Used L47 or keep waiting for L4701HST

dirtydeed

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Good stuff.

Thanks. So what does everyone think - the 2019 200 hour L47 without the hyd thumb or the new L4701 without?. All else equal. The L47 deal is about 10% less all in. I will be brushogging quite a bit so 3 pt ease is important
if the L47 has enough PTO HP for your cutter, I'd go that route no questions asked. The hoe comes off in minutes just like all other kubota TLBs. You just can't remove the loader (but can drop the bucket at least.)
 

PaulL

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Good stuff.

Thanks. So what does everyone think - the 2019 200 hour L47 without the hyd thumb or the new L4701 without?. All else equal. The L47 deal is about 10% less all in. I will be brushogging quite a bit so 3 pt ease is important
It 100% comes down to how much use you'll put the backhoe to. If a more capable backhoe is really important to you, then buy the L47. It's more capable.

If the backhoe is for occasional use, then I think the L4701 is probably a better all around machine for your other uses. Being able to take the FEL off is useful too. Of course, I'd be tempted to go L4802 rather than L4701, seems you should take the new model if you can.

Overlaying all of that is time. If the choice is an L47 today, or an L4701/L4802 some indeterminate time in the future, for more money.....well, I'd want the tractor now already.
 

fried1765

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I meant primarily used for backhoe and loader work.
The L47 TLB lacks significant capability, when compared to JD, Case, Ford, JCB, & Cat backhoes.
An L47 TLB is more of a landscaper size BH.
It is certainly not what would normally be considered as a "primary backhoe".
It is extremely rare to see a Kubota BH at a major construction site!
 

fried1765

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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
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Good stuff.

Thanks. So what does everyone think - the 2019 200 hour L47 without the hyd thumb or the new L4701 without?. All else equal. The L47 deal is about 10% less all in. I will be brushogging quite a bit so 3 pt ease is important
The 2019 L47 TLB with 200 hours...ALL THE WAY!
(From a happy L48 TLB owner!)

The L47 hoe can be swapped from hoe to 3pt in under 20 min.
The loader is not detachable!
 

rc51stierhoff

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Don’t take this the wrong way…Personally I don’t see your two choices as a fair comparison. Anyway you look at the two machines the TLB is just overbuilt compared to the 4701. If you ever plan to play in the woods the FOPS is supperior to the ROPS. If you look at the traction, the weight of the TLB wins again. Lift / dig capability, TLB. Ever want a canopy, FOPS has you covered. Want lights that are not impeded by the bucket, TLB…it just goes on and on. TLB is a superior machine. So I guess I wonder if it was an option why not have just gotten or ordered that to begin with, if that is what you want? And if it is buy new or financing as a reason to choose the 4701, then I wonder why choose the 4701 vs some other options (I am partial to the MX 😉)…especially if wanted the capability of the TLB. Just my thoughts. I think either are great machines, but IMO they are not really comparable.
 
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jyoutz

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The L47 TLB lacks significant capability, when compared to JD, Case, Ford, JCB, & Cat backhoes.
An L47 TLB is more of a landscaper size BH.
It is certainly not what would normally be considered as a "primary backhoe".
It is extremely rare to see a Kubota BH at a major construction site!
That wasn’t my point. It was if the OP was going to primarily use the loader and backhoe, vs 3ph/pto implements.
 

PoTreeBoy

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The L47 is a hoss of a compact, no doubt. Think about:
• L47 will have R4 tires. Did you want R1's?
• L47 will have hydrostatic transmission (no cruise control? Somebody confirm)
• Non-removable L47 loader adds some to length, thus reduces maneuverability some. OTOH, the weight offsets weight of rear implement.
• L47 will be somewhat heavier. Can be an advantage or disadvantage
• The loader bucket is QA, correct?
• If you use the thumb much, you'll want hydraulic, trust me
 

JSBruno

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L47
Jan 17, 2023
14
1
3
Bolton NY
Reference the attached picture, is this what I would need to easily have a hydraulic thumb put on the backhoe of the L47. I think I know what direction I am heading but would need to add a thumb soonest and if it isn't easy that is a factor.
1674239653056.png
 

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dirtydeed

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thumb already installed...https://bwsequip.com/#/

L45 at BWS equip.jpg
 

PoTreeBoy

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Reference the attached picture, is this what I would need to easily have a hydraulic thumb put on the backhoe of the L47. I think I know what direction I am heading but would need to add a thumb soonest and if it isn't easy that is a factor.
View attachment 94294
Is that showing the foot control for the thumb? If so, that would be a good start.
 

fried1765

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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
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Reference the attached picture, is this what I would need to easily have a hydraulic thumb put on the backhoe of the L47. I think I know what direction I am heading but would need to add a thumb soonest and if it isn't easy that is a factor.
View attachment 94294
Can't quite determine if foot pedal is in that pix.
As PoTreeBoy states, thumb is foot controlled.
 

drumminj

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L4701, Mule 4010
Nov 4, 2021
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TN
Pass on the orphan model
Cathy, you seem to deride the 4701 often, calling it an "orphan". I've not seen any L4701 owner (here or on other forums) express anything other than satisfaction with their tractor. For a number of us it's the perfect trade-off of weight, size, and capability.
 
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dirtydeed

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Reference the attached picture, is this what I would need to easily have a hydraulic thumb put on the backhoe of the L47. I think I know what direction I am heading but would need to add a thumb soonest and if it isn't easy that is a factor.
View attachment 94294
JSBruno, new pm sent to you. Brand new L47 in stock for you...;)
 

notforhire

Active member

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Kubota L47
Dec 5, 2019
104
36
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Meadows of Dan VA.
The L47 is a hoss of a compact, no doubt. Think about:
• L47 will have R4 tires. Did you want R1's?
• L47 will have hydrostatic transmission (no cruise control? Somebody confirm)
• Non-removable L47 loader adds some to length, thus reduces maneuverability some. OTOH, the weight offsets weight of rear implement.
• L47 will be somewhat heavier. Can be an advantage or disadvantage
• The loader bucket is QA, correct?
• If you use the thumb much, you'll want hydraulic, trust me
Correct, 6 speed hydrostatic trans. No cruise control.
Correct, non removable loader. It's a small price considering how much stiffer and capable the loader is. This is a true TLB not a converted ag tractor.
The huge subframe makes it heavier. It is what it is and it does what it was designed to do.
Correct, SSQA bucket.
I didn't get a thumb.
For what I do a grapple works better for me. Your mileage may vary.
 

jimh406

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L4701 might be an orphan, but don't worry there is the L4702. ;)
 

jimh406

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L4802 I think. Someone found more HP. Probably the marketing department, not the engineering department.
Other than a thread here, I haven't heard of any mention of a L4802. In any case, neither the L4702 or L4802 are available to build on the Build My Kubota site. I guess we'll have to wait to see.
 

fried1765

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Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
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Eastham, Ma
Correct, 6 speed hydrostatic trans. No cruise control.
Correct, non removable loader. It's a small price considering how much stiffer and capable the loader is. This is a true TLB not a converted ag tractor.
The huge subframe makes it heavier. It is what it is and it does what it was designed to do.
Correct, SSQA bucket.
I didn't get a thumb.
For what I do a grapple works better for me. Your mileage may vary.
Absolutely agree!
But....Hyd. thumb is SO HANDY!