L853 Loader versus 1020 woods

start2finish2 · May 8, 2005

I just took delivery of a L4630 GST cab , and we researched FELs for this machine, our interest was loading a tandem truck, not loading complete loads of dirt, but loading trash and roots, grass, rocks ,etc from landscaping and seeding lots. The biggest factor in our decision was lift height and reach at full height. The 1020 woods beat all the competition in aftermarket FELs and as well beat the Kubota matched loader. I will post a evaluation of performance in a few weeks of on the job use. 1020 stats lift height at pins (120 inches) kubota 853 (113.6 inches)

GeneD14 · May 8, 2005

On paper the Woods is superior. I own several pieces of Woods equipment and I consider myself a Woods fan. My last tractor had a Woods 1012 loader. Twice the joystick linkage broke in the middle of a big project and I had to wait a week for parts. They were "pot metal" they have since gone to steel linkage. I always stored it inside but within a year the paint started flaking off in pieces about the size of a penny. It's hydraulic controls were very jerky under load.
To be honest I just had a bad experience with their loaders.
My new tractor has the LA 853 and I love it.
The Woods 1020 may be a big improvement over the 1012 I had, I hope so because I believe that Woods equipment for the most part is top-notch.

start2finish2 · May 9, 2005

well we used the 1020 today, it has a remote valve (cab) of course, but the controls are stiff, we are hoping that they will lossen up after a few days of use, the jury is still out.

_RaT_ · May 9, 2005

The lift height is the one thing that would make me consider a different loader if it was necessary to have greater height because of trailer/dump height. You run out of height quickly when you dump the bucket forcing you to frequently dump only inside the container and then curl the bucket back. Thats fine until it fills up. Other then loader height, I would rather stick with the manufactuers design.

Dargo · May 9, 2005

Hopefully you will like the Woods. I have a new L5030HSTC with the 853 Kubota loader. So far, the 853 has blown out the packing in the lift cylinders 3 times, constantly leaks down, and is now in to have the cylinder's replaced. I couldn't imagine a loader with more problems! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif The latest is that Kubota is trying to feed me a line of bull**** that it is normal for the loader to drop 3 feel in 1/2 hour (nothing in the bucket).

From the pathetic service I've received from Kubota and the crappy service I've received from their loader as well as the Kubota T&T (it too leaks off something awful - a complete waste of $1500!), I'd stay away from anything Kubota on hydraulics. They suck and Kubota will do anything in their power to not fix the problem. I have about as much time with my tractor hauling it back and forth from the dealer as I do using it. My dealer doesn't pick up or deliver for the numerous Kubota factory defects. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

In case you are wondering, yeah, I really like the service I am getting from Kubota. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

_RaT_ · May 9, 2005

My TnT while not Kubota, has been superb. It's why I question the need for a check valve. From the Dinoil valve to the Gannon cylinders, it's been excellent. My LA 723 has also been flawless and quite frankly, I don't know how much it leaks down because quite frankly, I never leave it up, especially not with a 3 year old around. In what situation would one need to leave it raised for an extended period of time?

Dargo · May 9, 2005

( would one need to leave it raised for an extended period of time? )

Uh, that would be when mowing. It's always wonderful to get planted into the windshield (bucket sticks into the ground) of the cab because you didn't remember to raise the front bucket in the last few minutes when mowing.. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

_RaT_ · May 9, 2005

That explains it, I never keep mine on for mowing, with the 28 seconds it takes to remove it, its just far to great an inconvenience to leave on. I also mow in 2WD and with the loader on and a RFM, it unloads the rear wheels far to much when backing up, especially up hills. The number one reason I sold my L48 was because I could not remove the loader.

MessickFarmEqu · May 10, 2005

You might want to remeasure the loader just to see what kind of height differnce there is. I don't know how Woods publishes those specs as they apply to about 50 different tractors, all of which are different heights to begin with.

slowzuki · May 10, 2005

Dargo, our L5030HSTC was used with 500 hours from a landscaping company on it before we bought it and the loader boom doesn't move even if left all day. The bucket drops about 4" an hour. I don't know if it is the valve or cylinder packings, our last tractor did this too so I'm not too worried.

What you are describing isn't acceptable at all though.

I hope kubota comes through for you. Have you determined for sure it isn't the valve? Many times the spool will bleed to both sides of the piston which makes the cylinder act only on the area of the rod, meaning the pressures while mowing shoot up really high.

If it is the packings, Mark Chaulkney here had some bigger cylinders made to replace his years ago on a L4310 to get more lift power. I'm sure a cylinder place could whip some up for a couple of bills each.

DDT · May 10, 2005

Sorry to hear about your problem, I guess I can nock on wood so far. My 853 is fine so far. only have 265 hours at this point, I do a lot of heavy loader work. Does the bucket curl drop as fast? Have you switched the boom and bucket hoses around to see if you get the same rate of drop.

gduff · May 10, 2005

Caveat emptor. (Sorry, couldn't resist the Latin sayings) When I first read your post I thought you meant it dropped while not running. (Some consider that normal) If it drops while the tractor is running that is not only a problem, but also a safety issue. Dealer should be fixing that pronto!

