L48 or L5030 - My Jump Into The Tractor World?

Ursushorribilus · Oct 7, 2004

Hello Everyone...I'm new here, this is my first post. I've been reading and researching on this site for several months now, and am impressed with the depth of experience and knowledge.

I'm ready to buy my first tractor, and have narrowed it down to 4 models - two from Kubota and two from John Deere. The Kubotas are the L48 and the L5030, both with HST. My applications for a machine are to start a small landscaping business in the spring, and to maintain and improve my 1 acre here in New Hampshire.

I'm test driving both tractors tomorrow at a dealership near my home, so I will get a better idea of what feels better to me. I should tell everyone that I have never run a tractor or any kind of heavy equipment, so it's all new to me. I know the L48 outspecs the L5030, but I wonder if the 5030 is all I'd need for landscaping.

Just in case anyone's wondering, the two John Deere models I'm looking at are the 110 TLB and the 4720, which incidentally, bring up the exact questions I have for the Kubotas.

teddydo · Oct 7, 2004

Welcome here! I love my 4330 with cab and air and think you will like anything in this catigory. It is awsome with the L853 loader, even in hard ground. HST is a must for good loader work and I hope no one is offended by that comment. Luck be yours and I hope you get a good price......Teddydo

Dargo · Oct 7, 2004

I actually looked at the same JD and Kubota models. For me, it simply came down to me wanting a cab with factory A/C. JD didn't have that. I still can't say that I like either the JD or the Kubota better. I'd suggest just going with what you personally like the best. Good luck!

rtvman · Oct 7, 2004

Have you looked at the L35? For what your planning on doing with it
size only counts for bragging rights /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. I have had my L35 going on 7 years now and there is not much it can't do. In fact, its size may be an advantage to you. I would serously look at this as an option. Even if you buy new, the few dollars you save with the L35 may be nice to have to help buy your 72" box scraper, rake, back blade, grappler, remote hydraulics ...etc. Bottom line.... you can't make a bad choice with these (3) options. Good luck!

PhatBoy · Oct 7, 2004

Some 2004 threads to look at here...

I've got $35,000 to spend......

JD110 TLB

L48TLB & L Series

4020 Series Specs

A couple long threads from 2002
John Deere 110 Compact TLB
Bushy's 110

Compare also the Loader Backhoe Specs and Tractor Loader Specs for various models (depth, breakout, etc)
myuniverse specs

gray · Oct 7, 2004

OK, here's my 2 cents.

I love my L48. It has great power and super BH for it's size. I looked at the JD110 but as good as it was, the L48 was still better. I still beleive that now.

The L5030 is a great machine with the 837 loader. It is strong. The BH one the L48 is better than any other in the class and is so tight to the machine that you use the same seat to run it. It comes off in 2 min. Goes on it 3 min. If the L5030 had that feature then it would lead my list.

OK, now that I have said all this I will go one step further.
I owned a super little L35. It is smaller, easier on yards, quiter than any tractor I have heard and stronger than any 35hp tractor I have seen or run. I only traded up because of the BH reach and loader lift ht. The L35 GST trany was a good unit, not as easy to use as the HST but still very nice.

If you are doing small lawns alot then the L35 is going to fit better but if you need massive power and reach then the L48 is super. I just saw a new L48 advertised for 33800 just this week. Much better than my cost on it.

Best of luck to you in your choice and business venture.

JATO_RaT · Oct 8, 2004

Gray is correct. The L48 also has considerably lower gearing. Low is rarely used. The L5030 has a super quick removable loader which can be a bonus in small yards where a loader is not needed. I routinely remove my loader in about 20 seconds. The L48 is a much stronger loader and bucket then the LA 853 and since it is integral, does not develop the slight play that removable loaders inevitably get. They share nearly the exact same engine. The L48 has definitely got more beef, but then, the L5030 is no whimp either.

