Thumb for an L48 Backhoe?

[witel]

The one thing I do not like about the excavator thumbs is the swivel pin for the thumb, which is just a ball point basically and not the pin thru 2 holes on my L48 thumb. Make a difference with a wider thumb as opposed to the thin factory thumbs (except the new kx008 which is huge and has a decent sized thumb. It should be illegal to sell either hoes or excvators WITHOUT thumbs. Same with 2wd tractors. Hah!

I didn't know that they were not pinned. That's rather disappointing. Seems weak.

I agree. They should have a reasonable setup for thumbs ... not something stuck on with chewing-gum.

 

[witel]

I just stopped by a Kubota dealer a few minutes ago. I primarily went by to talk about my L39 requirements which includes a thumb for the BT1000 backhoe. He said that they normally take the excavator-thumbs and put them on the L39. Remembering this thread, I asked if they'd do the same for the L48 ... and they would. We walked over to look at the excavators and the thumbs that were on them. They are a very reasonable size. The excavators come from the factory with a bracket welded on the underside of the dipper. This bracket is the hydraulic mount for the thumb. For the L39 and L48, they would have to weld a bracket on the dipper at the dealer. The quick-attach will have a longer dealer-provided pin that the thumb pivots on. I hope that helps in knowing what can be done ... at least by this dealer.

So, I was impressed with this dealer. I've done a heck-of-a-lot of research on what I want even before setting foot on his property. I asked him some of the few remaining questions regarding the L39. He didn't give me a song-and-dance routine. This ten-year tractor-salesman veteran either had the answer or said that he'd get it for me. He mentioned financing, and I told him that I was paying cash. That got an invigored response and he started throwing L39 and implement brochures at me left and right. I had a print-out of my "requirements list" (shown in my signature below) and he made a copy of it. He's going to work on a quote and FAX it to me in a day or so. He seemed knowledgable and truly willing to help out. I think me doing all the research up-front, going in with my requirements, and willingness to pay cash made his job so easy that he's willing to get it done. We'll see what kind of quote he comes up with. Finally, a positive dealer story.

 

[mike69440]

Witel

Good Luck with the L39!

You are really looking at a loaded model.

If I had to do it again, I would consider two used machines, like a large older tractor with loader and a tracked excavator with blade. This would suit my needs while the property is in a really rough state.

 

[LarryRB]

WiTel
Currently considering ...
Kubota L39 TLB: TL1715 Front Rem-Hyd, BTB404 Rear Rem-Hyd, L9553 Rem-Valves, L9554 TNT, K7770 QA Coupler for BH Bucket, K7874 18" Trenching Bucket, L9475 Drawbar, L9476 Tool Box, L8044 Rear Work Lights, 70000-00297 Block-Heater, Filled Tires, No FEL Bucket
And, implements: 4N1 FEL Bucket, Hyd PHD, Hyd Thumb, Box-Blade, Front Blade, Rear Blade, Rotary/Flail Mower, Spreader, Hopper, Pallet Forks

you list the QA hoe bucket and the standard 18" bucket tractor comes with,, I have a 48 with 12 and 24" buckets, I use the 12 for trenching or removing stumps. Works great,

 

[curtisfarmer]

For what it is worth, i think the L39 is no match for an L48. Yes, the spec.s may be close, but that is the L39 maxed out all the time. Look at an L48 next to a 39, a huge difference in size. I am considering a second L48 before they upgrade to something smooth and pretty like the L39. Compare the steel hood on the L48 and other critical areas, and then the price difference......not much more for alot more tractor. The L48 hoe with thumb is just like a mini ex but with subtle differences. The BT90 is homeowner leage with non multiple functions at once. I love my L48 (except slow speed, but it needs to be slow) and my KX 121 and sure is handy having both. I was about to by another new L48 when I came across the KX121 with 75 hours and could not look the other way. Now it seems every job requires the KX, maybe because it has heat!!!!!

