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

[mcmxi]

Wow, what a difference! It’s like having a different tractor! This turbo kit is exactly what this tractor needed. It sure perked it up, giving the tractor the power I always thought it was lacking and far less smoke, which I was really hoping for. I am really pleased, couldn’t be happier with how it runs. When I work it; rather than Bogging down and smoking the whole time, the turbo boost kicks in and it gains power without the smoke. Absolutely tickled and would highly recommend this turbo kit to anyone who is looking for better performance from their tractor.

And I have to say the fabrication and craftsmanship on this turbo kit is very impressive! I’m blown away every time I look at it, it’s like a work of art! And everything fit perfectly and went together almost flawlessly. I really couldn’t be happier with the install and how our tractor is running, it amazing!

Thank you, Mike and to all who were involved in building this performance turbo kit. I love it!
Rodd

What .... no pictures?!

 

[Rdrcr]

Wow, what a difference! It’s like having a different tractor! This turbo kit is exactly what this tractor needed. It sure perked it up, giving the tractor the power I always thought it was lacking and far less smoke, which I was really hoping for. I am really pleased, couldn’t be happier with how it runs. When I work it; rather than Bogging down and smoking the whole time, the turbo boost kicks in and it gains power without the smoke. Absolutely tickled and would highly recommend this turbo kit to anyone who is looking for better performance from their tractor.

And I have to say the fabrication and craftsmanship on this turbo kit is very impressive! I’m blown away every time I look at it, it’s like a work of art! And everything fit perfectly and went together almost flawlessly. I really couldn’t be happier with the install and how our tractor is running, it amazing!

Thank you, Mike and to all who were involved in building this performance turbo kit. I love it!
Rodd

You’re very very welcome!

We’re happy to hear that your Turbo installation was successful and that you are happy with the newfound performance! And, thank you for your compliments and feedback. They are much appreciated!

You’re operating in elevation. Did you add/modify the fueling or are you running the factory fuel settings?

…..and yes! You should post pics!

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

Iam wondering if you used the third range and loaded the engine down more if your results would change,?

In what regard? There is an enormous difference in third/high range when operating the tractor. It really really gets up to speed extremely quickly (it’s hilarious) and holds speeds well with the Turbo. However, the performance in high range is limited to the HST pressure limits. Even with all the power available, these limits cannot be exceeded. So, that’s why I state that the Turbo L2501 will behave very similar, almost identical to the L3901 at sea level. In elevation, however, the Turbo L2501 will outperform the L3901 and for PTO performance, there is zero comparison, the Turbo L2501 destroys it.

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

WAY PRETTY,,, I don't care if it works or not,..LOLOL,

Thank you!
It’s definitely enjoyable to look at and I love getting reactions from folks when I pop the hood, lol. It’s the last thing they’d expect to see on a tractor. Luckily though, the Turbo Kit performs as good, if not better, than it looks!

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

What .... no pictures?!

He’s probably just out there enjoying the tractor! But, I’m hoping he’ll post some pics!
….Especially considering his Turbo Kit is prettier than mine!

Mike

 

[Rodd]

What .... no pictures?!

What .... no pictures?!

 

[Rodd]

You’re very very welcome!

We’re happy to hear that your Turbo installation was successful and that you are happy with the newfound performance! And, thank you for your compliments and feedback. They are much appreciated!

You’re operating in elevation. Did you add/modify the fueling or are you running the factory fuel settings?

…..and yes! You should post pics!

Mike

Hi Mike!
I did turn the fuel out 1 full turn. I pushed into an immovable pile and fully loaded the engine. It showed 7 psi of boost and the EGT got up to about 1,100 degrees. I plowed snow yesterday and there is a very noticeable performance difference, as well as a lot less smoke. While I was plowing, the highest EGT I saw was about 900 degrees and about 5 psi boost. It’s really a fun machine to run and the S2T turbo kit is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Thank you so much!!

 

[mcmxi]

View attachment 146987

Very nice!

 

[Rodd]

Very nice!

Thank you! It’s eye candy

 

[mcmxi]

He’s probably just out there enjoying the tractor! But, I’m hoping he’ll post some pics!
….Especially considering his Turbo Kit is prettier than mine!

Mike

I've read through all 16 pages of this excellent thread again and well done Mike on such a well-designed and well-executed upgrade. An L series tractor isn't on my radar but I can still appreciate all the work that went into your turbo kit, and would definitely be ordering from you if I had an L2501.

