I looked at this tractor. It left A LOT to be desired for the price. I wasn't impressed and I always said I'd buy a Kubota one day. Wasn't the case afterall. I bought the Mahindra 1626 and I'm glad I did. Mahindra owns 33% of Mitsubishi so I don't see that contract running out. After 1 year, 460 hours, I haven't needed any parts or service yet.
I have 3 friends here in my area that all have the Mahindra. They all love them. I really liked the looks of them when I was shopping around. they have a better seat than the Kubota, tilt steering wheel, and a flat operators platform. All of which I liked. I have a fellow you tuber friend up in Canada that owns a Mahindra and loves it, RCAFpolarexpress. Check out his channel and his tractor. Here in Iowa, we have 2 Mahindra dealers that cover the eastern part of the state. they face a tough battle to get a toe hold into the market place here as the other companies, mainly Deere, have such a hold on the market. Thanks for watching and commenting. Good luck with your tractor. It definitely sees some use as I got my Kubota L2501 in December of 2017 and it has 250 hours on it. Your tractor definitely gets used. I would love to see some videos of you working your tractor. Perhaps a review as well. Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully we will see you for the next one.
Thanks for your information on this video. Im going to buy mine next week. Been looking at tractor's for 6 weeks now. I also keep going back to this one. Its a done deal for me. Same on about every thing you said also.
Great now I need to rethink my tractor purchase! I had narrowed down my search to the l2501 with the industrial tires, thought that was the best tire for my use but now based on what you said im reconsidering the ag tires. My use will be dirt work, building a driveway, building trails in the woods, digging a small pond around a spring, moving snow. With the occasional brush hogging. So far I can’t get a dealer to even give me an estimate how long it would take to get a tractor if I order one. Thanks for the video!
Hi Gary! Great review! I think you covered it well. When I was shopping for a tractor, it came down to Kubota and John Deere simply due to the number of dealerships of each within an hour’s drive. The JDs did have some nice features, but just looking at the build quality such as the thickness of steel used in the loaders, I felt the Kubota tractors seemed more rugged. I’ve never regretted getting my L3901. It’s been a real work horse. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching Martin. John Deere lost me when they wanted to charge me $175 for a drawbar. I was buying a tractor. I kind of think that I would be using a drawbar quite a bit. Good tractors. Love the dealers. I buy about $100 worth of stuff every year from my local JD dealers. I don't get both feet inside the door before I am greeted by someone there with a "Hi Gary". That means a lot.
Thank you for your video Gary I'm about the same age and looking to purchase my first new tractor. I've been using my 1954 TO30 Ferguson and have been looking at tons of tractors and models and have settled I believe on the L2501. I also have been watching other videos around u-tube as well. I will be adding a backhoe to my purchase and will be using many of the same 60" implements I've been using including a tiller. Again Thanks
Their name is out there now. Anyone who knows tractors knows someone who has a Kubota. I own 3 Kubotas. Very happy with all of them. Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the excellent video Gary! I am about 2 weeks into my search for a tractor to manage 10 acres, 1/2 wooded and 1/2 knee high pasture. I have it narrowed down to the Kabota, New Holland, and John Deere. I really like the hydrostat trans and am not a fan of the treadle pedal, but gotta live with the good and bad. Thanks again for the video. I have watched a lot of them and yours is one of the better ones.
Another good video! You are exactly right about the decision making when it comes to gear drive or hydrostatic and r4 or industrial tires. Depends on your application as they say.
Great video! I too bought a 2501 manual shift! Got it new cause I could t find anything decent for under 10k used so I figured might as well spend more money on new and get the warrantee! Had the tractor for 6 years and worked as it should. I sort of outgrew it due to needs changing somewhat! Many times I needed more hp and a hydrostat with the work I was performing! I traded in my 2501 on a 3902 hydro model ! Never looked back!
Happy for you. Glad you liked your tractor so well. Mine has been nothing other than a real joy to have around. Don’t know how I ever got by without it. Thanks for watching Mark. I hope you will check out my other videos
We used to have a TYM dealer about an hour away. That didn't last only a couple months and he was gone. We had a Branson dealer about an hour from here several years ago. He too is gone now. I think they are all good tractors. I wouldn't mind having any of them.
