Questions on L2501 model

[mdietz39]

Hello,
I am thinking of buying L2501 model and I have a couple of questions.
1: How has the service/upkeep on this model been say over five years? Type of repairs, down time, etc.
2: My primary usage of the tractor will be to remove snow from our drive and access road. It is a combined 3/4 mile to the closest point plowed by the county. We get around three to four feet a year, mostly in 5 to 6 inch storms. We have had as high as a 22 inch in the past and an 11 inch this year but that is unusual. I would be using either a five foot or maybe buying a six foot blade on the three point hitch. Does anybody see any problems with this. I have used an old Ford tractor (60 year old) but it has given up the ghost.
3: Since the machine will be stored outside how effective is a block heater on it. The old Ford was gas driven, this would be diesel.
4: I will also use it to dig a few post holes and move some dirt to fill in the **** gopher holes.

Thank you for any answers, suggestions, or advice.
Michael Dietz
mdietz@wildblue.net

 

[G31]

It's a new model, so no one will be able to tell you about a 5-year trend. A really large dealer here says it will do anything the 3301 will, but with less PTO horsepower. I guess it means you can't run as big of a brush cutter or tiller, but can do the ground engaging activities you need without trouble. It has the same loader as the larger units, so hydraulic output must be decent.

 

[s219]

The L2501 is brand new for 2015, so there is no historical data really. But it's very similar to the previous L3200/3800 models, so that may give you some guidance. They have been pretty solid tractors from what I have read on here, with very few problems except a bouncy 3-pt hitch (which is supposedly fixed on the new 2501/3301/3901 models).

Knowing how my L3200 performs, I personally would not want to have 7 less HP (if anything, I'd want 7 more HP). So for my uses, I think the L2501 would be underpowered. Based on your snow removal description, I'd probably want an L3301 or L3901 if I was in your shoes (or if you can find an older L3200/L3800, even better).

Good luck!

 

[G31]

For the snow, you will have no problem. Sounds like the storms I've plowed with my BX, and I had no problems. I did up to 18" with my loader and rear blade with ease. My friend uses his Ford 9N to remove snow from a long, hilly driveway (1/4 mile), and it has less engine HP. The weight makes up for it.