B2650 vs L3901 - Specs Say the Smaller Tractor Can Pull More ??

[WarZ]

One of the jobs I want my tractor to do is pull a 5,000 lbs (29 Foot) travel trailer into the woods to our camp site in the spring/early summer, and then back out in the fall. Slight grade to the property, but no big dips or slopes.

Everyone seems to say that the L3901 is better sized for that job. I agreed initially. Though i was hoping the B2650 could get the job done.

However, after downloading the manuals for the tractors, I was dumbfounded when i saw the specifications section:

B2650 Manual: Max Drawbar Load = 1100 lbs, Max Trailer Load (minus trailer) = 3300 lbs.
L3901 Manual: Max Drawbar Load = 730 lbs, Max Trailer Load (minus trailer) = 2200 lbs.

What the heck ?!?

Am I missing something here ?

Can that B2650 actually tow more than the L3901 ? I understand the weight of the L3901 makes it better suited to "control" the trailer.

Thank you for any advice

I've been researching this buying decision for well over a year. This is the summer I'm pulling the trigger. Tons of great discussions on these forums which has been great. TY.

 

[bcp]

If the numbers are correct, my guess is that the L3901, because of larger tires, has a lot longer drawbar than the B2650, allowing the trailer to have more leverage against the tractor.

Bruce

 

[JK22]

From what I’ve read, tractors are not really tow rated. They either pull it or they don’t. I’m thinking the previous comment is on to something. Tow rating written by lawyers rather than a result of testing.

However, the L will also have a higher center of gravity. So more “pendulum effect” if the trailer pushes down hard on the tow bar (think braking going down a hill). But... I’d still be more comfortable on the L with 5000Lbs behind me.

 

[PaulL2]

I pull my boat (approx 5000lbs) with a BX. Slowly, on the flat and in and out the boat ramp. It won't pull it out of the boat ramp in high, but it'll pull till it runs out of traction in low - and I have enough traction. I wouldn't pull at more than walking speed though - absolutely no way a 1000lb tractor can stop a 5000lb boat if it gets any momentum.

As you say, it's not a question of whether it can pull it, it's a question whether it can control it. Control all really comes down to speed. If you're happy pulling it slowly and mostly on the flat, a B2650 will pull it fine. If you are in the mud a bit (need traction) or on any sort of incline, then you need weight. Sounds to me like the real question is what other things you want to do with the tractor - is size a problem with your trails, do you want a mid mount mower, do you want any of the other features of the B2650? Conversely, are you lifting things on the FEL or 3ph, driving things off the PTO - all those the L3901 will do better.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I traded my B2650 to a L3901 over 200 tractor hours of usage ago. The B was more "Plush" and the L more utilitarian and more heavy so can push down more bigger "stuff". Also as others have mentioned more control of heavy "stuff" but..........I now wish I had went on up to an even heavier tractor, not more HP, just heavier.overall.

 

[skipperbrown]

Your trailer probably has about 20% of the tongue weigh on the hitch so around 1000#. The 2650 weighs about 1800#? Your front axle is going to be very light and control on hills very minimal. You will be fine on level, paved ground, but if there are hills involved you need to carefully assess the safety. How slight is slight? Gravity has a lot of pull on 5000# going down a hill. You will have plenty of power, you will just need to be careful about the tail wagging the dog. It will help to weight the front axle. A MX series would be a better match.

 

[Jchonline]

Load that front bucket up with something heavy as a counter.

What else are you using the tractor for? Maybe this will help in your decision.

 

[Fallon]

A 20hp L will out pull a 100hp B. Weight is what makes a tractor work. HP just defines how fast it will get the job done. The L will have more traction & ballast to pull & lift things. A higher HP B might he faster with small light things, but the heavy machine will still be lifting or moving long after the light machine started spinning its tires ran out of loader lift or rolled due to insufficient ballast.

 

[s219]

There are all kinds of paper specs that make the B2650/3350 appear to trump the L models, but you have to be very careful. For instance, the B loader has a slightly higher lift rating, but it doesn't lift as high as the L (8-10" lower). If you were to drop the L loader to that same height as the B, the L would actually have *more* capacity, not less. And down low, the L loader has a lot more capacity than the B. It just goes to show that even Kubota can't give us apples to apples comparisons of their own tractors.