To buy a L5240 vs. a L48?

[_RaT_]

Rat, I , and other have argued forever about the tranny L48 being slow. Yes it is, but way more tractor than a 3830 or 5240 will ever be. They are just 2 different machines. Period.

I'd say more backhoe tractor, but for a loader work its just so freakin slow. As one who has owned a Kubota L4850, a L48 and a L3830, my preference in terms of loader use is the L3830, its just so fast, the L48 and lastly but certainly not least is the L4850. The L4850 suffers from a poor rollback angle like many of the older tractors. The L4850 shines in strength and the transmission coupled with the awesome 5 cylinder DI diesel just make it a real worker.

The L48 may well be the last of the medium duty compacts compared to the tin foil sheet metal that is put out now and that is something you have to give the L48 credit for. Knowing that all compacts regardless of brand have very easily damaged sheet metal makes you realize that you really have to be extra careful when working around sticks, logs etc. I have had the opportunity to use a L3940 and must say, the HST Plus is superb. Couple that with a L45 or M59 and you have a TLB that definitely over fills the void left by the now defunct L48. The price on those tractors is quite high. I bought my L48 for $29,000 back in 02 I think it was. Rat...

 

[curtisfarmer]

Rats reply is spot on, except I like the L48 loader. I do primarily dirt work with it so I happy as can be. My neighbors with 3830, 3240, 5240s and so on can in no way match the loader performace of the L48. Breakout, lift, and shear brute strength is what matters for my machines. Using the L48 to pick up almost 1 yard of heaped clay and load a truck at max height at full speed (4.7mph) is something the 3830 will not do safely or effeciently do in comparison. But then again, that is not what the 3830 is designed to do and it will outshine the L48 in other categories. Using the loader for other faster purposes is not the L48 focus, but does it good for me.

I like them so much I bought 2

 

[curtisfarmer]

Rat, you had L48 without hoe if I am not mistaken? If not, have you tried the 3830 hoe?

 

[ecoscaper]

Sounds like the L48 is real heavy duty- Now I'm thinking kx 121 mini ex and either the 5240 or the l48. Got to work my way up to this combo. It'd be nice to have the lifting power of the L48, but seems like the l52 would be more of an all around tractor. The speed of the L48 sounds slow, but the power sounds good!

 

[curtisfarmer]

I have L48 X2 & KX121-3 combo.....awesome productivity!!!

 

[_RaT_]

Rat, you had L48 without hoe if I am not mistaken? If not, have you tried the 3830 hoe?

I did not have a hoe on the L48, I had a heavy duty boxscraper and a 8' Harley landscape rake that I used for my work. When it came to needing a hoe, I just rented or hired an industrial hoe. You get really spoiled with industrial hoes, the power, the reach the ability to move so much with so little effort. I love the pilot controls.

 

[curtisfarmer]

I consider the L48 hoe (BH1100) at least 1/2 the reason to buy a TLB like L48/ M59.......I may be safe to say 3X the comparable BH90. My L48 has made itself and more $ wise, no way a 30 or 40 series would even come close for me. But, that is just me.

 

[_RaT_]

My old L48...

L48.jpg

 

[Toxic6]

I have no idea about an L48, But I love the L5240

 

[_RaT_]

I have no idea about an L48, But I love the L5240

I suspect I would too!