L5740 HSTC

[traderrik]

EastTexFrank, I have the same tractor as yours, with 60 + hours on it. My only disappointment has been that it struggles to lift a full ton of feed on the pallet forks. According to Kubota, the same LA854 loader is used on the 4740 and the 5740, so presumably the larger turbo-charged tractor wouldn't help my situtation. Someone here pointed out to me that the lifting shortcoming has to do with how far out in front my load is on the forks, even though I get the load as close-in to the tractor as possible. No issues at all with bucket loads!

Thanks for the tip on the radiator screen. I'll stay on top of that maintenance, as it's really dry and dusty here in Fayette County, Texas.

And I echo the sentiments of the CD player location - what were those Orange Engineers thinking?!

 

[texasjohn]

I forgot..... don't get it without 4 wheel drive....a must have for what you intend.

 

[traderrik]

I totally agree, texasjohn - 4WD has got me out 3 times now when I bogged down in soft dirt and sand.

I only wish the foot engagement for the locking rear differential was easier to use. Actually, I can't use it all because it's so hard to push down and I'm handicapped with weak legs. Been trying to figure out how to rig up a lever of some sort to lock it down by hand, but unsuccessful so far. Luckily I have been able to get by without having to lock the rear wheels - so far.

 

[pitt_md]

my wife says i don't need a tractor...how did you all convince your wives the benefit of a tractor? maybe i am just a dreamer and she is correct... i figure maybe a log splitter and wood chipper....maybe a bush hog as a pasture gets developed. She figures i only need a frontal lobotomy and i will be going onto debt....

I understand the itch to have a tractor when you have some land to build things on and work. That said I would not buy things you don't absolutely have to have if your going to go into debt for it. Maybe a better aproach is to save for one and buy it when you have the cash. If there is a real need your wife will see it. Probably not what you wanted to hear but in this economy I would not put yourself at risk to loose a ton of cash if your forced to sell quick.

 

[DraftHorse]

EastTexFrank, I have the same tractor as yours, with 60 + hours on it. My only disappointment has been that it struggles to lift a full ton of feed on the pallet forks. According to Kubota, the same LA854 loader is used on the 4740 and the 5740, so presumably the larger turbo-charged tractor wouldn't help my situtation. Someone here pointed out to me that the lifting shortcoming has to do with how far out in front my load is on the forks, even though I get the load as close-in to the tractor as possible. No issues at all with bucket loads!

Thanks for the tip on the radiator screen. I'll stay on top of that maintenance, as it's really dry and dusty here in Fayette County, Texas.

And I echo the sentiments of the CD player location - what were those Orange Engineers thinking?!

I originally had the same issue with lifting a ton of feed until I took my tractor in for servicing. I had them check the pressure relif valve. They found that it was set 400lbs below factory specs. They reset it and it works a lot better.

 

[texasjohn]

My LA853 loader, also, had its relief valve set below Kubota specifications....

I took it in and they reset it (added a washer, dealer does not stock the real shims) and now it is just a tad over spec... I good-'ol-boy'd the shop mechanic and convinced him with my commentary regarding how slow I lift loads and amount of weight I put on rear to stay with all 4 wheels grounded....so he left it that way.

This made a HUGE difference in what I can lift.... now, I lift 2800 lb concrete culverts (by removing my bucket) with chains... and LOTS of weight on the rear and MAX pressure in front tires.

There have been numerous posts that the relief valve is set low and if you NEED more lift to get it set to specs.

 

[RFB]

L5030 HSTC with 600+ hours

Zero negatives.

If I could get an cabbed HST with about 30 more HP I would jump on it. Beyond that, it has been a superb machine. I use it every day a little or a lot, and it has plowed snow with a 7.5 blade, pulled a 7 foot offset disc harrow, run an 8 foot snowblower, lifted 3,000lb (weighed) pallets of sod on forks; the list is much longer.

 

[traderrik]

DraftHorse and TexasJohn - i really appreciate the tips on my loader issue! I had no idea the capacity is "adjustable".

I don't want to overload the tractor or loader, but I've been thinking that a machine of this size should be able to easily lift a 2000 lb. pallet. I'll get it checked out.

And smbluthing, I'm sorry that I seem to have hijacked your thread!

 

[RFB]

traderrik,

Here is a post that elucidates upon the Kubota pressure relief valve issue: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/76067-l4330-fel-breakout-questions.html

The shims referred to are paper thin, each one raises pressure by less than 100psi, and are installed into the pressure relief valve to increase (to the rated spec) the relief valve setting.

A number of folks have changed their own, bringing it up to factory Kubota specs. Check your system hydro pressure by using an inexpensive pressure gauge with a quick-connect fitting. Plug that into one of your loader QC's , and operate the joystick to activate the relief valve, and verify that your hydro pressure is up to spec.

 

[RFB]

one more post: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/68738-question-about-our-5030-hst.html