Tractor Thoughts

rockcity said:
The 2501, 3301, and 3901 all use the la525 FEL. So while the 3301 and 3901 may have some more HP, the FEL is identical between all 3 models, so you won’t be able to pick up anymore lifting capacity with the 3301 or the 3901. They all 3 have the exact same hydraulic pump and cylinders and relief valves, so lift capacity is identical between all 3 models. The extra HP really shines with the PTO output. So, unless you are running a rear attachment that requires more PTO HP, the 2501 will probably do everything the 3901 with less impact to the wallet.
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That's what I'm thinking. I'll be bush hogging roads and fire breaks but main uses would be fel.
 
rockcity said:
I also have the Kubota L2501 HST that I use on my 8 acres. The newest model is now the L2502 but mostly the same tractor, just a few additional things, like led headlights.

I have the FEL and the BH77 with mine, R14 tires and rear filled. Also have the quick attach option for the FEL so I can switch out attachments quickly. It’s the same as a standard skid steer quick attach, so attachment options are unlimited. I also have the 3rd function for the grapple or any other low flow hydraulic attachment for the FEL.

If you are doing mostly loader work, tbat HST is a life saver! Super quick and responsive. Highly recommended.

It’s a small and affordable tractor and it really performs beyond what I ever expected. I think they may still be doing the 0% financing thing too. They require the Kubota tractor insurance if you finance. I think it’s about $800 total for the life of the loan, and I think it’s well worth it. Covers all kinds of mishaps. Bent cylinders from operator error, or busted grill and lights from trees and branches, etc. I just used it last month to replace my headlight, hood, grill, and a few other misc items; almost $4k in parts and labor, paid the $200 deductible and like brand new. :)

I went with the l2501 over the 3301 because the 2501 didn’t have def where the others did. Probably not a huge deal but it was 1 less thing I wanted to worry with on a tractor. The 3301 is the same size and engine, just rated a little higher HP for the PTO. I’ve had mine a couple years and have yet to use the PTO, so no big deal. FEL on both are the same, so no less capacity with the 2501 versus the 3301.

I did get a box blade with it but I got lazy and didn’t want to take the back hoe off to use it every time, so I picked up an old 2n tractor just for scraping the driveway and it also does surprisingly well with the 6” PTO chipper.

Some guys are selling low hour 2501 tractors because they realized they wanted bigger, so may could find one for reasonable.
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Sounds like I need to look into a 2501. I already have the 8n bastard so maybe need to look for one with a hoe. I'm probably 6 months to a year before I pull the trigger IF all goes well. This is nice of them to put these package prices out there but none have the hoe.

KUBOTA L2501 - NEW TRACTOR PURCHASE SPECIAL OFFER

www.kubotausa.com www.kubotausa.com

Also why does the 2501 not have def? is it the hp? I know after dealing with emission crap on our trucks I do not want one wit emissions. I guess I should go talk to a dealer.
 
ghost said:
Sounds like I need to look into a 2501. I already have the 8n bastard so maybe need to look for one with a hoe. I'm probably 6 months to a year before I pull the trigger IF all goes well. This is nice of them to put these package prices out there but none have the hoe.

KUBOTA L2501 - NEW TRACTOR PURCHASE SPECIAL OFFER

www.kubotausa.com www.kubotausa.com

Also why does the 2501 not have def? is it the hp? I know after dealing with emission crap on our trucks I do not want one wit emissions. I guess I should go talk to a dealer.
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Yes, under 26hp currently does not require dpf.
 
ghost said:
Sounds like I need to look into a 2501. I already have the 8n bastard so maybe need to look for one with a hoe. I'm probably 6 months to a year before I pull the trigger IF all goes well. This is nice of them to put these package prices out there but none have the hoe.

KUBOTA L2501 - NEW TRACTOR PURCHASE SPECIAL OFFER

www.kubotausa.com www.kubotausa.com

Also why does the 2501 not have def? is it the hp? I know after dealing with emission crap on our trucks I do not want one wit emissions. I guess I should go talk to a dealer.
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Oh, and the backhoe is $9k. Sales guy said just go rent a mini ex when you need one.
 
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LBarr2002 said:
Oh, and the backhoe is $9k. Sales guy said just go rest a mini ex when you need one.
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See I'd likely look at buying one over the tractor. IDK what is best for me yet. I've rented one 3 or 4 times this year and at $500 each time it's starting to look like IF I can swing it I need to look at options.
 
ghost said:
See I'd likely look at buying one over the tractor. IDK what is best for me yet. I've rented one 3 or 4 times this year and at $500 each time it's starting to look like IF I can swing it I need to look at options.
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There was a backhoe attachment on FB marketplace a week ago listed for $4k that sold quick.
 
