Nice Pics of the New 2005 B-3030 & LTB-39

[JimMorrissey]

Sky,

That's too bad about your salesguy. I hope he doesn't have some kind of incurable disease or cancer as well as the flu....

I still have heard nothing from my dealer. They too are getting two units and my name is on the first one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It's been hard to get info out of them because they are buying out another dealer and they are more focused on that right now (rightfully so I guess). I do think the flu excuse is a pile of $*#%. Nobody I know, or their family members has had the flu in Vermont AND I've heard nothing on the news about it. I suppose it's definitely possible, but it seems a little too convenient.

I like the idea that the L39s completely assembled in the Georgia factory. Do you know if they are completely built in Georgia, or if the main assembly is done there based on large "components" shipped from Japan? I would think that the engine/transmissions and the main frame assembly is produced in Japan.

I looked at a JD 110 today just to make sure....Nahhhh

 

[SkyPup]

I believe that the engine, frame, transmission and such are sourced from Japan and everything is assembled in Gainesville, Georgia. For one, the L39 loader is integrated into the frame, as is the setup for the BH1000, so the frame is totally different and much more heavy duty than any of the other tractor models. I assume that the integration of the BH & FEL onto the L39 is the reason that it is completely assembled at the main plant instead of the dealer. Good thing about that is it saves three or four days of assembly at the dealer.

A couple of those photos that Jim Wilson posted showed a mechanical thumb made by Bear Claw installed onto the BH of the unit in front of the L39. Kubota sources their thumbs from another plant in Atlanta, still don't know if I can get mine installed OEM or not.

 

[JimMorrissey]

I was going to ask you that. When you know more about the thumb you are going to get, let me know. I'm looking now at different sources. I guess I should ask the dealer about OEM too.

Also...What do you know about the "quick attach" bucket system for the L39 backhoe (not the quick attach loader bucket)....Is this some kind of industry standard or unique to Kubota. Will only Kubota buckets work?

One of the guys was asking if the L39 was a total redesign over the L35. I said I thought it was either totally redesigned or partially redesigned. It's definitely not the exact same frame as the L35. I was basing my answer on the limited literature I have here (new "brace-less frame" for the loader). -What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[SkyPup]

It is pretty close to a totally redesigned machine.

For one the displacement is up from 100cubic inches to 111 and correspondingly horsepower is up from 35 to 39.

The GST tranny has gone from 8 forward speeds and 8 reverse to 12 forward speeds and 8 reverse.

The fuel tank has been increased from 9.2 gallons to 10.6.

The wheelbase has been increased from 66.9 to 68.9 inches and the rear track has been increased from 47.2 to 51.8 inches.

The movable seat area for the BH has a walk thru area now as well as the instrument panel mounted adjacent to the seat.

The FEL, BH, Hydraulic Pump, and TPH are all entirely new and upgraded for approx 20% more hydraulic power, plus the FEL is not externally reinforced to the frame like it used to on the L-35. Also the working weight of the TBL has increased from 6,000 to 7,000 pounds.

I'd say all that amounts to pretty much an entirely new tractor. About the only thing that has not been changed is the <font color="orange"> COLOR</font> /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[tnuke]

I hate it when I salivate reading a post.

tim

 

[JimMorrissey]

I'm thinking about calling my dealer again to find out where my L39 is...after reading that last Sky post. Although he specifically told me "I will call you the moment I know anything of substance" /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[JimMorrissey]

Got any info on the backhoe quick-attach system /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Hopefully Kubota used some kind of industry standard (if there even is one). I ordered the 24" bucket, but I think I'll get the 12" as well......Good for root and rock digging.

 

[SkyPup]

I don't have any info about the BH bucket quick disconnet, but I did order the standard 18 inch bucket.


About the only thing I wish they had added to the TLB39 is a small turbocompressor to keep the torque curve flat from 1,500 - 2,500rpms, that would have really been icing on the cake!

 

[JimMorrissey]

Sky,

Check this static thumb out. There is a good size reference when shopping for yours.

 

[JimMorrissey]

The dealer just called and said my L39 will be in "ready to ship" status on Feb 20th. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Apparently ready to ship means it's completely built and put on a trailer at the Kubota plant. It may be a day or a week or more on the trailer before Kubota "finds a driver" to bring it to Vermont (since it's only one machine in a retail order). Once the dealer gets it they have a 6-8 hour "testing period" where the dealer has to go through a whole series of checks and tests before they can release it to the customer. I'm all for that. I'm figuring it'll be home the first week of March, just about when they guessed it would arrive.

My dealer said the factory is notorious for not releasing much information about anything...new models, actual ship/arrival dates, availability, etc. Apparently at the dealer show the security around the factory was like a military proving grounds. IDs were checked regularly and guards were posted all over the place during the show. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif