NEED YOUR INPUT

[cutter49]

I am considering buying a Kubota L250 1DT - 2 wheel drive with FEL pkg. and a tow finishing mower. I will only be doing light dirt work and mowing property with trees that are easy to get around. I'll admit I am a senior on a fixed income and I am thinking about this tractor from a financial POV - least output of $$. What are my potential headaches, if any with this tractor?

Thanks in advance,

Cj

 

[jeff9366]

Kubota L250 or L2500?

tractordata.com shows no Kubota L250 model.

 

[cutter49]

Sorry, L 2501

 

[jeff9366]

TractorData.com Kubota L2501 tractor information

A very fine tractor/loader.

4-WD is recommended for loader work, but not essential. It takes quite a bit of traction to fill a loader bucket. Without 4-WD you will be transporting a lot of 1/2 full buckets.

HST transmission model L2501s come with quite a few upgrades, in addition to the transmission, but cost $1,000 more.

Most feel Hydrostatic/HST transmission is more reliable than basic clutch/gear tractors because few people can operate a clutch/gear tractor competently today. Clutch rebuilds are $1,200. Will anyone other than yourself operate the tractor/loader? If the answer is yes, spring for HST.

If you buy a 4-WD + HST model you will likely recoup all your incremental investment at resale time, if that is a consideration.

A very fine tractor/loader good for twenty+ years at the minimum. Order it optimally outfitted for twenty years.

 

[k0ua]

A new 2wd small frame tractor with a loader is almost worthless for Front End Loader work. It will also take an extreme hit if you try to trade it in for a 4WD tractor after you are totally disgusted with its performance as a loader tractor. A large utility tractor with lots of weight can be useful as a 2WD loader tractor, but not a small light 2WD loader tractor. They are mowing machines only and should not even be fitted with a loader. If you dealer is selling you this package, he is doing you a disservice.

The L2501 in 4WD with Hydrostatic transmission would make you an excellent loader tractor. I know the money doesn't grow on trees, but what is the purpose of going 3/4 of the distance only to have a piece of equipment you loathe and cannot do the jobs you need done?

 

[motownbrowne]

I agree with the sage advice that James and Jeff have provided. If at all possible, go with a HST model with 4wd. I actually just got a quote for this exact tractor. I don't know how much the 4wd option costs, but like those guys said, you'll get it all back when you sell it. Also, Kubota is offering 0% financing for five years. How much would those options add to the payments?

One last thing, also got a quote on a Kioti ck2610, which is a direct competitor to the L2501. The quote came in about $3500 less. Something to consider...

 

[kubotacres]

A new 2wd small frame tractor with a loader is almost worthless for Front End Loader work. It will also take an extreme hit if you try to trade it in for a 4WD tractor after you are totally disgusted with its performance as a loader tractor. A large utility tractor with lots of weight can be useful as a 2WD loader tractor, but not a small light 2WD loader tractor. They are mowing machines only and should not even be fitted with a loader. If you dealer is selling you this package, he is doing you a disservice.

The L2501 in 4WD with Hydrostatic transmission would make you an excellent loader tractor. I know the money doesn't grow on trees, but what is the purpose of going 3/4 of the distance only to have a piece of equipment you loathe and cannot do the jobs you need done?

k0ua pretty much summed it up. When I bought my first tractor I was the opposite. I bought a l3200 4wd without the fel. when I decided that a fel was a necessity I had one installed with no loss. in your case it's not possible without a trade-in. do yourself a favor now and in the future and get the 4wd.

 

[newbury]

I am considering buying a Kubota L250 1DT - 2 wheel drive with FEL pkg. and a tow finishing mower. I will only be doing light dirt work and mowing property with trees that are easy to get around. I'll admit I am a senior on a fixed income and I am thinking about this tractor from a financial POV - least output of $$. What are my potential headaches, if any with this tractor?

Thanks in advance,

Cj

As a senior on a limited income with a B7610 (just a tad smaller than the L2501) it reads like you've picked a sweet machine.

However more info on your situation would help us advise you better.

How flat is the property? Are there drains and muddy or swampy areas to move through? This would be where 4WD would help greatly.

How much acreage?

That FEL, though expensive, may come to be used for far more than "light dirt work". I've used mine for about everything but carrying groceries in.

