L48 (TLB48) questions

[Z-Michigan]

Z

A long time contributor here _RaT_ has an L48 TLB. He did mention some issues with the HST in High not having the power to move the machine up even slight grades at speed. This is all from my leaky memory, but it seems the weight of the machine causes the pressure relief to pop. (??) A search on _RaT_ will find his posts. Probably an email will gain you more info.

jb

Very interesting. I wonder if backing off on the pedal would let you get just the right pressure to avoid popping the relief valves and maximize your speed.

 

[Builder]

Well there's just a limit to how many toys I can afford. After I buy the tractor I'll be spending easily $4000 on implements, and soon after that I'll be building a pole barn to store the tractor and several other large things in (horse trailer, those implements, regular lawnmower...).

As for why I'm looking at the L48 - just because I was interested in an option to get a heavy duty, hard-to-break tractor with hydrostatic drive and serious FEL capacity. The Mxx40 series are good and probably better suited to my uses - and I'm probably getting one, or an equivalent from another manufacturer - but it might be nice to have the HST for all the FEL and boxblade work I'm planning on.

After reading all your specific requirements, you sound like a perfect candidate for the L-39. I used an L-48 of & on for years as a rental. Nice machine, but I didn't like the hydrostatic trans as much as the L-39 GST. The L-48 was easier to use, sure, but it felt doggy to me compared to the snappy L-39 GST, which felt more "hooked-up" to the engine. After battling which one to buy, I went with the 39 because it was cheaper and a more modern design. Hoes & buckets can both do almost the same work. They're both nice, just 'pends on what you like more than anything.

I'm sad to let mine go, it's not even broken in with only 37 hours, but I need a full size again.....I'm gonna take a hit, but someone's going to get an awesome machine for several thousand less than a new one....live & learn.....

 

[_RaT_]

I liked the L48. I had one of the first ones that came out. The worst features were:

1. automatic hydraulic leveler, no ability to bypass it.

2. The range selections for the HST. Low was 2.5 mph Medium was 4.?? mph and High was 17+ mph. Medium was to slow for efficient loader work and high was all but useless except for transporting the tractor from point A to point B.

Thats it in a nutshell.

For those reasons, I would personally take the L39 with close to the same lift capacity, great range selection, nice loader, nicer hoe. The PTO is considerably less so that would be a factor for you. If the medium range is not a problem for you, it would work well. Remember, that 4.?? mph in medium was at wide open throttle, I rarely went over 1800-2000 RPM. The engine on the L48 is superb. The HST is super.

I had the TL 48 or tractor loader and no hoe (TLB). My needs were not that extensive. I bought it for about $28000 with toothbar, 84" mower, TnT. I sold it for $25000 less the mower and toothbar. I still have the righthand grab bar if anyone needs one.

 

[Muleskinner]

I say get the L48 before Kubota makes a design change and makes it look like a bug like some of the new L's! Thin sheet metal hoods and a lot of plastic! The L48 is the last of the real heavy gauge steel Kubota tractors and will be sorely missed when it is gone! I like my L39, but I wish it had a hard nose and heavy steel hood like the L48. Now just think what an L48 with a GST would be like!

 

[witel]

The rule is "Determine your tractor requirements, and then buy more ... lest ye regret it." Go for the L48. It is more powerful than the L39 in nearly every way. But, it's easy for me to spend your money.

I'm at the L39 where you are at with the L48. It's an animal and more than what I think I really need, and the L48 is just a little too much.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I liked the L48. I had one of the first ones that came out. The worst features were:

1. automatic hydraulic leveler, no ability to bypass it.

2. The range selections for the HST. Low was 2.5 mph Medium was 4.?? mph and High was 17+ mph. Medium was to slow for efficient loader work and high was all but useless except for transporting the tractor from point A to point B.

Thats it in a nutshell.

For those reasons, I would personally take the L39 with close to the same lift capacity, great range selection, nice loader, nicer hoe. The PTO is considerably less so that would be a factor for you. If the medium range is not a problem for you, it would work well. Remember, that 4.?? mph in medium was at wide open throttle, I rarely went over 1800-2000 RPM. The engine on the L48 is superb. The HST is super.

Any idea whether the HST ranges were changed at some point or if they're still as you describe? The mid range you describe would be frustrating for me, and the high range too high. Otherwise the L48 would probably work for me.

Saw an L39 rental today. Seems much more solid than the regular L series. Probably not big enough for my purposes, especially in PTO hp.

Drove an L4330 with HST today. HST is very convenient! I just wish the Grand L series had the planetary final drive and some other heavy-duty features of the L48 or M series.

 

[_RaT_]

Any idea whether the HST ranges were changed at some point or if they're still as you describe? The mid range you describe would be frustrating for me, and the high range too high. Otherwise the L48 would probably work for me.

Saw an L39 rental today. Seems much more solid than the regular L series. Probably not big enough for my purposes, especially in PTO hp.

Drove an L4330 with HST today. HST is very convenient! I just wish the Grand L series had the planetary final drive and some other heavy-duty features of the L48 or M series.