In regard to a BH I opted to not spend the coin and a couple times I’ve needed one I’ve rented one or just paid Jose to come do an afternoon of work. Way cheaper than the $9k price tag and I don’t have to deal with hooking/ unhooking it and the full undercarriage. I have been thinking about finding a bobcat type BH and figuring out a hyd tank and pump to run off the PTO and the 3 pt hitch (Pipe dream I’m sure)
 
Wilson's sell a model that is the same color as the Kubota brand but stronger. Some people get bent out of shape using off brands but I've been nothing but impressed with mine. The hoe attachment for mine (4-ish years ago) was around $5k.
 
I really weighed my options with buying a BH. I hate renting stuff and I always know having a tool or equipment means not worrying with it.

If I had to rent something every time I used my BH, I probably would have spent twice the cost of the BH. Yes it’s not cheap. But it’s there when needed and I don’t have to wait to for enough projects to pile up to make renting worthwhile.

Just this week (and today), I’m running 800’ of 2” conduit, 40” deep. For the cost of what it would have been if I hired someone to do this for me, I’ve paid for the BH on just this one job. I could rent something but I would have had to rent it for a week because I’m working solo and the soil in eastern NC is wet and sandy, which means a 40” deep trench is unstable and caves in quickly, so I have to dig 20’, install conduit, then backfill, and repeat for the entire 800’; I can’t just dig an 800’ trench and return the machine to rental company because the trench would have collapsed on itself. Your uses and situation may vary and be different, but for me, it’s been very useful since about half of my hours had been spent using the BH.

The BH on the 2501 is perfect in eastern NC, all I have to worry with is roots and stumps, so it’s plenty of power for me. Plus, the BH acts as a wonderful counterweight when loading the FEL to capacity. And the BH works very well assisting at getting unstuck :D

I even use it to dig up flower bulbs so we aren’t on our hands and knees doing it by hand. It works well for small stumps too.

Believe me, it sure does come in handy.

And as far as the PTO HP rating, most owners say it’s rated a bit low and has pretty good PTO HP to run a tiller and brush cutter, so if you do that on occasion, I think you will be just fine. I mean, my 2n is supposedly rated the same PTO HP as my 2501 and it is nowhere near as functional or powerful as the Kubota.

If you don’t care about warranty, there are kits to bump up hydraulic pressure and increase HP a little.
 
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McCracken said:
Wilson's sell a model that is the same color as the Kubota brand but stronger. Some people get bent out of shape using off brands but I've been nothing but impressed with mine. The hoe attachment for mine (4-ish years ago) was around $5k.
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Most of their attachments are land pride.
 
rockcity said:
I really weighed my options with buying a BH. I hate renting stuff and I always know having a tool or equipment means not worrying with it.

If I had to rent something every time I used my BH, I probably would have spent twice the cost of the BH. Yes it’s not cheap. But it’s there when needed and I don’t have to wait to for enough projects to pile up to make renting worthwhile.

Just this week (and today), I’m running 800’ of 2” conduit, 40” deep. For the cost of what it would have been if I hired someone to do this for me, I’ve paid for the BH on just this one job. I could rent something but I would have had to rent it for a week because I’m working solo and the soil in eastern NC is wet and sandy, which means a 40” deep trench is unstable and caves in quickly, so I have to dig 20’, install conduit, then backfill, and repeat for the entire 800’; I can’t just dig an 800’ trench and return the machine to rental company because the trench would have collapsed on itself. Your uses and situation may vary and be different, but for me, it’s been very useful since about half of my hours had been spent using the BH.

The BH on the 2501 is perfect in eastern NC, all I have to worry with is roots and stumps, so it’s plenty of power for me. Plus, the BH acts as a wonderful counterweight when loading the FEL to capacity. And the BH works very well assisting at getting unstuck :D

I even use it to dig up flower bulbs so we aren’t on our hands and knees doing it by hand. It works well for small stumps too.

Believe me, it sure does come in handy.

And as far as the PTO HP rating, most owners say it’s rated a bit low and has pretty good PTO HP to run a tiller and brush cutter, so if you do that on occasion, I think you will be just fine. I mean, my 2n is supposedly rated the same PTO HP as my 2501 and it is nowhere near as functional or powerful as the Kubota.