When I upgraded from a BX25 to an MX6000 and M6060 I made my decisions based on the size, weight and power that I needed for the sort of tasks that I do. I made the decision to buy complexity, but from day one was aware that there are companies offering solutions for those that want to reduce the complexity and see performance gains.

My point is that options are good for all of us, whether we choose to take advantage of them or not.

On a side note, none of the L series tractors have turbos right? I think turbos only start to show up in the Grand L5060 models and up, and of course the MX models. The engines in the L3301, L3901 and L4701 have a bigger displacement than the L2501 so it would be interesting to see what turbos would do on those models.

So for those that don't have an L2501, don't despair. There are options out there if you want/need a bigger tractor but aren't sold on the idea of DPF, EGR and DEF. So as always, buy big enough. My first "tractor" was too small for sure, but I had no experience and did very little researh. My second was big enough but not ideal since it had no cab. I finally got it right with the third and fourth tractors.

Added in edit: I see that the newer LX3520 and up have a turbo.

 

[mcmxi]

He’s probably just out there enjoying the tractor! But, I’m hoping he’ll post some pics!
….Especially considering his Turbo Kit is prettier than mine!

Mike

Mike, what part number are you including in the kit for the EGT gauge and sensor from ISSPRO?

I'd like to add a sensor and gauge to both tractors to monitor EGTs. I have a DP-Tuner programmer/chip in my truck with pre and post turbo sensors but I wouldn't go to that extreme with the tractors. Pre or post turbo would be just fine.

 

[X-Pup]

Thank you! It’s eye candy

Thank you for the pictures Rodd!

It's nice to see what it's going to look like once I finally get it installed. The fit of those updated pipes look so... professional! They look like they belong on a show car. LOL

I received mine in time for Christmas. It was my Christmas present to myself. LOL

I'm impressed and envious that you got yours installed shortly after receiving it.
Personally, I've been procrastinating. The weather doesn't help. First it rained for a month, now it's freezing. I envision turning the farm into a mud pit with my new turbo tractor. LOL
(Ha - Mud races, hmmm...) LOL

In the meantime, I'm watching the loads of chipper shavings pile up for next year's garden paths. I'll have to get my old carcass in gear here pretty soon. Now that I've posted, maybe that will provide some motivation.

I can't wait to see how this new turbo does - brush hogging that 4ft grass in the back field.

If I had more money, I'd do a before and after dyno. I'm not all that far from where they are made. My local dealer has a dyno getting all lonely in the corner under a tarp. He pointed out to me when I bought my tractor.

I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Rdrcr]

View attachment 146987

Thanks for posting some pics!
See…. I told you….prettier than mine!

I still don’t even have the ARP hardware on my tractor either. I feel cheated, lol!

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

Hi Mike!
I did turn the fuel out 1 full turn. I pushed into an immovable pile and fully loaded the engine. It showed 7 psi of boost and the EGT got up to about 1,100 degrees. I plowed snow yesterday and there is a very noticeable performance difference, as well as a lot less smoke. While I was plowing, the highest EGT I saw was about 900 degrees and about 5 psi boost. It’s really a fun machine to run and one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Thank you so much!!

Very good. Excellent!
Thank you for sharing your fuel settings and tractor performance.

Wow! That’s the best feedback we can get!
You’re very welcome! We’re happy we’re able to offer this setup to the community.

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

I've read through all 16 pages of this excellent thread again and well done Mike on such a well-designed and well-executed upgrade. An L series tractor isn't on my radar but I can still appreciate all the work that went into your turbo kit, and would definitely be ordering from you if I had an L2501.

When I upgraded from a BX25 to an MX6000 and M6060 I made my decisions based on the size, weight and power that I needed for the sort of tasks that I do. I made the decision to buy complexity, but from day one was aware that there are companies offering solutions for those that want to reduce the complexity and see performance gains.

My point is that options are good for all of us, whether we choose to take advantage of them or not.

On a side note, none of the L series tractors have turbos right? I think turbos only start to show up in the Grand L5060 models and up, and of course the MX models. The engines in the L3301, L3901 and L4701 have a bigger displacement than the L2501 so it would be interesting to see what turbos would do on those models.

So for those that don't have an L2501, don't despair. There are options out there if you want/need a bigger tractor but aren't sold on the idea of DPF, EGR and DEF. So as always, buy big enough. My first "tractor" was too small for sure, but I had no experience and did very little researh. My second was big enough but not ideal since it had no cab. I finally got it right with the third and fourth tractors.

Added in edit: I see that the newer LX3520 and up have a turbo.

Thank you!
I totally agree.

The Turbo Kit ain’t for everyone, but for those that want an option like this, we’re glad we can deliver.

