L45/48 Questions

[Votum]

I did a search and didn't find what I was looking for. I am considering the purchase of one of the these machines for my operation. As there other things I want to purchase yet this year, I am most likely buying used. I have seen machines with the options I want, but not all of them on the same machine. So instead of wasting time looking for one that's set up the way I want it, I need to find out if it's viable option for adding the stuff to an used machine for the right price.

1) It is my understanding that all L45's/L48's come with 3rd function hydraulics on the loader. Is this true?

2) Is it possible to add the rear hyd. outlets aftermarket?

3) Are all the backhoe booms automatically plumbed for thumbs and other attachments such as the breaker, auger, etc?

4) If I were to purchase one without the backhoe, would the backhoe from a L45 work with a L48 and vice versa if one comes along at the right price later one?

It is mainly going to be used as a yard loader, grading farm lanes, and windrowing debris with a 8' harley rake. Might do some light mowing and rototilling as well. What digging needsto be done would be for repairing my underground irrigation mains, as well as some light landscaping works. I really think this would work for me, as it would allow me to put the ag tractor currently doing these jobs to something different, and I wouldn't be renting a mini-ex for a hour's worth of work when I need to dig something.

Thanks

 

[Grandad4]

Some of the industrial TLB owners will chime in with details about the options, but please realize the L45 and L48 are completely different machines on different tractor platforms. L48 is a larger-frame model, now discontinued and replaced by M59 in the Kubota lineup. L45 is a current model mid-sized unit, an upgrade from the L39.

Different platforms and period of manufacture means different backhoes, of course. Wouldn't expect any interchangeability. And good luck finding a used backhoe for sale seperately... expect they'd be rare as hen's teeth. You could buy a new L45 backhoe from a dealer, no doubt, but it would probably cost big $$$ as a separate purchase.

If you can find a used L48 in decent condition, it should be a real workhorse. While it has a very strong FEL, maybe some of the owners can comment on using it for general loader work. There have been comments about mide-range gearing being optimized for heavy dirt work but too low for general use. For that reason, a used L39, JD110 or L45 might be a better general use chore tractor. Used L45... maybe kinda rare since it's a current model, but who knows... with construction business in the dumper...

 

[gwdixon]

I did a search and didn't find what I was looking for. I am considering the purchase of one of the these machines for my operation. As there other things I want to purchase yet this year, I am most likely buying used. I have seen machines with the options I want, but not all of them on the same machine. So instead of wasting time looking for one that's set up the way I want it, I need to find out if it's viable option for adding the stuff to an used machine for the right price.

1) It is my understanding that all L45's/L48's come with 3rd function hydraulics on the loader. Is this true?

2) Is it possible to add the rear hyd. outlets aftermarket?

3) Are all the backhoe booms automatically plumbed for thumbs and other attachments such as the breaker, auger, etc?

4) If I were to purchase one without the backhoe, would the backhoe from a L45 work with a L48 and vice versa if one comes along at the right price later one?

It is mainly going to be used as a yard loader, grading farm lanes, and windrowing debris with a 8' harley rake. Might do some light mowing and rototilling as well. What digging needsto be done would be for repairing my underground irrigation mains, as well as some light landscaping works. I really think this would work for me, as it would allow me to put the ag tractor currently doing these jobs to something different, and I wouldn't be renting a mini-ex for a hour's worth of work when I need to dig something.

Thanks

1. L48 - no.

3. L48 - no.

I would not recommend the L48 TLB for general farm work. It is a great BH and loader, as is its intended uses, but otherwise there are issues with the transmission gearing that limits it use as a tractor.

The L45 would be your best bet for the intended uses.

 

[Stonehaller]

Answers to you questions 1, 3 and 4 are no. The L45 and L48 are both engineered TLBs. It would be very unusual for one to have been sold new without the backhoe and I expect near impossible to find a used hoe.

As for question #2, you can get factory and aftermarket stuff to add remotes.

There have been lots of comments on this forum about the L48 mid-range being too low and high range being too high for general purpose 3-point work.

Since it looks like you have limited backhoe work, you might be better off with a similar sized CUT with an add-on backhoe. Much easier to buy or sell a used add-on backhoe. Unless need to run a hydraulic breaker or auger that you mentioned. Then the higher hydraulic flow and more rugged backhoe of the TLBs will be required.

 

[Votum]

Thanks, I was wanting to use it as a skip loader the majority of the time with the ability to use it as a backhoe when needed. Doesn't sound like the L48 is the best for what I want to do with it. I really don't like the idea of a cut with backhoe as I really want something that can use a hyd thumb and attachments. Oh well, I'll keep looking.

 

[Grandad4]

It looks to me as if the only thing really driving you toward the industrial TLB is wanting to hang powered attachments on the boom of a backhoe. However that doesn't seem to be done very much with the L48 and smaller TLB's due to weight and hydraulic flow limitations. The new M59 has some capability like that, I think, but it's still quite a bit smaller than the full size TLB's.

Looking back at the rest of what you said you were going to do with this machine, I have to agree with Stonehaller... it sounds like the work you described is well within the capability of a 40 hp or larger CUT. Are the boom-mounted attachments a do or die requirement or just a desirable bonus capability you are seeking?

 

[Duke55]

I have an L48 with a new battery and alternator. When running the battery reads 12.2 V and when off it reads 12.57 V. Is the wiring the last parts to replace if the battery will not charge? Does the alternator charge run though the starter?