although, it is a "COMPACT" Utility Tractor. It sort of crosses the line a bit, kind of like the "missing link" they've been searching for for so many years. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It's a neat mix of TLB and CUT. I like it.