The B26 should be hitting the shelves, any sightings?

LarryRB · Apr 26, 2007

I should have read through all the pages,, answer was there if I read another 5 posts,

gotcha · Apr 26, 2007

Fug1000 said:
Do my eyes deceive me? Is there no seat for the backhoe operator?

It is a turn around operators seat.
The Gotcha Man

MarkV · Apr 26, 2007

Fug1000 said:
Do my eyes deceive me? Is there no seat for the backhoe operator?

The operator’s seat spins around for backhoe use. That helps keep the backhoe close to the tractor and the operator under the FOPS.

MarkV

_RaT_ · Apr 26, 2007

machmeter62 said:
RaT: I respect your reply; however, these tractors are designed for commerical use primarily, with a fixed FOPS and loader. Many will be headed for "rental yards," where abuse is a given!! Gravel and small rocks will be tumbling out, because of inexperienced operators, causing damage to the hood! Also many landscapers, and other businesses will be facing the same problem with multiple users, with limited experience? You may remember here when JOHN DEERE faced that issue, and came out with the "armour kit" to promote that tractor, because of all the complaints? I can't remember the model, but it was several years ago? I think when Kubota started building the B-21's and L-35's; it was because of somewhat preventable damage with the thicker skin? I'm not sure I would want to rent a new B-26, and sign a "surcharge" because of minor hood damage. I'm speculating, maybe the hood is made out of Hi-Tech. material (carbon fibre, etc.) and won't be an issue anyway? I haven't seen one yet; only the L-39. I know you treat your tractors with TLC, but not all operators do. I still like the "boiler-plate" approach for peace of mind. I think B-26 will be a good seller; Kubota listens to what the "tractor market" wants?

You make a very good point. Now that I think about it, those the B21 and L35 are about the only Kubotas I see at the rental yards. They are indeed abused.

digger2 · Apr 27, 2007

It would have been nice if Kubota would have left the "hardnose" design on these new b26's.That is something i always thought was a great idea considering the intended use of these machines.I know i have considered
at times fabing up a "overhood" protector on my B7610,only because if a rock did fall back off my FEL,right onto my nice shiny dent and scratch free hood,
i'd be mad at the world and myself for about a year.
But hey,regardless if it was made out of 10 gauge steel,or the new lightweight "tinfoil",if its something of any real weight at all,it probably
will cause some damage regardless.But it still would have been nice to have left the old hardnose design on the b26.Always reminded me of what i call
"Bulldozer styling".It even looks heavy duty.
If i was lucky enough to be able to afford one of these B26's,the first thing i would do is put some kind of protector sheet metal over the hood
designed so it could easily be removed,for checking the oil,or whatever you need to do under the hood.Wouldnt be too hard to make one up and i'm sure
it would be alot less $$$ than goin back to Kubota and getting a genuine replacement.
Its funny how even though its just a machine,alot of people do really care about scratches and dents.I know i do!!!!!!!
These things cost too much to let them get all beat up.
digger2

mike69440 · Apr 27, 2007

Anybody got an L39 out there without a little "history" in the hood?

The L 39 hood is still 3X thicker than my F-150!

Muleskinner · Apr 28, 2007

_RaT_ said:
I don't really understand these kinds of comments. Are you running your tractor "skin" into things? Can the L-35 actually do work with the metal that surrounds the engine and rear wheels? I have found that on my old L48, I was every bit as careful with the "skin" if I wanted to protect it from dentng. I like the thicker metal on the L35 and L48, but really, what does it do? It adds some resistance to denting should you run it into something. I never did that, its part of operating and knowing where your at with any tractor. The L35 and L48 may have thicker body parts, but thicker then what? Certainly just tin foil compared to a JD410. If someone was in the market for a B-26, I should think the size is the important thing. The L-35 is quite a bit bigger and no HST so if that was also desireable.

PS for a fraction of the price of a used L35. we have a well used JD 410 that is painted yellow, has much thicker steel then three L35's combined. We are asking a mere $10,000 for it.

Rat. I hear where you are coming from. I like the LOOK of the L35 and the L48 over the L26 and the L39. Both the 35 and the 48 look like construction grade tractors rather than AG tractors. It seems Kubota, along with the rest of the over sea's brands, are making the front of their machines look like bugs on steroids with lot's of plastic stuff (Grills, head light bezels, Etc.) ! It's like my M7040. I would much rather it have a hood design like the L48 than what it has. It looks like a big eyed bug from the front. And another thing, all of the plastic that Kubota is putting on them now fades out in one year from the sun here in the desert. My 7040's plastic already looks grey from sun washout. Give me metal and lots of it. That's what tractors are supposed to be made of, not plastic! As for rock damage, if you are letting rocks and stuff fall on your hood, you are not doing something right. I have NO dents on any of my machines. Of course I'm a bit "****" about taking care of my equipment.

