SOLD ONE ORANGE TRACTOR AND BOUGHT ANOTHER ONE

[tacticalturnip]

Cx and Lx aren't the same class machine, are they? I would think the Cx was the Bx counter?

The CX is considerably larger than the BX, and a little smaller than the LX.

 

[tradosaurus]

I had a Kubota M4900 2wd manual shift for several years and after downsizing my property I wanted a smaller, 4wd tractor with a FEL. I bought a Kubota L2501HS in 2018. Both were excellent tractors - no significant issues. The only problem I had with the L2501 was a serious lack of PTO horsepower. It struggled a lot pulling and powering a 5' medium duty bush hog in fairly heavy grass. I bought it because it was the perfect size for my property, it was nimble and handled like a dream, and it was a hydrostat. I looked at the other L's (3301 and 3901) but was scared of the regen systems. In hindsight, I wish I had put that aside and bought one of the other tractors. I NEVER regretted the hydrostat and will probably never own anything else.
Anyway, the last time I bush hogged my place was during the severe heat wave of August 2023. I had let the grass get too tall and me and the little Kubota struggled and grunted on every inch it cut. I told my wife I was either going to buy another tractor or sell my little piece of land that I loved. She encouraged me to go tractor shopping (It didn't take much encouragement). I went to the dealer where I bought my L2501 first and looked at the L3902, the newest model. I was always happy with the dealer but it had changed hands a couple of years ago and it had a totally different vibe with the new owners. They seemed to adopt the John Deere sales model that I had experienced when I bought my first Kubota. The dealer down here had the attitude of: There it is, take it or leave it and don't bother me with any questions. We don't sell John Deeres. They sell themselves. Well, I had an old Deere several years ago and I agree they are good tractors but I refuse to buy from someone that acts like they are doing me a favor by selling me their product.
After getting some bad vibes from the new Kubota dealer and rejecting a ridiculously low offer for my trade I went up to a nearby Kioti/Massey Ferguson dealer. I had looked at Kiotis about 20 years ago and was really impressed with them but their short track record and a somewhat limited dealer network concerned me. Well, their dealer network just keeps on growing, their reputation keeps on getting better, regen problems seem to be very rare and most reviews are very positive. My dealer is a few miles away and seem to have a great service department. Their sales folks are real tractor people that really appreciate their customers and work hard to answer questions and concerns.
Long story but conclusion is I am the proud owner of a Kioti CK4020HST. So far I LOVE this tractor and plan on keeping it the rest of my days. The 15 hp increase feels like it has at least twice the power of the L2501. It has the link pedal option which I didn't think I wanted but now find myself using it every day. Front and rear lift capacity on the Kubota was fine but is much higher on the Kioti. Now if I can just get use to the twin forward and reverse pedals that everyone else seems to love. After about 12 hours I'm still missing my treadle pedal.

Congrats. But you should have posted in the Kioti forum.

 

[Templecruiser]

Cx and Lx aren't the same class machine, are they? I would think the Cx was the Bx counter?

The Kioti cs is simular to the bx Kubota. The Cx is bigger then the b2601 but slightly smaller then lx. But has same loader lifting compacity and weighs 600lbs more then the lx.

 

[TBone]

Exactly how much horsepower with the hydrostatic transmission does that tractor make, because waist high weeds and grass ( if it's fairly thick ) seems a bit of a stretch unless you are barely creeping or starting and stopping.

I don't know the PTO hp of his tractor but my L2501HST had 19 PTO horses. The general rule for a rotary cutter is 5 PTO hp for each foot of cutter. I think that's a pretty close estimate for a minimum. Your quote about "barely creeping or starting and stopping" described my situation exactly.

 

[TBone]

Congrats. But you should have posted in the Kioti forum.

Thanks and I actually did double post it. I have been a part of Kubota Owners Forum since 2001 so I guess I was just saying my goodbyes. Who knows, I may come back one day.

 

[JWR]

I don't know the PTO hp of his tractor but my L2501HST had 19 PTO horses. The general rule for a rotary cutter is 5 PTO hp for each foot of cutter. I think that's a pretty close estimate for a minimum.

If you mean my B2150's they are 20.4 hp spec at the PTO. And yes the 5hp per foot of cutter diameter is the common rule of thumb, be that good or bad. In my view the 4 cyl vs 3 cyl helps a lot in practical capacity as does the flexibility of having a 2 speed pto as the B2150's do.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I don't know the PTO hp of his tractor but my L2501HST had 19 PTO horses. The general rule for a rotary cutter is 5 PTO hp for each foot of cutter. I think that's a pretty close estimate for a minimum. Your quote about "barely creeping or starting and stopping" described my situation exactly.

I been tractoring since I was old enough to reach the pedals and being raised on a farm I learned there were times when you needed weight for certain ground engagement jobs such as plowing and harrowing and then there are times when a little more HP is needed such as tall thick mowing jobs and you are 100% correct on the 5 hp per foot of mower being the standard for minimum, I also realize what some people call heavy tall and thick is what others consider just standard and nothing to it.

 

[tradosaurus]

Thanks and I actually did double post it. I have been a part of Kubota Owners Forum since 2001 so I guess I was just saying my goodbyes. Who knows, I may come back one day.

Well, good fortunes. It's sad that Kubota is pricing their compact tractors out of the competition.

When I bought my MX5400 2 yrs ago I was able to use the 20% NHCA discount which competed well against the price of the competitors. After watching many Messicks videos I was already locked in to the Kubota

I'm not sure what I would do if I was wanting to buy a new tractor at this point and with no 20% NCHA.

 

[JWR]

Yep, agree. I have bought several Kubotas between 1993 and now (some for me and some for other family members) and ALL were used. Only 1 of 6 turned out to have any issues worthy of concern. However, these high prices for new machines obviously affect the used market and creep into every pocketbook. My philosophy is that any tractor I buy (was; at my age now I can't claim a 20 year life expectancy any more...) is going to be a 20+ year consideration and high purchase price gets evaluated alongside other factors like reliability, support, dealer access, etc. Kubota earned their reputation. Maybe the cheaper competitors will too but they have a ways to go...

 

[Rdkng07]

I bought a new B2601 in 2018. The fit, finish, and smooth controls were top notch. It had just enough power for the bush cutting and wood chipping I do, but unfortunately the loader couldn't lift much. The treadle pedal seems to be a problem for some and I guess I'm no different, hated it. After 200 hours or so I bought a CX2510. I feel the fit and finish was better on the B2601, and the controls and hydro were smoother as well. The B2601 also had 3 ranges and split brakes (I miss these items the most). IMO, the Kubota is just a nicer tractor.

But, there are things the CX offers that I like. It lifts more, it's heavier, the pedals are the same as my JD X758, and the engine has noticeably more torque. Someone said it's larger than the B2601 but I'm not sure, setting side by side in my garage they looked about the same. Same wheel/tire size, the CX may be a tad longer though. I also like where the gas fill is better on the CX, but you have to clutch to start and run the PTO, and the brake pedal is on the right side (dumb).

In the future I'll be looking for a larger utility tractor with gear drive. My first choice will be Kubota because I like the product and the company. I'd also pay more for the Kubota because I think you're getting something for the extra cost. However, if the cost difference is too much I'll shop Kioti, MF, TYM or whatever. I look for what I feel is the best value for my dollar, and buying a reputable brand like Kubota is worth paying more up to a point.