I have an L2501 myself and found your video to be nice. Personally I like the toggle foot pedal on the HST and purchased the hydrostatic which has 3 ranges L M H, John Deere only has 2 ranges H L. The tractor handles a 60 inch brush hog just fine. It also handles a wood chipper fine as well so long as you get one that is made for the appropriate HP rating. In fact I will be getting a tiller as well. One may need to run in low for some of the implements, but that is what low range is for. My favorite implement on my tractor is a grapple of which I needed a 3rd function valve. It's amazing once one gets a tractor how much they can do with it in so little time. BTW I am in my early 70's. I just acquired a farm a few years ago and have had my tractor a couple of years. Nice video, I like the power of orange myself over the JD. And they are the only two worth buying if you are thinking service, parts or resale.
I agree 100% with your comments on green and orange for resale, service and parts. However, my preference is orange because of what JD did with their software and equipment preventing farmers from servicing their own equipment. I say piss on green for that reason alone. It sad and anti American. Plus kubota makes an excellent product.
I just got my L2501 and like you I went with the manual not the hydro. I didn't like that pedal either. I have been running around here doing everything with a 1950 8N for about 24 years. I had been planing on a new kubota when i retired but was a couple years late getting it. Like your wife, mine said we are in good shape get it. so i did but I got a backhoe on it too. I went with the R14 tires as I use it across the lawn some as my 8N tears it up with ag tires. I had it out in the muddy slop and remaining snow in central NY today and it gets around as good as the N and then some.
Upgraded from a 2018 MF GC1705 with 200 hours to a 2021 L2501HST, 3rd function, new style R14 tires this spring - $21,600 OTD with NC non-farm retail tax. Glad I bought Kubota. Looked at every other brand, didn’t want regen or def crap. Actually liked the Bobcat CT2025 hydro branded Kioti as a second option.
How's she goin'? First off I have to say I'm a Massey Ferguson guy!!! OK now that is out of the way!!! LOL I think Kubota is a great tractor. Kubota and John Deere are neck and neck I think with their marketing. Massey Ferguson could do well to take a cue from either Kubota or John Deere to get their equipment more in the consumers eye!! The point you make about parts availability over the long run is very important. Kubota are solid heavy duty, no nonsense machines and I believe the parts will be available for a good long time. Kubota service is second to none so you have a good tractor!!! Thanks for sharing and take care!!
I am all things tractors Mike. I would have been happy with any brand, I am sure. I have been a John Deere guy my whole life. The tipping point for me was when I saw the $175 charge for a drawbar... on a tractor!!! See you later John Deere. Masseys are great tractors and have a very long history. One with many innovations to the industry. It wasn't an easy choice for me to make, but one that I did end up making. Almost came down to the flip of a coin or rock, paper, scissors. Thanks for watching Mike.BTW, I love the color of the Masseys. Very Sharp.
My money HST. Love it, it will break loose the tires well before it bogs down. L3901 would be a GT due to dual clutch best of both worlds. Good dealer.
I have the same tractor i had to actually order the manual trans. I actually use it for a business i pull a 6’ brushog with no problem i love it. And i get into thick stuff so don’t believe the dealership. For snow i use an angle blade
Mine has done exceptionally well. I did a couple videos recently where I am mowing some really super thick brush. Not grass, brush. I mow in low and have to dump the clutch when the going gets to be too much. So far, in 2 days of some pretty steady mowing, I only sheared 2 pins. I think that is remarkable. Is your L2501 gear drive or hydrostatic?
I bought my Kubota for many of the same reasons. Now 3 years/400 hrs later and I had 2 hydraulic lines needed tightened. So far that’s it for “repairs.” I’m always so surprised at the negativity towards the treadle pedal. The totally natural movement of the foot/ankle is a no brainer to me. The motion is very much like walking. I have a 33 year old Gravely that has a forward/reverse pedal and it is so easy to operate just like my Kubota. Anyway, if someone is looking for a tractor and is not familiar with the evil treadle pedal, take a few test drives on one and most will say huh, that’s pretty easy! Of course there’s always the few that no matter what….☹️ lol Just my .02 worth.
Even though I don't particularly like the treadle pedal on my Kubota GR2120, I do have to admit that I get along fine with it. I think most of it is after running John Deeres for so many years, it is a force of habit. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 I totally understand. I grew up driving standard shift trucks so many years, I still drive automatics with both feet. Not supposed to they tell me but I don’t think I can change my ways!
