Current pricing L2501 and transmission choice

[2manyrocks]

I was quoted $21,300 for the gear drive L2501 4wd with loader by my local middle Tennessee Kubota dealer. But he didn't have a gear drive in stock and said he'd have to trade with another dealer to get one. He also said the gear drive isn't a popular model and that's why they don't have one in stock. The loader does have the quick hitch on it.

My concern is that the pricing might be a bit high if the dealer is padding his price to be sure he can get a gear drive unit since he doesn't have one in stock.

I was leaning towards the gear drive model mainly because clutches are simple to fix and there's less power loss when it comes to mowing.

The dealer has HST models in stock for the extra difference in list price which I think he said about another $1,600?

I plan to keep my larger 35hp tractor for bush hogging. Was looking at the L2501 as something that would burn less fuel for lighter work, would be easier to add a third function and a grapple for cleaning up some limbs from time to time. My existing tractors are 2 wheel drive.

For loader work, I can see the usefulness of the HST. The dealer said they have customers with 5,000 hours on the HSTs with no issues? Am I making too much of the HST reliability issue?

We have some hills so tractor stability is important.

On the other hand, there is a used JD 3025e for sale with a grapple already on it-67 hours for $22,000. Not crazy about the grapple because it has the longer lower tines on it rather than a root rake type design. My problem with picking up brush and fallen limbs with plain forks has always been getting under the material. I think it would be easier to grab with a root rake type design...but wonder what experience others have had?

 

[drumminj]

If buying new, you can always use the equine discount for 20% off MSRP. Might be a better path?

Not sure where exactly in middle TN you are/which dealer, but i had a good experience with Columbia Kubota. Happy to pass on salemsan info if you want to PM me (would absolutely recommend the gentleman I worked with).

 

[2manyrocks]

Thank you. I should also mention that the $21,000 price I was quoted was after an $1,800 cash and orange plus rebate.

Would I also be able to get the $1,800 rebate using the 20% equine discount? The 20% discount sounds way better...and I'm not too happy that the salesman didn't bring this up as a possibility.

 

[kennyd]

HST reliability is a non-issue.

Since you want this for grapple/FEL use, HST is a no-brainer for me.

 

[Forky]

Nope they will only allow one discount to be used. My dealer only stocks the HST model also. The E series JD is way less tractor and I would check out the Messick's video with the comparison. My dealer loves to make the comparison of the E to the L.

 

[s219]

Unless you only do bush hogging or row cropping, HST will be a better choice overall. If doing a lot of front loader work, it's the best option. I've never heard of any widespready HST issues on Kubotas in the last 11 years on the forum.

 

[Citydude]

I had an L2501 gear model. If you don't mind the stoppage to shift from forward to reverse each time your doing loader work, it's OK.

With that, it's a work horse. Just takes longer than an HST to do anything using the loader.

 

[2manyrocks]

I don't mind shifting gears. My concern is more about reliability without having to spend money on repairs. I would guess that shifting back and forth with a gear drive would put a lot of wear on a clutch that would be avoided with an HST.

Any thoughts on just getting the dealer to install the third function controls vs. using the Summit aftermarket kit that costs $580? third-function-valve-kit-for-kubota-l2501-l3200-l3301-and-l3901-tractors.

I don't see a Kubota branded grapple, but there appears to be a Landprice SGC0660 available? I guess this wouldn't qualify for the 20% equine discount since it isn't Kubota branded? Tractors - Compact - Standard L Series | Kubota

 

[jyoutz]

I was quoted $21,300 for the gear drive L2501 4wd with loader by my local middle Tennessee Kubota dealer. But he didn't have a gear drive in stock and said he'd have to trade with another dealer to get one. He also said the gear drive isn't a popular model and that's why they don't have one in stock. The loader does have the quick hitch on it.

My concern is that the pricing might be a bit high if the dealer is padding his price to be sure he can get a gear drive unit since he doesn't have one in stock.

I was leaning towards the gear drive model mainly because clutches are simple to fix and there's less power loss when it comes to mowing.

The dealer has HST models in stock for the extra difference in list price which I think he said about another $1,600?

I plan to keep my larger 35hp tractor for bush hogging. Was looking at the L2501 as something that would burn less fuel for lighter work, would be easier to add a third function and a grapple for cleaning up some limbs from time to time. My existing tractors are 2 wheel drive.

