Beating A Dead Horse?

[PJSprog]

Depending on what your definition of "capable" is, you can likely get a lot more tractor for the money looking at options other than just Massey and Kubota. I looked at them, too, as well as LS and Mahindra. All make good, capable tractors. In the price range you're talking, you could get an open station LS XR3135H, which is 35HP, and have money left over. You won't regret the extra HP when moving dirt, and it's not a huge tractor (about 60" wide). Mahindra and Kioti offer similar tractors in a similar price range ($19-20K).

Kubota makes very good tractors. No debate there. These other companies do, too, though, and are worth a look, especially with dealers nearby. Besides, looking and test driving is half the fun. :tractor:

 

[TripleR]

We are on our third John Deere with two HST pedals, but on our fourth Kubota with rocker pedals. Most get use to either, but my wife strongly favors the rocker pedal in spite of her initial negative response. Unless you have problems with your leg, you will have no problems with either. "Most" people can easily adapt to either, but if you "hate" either, it may not be worth taking a chance.

However, the L2501 retains the right side steering brakes as it has a live PTO with the clutch on the left, some really do not like this arrangement.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Mahindra Max26 HST or Mahindra 1526HST will do the job for you. With the 1526, you get three gears and a larger, heavier unit. Both built by Mitsubishi, and no DPF. Excellently made, well rated machines.

 

[BNJeepsta]

We are on our third John Deere with two HST pedals, but on our fourth Kubota with rocker pedals. Most get use to either, but my wife strongly favors the rocker pedal in spite of her initial negative response. Unless you have problems with your leg, you will have no problems with either. "Most" people can easily adapt to either, but if you "hate" either, it may not be worth taking a chance.

However, the L2501 retains the right side steering brakes as it has a live PTO with the clutch on the left, some really do not like this arrangement.

You must be talking about the L2501 Gear model??

 

[BNJeepsta]

Mahindra Max26 HST or Mahindra 1526HST will do the job for you. With the 1526, you get three gears and a larger, heavier unit. Both built by Mitsubishi, and no DPF. Excellently made, well rated machines.

Originally, I started looking at Mahindra first since they are the closest dealer. Overall, I was impressed and the only issues I had with them was the poor paint quality (brand new and rusty is a no-no in my book) and the loader controls were twitchy. However, I REALLY liked the price and how smooth the tractor ran.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

You must be talking about the L2501 Gear model??

Nope. Many HST tractor still have a clutch pedal to change HST ranges and engage the PTO. I think, as RRR suggested, the L2501 has a clutch pedal on the right.

This means that the split brakes are on the right with the HST rocker. Most people don't use the brake very much in a HST tractor but brake-assisted turns are a little awkward with this setup. (a non-issue for most operators)

 

[motownbrowne]

Since no one has mentioned it yet, the Kioti ck2610 is the direct competitor to the L2501. I'm not sure, but my guess is that it has side by side pedals instead a rocker. Personally, I'd take the Kubota, but that's just me. I will say that the rocker pedal gets to be second nature. I have two HST tractors, both with rockers, and they're both great.

You didn't say if you're paying cash or financing, but Kubota has a pretty good financing deal right now. Probably make the Kubota cheaper than the Korean tractors over the life of a loan. Gotta find out for yourself, though.

 

[k0ua]

The Kioti CK2610HST has the two pedal HST setup. And it is made to compete directly with the Kubota L2501 as both fall under the Tier 4 cutoff horsepower of 26 HP. It does have a clutch pedal on the left for PTO engagement, and it only has a single brake pedal on the right, so if you were planning on doing brake steering, it ain't gonna happen. Many owners never brake steer or even know of the concept, but it is something I would not want to give up.

 

[BCrouse]

However, the L2501 retains the right side steering brakes as it has a live PTO with the clutch on the left, some really do not like this arrangement.

The only way I've found to do it, without some serious pedal acrobatics is using the cruise-control lever (optional kit). You have to hold the lever in place though, as when you press the brake, it disengages the CC lever.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

The only way I've found to do it, without some serious pedal acrobatics is using the cruise-control lever (optional kit). You have to hold the lever in place though, as when you press the brake, it disengages the CC lever.

That's a good idea. My B3300 had this configuration and no cruise control lever. For the about 3 times I needed to do a brake-assisted turn to go right I used my right foot on the brake and reached down and moved the HST pedal by hand. To go left I could get my left foot across to the left brake pedal and right foot as normal to the HST. Definitely a compromise.

