L47TLB vs L4701

[s219]

Nice machine Rich! Those are serious pieces of equipment.

 

[aarolar]

All of the backhoes and boom trucks/cranes I've ran and been around just used laminated plywood discs to protect concrete from the downriggers may be a good deal cheaper

 

[RichM752]

All of the backhoes and boom trucks/cranes I've ran and been around just used laminated plywood discs to protect concrete from the downriggers may be a good deal cheaper

Exploring options as we speak. $248 for Kubota pads is a little steep. My neighbor has a bandsaw, a friend in town owns a tire shop. A little effort and a couple of six-packs can solve this problem.

 

[avc8130]

All of the backhoes and boom trucks/cranes I've ran and been around just used laminated plywood discs to protect concrete from the downriggers may be a good deal cheaper

That works great for cranes/boom trucks whose loads are mostly vertical. On a backhoe you'd be sliding all over the place.

ac

 

[aarolar]

That works great for cranes/boom trucks whose loads are mostly vertical. On a backhoe you'd be sliding all over the place.

ac

Promise it works I've done it.

 

[mike69440]

Promise it works I've done it.

Even with loaded tires, the BH on the L47 will toss around the tractor. Putting plywood "Skates" will make it way worse.

 

[rScotty]

Exploring options as we speak. $248 for Kubota pads is a little steep. My neighbor has a bandsaw, a friend in town owns a tire shop. A little effort and a couple of six-packs can solve this problem.

Yes, I agree. They're just friction pads; nothing wrong with trying various configurations and materials. you can't go too far wrong, and they are unlikely to last all that long anyway. So I'd say try a few different configurations and see what works for you.
In my work I've found that the backhoe will tend to slide the machine around no matter how the stabilizers are planted. The hoe is way stronger than the weight of the TLB can nail down. And if not careful, then stabilizer feet can dig big ugly holes in asphalt or dirt pretty much regardless of what kind of pads or cleats you have on. My advice is to to look down every once in a while and see just what the stabilizer ends are up to.

About chains.....When we got the M59 TLB about 10 years back, I got with it a set of front chains "just in case" we had some seriously deep snow. Well, the traction this TLB is so good we've never needed the chains. It slides around, but still does lots of work. Just last Saturday I worked on several hundred feet of shaded dirt road that had a few inches of snow over an equal depth of compacted ice. The M59 surprised me all over again with lots of traction and how well it responded to the wheel brakes. No problems pushing a bucket full of snow on the level. I used 4wd all the time, and the wheel brakes often, but rarely had to resort to the diff lock. Kubota TLBs have a good balance of weight and traction - though I'm not sure exactly what makes it is so good. Probably has something to do with the shape of the industrial tread, the unusually wide tires, and the HST response.

As for cabs, it amazes me that Kubota never offered one for any of their TLBs. I like mine open in most weather, but certainly could use a windshield during snowstorms.
enjoy, rScotty

 

[mike69440]

As for cabs, it amazes me that Kubota never offered one for any of their TLBs. I like mine open in most weather, but certainly could use a windshield during snowstorms.
enjoy, rScotty

My big beef with the Kubota TLB's is that you are getting roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of a big construction TLB for about 70-85% of the cost. Yikes! This has to be profitable for Kubota, otherwise they would not be in this small niche market.

Unfortunately Kubota is the only game in town for this type of machine in a small size if buying new. An expensive little Swiss Army knife. So when a machine like this fits your needs better than any other piece of equipment, guess you just suck it up.

 

[RichM752]

Well, sold the L3400 today. Headed to the dealer Monday to get some photos/measurements on the front loader hydraulic hose set up for EA grapple.
Single or dual lid? That is the question. Leaning toward 72" single lid. Lots of big rocks and stumps around here. For the smaller lighter brush/limbs just a few more moves with a single lid vs dual lid. Anyone dare to reply?
Waiting on the dealer to give me info on a rear remote valve kit for the snowblower chute control. Kubota want $1286 for their's. I only need single actuator for chute direction. Should be able to find something installed for under $500.
Still pretty wet here, so I've got a few weeks before I can do any work. In the meantime.......I'm headed to Baha for a week for some fishing,tequila, and play guitars with an old high school buddy who lives down there. It's a yearly February thing I've started since retiring last year. I'll pick up tractor when I return.
Fish tacos for everyone!!!

 

[RichM752]

My big beef with the Kubota TLB's is that you are getting roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of a big construction TLB for about 70-85% of the cost. Yikes! This has to be profitable for Kubota, otherwise they would not be in this small niche market.

Unfortunately Kubota is the only game in town for this type of machine in a small size if buying new. An expensive little Swiss Army knife. So when a machine like this fits your needs better than any other piece of equipment, guess you just suck it up.

I hear ya Mike. This L47 TLB will fit on my PJ dump well for travel, and I prefer a more compact rig to maneuver in tighter spaces. Also, got a price on a Curtis cab w/heat and wipers. $6875 + freight from MA to the west coast. I'm on standby for now with the cab.