Theoretically, you can Turbocharge the L3301 and L3901, however, both tractors would require ECU “tuning” since the engines are not simple mechanical diesels. Plus, assuming we could double the HP/TQ/PTO HP, I’m not sure the powertrain can handle the increase like the L2501. It might. We just haven’t dove into it. If we do find a good, reliable tuning company to work with, I would like to Turbocharge an L3560…that would be my tractor nirvana. And I totally agree….buy tractor “weight”, not HP. You need a tractor that’s large enough to get the job done. The L2501 has been just a perfect tractor for me in that regard.

Yep, Kubota turbocharged the premium LX series and we are getting quite a few requests to build a Turbo Kit for the base 25HP model.

Mike

 

[mcmxi]

Thank you!
I totally agree.

The Turbo Kit ain’t for everyone, but for those that want an option like this, we’re glad we can deliver.

Theoretically, you can Turbocharge the L3301 and L3901, however, both tractors would require ECU “tuning” since the engines are not simple mechanical diesels. Plus, assuming we could double the HP/TQ/PTO HP, I’m not sure the powertrain can handle the increase like the L2501. It might. We just haven’t dove into it. If we do find a good, reliable tuning company to work with, I would like to Turbocharge an L3560…that would be my tractor nirvana. And I totally agree….buy tractor “weight”, not HP. You need a tractor that’s large enough to get the job done. The L2501 has been just a perfect tractor for me in that regard.

Yep, Kubota turbocharged the premium LX series and we are getting quite a few requests to build a Turbo Kit for the base 25HP model.

Mike

I just wanted to add that your turbo kit looks like a really good value given the quality of the components, and the obvious engineering and design effort that has gone into this. Basically the customer is getting a lot of good stuff for a very reasonable cost.

 

[Rdrcr]

Thank you for the pictures Rodd!

It's nice to see what it's going to look like once I finally get it installed. The fit of those updated pipes look so... professional! They look like they belong on a show car. LOL

I received mine in time for Christmas. It was my Christmas present to myself. LOL

I'm impressed and envious that you got yours installed shortly after receiving it.
Personally, I've been procrastinating. The weather doesn't help. First it rained for a month, now it's freezing. I envision turning the farm into a mud pit with my new turbo tractor. LOL
(Ha - Mud races, hmmm...) LOL

In the meantime, I'm watching the loads of chipper shavings pile up for next year's garden paths. I'll have to get my old carcass in gear here pretty soon. Now that I've posted, maybe that will provide some motivation.

I can't wait to see how this new turbo does - brush hogging that 4ft grass in the back field.

If I had more money, I'd do a before and after dyno. I'm not all that far from where they are made. My local dealer has a dyno getting all lonely in the corner under a tarp. He pointed out to me when I bought my tractor.

I'm really looking forward to it.

We’re looking forward to installation and feedback too!

I can completely relate….it’s been crazy wet, and now, crazy cold. I totally understand and it definitely affects my motivation when I need to get work done outside.
Where/who is your local dealer?

I will be doing a before/after dyno on the Kioti CK2610 / CK2620, Bobcat CT2025 once I get one (probably spring/summer). And, when we get an L2502, I’ll be doing a before/after dyno on that too.

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

I just wanted to add that your turbo kit looks like a really good value given the quality of the components, and the obvious engineering and design effort that has gone into this. Basically the customer is getting a lot of good stuff for a very reasonable cost.

Thank you!
There’s not a lot of margin in it. I’m definitely hoping folks can see the value!

I’ll get you those part numbers shortly….

Mike

 

[mcmxi]

Thank you!
There’s not a lot of margin in it. I’m definitely hoping folks can see the value!

I’ll get you those part numbers shortly….

Mike

Thanks, and I figured that the margins were small given the quality of the components and the fabrication costs, combined with your pricing.

Could you realize a reduction in your costs by eliminating many of the welds on the intake and exhaust tubes i.e. having the entire section mandrel bent? I welded up custom exhausts last year for my tractors since none are available, but used mild steel mandrel kits to keep the "R&D" costs down. At some point I might create a 3D model of the exhausts and have a company such as Xometry bend up some stainless steel tubing for me. But like someone said, "it's a prototype unless it works".

Tube Bending Services

Xometry offers precision tube bending services for round metal tube stock to meet your needs.

www.xometry.com

 

[X-Pup]

Where/who is your local dealer?

Kitsap Tractor in Marysville WA.
https://www.kitsaptractor.net/

They're a good sized dealership and usually have a pretty good selection.