New L2501 seems really loud! Suggestions?

[ProjectKing]

It sounds like youve already made up your mind.

Just a lot of money for less noise.

 

[TomSeller]

Well I have the opportunity to trade up to a L3301. So what's ya'lls opinion.... spend another $3,000 and get a L3301 which is quieter or keep the L2501?

If I keep the L2501 I will have to do something with the exhaust. Possibly install a L3830 muffler.

The other issue is the L2501 really stinks... smells like a Ford diesel truck if you are familiar with those. Blah. Not sure if that will go away after it breaks in or not. When running at night you can see a fog of exhaust going past the headlights.

What would you do?

I would look at a different muffler if that solves the dB issue rather than going and getting a different tractor which could have its own "concerns". Gotta learn to like the smell of diesel

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Well I have the opportunity to trade up to a L3301. So what's ya'lls opinion.... spend another $3,000 and get a L3301 which is quieter or keep the L2501?

If I keep the L2501 I will have to do something with the exhaust. Possibly install a L3830 muffler.

The other issue is the L2501 really stinks... smells like a Ford diesel truck if you are familiar with those. Blah. Not sure if that will go away after it breaks in or not. When running at night you can see a fog of exhaust going past the headlights.

What would you do?

My question for you would be do you need more tractor? If so why? Is the 3301 a big enough step up is you do need more tractor? If you are not happy with your tractor and want a newer and nicer tractor I say go for it if it makes you happier, if you need a bigger tractor I would jump bigger, nobody said there tractor is too big lol, well I guess if you want to mow your yard with a duelly 150hp tractor, That might be a bit excessive lol.

 

[Gem99ultra]

Well I just got a new L2501 with front loader and backhoe. The engine seems really loud! The exhaust has a metallic rattle sound to it. My L3830 is much quieter sounding.

Using a dosimeter app on my phone I measured around 92 db at 1700 RPM. My L3830 is running around 90 db. The L2501 has a harsh exhaust note like a hammer hitting an anvil.

I'm curious if anyone else thinks their L2501, L3301, or L3901 is loud. I'm planning to drive another L2501 at dealer when I head down
there.

One thing to note. The tractor has off-road diesel in it. Not sure if that would make it run louder or not.

I've attached a pic of my two Kubota since we all like pics!

View attachment 489470

I'm a certified Shade Tree Mechanic... and I am certain that the noise level of the tractor in the YouTube video is WAY louder than it should be. To me, it sounds like an exhaust manifold leak. I'd check that possibility first. If not that, I'd be having the dealer investigate it.

 

[s219]

I'd only go with a 3301 if you are ready/willing to accept the Tier IV Final claptrap. While the 3301/3901 haven't had as many issues as other models with DPF, I'd still avoid them if I had the choice. There's a reason the 2501 is so appealing and sells so well.

Edit to add: while the 3301 sounds a lot quieter in the video, I don't think the 2501 video sounds abnormally loud. It sounds like my L3200 and L3800 models I have driven, which sounded like the previous L2800/3400 models. I think this is just a matter of the 3301's more restrictive exhaust plumbing acting like more muffler.

I'd be tempted to look into re-routing the exhaust exit on the L2501 or changing to a bigger muffler. Before doing that, try to determine how much of the noise is exhaust noise versus general engine noise. Exhaust noise will pretty much be focused on what comes out the tailpipe.

 

[ProjectKing]

I'm a certified Shade Tree Mechanic... and I am certain that the noise level of the tractor in the YouTube video is WAY louder than it should be. To me, it sounds like an exhaust manifold leak. I'd check that possibility first. If not that, I'd be having the dealer investigate it.

Yeah I agree. It sounds way too loud.

I've run a lot of Kubota Diesels and this little bugger is by far the loudest. I fired it up this morning.... pumps out that sickening Diesel smell (no other Kubota I have run makes that smell) and is loud as H3LL!

It's getting loaded back on trailer this afternoon and headed back to dealer. Going to get the L3301.

 

[ProjectKing]

I'd only go with a 3301 if you are ready/willing to accept the Tier IV Final claptrap. While the 3301/3901 haven't had as many issues as other models with DPF, I'd still avoid them if I had the choice. There's a reason the 2501 is so appealing and sells so well.

Edit to add: while the 3301 sounds a lot quieter in the video, I don't think the 2501 video sounds abnormally loud. It sounds like my L3200 and L3800 models I have driven, which sounded like the previous L2800/3400 models. I think this is just a matter of the 3301's more restrictive exhaust plumbing acting like more muffler.

I'd be tempted to look into re-routing the exhaust exit on the L2501 or changing to a bigger muffler. Before doing that, try to determine how much of the noise is exhaust noise versus general engine noise. Exhaust noise will pretty much be focused on what comes out the tailpipe.

When you were driving your tractors did it seem like it was loud enough that you were damaging your hearing? Also what did the exhaust smell like? Mine smells just like a Ford 7.3 Diesel. That sickly rich burned diesel smell. Not the more normal smell from a Cummins or Kubota engine

 

[BCrouse]

I'd only go with a 3301 if you are ready/willing to accept the Tier IV Final claptrap. While the 3301/3901 haven't had as many issues as other models with DPF, I'd still avoid them if I had the choice. There's a reason the 2501 is so appealing and sells so well.

Unlike the diesel truck industry, it seems the lag in Ag regs has learned from the motor vehicle's failures. The diesel trucks have finally started to be "better" again, but it took some failure because they tried to bolt fixes onto existing drivetrains rather than starting from a fresh idea.

It appears Kubota started fresh and it seems to have paid off. To date, I have not heard of any DPF/Emissions related issues on the L-series and larger tractors.