MarkV · Oct 8, 2004

Boy when you jump into tractor work you really do it. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Both are great machines and very capable. I have to ask what kind of landscape work you will be doing and how big are the lots in your area. Both tractors you are looking at would be too big in my area to work residential lots. By the time the landscapers come the foundation has been back filled, lots rough graded and trenching done so the landscaper is finish grading and planting shrubs and lawns. Those are pretty big heavy machines for that finish work. If I were to chose one it would be the 5030 because of the removable loader which would give you more ability to work tight spots.

Good luck on you search.

MarkV

MessickFarmEqu · Oct 8, 2004

I'd even consider a B21 if your just getting started. Too big of a tractor can be a real problem for landscapers.

What do you mean by maintaining your own property? Do you need to mow?

Ursushorribilus · Oct 8, 2004

Thank you everyone, I'm happy to be a part of this community and get responses from members whose posts I've been reading and learning from for months. PhatBoy, those were great threads you turned me on to, I had read them before but I read them all again last night. It was interesting to follow the saga that Bushy, Joe Real, and Tags went through.

My business plan is as follows: 1) Acquire some high quality pieces of equipment, 2) Build a business around them. Undoubtedly not the most logical plan, but the one that feels good to me. I'm thinking lawn installations, hyroseeding, stone walls, trenches for electricians and plumbers, and anything else I can get into. One thing that I've gathered from many posts is to get more horsepower and capability than you think you need, and this makes sense to me. I'd hate to be in a position where I don't have enough juice to do what I need to do. I do, however, understand that these machines may be too big for some applications, and if that's the case I would another, smaller, machine.

Today I tested an L48 and a 110. It was quite a day because I've only driven two tractors in my life before these, and it's been in the last month - one an Agco and the other a Mahindra. The L48 was first, and although I didn't get to use the backhoe to dig anything because the salesman was nervous about my inexperience, I was impressed with its solid, powerful feeling. I drove around and moved the loader and backhoe around, feeling the power. After reluctantly leaving the L48, I went to the JD dealer and was given free reign over a 110. Unlike the first dealer, this salesman told me his philosophy was that a person would get the feel of a machine better if no one was watching, so he pointed at a stump in his yard and said, "go dig that up for me", then he left. With no small amount of trepidation I fiddled with the backhoe, never having run one in my life, and after some initial fumbling, I started to rip up roots, dirt, and finally the stump. The machine is comfortable to use.

Decision time, I think, between these two. L48 price was $38,490 and the 110 was $41,000

Ursushorribilus · Oct 8, 2004

Gray, $33,800 for an L48, Wow, thats almost 5 grand more than I was quoted. Was it a new one?

gray · Oct 9, 2004

Yes, it is a new one. It is in an add in Midwest Equipment. D@B Equipment in Lena Wi. has it. I saw this one about 3 months ago as I went by thereon my way to GreenBay, Wi. I paid 37500 for mine with the 4in1 bucket and hydraulics for the bucket. Mine is from Service Equipment in GreenBay.

Too bad you didn't get a chance to use the L48 BH. It is strong and smooth. I think It has about 10% more ratings then the 110 and a 1 ft more reach. Reach was a big factor for me and I am glad I got the greater reach.

I priced a 110 at a dealer in Mason Wi., they are a good outfit and gave me a price of 35600 with the 4in1 and hydraulics. I thought it was a good number. I liked the 110 alot but not the flip over seat system vs the rotation seat on the L48.

Either one is a good choice. These machines are able to load over the side of a full sized truck unlike many of the smaller CUTS. Good luck with your choices and shopping.

Ursushorribilus · Oct 9, 2004

I saw a hydraulic thumb on a Kubota excavator while talking to the dealer yesterday, he told me the L48 could be outfitted with one for around 3 or 4 thousand $ Question: What are the capacities of the thumb:? How much weight will it lift at different angles? Thanks...Tony

txdon · Oct 9, 2004

Ursushorribilus, About a year ago I was also looking at the JD110 And the Kubota 5030 with the BH90. I test drove both and the Kubota 5030 seem tighter and more responsive. I have had it for a year and I am still happy with it. I saved about $5,000 at the time. Kubota 5030 with the BH90

gray · Oct 10, 2004

On the question of a thumb. I ordered one this week. It is a mechanical thumb at 550 with shipping. I expect an hour to install. I also looked at hydraulic ones. I found them from 780 to 1600 for the L48 BH. Adding the hydraulics to run one is about 700. It would be foot triggered. I chose to go with the mechanical one for now. A model from CDP is convertable to hydraulic but it is a kit that would take some assembly and time I don't have right now.