Dargo · May 10, 2005

I have a whopping 46 hours on my 5030. It has been back to the dealer 6 times in those 46 hours. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif This thing has pretty well been a turd (can I say that?) from the start. Kubota of North America (Northern Division) tells me to work with my dealer. My dealer thinks I'm unreasonable and doesn't want to work on my tractor. I think my dealer doesn't know how to fix it. Since it has only 46 hours on it, I sort of refuse to spend my time working on it. If I wanted to work on a tractor when it is new, I'd have bought one of the Rural King tractors. At least then I would have had justification (money savings) to have to work on my tractor every time I use it.

For the reputation Kubota has, and the expense of a totally loaded up L5030HSTC, this has been a very poor experience and I have a hard time recommending this tractor to anyone. I've had steering issues, I've had HST issues, I've had constant issues with the loader and T&T. I really don't feel like I need to "solve" what the problem is for them. Unfortunately, the dealer doesn't seem able to solve the issue either and Kubota of North America only gives lip service.

The dealer is replacing one of the lift cylinders right now. As usual, I had to haul it out there and it has been there for a week now. For some reason I honestly doubt that doing so is going to solve the awful bleeding off issues I have with the loader and the 3 pt hitch, and the T&T!! Maybe I'm wrong, but I just dont' see where one lift cylinder can cause all of those problems. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

So far, the response from Kubota Corporation and my dealer have totally turned me away from Kubota products. I have issues with the RTV I purchased new. Actually, there has been constant issues with that. On a few of the issues on the RTV, Kubota simply stalled me until I ran out of the warranty. I really wish I would have bought a Yamaha Rhino then, rather than later. I've not had a single issue with my Rhino. Now, they seem to be telling me that since my RTV is out of warranty, it is my problem. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif This method of "guess, and throw parts at it" of fixing my 5030 sure seems to fall under the same category unfortunately.

Hopefully you other guys have better luck with your 5030's. I'm considerably less than impressed. Perhaps if it worked as it is supposed to I would feel differently. It is sad to say, but if you do have problems, Kubota sure doesn't seem to care about taking care of the issues for you. I think I'd have to advise getting an attorney after the first time Kubota blows you off. If this "guess" at changing the lift cylinder doesn't magically fix all my problems, I feel I have no other remedy than to file suit against Kubota Corporation. Perhaps they will respond to the legal system. They sure don't respond to customer complaints when their products fail. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Bird · May 10, 2005

Brent, when I have a situation like that, I write a polite letter to the Better Business Bureau outlining the problem and what I've done to resolve it in detail. I write it as a complaint against the dealer, but then send a copy to the dealer, and a copy to the manufacturer of whatever product I've got a problem with. I know the Better Business Bureau is a "paper tiger", and it won't help in all cases, but in most cases, that gets the problem solved pretty quickly.

_RaT_ · May 10, 2005

I think what is truely incredible is that you spell turd the way I spelt it once whilst golfing with friends and they all laughed, ridiculing me for spelling turd with a u instead of spelling terd with a e like they did. I was the laughing stock and it took weeks to live it down. Now I spell it with an e and feel safe and then you go and spell it with a u. Anybody know the correct spelling?

Dargo · May 11, 2005

According to "Dictionary.com" and Websters, a "turd" is 1. A piece of excrement; or 2. A contemptable person (slang). I guess I'm wrong. Nowhere does it list a Kubota L5030HSTC. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

slowzuki · May 11, 2005

Dargo, it sounds like your dealer is the turd here. Loader leak down is not hard to trace with a competent tech and a few gauges.

I would suggest discussing the possibility of legal action with the dealer explaining that you really feel you have no further options. He may wish to start negotiating at that point or pressure Kubota into helping him out.

My only other suggestion is to find out if you can transfer you warantee to another dealer, a better one. I've been told they just bill Kubota anyways so they may help.

Your experience is sounding like a NH dealer!

_RaT_ · May 11, 2005

( According to "Dictionary.com" and Websters, a "turd" is 1. A piece of excrement; or 2. A contemptable person (slang). I guess I'm wrong. Nowhere does it list a Kubota L5030HSTC. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

Thanks Brent. I think maybe its time to consider selling the turd. With only 46 hours, are you sure you need that much tractor? Thanks too for the Rinnai answers.

Dargo · May 11, 2005

( I think maybe its time to consider selling the turd. )

I'm thinking that Kubota Corporation might be a good buyer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif So far I've pretty well equally shared ownership with the Kubota dealer; I've had it about half the time and they have had it about half the time.

Maybe I shouldn't sugar coat what I think so much though. What do you think? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

gduff · May 11, 2005

On the outside looking in this appears to be more of a dealer problem than a Kubota problem. Yes, it ultimately is a Kubota problem, but they are only as good as the dealer that supports them. For example, I have had two issues with my bucket float position not working. Both times my dealer sent a technician to my residence within twenty-four hours and fixed the problem under warranty. There was no charge of any kind associated with this and I am a happy customer. Technically they could have made me bring the tractor in to be repaired. I guess this is what separates good dealers from bad ones. I know this will not help you, but other potential buyers may want to go through a few of these what if scenarios before buying. So much is made of bottom line prices these days, but sometimes the best price isn’t the best deal. My case had no need to get Kubota involved, so I have no idea what that would be like. It does seem that Kubota would tell the dealer to make it right though.