I have a Mahindra ordered and hope it works well. Also really liked everything about Kubota tractors except the price and the aluminum rear end. Lots of compacts are built like a regular tractor but Kubota is a tractor. Strictly quality wise Kubota is top of the line. Nice video. After 6 months of use would like to know how it’s going. I went shuttle shift too. Old man so I went old school on last tractor. 😆
I have several friends that have Mahindras. I have heard the horror stories on the internet about Mahindras. None of my friends have had any issues ever. We have a really good dealer in the area too. I really liked the looks of them when I first looked at them and I still do. I have another video that you should check out. It is “What Is The Worlds Best Tractor” There is something in there that you will enjoy. Thanks for watching and commenting. I’d like to hear more about your Mahindras.i
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 Yes Sir- I will try and let you know when(if) I get it. Ordered May 12th and still waiting for a build date. Aside from getting parts the other issue is service after the sale. Really skeptical about buying from a company that mainly sell RVs Used Cars, Farm Supply Retailers (RK) or Lawn Equipment Dealers Went to a tractor dealer and the salesman told me they wouldn’t carry their compact tractor because of huge quality problems ??!?? That’s why they started carrying Kioti. What dealer says their small compact versions are junk?? Lastly I was amazed how little knowledge most salesman know about the product. I started talking about things like engine displacement and the guys eyes glazed over...lol. And I have zero interest being told that if I need something fixed they will take it to a “guy” that has a garage. 😂 Have you had to regenerate yet? Would love you to do a follow up video discussing some of these issues we are talking about. Thanks Again.
@@davelarman2151 , the L2501 that I have comes in under the tier 4 federal emmisions requirements. Therefore, there is never any regen issues to deal with. That was a big part of my decision
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 Sorry I got confused about which size you got. I am going to go look at the video you suggested. My favorite part of your video is how you reasoned your way thru the process. I will let you know how I do. Thanks.
I have a L-2501 I bought August 2018 and the rear is not Aluminum like the John Deere Only 2 more years and its paid off 3 years down and paid No regrets
I'll never get the hate for the treddle pedal. I love it. I find it incredibly easy to use and fast for loader work. A friend of mine has a different brand tractor with the two pedals. He has a point in that I cannot easily use my individual brakes. Then again, he has also put his bucket through his garage wall - twice. Does Kubota use a similar pedal setup to a truck? His are in reverse and this was the issue. I was in the same boat as you. Back and forth from John Deere and Kubota. I went with the Kubota because of the dealership. I am 350 hours in and haven't had an issue with it. Another friend of mine bought a Mahindra and it has been in the shop four times so far. A total of two months in total. Five cylinders and three hoses have broken on it so far... his dealership was good about it but have since told him to stop calling and not to come back.
I have a Kubota GR2120 diesel mower with a 54 in. deck. It has the treadle pedal and I get along fine with it. Use my L2501 down in the woods in very steep conditions and I was afraid that in a panic situation, I would be stomping on the forward control instead of the brake. I know me and that sounds just like something that I would do. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I went to a local farm store and bought a Stanley. It is plastic and cheap but holds pretty much all the hand tools I need to carry. Much better than the O.E.M.tool box.
I got them from "Ken's Bolt On Hooks". You can find him on line. They are first class. He sells other products too. I did a video earlier of my "best buys" and featured his chain hooks in that video. I have them on several chains. Give him a look and tell him that "Tractor Talk With Gary" says hi. Thanks for watching.
They are from "Ken's Bolt On Hooks". You can find him online. You can buy cheaper ones, but you can't buy better ones. I also have his chain hooks that close on the chain and do not allow the chain to come unhooked. I did an earlier video where I rated those a Best Buy. Thanks for watching.
It seems that the Deeres are marketed more to be used as a big lawn tractor and weight would be an issue. They are really good tractors, no doubt. Every one's uses and needs will be different. I am all things tractors. I like them all. Thanks for watching and welcome to the channel.
Hi Gary - have you ever had an issue with the power output? Also, do you believe the DT puts more power to the ground than the HST? Currently looking at the L2501 but not sure it has enough power for my applications (pulling logs, stumps, etc.) Please let me know.