If you don’t care about warranty, there are kits to bump up hydraulic pressure and increase HP a little.
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That 800’ 2” you could have had shot for .75/ft. And it would have been installed in an hour.
 
Ron said:
That 800’ 2” you could have had shot for .75/ft. And it would have been installed in an hour.
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Try again. It’s medium voltage power to a transformer. Greenville Utilities either does it themselves or lets me do it since it’s my house and they provide the conduit. They do it the same way except they choose the path they want to take. Or I do it and take the path that I want that I know will cause less issues for me in the future. Pick one.
 
rockcity said:
Try again. It’s medium voltage power to a transformer. Greenville Utilities either does it themselves or lets me do it since it’s my house and they provide the conduit. They do it the same way except they choose the path they want to take. Or I do it and take the path that I want that I know will cause less issues for me in the future. Pick one.
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Wait...GUC is letting you lay conduit for the 4,160V distribution?
That's a first for them. (Check that, maybe not since you have a GC license)

But if so, and they are letting you use 2" conduit, no reason that couldn't be DB'd....and you happen to know someone with 4 bore rigs....and .75/ft is the market rate for 2".
 
Ron said:
Wait...GUC is letting you lay conduit for the 4,160V distribution?
That's a first for them. (Check that, maybe not since you have a GC license)

But if so, and they are letting you use 2" conduit, no reason that couldn't be DB'd....and you happen to know someone with 4 bore rigs....and .75/ft is the market rate for 2".
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Yes, GUC lets me install the conduit from the road to where the transformer will be set, 800’ from the road. They even provided the conduit, fittings, and pvc cement. This is an option for any of their customers where the transformer is not already close to the residence. Because I have 8 acres, my house is well beyond a typical transformer they would set for “free” by the road. So they will do it and I pay them or they will provide materials and let me do it.

They said no to direct burry and said 40” deep in the trench. They did let me take pics of the trench and conduit so they don’t have to constantly be here to inspect. They even offered to let me lay the conduit from transformer to meter base when I’m ready for that.
 
Ron said:
Wait...GUC is letting you lay conduit for the 4,160V distribution?
That's a first for them. (Check that, maybe not since you have a GC license)

But if so, and they are letting you use 2" conduit, no reason that couldn't be DB'd....and you happen to know someone with 4 bore rigs....and .75/ft is the market rate for 2".
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This is straight from the GUC website. Doesn’t matter that I’m a GC, GUC provides this option to everyone. See “Option 2” under paragraph 5. Construction

4548C3B6-BECF-43DA-94D1-B97ECE81F8D9.png
 
rockcity said:
They said no to direct burry and said 40” deep in the trench.
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Directional bore isn’t direct bury.
It just bores and installs a conduit that layer must have cable pulled in
 
rockcity said:
They won’t allow directional bore either. It’s their standards, I don’t have to agree with them, but I do have to follow them.
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(Holy thread de-rail) Are we sure we are talking the same GUC?
Currently have 3 projects on the books with them boring for utility XFMR.

I havent been personally involved in those very much but from the file looks like Mr. Powell is the PE for GUC that requested PO'd the bores?
 
Ron said:
(Holy thread de-rail) Are we sure we are talking the same GUC?
Currently have 3 projects on the books with them boring for utility XFMR.

I havent been personally involved in those very much but from the file looks like Mr. Powell is the PE for GUC that requested PO'd the bores?
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I don’t know him. I work with Jeff Oakley, the residential electrical engineer for my area. All I was given were the installation specifications and provided with conduit and fittings. For larger or commercial projects, specifications may allow for variances.


*end thread derail
 
So, back on track......tractors?

I have an 08 Kubota L3400 and love it! I bought it used with FEL and it is a beast!

If you aren't married to a new tractor, you can get a nice Kubota with some patience for ~$10k.

Messicks is my go to for parts, quick and easy to order parts, prices are great. Plan to throw $500 at fluids and filters. They also have a fantastic YouTube channel that goes into detail on most all Kubota current models.
 
I have been considering one of these compact models. The Kubota 3302 prices I have gotten in the past couple of weeks were low $30s. Been looking at a New Holland Workmaster 35 as an alternate. Pricing was much better at like $28-$29k depending on the 0% financing. I feel like I need to bump up above the 25hp non-emmissions models for bush hogging and such that I do. I haven't found a ton of info reading up on these Workmasters from New Holland, but they seem to solid machines also.
 
I inherited an abused new Holland workmaster 37 fel and have zero complaints. Cheaper than kubota and plenty of dealers around. ~700hours and always lifting more than it should while lugging a 6' bush hog around.
 
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