It was a long 2 months wait but I finally picked up my new L2501 a week ago Friday. Originally I had been interested in a L3302 but opted for the L2501 with no DPF and related computer controls to simplify possibe future repairs.
When I first inquired about an L2501 the only units they had were already sold. I had planned to go look at one of the sold units to get a feel for it's size in person but my visit was a couple days out due to a busy schedule. By the time I got around to making a visit one had just been delivered in the crate. They mounted some R-14's on it so I could give it a test drive and it was a done deal. I put down a deposit and they supposedly had an LA525 loader reserved for me at one of their other locations. When we sat down to due the paperwork the salesman discovered the "reserved" loader had been installed on another unit at the other location and it had been the last loader in their 5 location dealer network. This meant I'd have to wait for delivery of the newer LA526 loader. The salesman told me they had 6 on order and it would only be a week or two. That was wishful thinking.
I was ok with the wait knowing that I'd rather have the newer loader with a bucket that would take a bolt on cutting edge and had a built in bracket for a 3 function valve. I often have to scrape my business parking lot in the winter to keep the ice build up manageable so the bolt on cutting edge would be a plus to avoid wearing the edge of my bucket. I was also having a 3rd function valve installed for a grapple and it would be a better fit when installed on a factory bracket. I also noticed the grill guard is a little beefer compared to the LA525 and it is pre-drilled for a brush guard which was another plus. I got the rear tires loaded for extra ballast and a Titan pallet fork for unloading pallets at work.
So far I've been too busy to do a whole lot with the tractor since bringing it home. I will say it seems to have plenty of power even pulling up a decent hill in high gear without bogging down. I've done a "pre" check out of the tractor to double check the dealers assembly. I noticed the steering wheel was off kilter going stright ahead and had to remove it to align it correctly. It was a little OCD on my part but that was something I couldn't live with. I'm in the process of fabricating a brush guard for it while I wait on the EA 55" Wicked Grapple delivery.
More to come once the brush guard is complete........
When I first inquired about an L2501 the only units they had were already sold. I had planned to go look at one of the sold units to get a feel for it's size in person but my visit was a couple days out due to a busy schedule. By the time I got around to making a visit one had just been delivered in the crate. They mounted some R-14's on it so I could give it a test drive and it was a done deal. I put down a deposit and they supposedly had an LA525 loader reserved for me at one of their other locations. When we sat down to due the paperwork the salesman discovered the "reserved" loader had been installed on another unit at the other location and it had been the last loader in their 5 location dealer network. This meant I'd have to wait for delivery of the newer LA526 loader. The salesman told me they had 6 on order and it would only be a week or two. That was wishful thinking.
I was ok with the wait knowing that I'd rather have the newer loader with a bucket that would take a bolt on cutting edge and had a built in bracket for a 3 function valve. I often have to scrape my business parking lot in the winter to keep the ice build up manageable so the bolt on cutting edge would be a plus to avoid wearing the edge of my bucket. I was also having a 3rd function valve installed for a grapple and it would be a better fit when installed on a factory bracket. I also noticed the grill guard is a little beefer compared to the LA525 and it is pre-drilled for a brush guard which was another plus. I got the rear tires loaded for extra ballast and a Titan pallet fork for unloading pallets at work.
So far I've been too busy to do a whole lot with the tractor since bringing it home. I will say it seems to have plenty of power even pulling up a decent hill in high gear without bogging down. I've done a "pre" check out of the tractor to double check the dealers assembly. I noticed the steering wheel was off kilter going stright ahead and had to remove it to align it correctly. It was a little OCD on my part but that was something I couldn't live with. I'm in the process of fabricating a brush guard for it while I wait on the EA 55" Wicked Grapple delivery.
More to come once the brush guard is complete........