For loader work, I can see the usefulness of the HST. The dealer said they have customers with 5,000 hours on the HSTs with no issues? Am I making too much of the HST reliability issue?

We have some hills so tractor stability is important.

On the other hand, there is a used JD 3025e for sale with a grapple already on it-67 hours for $22,000. Not crazy about the grapple because it has the longer lower tines on it rather than a root rake type design. My problem with picking up brush and fallen limbs with plain forks has always been getting under the material. I think it would be easier to grab with a root rake type design...but wonder what experience others have had?

HST are extremely reliable. If you keep up with fluid and filter changes, you will wear out the clutch on a gear tractor long before any repairs are needed for a HST.

 

[ericm979]

Just on this forum there's a lot more posts about worn out clutches than broken HSTs. Very very few of the latter.

The Summit kit comes with a high quality loader joystick knob with switches. If you can make the brackets yourself and run the hoses, it's a better deal than having the dealer do it. But it means working on your new machine rather than getting work done with it.

 

[nrosario]

There is another little thing to keep in mind with that particular model (L2501DT).
The pto is a live pto with no mid engagement clutch.
Not as convenient as an independent pto for doing mowing work.

 

[nrosario]

You can gent WR Long 3rd function kit, that's what I got and it works great.
I recommend Everything Attachments grapple, they have multiple models in their website.

 

[Fallon]

HSTs are very reliable. Chances of burning out a clutch & needing to split the tractor are much higher with a clutch than a HST. It would be a lot more expensive in the unlikely chance you blew up the HST though. Change oil & filters on schedule & your HST will last several thousand hours minimum, probably longer than the rest of the tractor.

I had a L3200 HST a few years ago here in Colorado. At 7,000 feet it probably had L2501 power at sea level. More power would have been nice, but it got the job done. I made the same "mistake" when I upgraded to my cabbed & air conditioned L4060. A L6060 would be nice for faster heavy mowing & roading. But it's not worth the expense to upgrade.

Going light & slow for cheap operation isn't a bad call if you have a beefier machine to do harder work. Especially in that light I'd look at an easier to use HST.

 

[jeff9366]

I don't see a Kubota branded grapple, but there appears to be a Landprice SGC0660 available? I guess this wouldn't qualify for the 20% equine discount since it isn't Kubota branded? Tractors - Compact - Standard L Series | Kubota

Land Pride is 100% owned by Kubota.

 

[LittleBill21]

Land Pride is 100% owned by Kubota.

are you sure jeff?

 

[mapper]

For a low horsepower compact such as the L2501 you may find that is a lot easier to run a brush hog with hydrostatic rather than a gear tractor. The ability to slow your ground speed to negotiate thick vegetation or rough ground while keeping the hog turning a full speed is a real advantage.
Ran a 5 ft hog on an 8n for a number of years, it could get really challenging in thick vegetation.

 

[2manyrocks]

I can see the ability to vary speed with the HST as useful in brush cutting. If I am running the PTO going forward on the L2501HST, can I leave the PTO engaged if I want to reverse and back into a patch of briars?

Messick's posted that Land Pride was purchased by Kubota. landpride

If I could get the 20% discount on a grapple at the time of buying the tractor, that might be smarter than buying it separately later.

 

[jeff9366]

An L2501 with HST transmission will be far more reliable and cheaper to run over the long term, than an L2501 equipped with its very basic clutch and gear transmission.




I was leaning towards the gear drive model mainly because clutches are simple to fix and there's less power loss when it comes to mowing.

Tractor clutches are not simple to fix. Used to be $1,200 for a dealer clutch rebuild. Probably $1,800, maybe $2,000 today.

 

[jeff9366]

I can see the ability to vary speed with the HST as useful in brush cutting. If I am running the PTO going forward on the L2501HST, can I leave the PTO engaged if I want to reverse and back into a patch of briars?

Yes. But only if you order optional chain guards for the rear of your Rotary Cutter.

The standard metal debris guard will prevent you from mowing in reverse.

Optional rubber rear debris guard will soon break.

 

[kennyd]

are you sure jeff?

Kubota Corporation Expands Long-Time Partnership with Land Pride and Enters Into an Agreement to Purchase Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc.

TORRANCE, Calif., (May 13, 2016) Kubota Corporation, Osaka, Japan, parent company to Kubota U.S.A., Inc., today announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase Great Plains Manufacturing, Inc., based in Salina, Kansas. Once final, the purchase will expand the companys..Read more

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