Comparison Kubota L2501 vs. L3301

[Rodney Shuffler]

I've pretty well ruled out the JD 3032E, the two-range transmission, plastic body work and aluminum rear-end (among other things) don't appeal to me.
I'm fighting with myself over the Kubota L2501 or L3301. These two tractors are pretty much the same unit with a different engine and I'm really questioning whether or not the other 8 hp will benefit me enough to pay $3,000 more. Then there's the whole emissions/re-gen issue. That doesn't apply to the 2501.
Most of my work is going to be FEL work and tilling in the garden. What do you guys think?... Is it worth $3,000 for 8 more hp? Is it THAT noticeable to the average Joe?

 

[Old Red]

Will not be noticeable at all in the hydraulics....only time you would/could notice is if you had a bush hog hooked up to the rear. You can eliminate the emissions stuff that is mostly what the $3 grand is for by L2501...save fuel and let your tractor idle to your hearts content! I vote for the 2501....save money, no EPA stuff....and unless you are mowing really gnarly tall thick field grass up to your waste, you won't notice it.

 

[jeff9366]

L2501/HST should serve you equally well as L3301.

You probably want the HST which allows a tractor to creep and includes desirable independent PTO.

Tilling requires little horsepower but it does require very slow speed over-the-ground.

MORE: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...523-warning-those-considering-gear-drive.html


Kubota L2501 vs. L3301 from the T-B-N Archive:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/387798-l2501-v-l3301.html

 

[bspeedy]

I agree. I would not want the additional emissions complexity regardless of cost. If I needed more power, I'd skip the standard L series and go for a Grand L.

 

[CMV]

Interesting question. I'd throw this out.... price difference between 2501 - 3301 is $2700. But 3301-3901 is $1900.

If $3k for 8 more HP + emissions isn't worth it, is $4600 for 14 more HP + emissions? 55% more HP? Same loader on both though...

Just a thought....L3901HST is what I really wanted but 1/2 price tag won.

 

[Rodney Shuffler]

I should have found those threads myself, I guess I just didn't type in my search correctly. Thanks for posting the links. I don't think going up above the 33 horsepower would be any benefit to me at all , I just don't plan on doing that much with this tractor. It really is looking like the 2501 might be the tractor for me. I do still want to hear as much as I can from any angle.

 

[Tractorable]

My neighbor just bought a L2501 HST after my recommendation. Did a ton of research and came to the conclusion that the L2501 HST is a great tractor. People are calling it a sleeper due to its large displacement low hp high torque engine and lack of emissions complexity. It should last pretty much forever. Avoid the L2501 gear drive because it doesn't have a live PTO.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I've pretty well ruled out the JD 3032E, the two-range transmission, plastic body work and aluminum rear-end (among other things) don't appeal to me.
I'm fighting with myself over the Kubota L2501 or L3301. These two tractors are pretty much the same unit with a different engine and I'm really questioning whether or not the other 8 hp will benefit me enough to pay $3,000 more. Then there's the whole emissions/re-gen issue. That doesn't apply to the 2501.
Most of my work is going to be FEL work and tilling in the garden. What do you guys think?... Is it worth $3,000 for 8 more hp? Is it THAT noticeable to the average Joe?

Get the 2501 in gear drive... Load the rears and add weights, these tractors are way light in the butt...

 

[Rodney Shuffler]

I've also got some fencing projects coming up, would the 2501 do as well with an auger as the 3301?

 

[Tompet]

My neighbor just bought a L2501 HST after my recommendation. Did a ton of research and came to the conclusion that the L2501 HST is a great tractor. People are calling it a sleeper due to its large displacement low hp high torque engine and lack of emissions complexity. It should last pretty much forever. Avoid the L2501 gear drive because it doesn't have a live PTO.

You sound realistic about your current and future needs so if you don't need the pto hp, for a max size brush hog, for example, my vote would be the hst 2501 with benefits others have pointed out. Load the rears with some weight on 3pt for FEL and you'll be good. The only other thing would be a comparable search with other brands like Kioti, Massey, LS etc. within your area. But if that complicates the decision process too much you'll be good with current choice.

Enjoy, and post final decision!

 

[Old Red]

My neighbor just bought a L2501 HST after my recommendation. Did a ton of research and came to the conclusion that the L2501 HST is a great tractor. People are calling it a sleeper due to its large displacement low hp high torque engine and lack of emissions complexity. It should last pretty much forever. Avoid the L2501 gear drive because it doesn't have a live PTO.

Good call...it is a sleeper. And I visited a dealer in Clarksville, TN who carries a ton of BX tractors. Lot is slam full of them (BX) and kubota construction equipment. He has 1 or 2 B's on the lot and then he has several L's. I asked him about this and he told me that the BX is by far his #1 seller for his market and then people who are coming in looking at the B he tries to encourage them to purchase an L for not much more money and a lot more tractor but without some of the bells and whistles. He really likes the 2501 for reasons we have discussed.

So his target market are homeowners with small acreage (BX) and construction folks....Clarksville TN is absolutely a booming town.

 

[nybirdman]

I vote for the L2501 also;don't own one but we do have a similar L3000 DT(gear),that little tractor does anything the average home-owner/small wood lot owner would ever need.Definately get the HST version.Not having the additional pollution equiptment is a plus.

 

[jeff9366]

I've also got some fencing projects coming up, would the 2501 do as well with an auger as the 3301?

Yes it would. PTO powered augers using 4" to 8" bits are relatively low power implements.

For the short lists of tasks you identified in Post #1, tractor weight is of greater importance than tractor horsepower.

 

[Ortimber]

I wrestled with the same decision as the OP and ended up getting the 3901. I needed the PTO hp to run my chipper.

The good news is that Kubota products really hold their resale value, so if you need a different machine in a few years, you won’t get hurt too bad if you trade in the 2501.

 

[N2DFire]

Not trying to be a brand basher and not trying to muddy the waters for you, but in your other thread asking about different brands you mentioned LS.

The LS XG3025 is a pretty strong contender against the L2501 (on paper - I have no first hand experience with either model/brand), and in another thread, a member in Texas was quoted an XG3025 shuttle w/ FEL for $14500
LS gives you a higher 3pt capacity and a higher FEL lift capacity and both bare tractors are within a few pounds of each other gross weight (w/o FEL). I didn't mention it over there in my reply because I thought you were firm on a higher HP unit.

You didn't mention in either thread if (or why) you had discounted them (LS) so I thought I'd point it out. Not bashing Kubota at all. Strong product, strong rep, and strong dealer network and they sell plenty of them for a reason.

 

[teg]

Not sure why he is listed as a guest... I went to look at his other thread but can't find his other posts.

View attachment 535206

 

[motownbrowne]

If I were buying it'd be a 2501 or a 3901, but probably the 2501. The only negative thing I've heard about the 2501 compared to the other two in that chassis is that it's quite a bit louder. No personal experience, and I wear ear muffs anyway, but if it's something that concerns you, it might warrant checking out.

 

[N2DFire]

Not sure why he is listed as a guest... I went to look at his other thread but can't find his other posts.

View attachment 535206

Me either - it wasn't that way a couple days ago when I replied to his other thread here
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/389957-newb-questions.html

 

[teg]

Me either - it wasn't that way a couple days ago when I replied to his other thread here
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/389957-newb-questions.html

He is not listed on the member's list... must have pissed in someone's corn flakes!!!