lX2610 transmission housing aluminum or not?

[mrrlyoung]

I'm considering the LX2610 as a replacement for our older 20hp tractor. I recently read that it has an aluminum transmission housing, similar to other tractors where the design was to keep the weight down for lawn moving and the like. I have read many threads discussing the aluminum vs cast iron or steel debate, and I can appreciate how a well designed component of an appropriate alloy can be fine.

However, I am not in aposition to magnet-test for myself what the BX2610 housing is made of, and would like to fill in this data point for my considerations. Can anyone confirm from their own experience/testing what the material is? Thanks.

 

[fried1765]

I'm considering the LX2610 as a replacement for our older 20hp tractor. I recently read that it has an aluminum transmission housing, similar to other tractors where the design was to keep the weight down for lawn moving and the like. I have read many threads discussing the aluminum vs cast iron or steel debate, and I can appreciate how a well designed component of an appropriate alloy can be fine.

However, I am not in aposition to magnet-test for myself what the BX2610 housing is made of, and would like to fill in this data point for my considerations. Can anyone confirm from their own experience/testing what the material is? Thanks.

You are "considering" an LX2610, without actually seeing one?

 

[mrrlyoung]

You are "considering" an LX2610, without actually seeing one?

You have to start somewhere. I wouldn't buy one without seeing it, but my circumstances only allow me to do internet research at the moment.

 

[cthomas]

I crawled underneath mine and found both aluminum and steel castings. Where the mid-PTO is, that is aluminum. In front of that steel, where the HST filter is, that is aluminum. I am not worried about the strength of it, because mine has a cab, loader and a backhoe, therefore it has reinforcements up the wazoo

 

[mrrlyoung]

Thank you.

 

[Elliott in GA]

I am glad you got an answer, and I hope your tractor search goes well.

However, I do not understand your concern. Kubota has an extremely long history of diesel engine design, and it has one of the best, if not the best, reputation for reliability for compact tractors. Absent a widely documented issue with a specific engine, I would not concern myself with Kubota's engineering choices.

For the same reasons, I never extensively researched my Toyota and Honda cars' materials. I do want to buy a proven design (been in the field for a few years), and the LX 2610 engine has been used for years.

 

[fried1765]

I am glad you got an answer, and I hope your tractor search goes well.

However, I do not understand your concern. Kubota has an extremely long history of diesel engine design, and it has one of the best, if not the best, reputation for reliability for compact tractors. Absent a widely documented issue with a specific engine, I would not concern myself with Kubota's engineering choices.

For the same reasons, I never extensively researched my Toyota and Honda cars' materials. I do want to buy a proven design (been in the field for a few years), and the LX 2610 engine has been used for years.

I do agree with your basic premise, but then, John Deere engineering choices must be considered for comparison.
JD is a huge company (much larger than Kubota) that has been building tractors for at least three times longer.
Yet, JD engineered, built, and sold the JD110 TLB, a unit that has a documented history of cracked transmission cases.

 

[cthomas]

My later fathers John Deere 2004 JD 5420 was the biggest pile of SH1T I have ever seen(definitely within the top 5), within 800 hours it had been split 3 times. First time it was 15 months old with about 170 hours I split it to replace a main transmission gasket that was leaking(Not warranty as it was just a leak), but when I ordered parts was advised to replace the bolts and get the updated gasket. Two years later and a few hundred hours more the parking pawl shaft failed and JD dealer refused to even looked at it without a $1500 deposit if it was not warrantable(This was the selling dealership too). My dad got me to split the POS again. And couple more years go by and about 300 hours more the parking pawl shaft failed again. Once again get to split this POS(still had the lumber blocks on casters still screwed together. But now the shaft is updated(about 50% thicker), but, about 4x the price. Sold it to a local farmer who traded in within a year. Not to mention just driving down the road doing 20 MPH and the windshield just shattered. No cars around and tires clean driving in the city, had about 14 hours on it(no warranty).

 

[jimh406]

Every company can build a machine with an issue. For instance, Kubota built the B3350. I'm sure they have other examples of issues if you look enough.

