Self Leveling vs. Spill Guard
- Thread starter GregB
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_RaT_
Super Member
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- Kioti 3510-SE HST
I am not sure what spill guard is but suspect it is a mechanical self leveling. I would prefer to have mechanical leveling purely because of the simplicity of it. Hydraulic leveling works very well on the L48, it has a few quirks. My main objection to it was the inability to "turn it off" when I needed too. The original L48's had some loader issues and it seemed the combination of the hydraulic leveler and loader control had issues. The spill guard is the newer design and I suspect incorporated because of cost and problems in the past with the hydraulic setup.
uhmgawa
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Hydraulic leveling works very well on the L48, it has a few quirks. My main objection to it was the inability to "turn it off" when I needed too. )</font>
When I poked at the 2004 L48 with mechanical leveling, I didn't find any
apparent way to disable the feedback linkage. Also I believe the linkage
connects via compression/extension spring to the spool which also
functions as the spool neutral center.
When I poked at the 2004 L48 with mechanical leveling, I didn't find any
apparent way to disable the feedback linkage. Also I believe the linkage
connects via compression/extension spring to the spool which also
functions as the spool neutral center.
uhmgawa
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( On the front bucket, I can get one of these two features on a new L48TLB: hydraulic self-leveling or mechanical spill-guard. Which do I want? )</font>
Interesting. Was this on a new (2004) machine? I thought the Eaton valve
was history. What is the incremental price for each?
Interesting. Was this on a new (2004) machine? I thought the Eaton valve
was history. What is the incremental price for each?
I too, could not find a way to easily, temporarily, disable the mechanics that I saw at the dealer. (The mechanics was as discribed by uhmgawa's first post.)
I did not like the feel of this method - the way that the control was pulled away from me as the bucket left the ground. The control also stuck in the "raise bucket" position when it reached the top and made noise. So, I emailed Kubota asking about options. Kubota's response was that I could get either. I have not asked the dealer about prices. I am guessing that we are talking about the last couple hundred out of $35-40K so I just want the better arrangement.
I will be purchasing a 2004. I do not know what model year I saw at the dealer.
I did not like the feel of this method - the way that the control was pulled away from me as the bucket left the ground. The control also stuck in the "raise bucket" position when it reached the top and made noise. So, I emailed Kubota asking about options. Kubota's response was that I could get either. I have not asked the dealer about prices. I am guessing that we are talking about the last couple hundred out of $35-40K so I just want the better arrangement.
I will be purchasing a 2004. I do not know what model year I saw at the dealer.
uhmgawa
Gold Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I too, could not find a way to easily, temporarily, disable the mechanics that I saw at the dealer. (The mechanics was as discribed by uhmgawa's first post.)
I did not like the feel of this method - the way that the control was pulled away from me as the bucket left the ground.)</font>
Unfortunately such tactical feedback is unavoidable in a system where
there is a single valve controlling the bucket roll where both operator
and servo are attempting to position the spool. That's where the Eaton
octopus valve shines. But I believe it is a bit of overkill.
If I was facing the same purchase decision I'd still go for the
mechanical system. If you want to disable the feedback for
unassisted manual operation it would be a simple modification
to decouple the linkage and tie the valve end of the same to
a fixed location. You could probably just add a simple lever
mechanism to turn the feedback on/off as needed.
With the Eaton leveler you would need to buy their proprietary
solenoid valve aftermarket from other than Kubota to have
this disable feature. Though I have to believe it will be a
fraction of the cost compared to what Kubota Part$ will
scalp you.
I did not like the feel of this method - the way that the control was pulled away from me as the bucket left the ground.)</font>
Unfortunately such tactical feedback is unavoidable in a system where
there is a single valve controlling the bucket roll where both operator
and servo are attempting to position the spool. That's where the Eaton
octopus valve shines. But I believe it is a bit of overkill.
If I was facing the same purchase decision I'd still go for the
mechanical system. If you want to disable the feedback for
unassisted manual operation it would be a simple modification
to decouple the linkage and tie the valve end of the same to
a fixed location. You could probably just add a simple lever
mechanism to turn the feedback on/off as needed.
With the Eaton leveler you would need to buy their proprietary
solenoid valve aftermarket from other than Kubota to have
this disable feature. Though I have to believe it will be a
fraction of the cost compared to what Kubota Part$ will
scalp you.
gray
Silver Member
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- Dec 3, 2003
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- 235
- Tractor
- Kubota L48 tlb
I had an L35 with the mechanical leveling feature. It was nabaled when I got it by someone taking the linkage end off. I put it back on and adjusted it. I got used to it and found it usefull. I liked the way it did not impact the float or regular opperation. It was a bit funny to get used to. It has a bit of feedback to it.
I now own a 2003 L48 with the auto valve leveling. It has worked very well in the lift sequence. It does not float as well as the mechanical one did. It is slow and can change position while in use? I have used it with forks and it works safer than the L35 did. The L35 correction did not start till about 4ft off the ground?
From ease of field service, I like the mechanical. If the hydraulic one does not give me issues, I like it's leveling accuracy better.
I now own a 2003 L48 with the auto valve leveling. It has worked very well in the lift sequence. It does not float as well as the mechanical one did. It is slow and can change position while in use? I have used it with forks and it works safer than the L35 did. The L35 correction did not start till about 4ft off the ground?
From ease of field service, I like the mechanical. If the hydraulic one does not give me issues, I like it's leveling accuracy better.
gray
Silver Member
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- Dec 3, 2003
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- 235
- Tractor
- Kubota L48 tlb
As I re-read my last post here , I noticed an error in it.
The loader action is not slowed by the valve system but the float setting is. The bucket is far slower at following the ground in the float position than the mechanical spill guard system.
The loader action is not slowed by the valve system but the float setting is. The bucket is far slower at following the ground in the float position than the mechanical spill guard system.