However if you are really only really needing it for mowing a ZTR is a better tool and renting a tractor for the times you nee to do dirt work.
Also look at used and auctions, especially public surplus auctions.

 

[k0ua]

I agree with the sage advice that James and Jeff have provided. If at all possible, go with a HST model with 4wd. I actually just got a quote for this exact tractor. I don't know how much the 4wd option costs, but like those guys said, you'll get it all back when you sell it. Also, Kubota is offering 0% financing for five years. How much would those options add to the payments?

One last thing, also got a quote on a Kioti ck2610, which is a direct competitor to the L2501. The quote came in about $3500 less. Something to consider...

Agreed, if you have a nearby Kioti dealer the ck2610 would be a good tractor to consider and might fall more in line with you budget. I sure like my Kioti DK35se

 

[oldballs]

I'd consider going to a smaller model, like in the "B" line with HST etc. It should cost less and could use a MMM if you prefer.

 

[mdhughes]

First thing I'm a little confused, you say a L2501DT 2 wheel drive, the DT stands for dual traction (four wheel drive).

I have a L3901DT and have no problems doing FEL work, clutching to change from forward to reverse becomes second nature pretty quick. Now if that is all I was going to do with the tractor I might have gone with the HST.

 

[ProjectKing]

First thing I'm a little confused, you say a L2501DT 2 wheel drive, the DT stands for dual traction (four wheel drive). I have a L3901DT and have no problems doing FEL work, clutching to change from forward to reverse becomes second nature pretty quick. Now if that is all I was going to do with the tractor I might have gone with the HST.

That's incorrect. DT is geared transmission

 

[k0ua]

That's incorrect. DT is geared transmission

Nope... DT is Dual Traction... An L2501F would be a 2WD tractor. NOT a DT.

 

[Fallon]

Nope... DT is Dual Traction... An L2501F would be a 2WD tractor. NOT a DT.

DT is dual traction, aka FWA or 4wd. The manual is the default transmission. If it has the HST tranny it will be a L2501hst. Not sure if the HST has a 2wd option. By default A L2501hst will be a FWA.

 

[motownbrowne]

I am not 100% sure, buti don't think it's possible to buy a 2wd HST tractor from Kubota. At least it's not listed as an option I'd imagine if a feller really wanted one, they might be able to make it happen. A 2wd HST tractor could have some good applications in veggie farming, pulling a rototiller, transplanter, or cultivator, for example. Obviously it'd be a more dedicated crop tractor for someone who wanted to save some money and already had a good chore tractor.

 

[k0ua]

DT is dual traction, aka FWA or 4wd. The manual is the default transmission. If it has the HST tranny it will be a L2501hst. Not sure if the HST has a 2wd option. By default A L2501hst will be a FWA.

The L2501F (2 wheel drive) is Gear only no HST. HST is only offered on the 4WD model. So the 4WD can be gear or HST. The model number will reflect L2501DT will be 4WD gear and the L2501HST will be 4WD with hydrostat.

 

[CreekyB]

I would definitely go for the L2501HST with FEL

Mine has served me very well in the short time that I have had it. (Keep in mind I am only halfway to the 50 hours service marker) The FEL will be used for a lot more than just light dirt work once you get it, you will be using it for all kinds of things. I got the cheap Titan Attachment clamp on pallet forks and it is my favorite burn pile buddy.

0% financing, the cheaper tractors will end up costing more if they do not have 0% financing. I got a quote for a 9,000$ cheaper Mahindra that cost that again more than the Kubota over the life of the loan.

If you are paying cash then I would certainly look at the cheaper options provided you have a GOOD dealer close to you. LS and Kioti make very good tractors, there are many others that are very good as well.

 

[varmint]

If you're new to tractoring, better to suffer a bit going into it, and then be content for the rest of your ownership. I started with a gear tractor, (4WD, though) and moved up to HST... for most loader work, that's the only way to go, if you can swing it. As a young man, I bought tools I thought I could afford, not really considering I might still be stuck with them in 40 years. Only the pricey-er tools still give me pleasure in using. The rest just get the job done, but leave me wishing I coughed up a bit more long ago. Tractors are the same, only more pronounced! Bigger tool!