That being said, as noted, it doesn't seem like the LX is one of them. At least, I'm not reading about lots of issues with them. Other than the B3350, all of the other Bs/LXs seem to be pretty good.

 

[PaulL]

You could also look at the L2502. Not very different in price, more solidly built and heavier. That would mitigate the risk, and if you're coming from an older tractor there's probably not features you'd miss.

 

[SDT]

I'm considering the LX2610 as a replacement for our older 20hp tractor. I recently read that it has an aluminum transmission housing, similar to other tractors where the design was to keep the weight down for lawn moving and the like. I have read many threads discussing the aluminum vs cast iron or steel debate, and I can appreciate how a well designed component of an appropriate alloy can be fine.

However, I am not in aposition to magnet-test for myself what the BX2610 housing is made of, and would like to fill in this data point for my considerations. Can anyone confirm from their own experience/testing what the material is? Thanks.

The transaxle housing is cast aluminum.

 

[mrrlyoung]

The transaxle housing is cast aluminum.

Thanks. Seems like that is not uncommon for a certain range of tractors, such as the JD 3025E, another possibility on my list to look at. My main uses will be occasional dirt moving, occasional digging, and a winter's worth of snow blowing (or bucketing) of a foot of snow several times a winter.

 

[SDT]

Thanks. Seems like that is not uncommon for a certain range of tractors, such as the JD 3025E, another possibility on my list to look at. My main uses will be occasional dirt moving, occasional digging, and a winter's worth of snow blowing (or bucketing) of a foot of snow several times a winter.

Believe all similarly sized tractors use aluminum transaxle castings.

Not known to be failure issues but anything can be damaged with sufficient abuse.

 

[PaulL]

Thanks. Seems like that is not uncommon for a certain range of tractors, such as the JD 3025E, another possibility on my list to look at. My main uses will be occasional dirt moving, occasional digging, and a winter's worth of snow blowing (or bucketing) of a foot of snow several times a winter.

Doubt that an aluminium transaxle casting would be a problem for any of that.

I assume LX because you want the mid-PTO for a front blower? If that's the case, then yeah, LX is the machine, and you'd want to at least consider going up to the LX3310 for the extra HP and bigger blower. Snow work is one of the really good reasons to get the high HP machines.

When you say digging - you mean shallow trenches? Or a backhoe?

I did this work on the weekend with my B2601, this is about as deep as you dig with a FEL.

 

[mrrlyoung]

We are replacing a JD 755 loader/backhoe that we have had for some 20 years and has performed remarkably. The mid-pto would be for a snow blower, should we get tired of using just the bucket. The JD 3025E lacks the mid-pto, but there still are front mount options. The digging would be a trench here and there for water lines, unearthing sept tank lids, etc. Unfortunately we are constrained buy the depth of our tractor shed, so overall length is an issue. The Kubota loaders tend to stick out further than the JD ones, but I have to get a measurement from those back home (I'm away) to see if it's an issue. I really like the left-hand steering brakes on the Kubota L2502 as I have used them a lot for snow-plowing. But the lack of them doesn't add up on its own as a deal breaker for the Deere.

 

[Daferris]

Depending on the about of snow you get. You might get along very well without a blower. I live in central Michigan. And have a LX2610 ROPs ( too much work in the woods to have a cab unless I owned a glass company) I have the larger 15-19.5 R4 tires loaded with RimGuard. And use a 6' back blade. Unless the snow is more than 8" or so I seldom even bother with using 4x4 and just drive forward to plow. If it's over a foot then yes I have to spin the blade and plow backwards an use 4x4. But my drive is paved and pretty level. I hate storing stuff outdoors so like to hold the line on having every attachment under the sun... But that's my $0.02

 

[jkrubi12]

OP: FWIW I'll add this to the discussion; I was on the verge of buying an LX2610 when I finally got to see one next to a similarly equipped B2601 at my dealer's lot; I immediately realized that the B2601 was a better fit for me and am very happy I made that choice.

I'd seriously recommend examining both tractors, and others mentioned here, at a dealership prior to finalizing any purchase plans. BTW you can'y go wrong with an LX2610, lots of videos available to see (and hear) them in action.