Hi DJ. Neal from Messicks did a comparison video of the Dt pulling compared to the hydrostatic. The gear drive put the hydro to shame. Badly. Mine has impressed me with what it is capable of. Because of the tight places that I have to get it into, I needed something more than a BX series but with enough weight and power to pull logs and tops uphill. Mine has done amazingly well. I think that you will find that you will run out of traction before you run out of power. In the lower range 4wd, these are a little stump puller. I hope to be doing a video here shortly of the L2501 working in the woods. It may be a couple weeks out so please stay tuned.
Hi Gary, you had mentioned upgrading the seat eventually. Do you have a line on a direct bolt on, upgraded seat.....hopefully with armrests? I haven't been able to find one for my L2501.
Check out a fellow you tuber and a friend of mine. His channel is called "Mama Country Outdoors. He does a video where he replaced his seat. He has the twin to my L2501, gear drive with the ag tires. Hope that helps you.
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 Thanks for the info. Took me a minute to find it, searching for Mama :-) but I found it eventually. Going to order that seat right now.
ALL 4 MADE IN JAPAN / THEY ARE ASSEMABLE OVER IN USA THE FIRST ONE I BOUGHT WAS 2001 > KUBOTA TRACTOR B7500 4X4 SECOND ONE I BOUGHT WAS KUBOTA LOADER TRACTOR > > > > GEAR DRIVE TRANMISSON / R 4 TIRES / 4X4 / AN MORE ! * IMPLEMENT IS MY BALLAST / NO SINCE BUYING BALLAST BOX WASTE OF MONEY ! LAST YEAR OF 2020 FIRST YEAR I HAVE TO REPAIR MY B 7500 !
I can but I choose to leave my loader on. I feel safer with it on. I will be doing a video in the upcoming weeks showing m mowing my pasture. Much of it is seriously steep. I mow in low with the loader down low to be as stable as possible. Also, having the wheels set out, the wheel spacers added, and the rears filled with fluid goes me about every advantage that I can have. Having the right hand grab handle that I recently added ( see my latest video,"We Have To Get A HandleOn This") Thanks for watching.
i love my 2501, but sometimes i feel like im going slower than i should, which gears do you use for such as back dragging or using box blade. Thanks in advance :) the 4WD seems to be low geared, and tons of pulling power.
I use low 2nd or 3rd for rough conditions or heavy pulling. Low 4th for lighter conditions and good straight going. The faster you go , the more damage can occur if you catch on something. I try not to get too carried away and go a little more on the easy side for my tractors and implements. Thanks for watching and commenting.
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 thanks i stay between 2nd and 3rd and if im doing heavy bucket or grapple work i use 1st, i was just making sure cause in low you are in LOWWWW... and you watch enough these videos it seems like dang they are hauling tail, am i doing it wrong lol. must be the HST models that look that fast.
That is a question that you may want to consult with your dealer on. I have only folded mine down twice and don't plan on doing it again. I will use another tractor to do what I need done in the low clearance buildings. But as a guess, I am going to guess about 6'3".
I don,t show putting it on but you can see it in some of my videos. It is a plastic Stanley tool box that I bought at a local farm store. Makes for a lot better storage than the little factory one. Thanks for watching. Hope to see you for other videos. Please feel free to like and subscribe if you haven’t already.
I think that it handles it fine. I think that Kubota specs their equipment very conservatively. We have 4 Kubota dealers within an hours drive of me. One of the dealers told me that he puts 72 in. buckets on all of the L series, being the L2501 through the L3901. He doesn't like the L3301's. He said they were the only ones that hey have ever had any problems with so he only sells the L2501 and the L3901. Thanks for watching Matt.
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 thank you for the reply I'm seriously contemplating trading my original bucket for a 72 just waiting to find the right deal though
@@tractortalkwithgary1271 Great video Just rewatched already liked and subscribed. I just got a L3301 hope don’t see the problems your dealer saw. I know the 3350 was bad. Would the wheel spacers and widest r1 spacing still fit within a 60” bucket? Considering both for hills here and read your comment on another video about using both spacers and widest setting. Thanks again
@@HawaiiSustainable , you will notice in my other videos, whenever you get to look at the back end of the tractor, that the wheels now stick out quite a bit beyond the fenders. Thanks for watch ing and for subscribing. Welcome aboard.
YOUNG MAN , GEAR DRIVE TRANMISSON , IS THE BEST , OUT PULL AND HAVE MORE POWER THAN " H S T PLUS HST WILL WHINE ALL DAY LONG , MORE U USE HST MORE WHINE AND GET LOUDER TOO
