Should I trade my L2501

[jyoutz]

The PTO on your L2501 HST is rated at 19HP which is a bit underpowered if you're using a 60" brushog. Getting a smaller cutter as mentioned above is one solution and would certainly be cheaper than a new tractor. The minimum track width of the L2501 is 56" though so going smaller may not be the best idea. A lot would depend on how many acres you cut.

The upside if you do trade the 2501 is, you'll likely get most of what you paid in trade. The down side is the prices on new machines have gone way up, assuming you can even find one.

I have two Kubota tractors with regen and I can tell you from experience, it really is a non issue. If you plan on keeping the tractor beyond 3000 hours or so, it might become more of a problem.

The traditional “rule of thumb” has been 5 pto hp for each foot of rotary cutter width. Meaning a 5’ cutter should be used on a tractor with a minimum 25 pto hp. I know that many people do quite well with a 5’ cutter on a L2501, but the OP is finding out that for their use, the rule of thumb is pretty good advice.

 

[Rdrcr]

This is my solution;

This is going on my L2501. We’re expecting 45-50 HP and 28-30 PTO. I’m expecting to have it installed in the next couple months.

Mike

 

[cathy liebchen]

I bought a new Kubota L2501HST in 2018 and use it strictly for bush hogging and a little loader work. I love this little tractor except for one thing. It does not have enough power to bush hog heavy vegetation. For loader work it's great and for light cutting it's ok. I know some will say I need to sharpen the cutter blades, adjust the angle of the cut, not cut so close, etc. I have sharpened the blades, I have adjusted the angle of the cut several times and I have no intention of leaving more than a couple of inches of vegetation behind after I run over it. The sad truth is the little tractor simply does not have enough power to do what I want it to do.
I wanted more power when I bought it but settled for the 25 hp because of the tier 4 emissions crap. Now I am wondering if I made a mistake and am considering trading it in for a L3901. I think the L3301 would be enough but if I take the plunge into the regen engines I'm gonna make sure I'm overpowered rather than underpowered. I often read of regen problems but don't have a good feel for their frequency. I understand that anything mechanical/electronic can experience occasional problems but if regen problems are rare rather than often I can live with it. I would be interested to hear from owners of Kubotas with tier 4 emission controls. Trouble free, occasional trouble or lots of trouble?

It’s a very common situation to see people selling the 2501 after realize by its so limited by low power. That’s why it’s the most common used tractor for sale

 

[cathy liebchen]

This is my solution;
View attachment 736638
This is going on my L2501. We’re expecting 45-50 HP and 28-30 PTO. I’m expecting to have it installed in the next couple months.

Mike

Why not just buy a bigger tractor

 

[Rdrcr]

Why not just buy a bigger tractor

Cost, DPF and a larger tractor won’t fit in my current garage (when the larger garage is built, I may reconsider). Plus, this tractor frame already supports 39HP, 45-50 ain’t much more.

Mike

 

[TBone]

This is my solution;
View attachment 736638
This is going on my L2501. We’re expecting 45-50 HP and 28-30 PTO. I’m expecting to have it installed in the next couple months.

Mike

Mike, I would be very interested in the outcome. Please post your results here. THANKS.

 

[jeff9366]

This is my solution;
View attachment 736638
This is going on my L2501. We’re expecting 45-50 HP and 28-30 PTO. I’m expecting to have it installed in the next couple months.

Mike

The pictured turbocharger is what you HOPE will be a solution.

I have been posting here since 2011. I wish you all the best, but I cannot recall ONE thread where adding a turbo to an engine not specifically set up for a turbo proved successful for the owner.

Get back to us when your solution is installed and you have 50 test hours on the force fed engine.




Mike, I am very interested in the outcome. Please post your results here. THANKS.

Me too.

 

[Rdrcr]

Mike, I would be very interested in the outcome. Please post your results here. THANKS.

Will do!

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

The pictured turbocharger is what you HOPE will be a solution.

I have been posting here since 2011. I wish you all the best but I cannot recall ONE thread where adding a turbo to an engine not specifically set up for a turbo proved successful for the owner.

Get back to us when your solution is installed and you have 50 test hours on the force fed engine.


Mike, I am very interested in the outcome. Please post your results here. THANKS.

Me too.

There’s no ‘hope’ here. The results will ‘prove’ the effectiveness of the turbo and turbo setup.

We already know the tractor frame will support 39HP and the turbo will produce a bit more, for a lot less money.

There are a couple successful L2501 turbo setups that have been running, without issue, for more than 50 hours.

It’s going to be a good project, I just need to find a local PTO dyno so we can verify our results.

Mike

 

[airbiscuit]

You might want to check out the new L3902 . It has some nice upgrades, and you could get R14 tires while you're at it.