Kubota L3901 vs Mahindra 2638

[Wilks44]

Hello TBN-ers,

I currently have a 1985 John Deere 1050 37hp 4x4 with FEL. Tractor has served me well for the last 10+ years but as it gets older I started looking for an upgrade.

Tractor will be mostly used for mowing (60" brush hog and 72"finish mower), food plot tilling (60" tiller), grading gravel driveway, hauling firewood, collected maple sap in the spring, and just general FEL use.

Decided I want to stay in the 37-40hp range as I like this size tractor for what I do with it. Prefer to stay around the $25k mark. So far I have tested John Deere 3038e, New Holland Workmaster 40, Kubota L3901, and Mahindra 2638 and 1538. All with HST and FEL, no cab.

I was not impressed with the John Deere. Does not have SSQA loader, no quick removal of loader (bolts), and aluminum rear end (lighter), and lots of plastic.

Local dealer sells both New Holland and Kubota, so I drove those back to back. No real reason, but preferred Kubota. Just "felt" better.

Mahindra 2638 seems like a "beefy" tractor. Everything seems to be built heavier, sit higher, more of a classic tractor feel compared to how small most of the CUT's have gotten. However, engine seemed kind of noisy (maybe from larger displacement?) and HST was also noisy

I've pretty much narrowed it down to either the Kubota L3901 or the Mahindra 2638. Mahindra is about $2500 cheaper than Kubota. Local Mahindra dealer has been selling them since 2011. The dealer itself has been around longer than I have. Kubota dealer just started selling Kubota but has been selling NH and Case for many many years.

I find myself leaning toward the Kubota mostly based on brand reputation. I know there used to be a lot of issues with Mahindra regarding warranty issues, part availability, and dealers disappearing. Is this still the case?

So all in all, which would you pick? Kubota L3901 or Mahindra 2638? And why? The only other consideration would be jumping to the Kubota L4701, but thats another $6k.

And please, I don't need any "you should buy an LS, Deere, Kioti, etc".

 

[Geotech]

Definitely Kubota. But for the $ of an L3901, I'd spend a tad more for the L4701.

 

[Professor Marvel]

Hello TBN-ers,

I currently have a 1985 John Deere 1050 37hp 4x4 with FEL. Tractor has served me well for the last 10+ years but as it gets older I started looking for an upgrade.

Tractor will be mostly used for mowing (60" brush hog and 72"finish mower), food plot tilling (60" tiller), grading gravel driveway, hauling firewood, collected maple sap in the spring, and just general FEL use.

Decided I want to stay in the 37-40hp range as I like this size tractor for what I do with it. Prefer to stay around the $25k mark. So far I have tested John Deere 3038e, New Holland Workmaster 40, Kubota L3901, and Mahindra 2638 and 1538. All with HST and FEL, no cab.

I was not impressed with the John Deere. Does not have SSQA loader, no quick removal of loader (bolts), and aluminum rear end (lighter), and lots of plastic.

Local dealer sells both New Holland and Kubota, so I drove those back to back. No real reason, but preferred Kubota. Just "felt" better.

Mahindra 2638 seems like a "beefy" tractor. Everything seems to be built heavier, sit higher, more of a classic tractor feel compared to how small most of the CUT's have gotten. However, engine seemed kind of noisy (maybe from larger displacement?) and HST was also noisy

I've pretty much narrowed it down to either the Kubota L3901 or the Mahindra 2638. Mahindra is about $2500 cheaper than Kubota. Local Mahindra dealer has been selling them since 2011. The dealer itself has been around longer than I have. Kubota dealer just started selling Kubota but has been selling NH and Case for many many years.

I find myself leaning toward the Kubota mostly based on brand reputation. I know there used to be a lot of issues with Mahindra regarding warranty issues, part availability, and dealers disappearing. Is this still the case?

So all in all, which would you pick? Kubota L3901 or Mahindra 2638? And why? The only other consideration would be jumping to the Kubota L4701, but thats another $6k.

And please, I don't need any "you should buy an LS, Deere, Kioti, etc".

are you comparing apples to apples? i am pretty sure the workmaster is the economy line of NH so how it "feels" might be effected..

 

[RickB]

The L3901 is an economy model as well.