I have read many posts that claim 200% increase in funtion of a BH with one. I tend to beleave it. I think a close in lift will be in the 1500lb plus range and 1000lbs at a long reach. More based on the specs of the BH then the thumb.

The thumbs range in wieght from 63lbs to 160 for the mechanical and 110 to 190 for the hydraulic thumbs that I have seen.

I can't wait to try mine out. I will report what I find as soon as I have used it.

Ursushorribilus · Oct 10, 2004

txdon, that is a sweet looking machine. With those teeth on the FEL bucket it looks like a hungry dinosaur looking for dinner /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Gray, I like the sounds of that thumb, and am looking forward to hearing how yours turns out...Tony

txdon · Oct 10, 2004

Ursushorribilus, If you have to have, or want, a thumb on the BH then forget about the 5030 and the BH90 until you check with Kubota about the warranty on the modification. There was a thread about a year ago where there was a warranty issue with a person who put a thumb on a BH90. ( Was the guys name Stevenson?) The JD110 does have a thumb as an option. Does the L48 have a thumb as an option or is it a add-on?

Ursushorribilus · Oct 10, 2004

txdon - I went to the Fryeburg Fair today in Maine, and looked at the dealers implement book, and yes, the thumb is an option. I also asked about the hydraulic hammer on the BH, just like the L35 and 110 have as options, and he said that they can do it if they add extra lines and controls. I also want a hydraulic posthole digger on the FEL, which is an option. But I'll start with the thumb.

Oh, I forgot, I have decided to go with the L48. One of our fellow members had generously offered to let me try his L48, which I will tentatively do next Saturday - an extremely nice thing to do, I might add. Of course, by then, as I PMed him, I may already own one - even though I may not see it at my place for a while if they add the thumb.

Question: I talked to a landscaper at the Fryeburg Fair today, and he told me that the reason he didn't get a machine the size of the L48 was because he didn't think it could lift a pallet of stone off a flatbed (about 3000 lbs.) I know the specs show 3000 lbs. at the pivot pin and about 2500 lbs. 24 inches back. Do you know if it will will a 3000 lb pallet off the back of a truck? Tony

gray · Oct 10, 2004

I will try to answer your question from experience and the spec book on the loader I have.

Yes, I beleive it will if you do it right. Here is why I say , yes.

First- I have lifted a hole lift of OSB off the ground a few inches and moved it around on a sloped job site. About 4000lbs.

Second- I lifted a hole lift of 5/8 t@g subfloor by running the forks in and tilting back to about 15* thus bringing it off the ground enough to move it. This method used the rollback force more than the vertical lift force of the loader.

Third- The vertical lift is rated at 2800lbs at 19inches ahead of the pivot pin at 59inches off the ground. It is also rated at a roll back for ce of 6900lbs at the same height. So, useing the rollback strength you should be able to lift the pallet a few inches off the flat bed deck then back away and slowly lower it to a working height for travel.

You are at the limits but if you do not need to lift high then you can make it work. Just my opinion.

I was surprised to find I was able to lift those products at all let alone enough to shift them around. I have found using the rollback power in many ways has allowed me to do many things that lift alone is not enough for. I am sure others have done the same things with their loaders.

Good luck.

gray · Oct 10, 2004

Forgot to mention my findings on a Hydraulic FEL auger system.

After searching and pricing all over the place, I found a unit that will work with the GPM flow and provide the needed functions. This unit is priced at 1100 for the head / quick tach / hoses. Most of the others were very good industrial models but for the same peices they were all in the 1700 range. Two other nice things about the unit from SSS, the auger head is removable from the mounting plate by pulling a pin which leaves the plate usable for other needs-( boom pole system) and the augers are less expensive then all the others.

SSS is Skid Steer Solutions.

When money alows, I am going to pick one of them up. Don't tell the wife?