I would not focus on things like spur gear versus planetary, the solidness of the steel etc. The spur gear has been very successful and reliable with no more frequency of breakage then planetary gears. The steel on the L48 is definitely thicker then the L30 series, but still quite dentable. Just be careful, watch what your doing. These are still compact tractors and not built anything like an industrial tractor. Of course, a nice industrial hoe with enviroment cab will cost about $100,000 more. Where the L48 excels is in the attachment points for the lower links. I think that setup is better. For me, contrary to what some others say, you can buy to much tractor. The L48 I had eventually got sold because it had no where near the versatiltiy as my current tractor. For me, the much better HST ranges and the ability to remove the loader were huge. I cannot stress how much nicer it is to mow with no loader. For view and avoiding obstacles as well as helping to eliminate jounce/bounce, there is no comparision. The high range on the L30 series works far better then that on the L48, I don't know why other then some extra weight on the L48 perhaps. I like the straight line L-M-H range on the L30 versus the stagger on the L48. I often shift from low to medium or even medium to high when doing loader work. The loader lift height on the L48 is very good and if you load dumpsters, it is the way to go. The L4330 and up have similar lift heights as well. In low, the L48 has a ton of pull ability which was helpful when ripping with my boxblade, other then that, I used it very little. It was way to slow for loader work and on hard piles you could use it to fill the bucket and then get right into medium or even high if the terrain is flat. I may not be able to lift as much with my L3830 over the L48, but frankly, I really do not miss it, my L3830 is considerably more nimble. As long as I can load up my 1800lb Harley rake into the back of my pickup, I'm good. The ranges on the L48 are still the same. For mowing, my opinion is look elsewhere, the L48 is just way to slow for mowing. It was absolutely superb for my Harley rake and I would assume a tiller.

 

[LarryRB]

as I had mentioned earlier, I would like to see mid range considerably faster, I doubt it can be done because of the mechanical and physical characteristics of hyro transmissions.. I do a lot orf loader work, however, I am lucky in that the loader work is close knit, so mid range, time wise is OK. High gear is for paved roads only and not much more. Low range, a one legged man can out run,, Powerful, yes, beyond doubt... My 48 works fine for me. My fields have high hilly areas, and I'm OK with mid range,, If I had much more in fields, I probably would have another tractor just for this purpose. Look at the 39 and some larger grand L series, and I think you would be much better off

 

[Z-Michigan]

I would not focus on things like spur gear versus planetary, the solidness of the steel etc. The spur gear has been very successful and reliable with no more frequency of breakage then planetary gears. The steel on the L48 is definitely thicker then the L30 series, but still quite dentable. Just be careful, watch what your doing. These are still compact tractors and not built anything like an industrial tractor. Of course, a nice industrial hoe with enviroment cab will cost about $100,000 more. Where the L48 excels is in the attachment points for the lower links. I think that setup is better. For me, contrary to what some others say, you can buy to much tractor. The L48 I had eventually got sold because it had no where near the versatiltiy as my current tractor. For me, the much better HST ranges and the ability to remove the loader were huge. I cannot stress how much nicer it is to mow with no loader. For view and avoiding obstacles as well as helping to eliminate jounce/bounce, there is no comparision. The high range on the L30 series works far better then that on the L48, I don't know why other then some extra weight on the L48 perhaps. I like the straight line L-M-H range on the L30 versus the stagger on the L48. I often shift from low to medium or even medium to high when doing loader work. The loader lift height on the L48 is very good and if you load dumpsters, it is the way to go. The L4330 and up have similar lift heights as well. In low, the L48 has a ton of pull ability which was helpful when ripping with my boxblade, other then that, I used it very little. It was way to slow for loader work and on hard piles you could use it to fill the bucket and then get right into medium or even high if the terrain is flat. I may not be able to lift as much with my L3830 over the L48, but frankly, I really do not miss it, my L3830 is considerably more nimble. As long as I can load up my 1800lb Harley rake into the back of my pickup, I'm good. The ranges on the L48 are still the same. For mowing, my opinion is look elsewhere, the L48 is just way to slow for mowing. It was absolutely superb for my Harley rake and I would assume a tiller.

Thanks - the detailed comments are really helpful. I'm seriously reconsidering an L4330-5030 or the L40 replacements. Otherwise I'm pretty sure I'll be back to looking at something like an M5040 or JD 5105. At this point everything I'm considering is so close in size and capability that I'm about ready to just throw darts until I hit one model's brochure!

 

[_RaT_]

as I had mentioned earlier, I would like to see mid range considerably faster, I doubt it can be done because of the mechanical and physical characteristics of hyro transmissions.. I do a lot orf loader work, however, I am lucky in that the loader work is close knit, so mid range, time wise is OK. High gear is for paved roads only and not much more. Low range, a one legged man can out run,, Powerful, yes, beyond doubt... My 48 works fine for me. My fields have high hilly areas, and I'm OK with mid range,, If I had much more in fields, I probably would have another tractor just for this purpose. Look at the 39 and some larger grand L series, and I think you would be much better off

Your right Larry, there is no doubt that the L48 can fit perfectly into someones plans. The loader and medium range are a potent combination. The L48 is also great with a boxscraper.