 

[DieselBound]

The treadle pedal on the MX5200 that I looked at made me turn away from the MX. I have one on my B7800 and on my Polaris Brutus and am perfectly fine with them: about 1,000 time with the B7800. What I am NOT fine with on the MX (no idea what they're like on the other models) is that they're all above the platform (on my machines the rocker lies below- yes, occasionally I get things jammed with brush om my B7800, but it's not very frequent). The issue for me is it's a lot of extra stuff on the platform to get my feet tangled up on. With my smaller machines I'm on and off a lot (despite the fact that one shouldn't be getting on and off from the joystick side I do it- I'm pretty conditioned to watching out) and for sure that extra mechanism on the platform deck is going to catch me. I'm not a clod, but I do tend to work/operate past when I should have stopped: when you're tired your reflexes are less than ideal (yeah, stop if your tired; reality often times lays out a different hand).

I note that on the higher end Kubotas (Grand L series) they have the double pedals. To me that kind of says something right there.

For whatever it's worth, I was killing time at my dealer's and causally looked at the CK2510 (Kioti) and was pretty impressed with how it appeared to me (no idea on operation). This is just a representative of the CK line.

Regarding Ag tires or not, if you're going to have a lot of mud I'm not certain that Ag tires are going to do all that much more for you. I know that for me if it gets that muddy I really shouldn't be out at all: I could get just about anything stuck- even got an excavator stuck (low ground pressure and it still sank like a rock!). If you don't care about tearing up grass and you're not looking to do a lot of max-lifting capacity loader work then Ags might serve you better.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Hello everyone! I've been cruising the forums for quite some time, doing research and soaking up the incredible amount of knowledge here. I have a few newbie questions that I'm looking for advice on. Most of the questions I have, I've been able to find direct answers to but, there is one that I simply have not found a concrete answer on. Perhaps I never will? :confused2:

A little back story first. My dad and I just purchased an old 10 acre farm. Roughly 1.5 acres of that is finish mowed and has a barn, 2 garages, workshop and well house on it. The rest is a pretty flat, open field. We purchased this property because we each own homes in town, with small lots, and we wanted somewhere to ride our 4 wheelers and things like that. Neither one of us lives on the property so projects can be done at a more leisurely pace. Other than a small garden, no actual farming will be done either. The things I'm looking to do are, septic work, gas lines, water lines, small garden and making a track for the ATV's. There is about 8 trees total on the property and I've already cut 4 down, so trees are not an issue either. I currently have a 1954 Farmall Super H - Stage II and a 5ft brush hog but, plan to sell it since that's not what I need at all. I'm looking for a tractor, preferably brand new, in the SCUT or CUT category. Whatever tractor I decide on will have a FEL, tiller, brush hog and possibly a finish mower. I have a lawn tractor for mowing so the finish mower really isn't necessary. I have a back hoe so I don't need that either.

Here is my dilemma: I need a capable tractor, under 25K, with a FEL. I don't know a lot about tractors and the choices seem to be endless. I have Kubota, Mahindra, Massey, Kioti, and LS dealers all within an acceptable range so that's not an issue. I've really been looking hard at the Massey Ferguson 1526 and the Kubota B2650 lately. Some of the dealers have tried to push me towards the BX Kubotas and the GC Masseys but, I don't want to get too small of a tractor and regret it. I will be doing a lot of dirt work (jumps, berms, ect.) but, I can't go much bigger than a CUT due to storage. My Super H is too big to fit where I'd like to store the tractor. The tractor must be 4x4 and have HST as well. Any advice will be greatly appreciated! :thumbsup:

Well i am not a tractor expert for numerous brands, i do have a Kubota L3560 and researched and shopped hard to get what i wanted and it fits my requirements. Ran john Deere 3320 and similar a LOT. Once you get the specs figured out and find a tractor to meet them your half way there. the other half in my mind is what kind of SERVICE does your local dealer provide? Sales is a short deal so to speak, SERVICE is from now on. So really check out the reputation of the dealers SERVICE

 

[DieselBound]

Well i am not a tractor expert for numerous brands, i do have a Kubota L3560 and researched and shopped hard to get what i wanted and it fits my requirements. Ran john Deere 3320 and similar a LOT. Once you get the specs figured out and find a tractor to meet them your half way there. the other half in my mind is what kind of SERVICE does your local dealer provide? Sales is a short deal so to speak, SERVICE is from now on. So really check out the reputation of the dealers SERVICE

Service is important, yes, but, hopefully, one is spending a lot more time with the tractor, which means that being comfortable with the tractor should be the first priority. I have rarely had to depend on my local Kubota dealer: this speaks a lot about the quality of Kubota. I can only hope that I find the same with my Kioti: since I still have my B7800 I won't be high and dry should I encounter problems with the Kioti- having my B7800 hedges my risk with going with Kioti.