At this point i believe its a "fear of change" issue that drives 2501 sales.

 

[ProjectKing]

Well it's loaded up and ready to head back to dealership. Thank you for everyone's help and advice on my new tractor. I hate to return it but I can't deal with the noise and diesel smell. Hopefully the L3301 will be much better.

 

[ProjectKing]

Unlike the diesel truck industry, it seems the lag in Ag regs has learned from the motor vehicle's failures. The diesel trucks have finally started to be "better" again, but it took some failure because they tried to bolt fixes onto existing drivetrains rather than starting from a fresh idea.

It appears Kubota started fresh and it seems to have paid off. To date, I have not heard of any DPF/Emissions related issues on the L-series and larger tractors.

At this point i believe its a "fear of change" issue that drives 2501 sales.

I think this is very true.

We shall see how the L3301 does for me. I have well over 1,.200 hours operating Kubota equipment. I have high expectations and have always been pleased with Kubota engines and machinery. The L2501 is my first disappointment.

 

[California]

For anybody else troubled by that 'hammer on anvil' clank - I found adding Power Service to the fuel tamed it some on my 70's design Yanmar YM240 (2 cylinder, 24hp) where that racket is unbearable. I think it's related to insufficient Cetane level in the fuel and a Cetane improver makes more of a slow burn rather than instantaneous explosion.

Putting my hand over the exhaust confirmed what I expected, covering the exhaust didn't make any difference in the racket because that clatter comes from inside the engine. And it gets louder under load and at low rpm so it's combustion related, not like valve lash or something. I describe it as like some idiots hammering on a manhole cover with sledges, its that loud. I always wear headphone-style hearing protection on that tractor, I'm sure the sharpness of that racket is harmful.

 

[s219]

Unlike the diesel truck industry, it seems the lag in Ag regs has learned from the motor vehicle's failures. The diesel trucks have finally started to be "better" again, but it took some failure because they tried to bolt fixes onto existing drivetrains rather than starting from a fresh idea.

It appears Kubota started fresh and it seems to have paid off. To date, I have not heard of any DPF/Emissions related issues on the L-series and larger tractors.

At this point i believe its a "fear of change" issue that drives 2501 sales.

Just spend some time reading this site and there are plenty of issues with DPF-equipped Kubotas, ranging from minor to severe. I think their first generation of Tier IV Final products definitely have had growing pains. The worst, by far, seems to have been the B3350. I haven't heard of too many issues with the L series, but there definitely have been some. The part I don't like are the regen cycles -- they would put a major cramp in the way I use my tractor.

I think what drives L2501 sales, apart from the desire to avoid the more complex emissions and deal with regen cycles, is the fact that you're getting a tractor that is a lot more capable than it seems, and the price is right. They have been extremely popular at my local dealers.

 

[ProjectKing]

Well I got my new L3301! 1000% better than the L2501 when it comes to noise and exhaust smell. Love the thing already! Also switched to the R4 tires.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Well I got my new L3301! 1000% better than the L2501 when it comes to noise and exhaust smell. Love the thing already! Also switched to the R4 tires.

View attachment 491005

Good to hear, that's what upgrades are all about. did you add the tooth bar? Or was it a factory option?

 

[ProjectKing]

Good to hear, that's what upgrades are all about. did you add the tooth bar? Or was it a factory option?

Yeah I really like the L3301 so far. Of course I just hauled it home a couple hours ago. But I had driven at dealer.

The tooth bar is a Piranha from BXPanded. I have one on my L3830 72" bucket as well. I installed both of them. Eventually I will make a video about it. They improve digging ability of loader by 100%!

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

Yeah I really like the L3301 so far. Of course I just hauled it home a couple hours ago. But I had driven at dealer.

The tooth bar is a Piranha from BXPanded. I have one on my L3830 72" bucket as well. I installed both of them. Eventually I will make a video about it. They improve digging ability of loader by 100%!

View attachment 491006

That tooth bar looks sick!

I have heard a ton of talk about the piranha lately.

I wonder if the mounting holes on the side need drilled or come standard. I'm not too familiar with Kubota buckets, my bucket has the holes along the cutting edge.

 

[ProjectKing]

That tooth bar looks sick!

I have heard a ton of talk about the piranha lately.

I wonder if the mounting holes on the side need drilled or come standard. I'm not too familiar with Kubota buckets, my bucket has the holes along the cutting edge.

The bucket has to be drilled. It's not bad at all. I use a hole saw. I'll attach a few pics.

The toothbar works great. It's similar to a serrated knife. Cuts into dirt like butter and makes the loader much easier to control. Also it works great when ripping out saplings and brush. The teeth bites and rips saplings out by roots. It also works well when back dragging. Many toothbars don't work well when back dragging.

 

[Fallon]

I got a piranha on my new L4060. It looks nice & beefy. Only put 1 hour on it so far to find a loader hydraulic issue, so I have yet to actually grab a scoop of anything with it. I like how it reinforces the bucket lip as well.

My previous L3200 was a bit anemic in any digging or scraping with the stock smooth bucket.

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

The bucket has to be drilled. It's not bad at all. I use a hole saw. I'll attach a few pics.

The toothbar works great. It's similar to a serrated knife. Cuts into dirt like butter and makes the loader much easier to control. Also it works great when ripping out saplings and brush. The teeth bites and rips saplings out by roots. It also works well when back dragging. Many toothbars don't work well when back dragging.

View attachment 491011View attachment 491012View attachment 491013View attachment 491017

May I ask what that set you back? How much does it weigh? And is it 100% steel?

 

[jeff9366]

At this point i believe its a "fear of change" issue that drives 2501 sales.

Yes.

But more PRICE, weight/track and the appeal of simplicity.