L2502 review

[awesome]

One week ago, I traded my b2601 for a L2502. I'd like to share my impressions.

The bh77 is definitely an upgrade over the bh70. The added reach is noticeable. The 180 degrees swing is a big improvement. 24" bucket makes digging faster and the "power" of the backhoe is a lot better. Having a second seat makes it easier than to have to swivel the seat everytime, but it is now very difficult to control the backhoe by just turning around when wanting to do a quick job. Overall, the bh77 is definitely an upgrade over the bh70.

The tractor feels a lot heavier and bigger than the b2601. A bit more difficult to manoeuvre and harder to see in front of the bucket but it is more spacious and comfortable.

But it feels like the engine might not be powerful enough for this tractor size. For example, with the b2601 I could drive up a 14% hill on "H" but it is impossible to do this with the L2502. Even on "M", then engine bogs down. The "H" gear is mostly just for flat surface. I also feel like the b2601 was faster on the road at "H" vs the l2502

From what I understand, power is torque X speed. The l2502 is 25hp, just like the b2601, but as more torque, so I guess it means it's slower.

I like my new tractor, but I think I'll have to learn to use it more slowly.

 

[McMXi]

The tractor feels a lot heavier and bigger than the b2601.

But it feels like the engine might not be powerful enough for this tractor size. For example, with the b2601 I could drive up a 14% hill on "H" but it is impossible to do this with the L2502. Even on "M", then engine bogs down. The "H" gear is mostly just for flat surface. I also feel like the b2601 was faster on the road at "H" vs the l2502

From what I understand, power is torque X speed. The l2502 is 25hp, just like the b2601, but as more torque, so I guess it means it's slower.

Isn't the L2502 close to twice the weight of the B2601? I think it's around 1.75x heavier. The L has a larger displacement 3-cylinder engine, and no doubt more torque, but basically the same hp but a lot more weight to haul around. Kubota's literature lists top speeds of 12.7mph for the B2601 and 11.5mph for the L2502, so on paper at least the B2601 is faster.

Perhaps you'll be a candidate for one of @Rdrcr's turbo kits. It's one heck of a kit for a very reasonable price, and I know that I would buy his kit if I had a tractor such as an L2501.

 

[awesome]

That's what I was thinking. Lots of weight to haul for such a small engine. Maybe the 39hp would have been better but we're jumping into a whole new price range

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Curious, I did a little research. You can get 4 Kubota models with ~25hp.

BX2680.24.1hp @ 3200rpm 1001cc 1,521#
B2601....24.3hp @ 2800rpm 1123cc 1,632#
LX2620..24.8hp @ 2500rpm 1305cc 1,775#
L2502....24.8hp @ 2200rpm 1,647cc 2,811#

I think these numbers are fairly accurate.

 

[MotoBBQ]

I have a L3902 and it doesn't go up hills in 'H' either. Does fine in 'M' where I do most of my work. Sometimes I wonder if I coulda saved a couple $K and suficed with the L3302 model.

Most will say the HP is really only noticeable on PTO driven implements. I figured error on the higher HP side.

 

[Rdrcr]

That's what I was thinking. Lots of weight to haul for such a small engine. Maybe the 39hp would have been better but we're jumping into a whole new price range

I don’t have a backhoe but, my experience going from the B2601 to the L2501 is similar to yours. Yes, the L2502 will struggle going up steep hills in M at the stock power level.

With the S2T Turbo Kit, my L2501 is producing 44.1 HP and 35 PTO and doesn’t have any issues going up steep terrain in M carrying loads.

If you have some time, you’re more than welcome to read my thread;

L2501 Turbo: A Journey Defined - The tractor, The comparison, The modification, The results...

Part 1: Background The purpose of this thread is to share the concept, creation, progress and performance of my custom Turbocharged Kubota L2501 HST 4WD tractor. I’ll start by offering my opinions on this tractor, why I bought it, how it’s performed, the advantages and disadvantages, and why I...

www.orangetractortalks.com

Mike

 

[awesome]

@MotoBBQ : how about pushing on a pile of dirt? Can you do this on "M"?

I don't really understand why HP would only be about PTO. Surely it says something about how the tractor can push or pull on things. Unless they all use the same hydro pump for the HST transmission.

But then again, my small tractor-mower is 21hp. I don't get it.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

@MotoBBQ Surely it says something about how the tractor can push or pull on things. Unless they all use the same hydro pump for the HST transmission.

I think the 2502, 3302, and 3902 use the same hydrostat unit, but they have different gearing on the input/output. I'd like to see someone increase the speed on the 2502 from 2,200 to 2,700rpm to match the 3302/3902. I started some part # comparisons one time that led me to think changing a couple of gears, possibly with some modification, to get the PTO speed back to 540 would work (only on HST model). The top travel speed would increase but, with hydrostatic drive, this wouldn't be an issue.

The L2502 engine at 2700rpm with proper fuel control should produce 35hp.

 

[jyoutz]

One week ago, I traded my b2601 for a L2502. I'd like to share my impressions.

The bh77 is definitely an upgrade over the bh70. The added reach is noticeable. The 180 degrees swing is a big improvement. 24" bucket makes digging faster and the "power" of the backhoe is a lot better. Having a second seat makes it easier than to have to swivel the seat everytime, but it is now very difficult to control the backhoe by just turning around when wanting to do a quick job. Overall, the bh77 is definitely an upgrade over the bh70.

The tractor feels a lot heavier and bigger than the b2601. A bit more difficult to manoeuvre and harder to see in front of the bucket but it is more spacious and comfortable.

But it feels like the engine might not be powerful enough for this tractor size. For example, with the b2601 I could drive up a 14% hill on "H" but it is impossible to do this with the L2502. Even on "M", then engine bogs down. The "H" gear is mostly just for flat surface. I also feel like the b2601 was faster on the road at "H" vs the l2502

From what I understand, power is torque X speed. The l2502 is 25hp, just like the b2601, but as more torque, so I guess it means it's slower.

I like my new tractor, but I think I'll have to learn to use it more slowly.

I don’t drive on the road much for transport. Whenever I’m on the road, I’m grading or plowing it in M speed. Just use M for hilly roads and it will be fine.

 

[awesome]

The L2502 engine at 2700rpm with proper fuel control should produce 35hp.

But I believe this would require a modification that would void the warranty right?

 

[TheOldHokie]

That's what I was thinking. Lots of weight to haul for such a small engine. Maybe the 39hp would have been better but we're jumping into a whole new price range

H range on an L3901HST is worthless. On paved county roads at full RPM even a slight incline drags the engine down. I operate mostly in M and L is used for climbing mountains or pushing heavy piles of material.

Dan

 

[PoTreeBoy]

But I believe this would require a modification that would void the warranty right?

Most likely.