New 2021 L2501 incoming!

[tradosaurus]

Alright, I have made a "rookie" mistake, twice! I'm leaving the parking brake on! Luckily, not for very long but, I'm having a hard time getting used to the brake system on the right side.

I'm so used to my B2601 (brake assembly on the left side) that I'm just failing to check the brake on the L2501 before I move the tractor.

Mike

I did that so many times on my L3301 that I stopped engaging the parking brake. I never needed it anyway as long as the FEL was on the ground.

Kubota should have a light or sound to tell you its engaged when trying to move.

 

[Rdrcr]

In all the years of using tractors, I have never, ever worn out wet brakes. And yes, I have left the brake on at times as well. They can be set so strong that it usually does not take long to realize that something is wrong especially with HST. Welcome to the club.

That's good to know.

The L2501 seems to have enough torque to move the tractor that I don't even realize it is on, until I start to do some work. On the B2601, you can tell almost immediately.

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

I did that so many times on my L3301 that I stopped engaging the parking brake. I never needed it anyway as long as the FEL was on the ground.

Kubota should have a light or sound to tell you its engaged when trying to move.

Good to know. I too had stopped engaging the parking brake on the L2501 because like you, you really don't need it 99% of the time. However, I just started putting back on so I can train myself to stomp the brakes before moving the tractor. If I can get the muscle memory down, it'll become automatic. For me, it just hard because the controls on the B2601 and L2501 are different. I'll get it eventually....

Absolutely! There should definitely be a light or sound...totally agree!!!

Mike

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Well, that depends. Do something silly and you can!
View attachment 693441

It landed upright!

 

[_RaT_]

It landed upright!

Actually it is on its side. It did two head over heel flips, bent the ROPS. Kubota was most interested in that. This was not me that did it. A relative going down a fairly steep hill in 2WD with a load in the bucket. Hit the brakes and tractor kept going. Had it been in 4WD, the front wheels would have stopped him. Box scrapper, rims on both rear wheels ROPS and a few other items bent beyond repair. 2 tow trucks to pull it up the hill.

 

[Rdrcr]

^^^^
I'm assuming the operator survived? Did he have his seat belt on?

I'm always in 4WD in those situations. Scary as hell!

Mike

 

[_RaT_]

No seat belt on. Jumped from tractor when the pooh hit the fan. Right fender hit him on the bum and expelled him further away. You are right though. When traction is limited on the rear wheels in particular and the center of gravity moves considerable forward, get in 4WD. I do not use 4WD unless I need it. When I mow, I want to be in 2WD, less damage if any to equipment like a mower when hitting objects buried in the grass. On slopes where you want all the braking you can get, be in 4WD and carry your weight low.

 

[sixdogs]

How many applications of parking brake use are actually necessary? Mine gets put on maybe a couple times a year, mostly when stationary and running such as chipping brush.

 

[Rdrcr]

No seat belt on. Jumped from tractor when the pooh hit the fan. Right fender hit him on the bum and expelled him further away. You are right though. When traction is limited on the rear wheels in particular and the center of gravity moves considerable forward, get in 4WD. I do not use 4WD unless I need it. When I mow, I want to be in 2WD, less damage if any to equipment like a mower when hitting objects buried in the grass. On slopes where you want all the braking you can get, be in 4WD and carry your weight low.

Thank you! I was curious about the seat belt.

I mow my flat areas in 2WD and the hills in 4WD using my B2601 with the FEL removed.

Mike

 

[Paystar]

Alright, weather hasn’t been cooperating but, I’ve finally had the opportunity to put a couple hours on the L2501. Here are some of my observations...

First, like some have mentioned previously in this thread, once I got the tractor off the truck, the tractor feels smaller than it did at the dealership. I’m definitely pleased with the size of the L2501 (pretty much perfect for my property) however, a L4701, Grand L or MX wouldn’t be entirely ridiculous options.

Second, wow, the loader joystick and hydraulics are far superior when compared to my B2601. The L2501 joystick and hydraulics are so much smoother and more powerful. I didn’t expect such an improvement.

Third, as I’ve read during my research, the L2501 is a “whiny” tractor. My experience is no difference. She’s a whiner!

Fourth, while I haven’t put the L2501 to hard use, it is apparent that it doesn’t have a “ton” of power for hills while running in higher gears. I transported roughly 10 bucket loads of heavy wood up my hill yesterday. It’s a tall hill. Medium gear was a no-go. My much lighter B2601 will easily negotiate this hill in medium gear. However, being fair, I haven’t taken heavy buckets up the hill in medium gear with the B2601 so, it may struggle too.

Fifth, I find the seat surprisingly comfortable. I definitely didn’t expect that. I figured the seat would be the first thing I’d need to modify. Nope. Good there.

Ultimately, I’m thinking I’m going to enjoy this tractor. It appears to be a great fit.

Mike

Thanks for your opinions Rdrcr. I consider an L2501 too, but I was always wondering if I'd like the FEL lever placement. I like my B with it beside me because I run big loaders at work and am used to the controls being close to me. (though now they are no longer joysticks, all fingertip control) But I wasn't sure if I'd like that stanchion mounted control lever. But good to hear it is smooth and well controlled.