 

[Professor Marvel]

The L3901 is an economy model as well.

ok that is fair comparison then

 

[davek78063]

ok that is fair comparison then

I have a Mahindra 2538 which is very similar to the 2638. My buddy has a 3901. My tractor is beefier in almost every way. I think it is a little wider and sits a little lower than the kubota 3901 so it is more stable. As for it being a bit noisy you might check to see if some of pins on the loader are rattling. Mine were a little long so they tended to rattle back and forth. Added a couple washers and now they are tighter and much quieter. This is my second Mahindra and I do not baby mine as I do a lot of loader work and have done significant land clearing and pushing over trees with mine. For mowing might not matter much but doing heavy work weight is your friend.

 

[tradosaurus]

Mahindra 1533 VS. Kubota L3301 - YouTube

I have the L3301 and having used it for cleaning between trees and making trails I think I should have moved to the L3901 for more PTO HP and no weigh gain.

The L3901 would have cost me and additional $2K.

Also if you get the Kubota have the dealer widen the stance of the rear tires before you take possession. They should do it for free.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Hello TBN-ers,

I currently have a 1985 John Deere 1050 37hp 4x4 with FEL. Tractor has served me well for the last 10+ years but as it gets older I started looking for an upgrade.

Tractor will be mostly used for mowing (60" brush hog and 72"finish mower), food plot tilling (60" tiller), grading gravel driveway, hauling firewood, collected maple sap in the spring, and just general FEL use.

Decided I want to stay in the 37-40hp range as I like this size tractor for what I do with it. Prefer to stay around the $25k mark. So far I have tested John Deere 3038e, New Holland Workmaster 40, Kubota L3901, and Mahindra 2638 and 1538. All with HST and FEL, no cab.

I was not impressed with the John Deere. Does not have SSQA loader, no quick removal of loader (bolts), and aluminum rear end (lighter), and lots of plastic.

Local dealer sells both New Holland and Kubota, so I drove those back to back. No real reason, but preferred Kubota. Just "felt" better.

Mahindra 2638 seems like a "beefy" tractor. Everything seems to be built heavier, sit higher, more of a classic tractor feel compared to how small most of the CUT's have gotten. However, engine seemed kind of noisy (maybe from larger displacement?) and HST was also noisy

I've pretty much narrowed it down to either the Kubota L3901 or the Mahindra 2638. Mahindra is about $2500 cheaper than Kubota. Local Mahindra dealer has been selling them since 2011. The dealer itself has been around longer than I have. Kubota dealer just started selling Kubota but has been selling NH and Case for many many years.

I find myself leaning toward the Kubota mostly based on brand reputation. I know there used to be a lot of issues with Mahindra regarding warranty issues, part availability, and dealers disappearing. Is this still the case?

So all in all, which would you pick? Kubota L3901 or Mahindra 2638? And why? The only other consideration would be jumping to the Kubota L4701, but thats another $6k.

And please, I don't need any "you should buy an LS, Deere, Kioti, etc".

I will start this by apologizing to the Mahindra owners out there, BUT the Kubota is by far the better choice. The quality of the engineering, build, and performance are exceptional.

 

[duffer]

Wilks44, I too have a Mahindra 2538. Over 900 hours on her, without any issues other than an update to the computer. The 2638 is a slight upgrade from the 2538. You get a much better seat, and the cup holder/power port on the fender. Drive train is the same, FEL is the same. I looked at Kubota as well before I bought the Mahindra. My neighbor had a Kubota (38 hp) and my 2538 ran rings around it. Mine was heavier, beefier, bigger tires, 500 lb more lifting capacity with the FEL, and my bucket was almost 30% larger capacity, which comes in great for moving mulch, sand, wood, etc.

Based on your implements, it sounds like you'll be using the PTO extensively. The Mahindra has a separate tranny lever to completely dis-engage the PTO which allows the PTO spindle on the tractor to rotate freely, thus making aligning your drive shafts for your implements a piece of cake. Not sure if Kubota has that feature. And trying to spin a drive shaft on a finish mower, and other implements is not a lot of fun.

The 2638 doesn't use DEF, nor have to go thru the re-gen cycle. Kubota had to use DEF in the model year of mine. Not sure if they do now or not, but one thing you should check. Hopefully, Kubota has corrected that. I think they still have to go thru the re-gen cycling.

Personally, I like the ergonomics of the Mahindra over the Kubota, but you may like the Kubota better. That's always a personal issue that no one can decide except you. I also like the 2 pedal HST on the 2538 over the "rocker pedal" on the Kubota. But again, that's a personal preference.

My dealer filled the tires, raised the seat, and put a hidden kill switch on for me as part of the deal.

