Tractor help

Monkeynono

Monkeynono

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2018
Location
Mars Hill
So I need to get some sorta of equipment to maintain my driveway and property (which are rather steep) . I have decided on a Kubota (given what is in my area for parts availability). Where I am stuck is trying to decide between an L2502DT with the standard trans or the L3302HST with the hydro but this is several thousand more.

My question is which and why? I will also say I have never driven a tractor (would prefer a skidsteer but prices are way to high)
 
The 3302 has emissions equipment, the 25 does not. Any particular reason on the 3302? Id get a 2502 HST or a 3902 HST depending on your budget and power needs.
 
LBarr2002 said:
The 3302 has emissions equipment, the 25 does not. Any particular reason on the 3302? Id get a 2502 HST or a 3902 HST depending on your budget and power needs.
Click to expand...
No particular reason on the 3302 just trying to keep close to the same cost as the 2502. With the DT the 25 will work just fine but what I don't know is how usability between the HST and DT is (I know if its HST I want to upsize to keep the same power.
 
Monkeynono said:
No particular reason on the 3302 just trying to keep close to the same cost as the 2502. With the DT the 25 will work just fine but what I don't know is how usability between the HST and DT is (I know if its HST I want to upsize to keep the same power.
Click to expand...
For bucket work, the 25 HST should be fine. If you're mowing, you'll want more power.

I didn't even consider the 33 because i knew I wanted more power and if you're going emissions might as well go 39.

I also have a combo bucket which is absolutely amazing.
 
I am a fan of gears. Gears and forward reverse shuttle shift is my preference.

I like running a consistent rpm and picking a ratio.
 
Not a Kubota, but i have a Kioti NX6010 60HP HST. I like the HST, but it does rob a little PTO HP. It only nets about 48 HP to the PTO. That may be something to consider if you'll be using the PTO much. Check the specs and make sure it will have enough to run what you're wanting to run.
 
I bought an little older L4400 HST that was pre-emissions. I absolutely can not stand the way the exhaust from a DPF equipped tractor smells. It makes me nauseous.

However, my buddy has a 40hp LS tractor. It's around 200hrs and has only done a regen once. It's really not that big of a deal, so it seems.

I will say...whatever size tractor you decide you need, go two sizes bigger, if you can. You'll never be upset about it. That said, mine was 45hp at the crank and 38hp at the PTO. It lost a little, but not too awful much.
 
I have a 2501 and a loader, top and tilt for the rear. I don’t mow much but I do plow/disk some. HST is definitely the way to go. Get cruise added for mowing, your right foot will thank you.
 
83oldyoda4x4 said:
What are you trying to do mostly and what are you trying to spend?
Click to expand...
I would like to stay under 30k and it will be primarily for road maintenance. My driveway is about a 1/4 mile long with 200ft in elevation change so keeping it from washing out is important. Other than that it will be used to move firewood and maybe some grading and bucket work higher up the property at the gun range no mowing no field work. I truly would prefer a skidsteer but the jump in price is just too much.
 
There’s a few of us here that have the Kubota L2501 and in my case it has done everything, and then some, of what I have ever asked of it. My tractor chores are about in line with what you described. I also move round bales for my cows. The 2501 just flat out works and the frame is small enough to get it wherever I need it to go.
 
Whatever you do just get the Hydrostat. They aren't troublesome and it will shorten your learning curve immensely. I've known a few people who get the gear drives I guess due to ignorance and their tractor experience could have been so much better. I've been running Kubota HSTs since the early '80's
 
Another vote for hst. I have a b7800 and the hst is the bees knees for working with the bucket. I use a 5ft box blade, 5ft bush hog and a 6ft disc no problem with my tractor. Gears would be nice for the disc but other than that I've never missed them.
 
I guess I am the odd-man out here....I prefer the gear drive, BUT if you are not familiar with tractors, or you may have other, less seasoned operators using the tractor, an HST has almost zero learning curve, and will make negotiating the steep inclines you mentioned easier and less stressful for new operators.

I have an L3400DT and it is a beast for its size, gets me around the small trails on my property and through the woods relatively easily even with a wood chipper strapped to the 3pt.

I would avoid a TYM, I would buy a used Kubota before buying a new TYM. YMMV but I have founds parts availability, dealership support, and general troubleshooting knowledge to be awful due to the major model proliferation that TYM offers across a variety of resellers and re-branded companies (big boy, mahindra, branson, etc, etc, etc). Don't let the "largest tractor manufacturer" tag line fool you. My TYM service manual looked like it was written by a 4 year old, and it was a generalized "how you can" do something, the fluid capacities were wrong for every single sub component assembly, and contained zero part numbers or dimensions for service parts (belts, filters, bulbs, etc). YES, you can figure this stuff out, eventually, but if I tell you an engine holds 2.5 gallons of oil, and the dipstick reads full at 1.3 gallons.....which do you trust?
 
You really need a skidsteer, not a tractor.

Consider only buying the attachments/buckets you need and then renting a skid steer once or twice a year. One less machine to maintain and when it breaks, the rental company will bring ya a new one.
 
shelby27604 said:
I guess I am the odd-man out here....I prefer the gear drive, BUT if you are not familiar with tractors, or you may have other, less seasoned operators using the tractor, an HST has almost zero learning curve, and will make negotiating the steep inclines you mentioned easier and less stressful for new operators.
Click to expand...
My people! OH person, 😂.

I grew up using geared tractors. Even the lawn mowers had some for of set it and forget it gear.

Every HST tractor I have ran just feels weird. Its a preference. Pulling logs, cultivator, disc, and large bush hogs all feel different from the initial snatch to maintaining momentum across terrain.

My zero turn is the closest to thing to HST and certain aspects of it bug me.
 
shelby27604 said:
I guess I am the odd-man out here....I prefer the gear drive, BUT if you are not familiar with tractors, or you may have other, less seasoned operators using the tractor, an HST has almost zero learning curve, and will make negotiating the steep inclines you mentioned easier and less stressful for new operators.
Click to expand...
🙋
 
Monkeynono said:
You know of any around here worth owning for that price?
Click to expand...
Haven’t really looked, but if I were buying a skidsteer in that price range you can’t go wrong with a Kubota SVL75. Should be able to pick up a pretty nice open cab unit for around $30k, or a higher hours enclosed cab machine with heat and AC.

Mini-ex would also be a Kubota KX040 simply because of the 6 way blade for your grading needs. Open cab version of that machine also at $30k all day long, but enclosed cab may be harder in that price range. If you have roadside that needs to be mowed and knocked back, a mini ex with a brush cutter is THE tool for that job.
 
jeepinmatt said:
Haven’t really looked, but if I were buying a skidsteer in that price range you can’t go wrong with a Kubota SVL75. Should be able to pick up a pretty nice open cab unit for around $30k, or a higher hours enclosed cab machine with heat and AC.

Mini-ex would also be a Kubota KX040 simply because of the 6 way blade for your grading needs. Open cab version of that machine also at $30k all day long, but enclosed cab may be harder in that price range. If you have roadside that needs to be mowed and knocked back, a mini ex with a brush cutter is THE tool for that job.
Click to expand...
I will take one of each please!
 
Back
Top