 

[mike69440]

For what it is worth, i think the L39 is no match for an L48. Yes, the spec.s may be close, but that is the L39 maxed out all the time. Look at an L48 next to a 39, a huge difference in size. I am considering a second L48 before they upgrade to something smooth and pretty like the L39. Compare the steel hood on the L48 and other critical areas, and then the price difference......not much more for alot more tractor. The L48 hoe with thumb is just like a mini ex but with subtle differences. The BT90 is homeowner leage with non multiple functions at once. I love my L48 (except slow speed, but it needs to be slow) and my KX 121 and sure is handy having both. I was about to by another new L48 when I came across the KX121 with 75 hours and could not look the other way. Now it seems every job requires the KX, maybe because it has heat!!!!!

L48 vs L39 war

Ok
I'll give you the bigger tires. The L39 should have 43 x16-20 rear and 31 x12.5x16.5 fronts.

Weight:

The L48 weights a bit less than my now ballasted L39. The L39 is about 1000 lbs too light at 7000 lbs. I think the L48 should be closer to 9000Lbs and another 10 HP too.

Power GST makes up for a lot. As I regularly drive about a 1/2 mile, I am glad I don't have a Hydro.

My experience with a Hydostic transmission isis working a Deere 3520 in a horse poo pile with a hydro and then carrying it a distance. Working the pile was ok, but what a pain not having a gear for travel. It felt underpowered & slow.

BT1000 vs. BT1100:
I'll give you the foot extra reach but nothing else.
The Hoe is the strong point of the L39.

Maneuverability:
HA HA HA. The L48 is a big Albatross by comparison.


My Fixed Thumb is a lot better than not having one.

The tough thing about a fixed thumb is the machine has to be within +/- 1 foot or so of ideal to easily pick up what you are trying to grab.

Loader:
The L48 has the L39 beat.
Not so much as to lift, a few hundred pounds, but the curl linkage of the L39 is very weak for the rest of the tractors ability, especially at the extremes of travel like back dragging. (I read the manual, and know it says not to back drag with the bucket edge, but come on now!) The curl is to fast and the dump angle is more than it needs to be. A linkage change would fix it. I've toyed with the idea of welding up the loader so I could relocate the pins a bit.

As a mechanical engineer, I am surprised how stiff the TL1000 brace-less loader is designed. GOD BLESS FEA.

I realize that I want a lot from a tractor. Skid steer size and performance in an L39 sized package with the ability to still use it as a "farm' machine.

 

[cddva]

I recently purchased an L39 with QA backhoe bucket and hydraulic thumb. My salesman contacted this company http://www.werkbrau.com/products/ to find out about a hydro thumb for this unit. Werk Brau makes the buckets and QA for the L39 backhoe. They fixed me right up and the dealer installed everything. The thumb is very strong and stout and folds back against the stick out of the way real well. I'm very happy with it. My one nit is the additional hydro lines for the thumb have to be routed outside on the stick versus routed inside for the bucket. They did put protective covering on them and they should be OK, it just doesn't look as clean as the factory routing. I also got a 4n1 on the fel. All these items do add considerably to the cost but for me they add considerably to the productivity also. Your mileage may vary as they say.

I am thinking about adding a hyd. front blade. It seems like it would do pretty well at grading (grooming) gravel roads and yards? Good luck

 

[witel]

We should bring this back to the subject that the original poster intended. The intent of me adding my own experiences was to show that I sympathize and am looking for the same thing for a similar tractor (at the same time) ... and not to respark the passions that people have regarding color or model.

tractortad, I apologize for the thread diverging. I hope you find your thumb.

 

[witel]

FYI ... the local Kubota dealer said he found a Kubota excavator hydraulic thumb and could install it for $2950. Again, that involved welding the hydraulic mount to the dipper, and it was for an L39. I'd think it'd be very similar for the L48.

So ... something to use as a reference.

 

[tractortad]

Witel -
Thanks for the info. I'll see if my dealer can do the same. I still think it's a little strange that Kubota offers the thumb as an option on their smaller BX TLB and not on their larger TLBs. I would think a BH thumb would be an option that would get ordered frequently if it were available.