The one comment that does concern me though is the drive power up hills. I realize the L is heavier than my B but that is something that is important to me. I carry a lot of material up hills in my yard maintaining my bush road. I've already hauled 330 metric tonne of pit run gravel up my hills with my B and it does it no problem in medium range. It even pulls my 60 inch Land Pride box blade up the hills in medium. Got the rear blade on in these pics.

Not sure if you hills are steeper than mine? Pictures don't really show it accurately.

That is a good looking tractor you got there though.

 

[Rdrcr]

Thanks for your opinions Rdrcr. I consider an L2501 too, but I was always wondering if I'd like the FEL lever placement. I like my B with it beside me because I run big loaders at work and am used to the controls being close to me. (though now they are no longer joysticks, all fingertip control) But I wasn't sure if I'd like that stanchion mounted control lever. But good to hear it is smooth and well controlled.

The one comment that does concern me though is the drive power up hills. I realize the L is heavier than my B but that is something that is important to me. I carry a lot of material up hills in my yard maintaining my bush road. I've already hauled 330 metric tonne of pit run gravel up my hills with my B and it does it no problem in medium range. It even pulls my 60 inch Land Pride box blade up the hills in medium. Got the rear blade on in these pics.

Not sure if you hills are steeper than mine? Pictures don't really show it accurately.

That is a good looking tractor you got there though.

I too was concerned about the joystick placement comparing it to my B2601 (which is also right by the seat and comfortable to reach). But, the joystick on the L2501 hasn't been an issue and is surprisingly comfortable to use. I moved dirt for over 3 hours yesterday with the tractor. Not once did my arm feel fatigued. I prefer the joystick to be closer, but, the L2501 placement hasn't been an issue.

My L2501 has loaded tires, so it is heavy. I wanted the extra weight for stability on the hills on my property. It has worked out surprisingly well. I was making some turns on the hills yesterday and the tractor didn't feel "tippy" at all. That said, my main hill appears steeper than yours. I'll try to get some pics as an illustration. Although, I'm happy to report that yesterday, I was able to move up and down the hill in medium gear @ 1,800-1900 RPM. Why the change? I had buckets full of dirt, rather than an overloaded bucket full of wet logs. So, the uphill power isn't as bad I as I originally thought.

Definitely a good tractor, pretty much perfect for me. But, it does have it's limitations.

Mike

 

[_RaT_]

I too was concerned about the joystick placement comparing it to my B2601 (which is also right by the seat and comfortable to reach). But, the joystick on the L2501 hasn't been an issue and is surprisingly comfortable to use. I moved dirt for over 3 hours yesterday with the tractor. Not once did my arm feel fatigued. I prefer the joystick to be closer, but, the L2501 placement hasn't been an issue.

My L2501 has loaded tires, so it is heavy. I wanted the extra weight for stability on the hills on my property. It has worked out surprisingly well. I was making some turns on the hills yesterday and the tractor didn't feel "tippy" at all. That said, my main hill appears steeper than yours. I'll try to get some pics as an illustration. Although, I'm happy to report that yesterday, I was able to move up and down the hill in medium gear @ 1,800-1900 RPM. Why the change? I had buckets full of dirt, rather than an overloaded bucket full of wet logs. So, the uphill power isn't as bad I as I originally thought.

Definitely a good tractor, pretty much perfect for me. But, it does have it's limitations.

Mike

The location of the loader control stick aka joystick I think is something you never think about unless there is a reason to think about it. My L3830 HST had it at the loader much like the 2501. The L3940 HST I use has it fixed closer to the seat. Quite frankly I had never given it a second thought. I had to go back and look at my pictures to realize this. I guess I am one of those that is still in awe after thousands of hours with the magic of hydraulic power and perhaps that alone should disqualify me from being objective on this issue. I use excavators with pilot control (finger control) and would find that the ultimate but a luxury I can easily overlook for loader use.

 

[Rdrcr]

I'm definitely happy with this tractor. It has been performing wonderfully over the past couple weeks.

I pulled roughly 20 small stumps from the ground yesterday will just the 54" bucket w/tooth bar. There was only one stump (12 inch diameter) I couldn't get out of the ground yesterday and this particular stump definitely illustrated the limit of the L2501's hydraulic power and traction. However, with a stump bucket and/or some additional digging...I'm confident I can get it out!

It was great working the tractor in this fashion yesterday and I'm happy that the L2501 is capable of completing tasks my B2601 just couldn't do.

Mike

 

[crashz]

ITs a great tractor for sure. Like I told my father, the only thing that would make it better is having two of them!

I love the look of your R14 tires. Let us know how they work out for you.

 

[Rdrcr]

^^^^
Many times agreed!

I have the R14's on both my B2601 and the L2501. I really really like these tires. They have tons of traction in all situations (including snow) and don't destroy the turf (although, they will mark up wet turf...especially in 4wd). I've been very happy with them.

Mike