L2501

cthomas

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
LX2610 HSDC
Jan 1, 2017
865
579
93
La Farge Wi
I needed to go in the opposite direction, needed a midmower/snowblower and needed to keep the weight down to mow the drain field for the septic system. Had a BX2370 and really liked it, but wanted a cab for the winter time(Yes, it is nice to mow with A/C blowing and the tunes playing). And was not impressed with the Curtis Cab and how they do the A/C system((dealership had one in for warranty work)).
 

Runs With Scissors

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501 TLB , Grappel, Brush Hog, Box Blade, Ballast box, Forks, Tiller, PH digger
Jan 25, 2023
2,401
2,756
113
Michigan
I’m about to pick up a new l2501 with third function, grapple, loader. Everything is in stock. I haven’t priced a tractor since 2021, is it still normal for the price to be right around what the builder says on kubotas website? I thought maybe it would have relaxed a little bit I guess not.
You may as well just throw in a Backhoe too!!!

Trust me, they are a blast.

In for a penny, in for a pound!
 

PaulL

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Jul 17, 2017
2,419
1,347
113
NZ
With my B2601 I convinced myself I can get the backhoe later. I never have, and I haven't missed it. Unless you're doing a lot of digging generally a shovel makes less mess / less cleanup. The time you save with a backhoe you spend regressing / backfilling etc. With a shovel I get nice turf lifted, a narrow trench, and fill it and leave it looking like I was never there.

Depends if you're digging on your lawn, or digging in pasture somewhere.
 
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fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
With my B2601 I convinced myself I can get the backhoe later. I never have, and I haven't missed it. Unless you're doing a lot of digging generally a shovel makes less mess / less cleanup. The time you save with a backhoe you spend regressing / backfilling etc. With a shovel I get nice turf lifted, a narrow trench, and fill it and leave it looking like I was never there.

Depends if you're digging on your lawn, or digging in pasture somewhere.
" I have never missed it"
"the time you save with a backhoe you spend regressing"

Says a guy,...... who has NEVER owned a backhoe?;)
 
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jimh406

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
Kubota L2501 with R4 tires
Jan 29, 2021
2,341
1,774
113
Western MT
Says a guy,...... who has NEVER owned a backhoe?;)
I only have one tractor and use a rear implement almost all of the time. So, kind of hard to have a backhoe on at the same time. ;). Switching back and forth doesn't seem like fun.

The only thing I've needed one for was put a shallow line in. That was easily done with a middle buster and dual hitch extender flipped upside down like this one using my Polaris Ranger. ;)

Screenshot 2023-04-15 at 7.38.21 AM.png
Screenshot 2023-04-15 at 7.40.35 AM.png
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
I only have one tractor and use a rear implement almost all of the time. So, kind of hard to have a backhoe on at the same time. ;). Switching back and forth doesn't seem like fun.

The only thing I've needed one for was put a shallow line in. That was easily done with a middle buster and dual hitch extender flipped upside down like this one using my Polaris Ranger. ;)

View attachment 100301 View attachment 100302
Understood!
"Different strokes for different folks"
I am fortunate to have two tractors.:)

My li'l 32HP Ford does the "pullin".
My bigger Kubota does the "diggin".
 

PaulL

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Jul 17, 2017
2,419
1,347
113
NZ
" I have never missed it"
"the time you save with a backhoe you spend regressing"

Says a guy,...... who has NEVER owned a backhoe?;)
Oh, very true.

But I did have a mini excavator for 6 months (Dad's old one after buying a newer one, and before he sold it). Other than the one specific task I'd borrowed it for (digging out a hillside) I learned why he never used his excavator around the yard. I used to visit and he'd be getting out a shovel and I'd say "you have a digger". And he'd say, yeah, not worth getting it out for this. Turns out he was often right. I'd get out the excavator, drive it over the lawn (making a mess.....a backhoe wouldn't do that so much), dig a trench in 10 minutes, then spend 3 hours fixing the pipes I dug up, backfilling the trench, reseeding the grass etc etc. I wouldn't use one around the yard. If I had a farm (he did) then it'd be super useful because nothing needs to be as pretty, and you dig a lot more.
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
Oh, very true.

But I did have a mini excavator for 6 months (Dad's old one after buying a newer one, and before he sold it). Other than the one specific task I'd borrowed it for (digging out a hillside) I learned why he never used his excavator around the yard. I used to visit and he'd be getting out a shovel and I'd say "you have a digger". And he'd say, yeah, not worth getting it out for this. Turns out he was often right. I'd get out the excavator, drive it over the lawn (making a mess.....a backhoe wouldn't do that so much), dig a trench in 10 minutes, then spend 3 hours fixing the pipes I dug up, backfilling the trench, reseeding the grass etc etc. I wouldn't use one around the yard. If I had a farm (he did) then it'd be super useful because nothing needs to be as pretty, and you dig a lot more.
I agree!
A Mini-Ex would be fun to have though.
A TLB is WAY more versatile.
I consider my TLB as truly the Swiss army knife of machinery.
I have owned a TLB for the past 37 years....for personal use only.
For long trenching...... I can/do rent a trencher!
There is no place, within reasonable driving distance, where I can rent a TLB
 

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,776
2,961
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
With my B2601 I convinced myself I can get the backhoe later. I never have, and I haven't missed it. Unless you're doing a lot of digging generally a shovel makes less mess / less cleanup. The time you save with a backhoe you spend regressing / backfilling etc. With a shovel I get nice turf lifted, a narrow trench, and fill it and leave it looking like I was never there.

Depends if you're digging on your lawn, or digging in pasture somewhere.
I think my backhoe on the B 2910 has been my second most used implement over the last 20 years. The loader of course is number one.

After buying an old mini ex a couple years ago, I’ve not used the backhoe on my tractor. The mini ex has about the same capability as far as reach and digging power goes. But it’s a world better all around.

If I never had either, I would not realize how useful they can be. Of course, everyone’s situation is different.
 

PaulL

Well-known member

Equipment
B2601
Jul 17, 2017
2,419
1,347
113
NZ
After buying an old mini ex a couple years ago, I’ve not used the backhoe on my tractor. The mini ex has about the same capability as far as reach and digging power goes. But it’s a world better all around.
Repositioning on a mini ex is way easier. Digging a trench therefore better.

I'm about to break up my old concrete water tank to replace with a plastic one. A mini ex would be very nice right now. I can rent one, but I think I can do the work with a concrete saw and putting the pieces in the tractor bucket to take to the skip bin. A few days of manual labour probably won't kill me. Much.
 

fried1765

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
7,843
5,066
113
Eastham, Ma
Repositioning on a mini ex is way easier. Digging a trench therefore better.

I'm about to break up my old concrete water tank to replace with a plastic one. A mini ex would be very nice right now. I can rent one, but I think I can do the work with a concrete saw and putting the pieces in the tractor bucket to take to the skip bin. A few days of manual labour probably won't kill me. Much.
When you are 82 (as I am) it just might kill you.
 
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