Don't get me wrong, Kubota makes a good machine. But like many things, the difference is in the details of how you will use it.

If you don't already have your finish mower, you can go up to a 84"-96" mower with the 2638. I've been pulling an 84" for 2 years, and wish I had gone to a 96".

If you're gonna mow several acres, and have a long driveway, and any hills, you should consider getting cruise control. It's a god-send. $200 and worth every penny. Tractor is already pre-wired, and pre-drilled to mount the components. Took me 15 minutes to install it. Works like a charm. I'd also suggest getting Pat's Quick Hitch.

Good luck! Let us know what you decide.

 

[RickB]

No Kubota in that hp range uses DEF, now or previously. Not even close.

 

[fried1765]

I will start this by apologizing to the Mahindra owners out there, BUT the Kubota is by far the better choice. The quality of the engineering, build, and performance are exceptional.

No prior Kubota experience, but just bought a 250 hour 13 year old Kubota L48 TLB three weeks ago.
What a fantastic piece of machinery!
Re-sale value was really up there....to the sellers advantage!

 

[BRMyers]

I would go with the Kubota, but I'm a Kubota fan.

 

[3gunr]

i AGREE WITH DUFFER . LOVE MY 2538. SURE THERE ARE THINGS I WISH IT CAME WITH LIKE REAR REMOTES AND BETTER SEAT. BUT PERFORMANCE IS GREAT. ALSO MINE GOT QUIETER AFTER CHANGING FLUIDS.

 

[The Deerslayer]

As I have the L3901, I might be somewhat biased :laughing: However, I use mine for most all of your intended uses (and then some)with the exception of finish mowing. I have no regrets and it handles everything fine. I have had zero mechanical issues since purchased new in 2015. The regen can sometimes be an inconvenience, but not horrible.

If you do decide to go with the L3901, as said previously, you can have the dealer widen the rear tires if you are going with R1 (ag) tires. I did mine after purchase, and it made a significant stability difference. I would also recommend seeing if they will throw in the right side grab handle.

When I was looking, I did not consider a Mahindra. The only other brand I looked at besides Kubota was Kioti. I ended up going Kubota mainly due to reputation and my experience with my fist Kubota that I bought used and had for 15 years or so.

Either way you go, best of luck and enjoy your new tractor!

 

[jeff9366]

The 2638 doesn't use DEF, nor have to go thru the re-gen cycle. Kubota had to use DEF in the model year of mine. Not sure if they do now or not, but one thing you should check. Hopefully, Kubota has corrected that. I think they still have to go thru the re-gen cycling.

You confused DEF with DPF.

Beginning about thirty-three horsepower most tractors have Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF).
If there is no DPF there is an alternative incendiary technology to burn off very fine particulates (soot). Sometimes exhaust heat is elevated all the time, sometimes periodically.
Diesel particulates must be burned. THERE IS NO FREE LUNCH.


From John Deere:
DEF, or diesel exhaust fluid, is used in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to remove nitrogen oxides (NOx) from engine exhaust. DEF is injected into the exhaust stream prior to the SCR catalyst. NOx in the exhaust stream is then converted into harmless nitrogen and water through a chemical reaction.

DEF is 32.5 percent DEF-grade urea and 67.5 percent demineralized water.

 

[chim]

Last time I shopped, Mahindras were on the list. Visited a dealer to see both the 2538 and 2638. They were OK but the seats wouldn't slide back far enough to be comfortable. These were cabbed models. There were several new and used tractors (Kubota, Mahindra, Kioti and New Holland) that were considered. After months of kicking tires I ended up with a nice used L4240HSTC. It's about 10 years old, looks like new and had 977 hours on it. It's a marriage of beastly and nimble. Marks the yard less than anything else I've had.

 

[Jchonline]

Looked at a Mahindra 6075 and Kubota M7060 this weekend with my father. He has already looked at Deere, Massey. The Mahindra is very beefy, weighs 2000 lbs more than the M7060. In the end it was no contest, he went with the Kubota. Smoother transmission, FEL, and a 4 cyl engine makes it super smooth and quiet. I can see why he made that choice after using them all.

 

[The Deerslayer]

Any status updates from the OP?

 

[Wilks44]

I definitely think I will be going with Kubota. Now I need to decide on L4701 or L3901

 

[Wilks44]

I am sure you guys will get a kick out of this as well...

When showing the Kubotas online to my wife, her response was...does it come in a different color?