_RaT_ · Apr 28, 2007

Muleskinner said:
Rat. I hear where you are coming from. I like the LOOK of the L35 and the L48 over the L26 and the L39. Both the 35 and the 48 look like construction grade tractors rather than AG tractors. It seems Kubota, along with the rest of the over sea's brands, are making the front of their machines look like bugs on steroids with lot's of plastic stuff (Grills, head light bezels, Etc.) ! It's like my M7040. I would much rather it have a hood design like the L48 than what it has. It looks like a big eyed bug from the front. And another thing, all of the plastic that Kubota is putting on them now fades out in one year from the sun here in the desert. My 7040's plastic already looks grey from sun washout. Give me metal and lots of it. That's what tractors are supposed to be made of, not plastic! As for rock damage, if you are letting rocks and stuff fall on your hood, you are not doing something right. I have NO dents on any of my machines. Of course I'm a bit "****" about taking care of my equipment.

Give me the look of the L35 or L48 but give me the straight(er) arms of the L39, no big arches and the L39's hoe style. Offer all three with HST or GST. I'm very careful with my tractor to. I never baby it, but I never drop things on it, accidentally or not.

NewHollandDLR · Apr 28, 2007

machmeter62 said:
RaT: I respect your reply; however, these tractors are designed for commerical use primarily, with a fixed FOPS and loader. Many will be headed for "rental yards," where abuse is a given!! Gravel and small rocks will be tumbling out, because of inexperienced operators, causing damage to the hood! Also many landscapers, and other businesses will be facing the same problem with multiple users, with limited experience? You may remember here when JOHN DEERE faced that issue, and came out with the "armour kit" to promote that tractor, because of all the complaints? I can't remember the model, but it was several years ago? I think when Kubota started building the B-21's and L-35's; it was because of somewhat preventable damage with the thicker skin? I'm not sure I would want to rent a new B-26, and sign a "surcharge" because of minor hood damage. I'm speculating, maybe the hood is made out of Hi-Tech. material (carbon fibre, etc.) and won't be an issue anyway? I haven't seen one yet; only the L-39. I know you treat your tractors with TLC, but not all operators do. I still like the "boiler-plate" approach for peace of mind. I think B-26 will be a good seller; Kubota listens to what the "tractor market" wants?

Machmeter

Before I came to work at a Dealership I did 15 years working in rental yards. I did have the problem with the hoods getting damage to them due to items dropping on them but this was indeed a VERY RARE thing to have happen. I think if you are tearing a tractor or companies tractors down due to what matterial the hood is made of maybe you are simply going after the company itself for whatever reason.

The B-26 comes with a spill gaurd just for this reason. Now if a renter actually were to damage the hood or what not most rental yards offer a damage waiver (some are required) that will protect the customer from this sort of thing. It covers accidental damage. Now if you simply go running into things well expect to pay for damages due to it not being an accident.

Now as far as opperators not all necessarily being carefull and causing damage...well they are obviously not Owner/Opperators nor will they have a job long if it is the way they work a machine.

As for the John Deere armour kit and you broad statement "for that tractor" which model do you refer to? If you are talking about the JD110TLB then its just silly because the armour kits available protect things such as the outrigger rams and not the hood. The 4010 series and 3020 and 4020 series have an armour kit. I have actually never sold an armour kit to any of my rental yard customers and I have never had any on any JD machine at the Rental Yards i worked at....that and I never had a problem with the areas (grille, SCV, Turn Signals and Lights) that are covered by these armour kits. The armour kit looks cool...its burly and all but an upgrade I would do without quite frankly.

JD Dlr

machmeter62 · Apr 28, 2007

JD Dlr: I have been following TBN since it's inception in 99', and remember when "BIRD" registered as member #7! "Bird and McChalkley" were the 'anchors' of the site then. I was using another persons computer, so I didn't register till several years later in 04', after the famous "McChalkey Cup" issue prior to that time! Anyway, another debate that got a lot of attention during that era, was JD's "tearing up lawns" with their poor steering geometry, forcing JD to modify them under a warranty. I believe the "Armour Kit" was after the steering problem, and I can't remember if it was on just one model of JD's or more? It was a real "dust-up," and many owners wanted their tractors replaced, but again it was too many years ago to recall if it applied both issues?

NO, I have no animosity towards any manufacturers, or anyone else! I have four Kubotas that I purchased new dating back three decades now, and still have them in my small fleet, and still trouble free! "Urban sprawl" has caused problems on my 2000' JD, also my 2000' NH; with rodents getting into the electrical wiring and causing warning lights, and other related failures. Our acreage borders on a creek, which the rats use as access road, after feeding on pet food left out over night by pet owners in the city limits, which is only a mile away now. This report was diagnosed by the city fathers?

TRACTOR DESIGNS:Take this as humor only! Some debate is healthy? I can understand the "cofficient of drag" design for a/c, autos, and trucks, but in tractor designs!? The sloping hood is good for visibility however, but some space age light designs and un-necessary curves? Will they start reverting back to the "FINS" in the late 50's?? Maybe it's just that styling thing?