Also, the dealer can be really good, but if the manufacturer isn't then that'll be less positive. I believe there's a document around here somewhere that was the result of a survey to dealers about what they felt/thought of the manufacturers of the products that they [dealers] sold.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Originally, I started looking at Mahindra first since they are the closest dealer. Overall, I was impressed and the only issues I had with them was the poor paint quality (brand new and rusty is a no-no in my book) and the loader controls were twitchy. However, I REALLY liked the price and how smooth the tractor ran.

Then your dealer is to blame for not prepping them properly. My dealer regularly has over a dozen on the lot. No rust. Your comment about paint quality has not been my experience.

 

[paulfun9]

A few hours ago, I was heavily leaning towards the Massey 1526, now I really am leaning towards the L2501. I just don't know if I can deal with that stupid rocker pedal. I really wish it was an option...

I have operated many tractors and to this day I have never found one rocker pedal that was comfortable for the long haul! When I was younger I could tolerate them for much longer than I do now but always wished for the dual pedal set up. My suggestion would be to go look at other brands that use a dual pedal set up like Kioti/LS/TYM/Deere buy one of them and don't waste your time trying to tolerate something you don't like to begin with.

 

[TripleR]

The only way I've found to do it, without some serious pedal acrobatics is using the cruise-control lever (optional kit). You have to hold the lever in place though, as when you press the brake, it disengages the CC lever.

That is what the manual recommends on my L5740 and since the cruise control on the L40 Series is a servo controlled lever, it is easily done, I even use it sometimes in lieu of the HST pedal, but I rarely use brakes for anything, so for me it's a non issue. Many newer models come without a clutch and the brakes on the left for those who use them.

My cruise control only disengage when pushing both brakes, not when using them separately.

The Kioti has been mentioned, I did not address that as it was not requested by the OP, but agree it is a good option as are the other major brands, my brother has an older CK 27 and loves it.

 

[BNJeepsta]

Thanks for the replies everyone! All of you have given me a wealth of information and a lot more to consider!

I am more than willing to look at Kioti and LS as well. Honestly, the only tractors I won't consider are Deere's. The only reason for that is my local dealer is a consistent $3,500-4,500 more on everything. No offense to anyone here but, John Deere doesn't make anything that's worth that much more.

I'd like to hear from some of the LS, Kioti, Massey and Mahindra guys as well. I haven't ruled any of those tractors out and, if you can't tell, have no brand loyalty at the moment. I just want the most bang for my buck.

For a reasonably close, "apples to apples" comparison it would be?

Kubota - L2501

Massey - 1526

Mahindra - Max 26

LS - ???

Kioti - ???

 

[oldpilgrim]

consider that the Max26 has about 600 lbs more fel lift capacity than the Massey. That's nearly 80% more.

1402 vs 823.

 

[Grandad4]

I have operated many tractors and to this day I have never found one rocker pedal that was comfortable for the long haul! When I was younger I could tolerate them for much longer than I do now but always wished for the dual pedal set up. My suggestion would be to go look at other brands that use a dual pedal set up like Kioti/LS/TYM/Deere buy one of them and don't waste your time trying to tolerate something you don't like to begin with.

Never quite understood why folks who drive a car and/or truck every day, often for hours on end, would have trouble using a foot pedal to make their tractor go forward, as in the first picture. Maybe I'm missing something but to me it's virtually identical to the gas pedal in my pickup. Then, backing up is done with the heel (second picture), something that was an easy habit to establish, at least for me.

Have to agree those brake pedals aren't set up to be used as split brakes, but almost never need such around my place.View attachment 484628View attachment 484629

 

[k0ua]

Never quite understood why folks who drive a car and/or truck every day, often for hours on end, would have trouble using a foot pedal to make their tractor go forward, as in the first picture. Maybe I'm missing something but to me it's virtually identical to the gas pedal in my pickup. Then, backing up is done with the heel (second picture), something that was an easy habit to establish, at least for me.

Have to agree those brake pedals aren't set up to be used as split brakes, but almost never need such around my place.View attachment 484628View attachment 484629

Your foot position is exactly how I operated my Kubota L3400hst when I had it. Except when doing fine precision grading , then I would put my foot on top of the pedal, because I am usually making many rapid directional changes back and forth.

What I wonder is since so many people object to the treadle pedal and no one seems to object to the two pedal system, why does Kubota insist on sticking with the single pedal system?

I don't really have a big preference either way. I have owned two HST tractors with the single pedal and one with the two pedal setup. I got along fine with either system. My current tractor the Kioti has the two pedal system and it is great. So was my last tractor the Kubota with the single pedal.

But most other manufactures have went to the two pedal system, and it seem that right out of the gate most people seem to prefer it. But to me is just doesn't make a whole lot of difference.