Considering trading in an lx2610 on an L series

[HowardTractor]

I am looking for some advice. I am considering trading in my LX2610 and attachments on an L Series with more HP. My LX is 3 years old and I am having some regrets that I got this instead of the L. I don't think I am particularly hard on the machine, but I keep shearing off bolts or bending something. I thought these machines were supposed to be tough. I also always seem to be wishing I had a bit more power on both the loader side and the rear PTO. I have a ten acre hobby farm with a good bunch of trees around it. I don't have a huge operation, but I always feel like a got a lawn mower and I need a tractor. Is this all in my head? Should I just keep repairing the LX when it breaks? Will the L not break? Is the cash I am going to have to spend worth the gains?

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[old and tired]

I break bolts all the time... gave up counting them. In your profile photo, you have the tractor on a trailer... how often do you transport it? Can your truck handle the extra weight of a larger tractor?

You'll need to step up to the L4701 / L4802 to get much more lifting power and more robust tractors. The Standard L's is not much better than what you got.

What's your feelings about driving on your grass? Heavier tractors will be more noticeable on the yard...

The way I set up my tractor, smallest engine, put extra money into Top-N-Tilt, Grapple on front and needed implements. Do you have those on your tractor??

Buying too big of a tractor and you run out of funds for things to make the tractor useful.

 

[jimh406]

First, what are you breaking. If you are breaking shear bolts on the rotary cutter, you probably have to trade up implements as well.

I disagree that the standard L isn't much better. Even a L2501 actually quite a lot heavier with a differently configured loader and also heavier rear end also has a significantly larger displacement engine. Of course, the L3901/2 also has a lot more HP.

A Grand L with the upgraded loader would be a really nice upgrade with creature comforts. Any of the other Ls are "standard" tractors. You may not like the lack of polish of a standard L. If it was me, I'd consider a MX. It still has nice features and is another step up.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

I really don’t have good answer to the $/value question…I think that is up to the individual.

Beyond that I wonder what actually doing when you have the troubles or disappointment? Using the right implement? Expecting more than can do in a single pass? Generally I think a B or Lx will do whatever providing implements sized right and don’t mind how long they take. If that is not meeting your expectation, time to belly up to the bar.

I think you get more selling machine yourself vs a trade (although a trade may be more convenient). In terms of what to replace with, I think figure out what you want to lift or pull and size the machine to that. Once into a particular price range I’d price multiple different sizes as I think it may surprise you how much tractor you can get in the price range. same as last time, if don’t want buyers remorse buy a size bigger than you think you need. Good luck.

 

[SDT]

I am looking for some advice. I am considering trading in my LX2610 and attachments on an L Series with more HP. My LX is 3 years old and I am having some regrets that I got this instead of the L. I don't think I am particularly hard on the machine, but I keep shearing off bolts or bending something. I thought these machines were supposed to be tough. I also always seem to be wishing I had a bit more power on both the loader side and the rear PTO. I have a ten acre hobby farm with a good bunch of trees around it. I don't have a huge operation, but I always feel like a got a lawn mower and I need a tractor. Is this all in my head? Should I just keep repairing the LX when it breaks? Will the L not break? Is the cash I am going to have to spend worth the gains?

Any thoughts welcome.

Interesting.

I have broken nothing on my B1750, B3350, or M9960.

I have broken a couple of hitch brackets on my L6060 before discovering that the attachment bolts loosen allowing the bolts to work harden and break. Now check torque before each use and no more problems.

Ten acres is a lot of land for an LX2610.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Asking us if you should buy a bigger tractor, is like asking Hunter Biden if he wants another hooker and more crack.

Hell YES man!

I love my L2501, but If I was gonna trade it in, I would personally look at a MX.

Loader capacity and backhoe capability are important to me personally. I don't currently mow too much and if I did, a Zero-turn would be in my future.

 

[NCL4701]

Being it sounds like a good bit of your issue with your current machine is bending and breaking various things on it, some detail on what is bending/breaking and what you’re doing when these things bend/break would likely get you a better answer.

In general I agree with those who opine a move to a standard L in the 2501 to 3901(2) range will get you into a physically heavier machine that is more of a traditional ag/utility tractor style (not on a ladder frame) and you’ll get an improvement in performance. Whether that’s enough improvement or you really need to move up to a L4802 or a MX or a M or a SVL to accomplish what you need to accomplish with acceptable reliability and efficiency… . Don’t know what exactly you’re doing, how you’re doing it, or why your current machine is bending/breaking.

I suspect you are competent at operating your tractor, but it’s kind of hard not to mention, there is no construction/ag equipment that can’t be broken by poor technique. For example, I have witnessed a “professional” tractor loader operator ramming the loader into a gravel pile at 5mph over and over as he was pulling gravel from the pile to spread it. When asked why, he said time is money and I got none to waste. Equipment repairs are money, too. A larger machine won’t fix poor technique.

 

[BAP]

Constant bending and breaking has more to do with operator error than the machine. You can’t operate a 25hp tractor like a 988 Cat loader. I have a B2920 that I bought in 2012 and use to maintain 15 acres. I have never bent anything and the only sheared bolts have been shear bolts. I use my tractor hard but use it wisely because I own it, I maintain it and I pay for all maintenance/repairs if needed. If you are trying to talk yourself into buying a bigger tractor then go for it, we can’t make that decision for you. Just remember, some of your attachments will probably have to be upgraded to for the bigger tractor and more power.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

curious, like the others, ... WHAT are you 'breaking and bending' !!!! ????

bigger isn't always better..you can do MORE damage ( $$$$$$$$ ) with bigger !

 

[HowardTractor]

Thanks all for your thoughts. These are all helpful ideas....

In response to some of your questions. Just recently I was cleaning my chicken coop where i push all the wood chips, chicken crap and yard waste that chickens make into my bucket. I went to the compost pile dumped it and then turned the compost pile over. I gave the bucket a little flick to get the last of the crap off it and one of the arms that are part of the loader quick-tach drops. I get out to look and there is this thin bolt that holds a pin this thing attaches to that has sheared off. About a month ago I finished brush hogging and I was looking at the back of the tractor and see half a bolt just sitting there. It was a bolt that keeps the fender assembly centered. Apparently just the vibrations from running the brush hog caused the fenders to vibrate so much that it broke a bolt off. Just little things like that seem to keep happening. I bought this thing new 3 years ago. I would have to look at the hours, but I don't run it that much.

Now I grew up doing construction work. I drove trucks, operated the big industrial forks moving trailers and supplies around the yard. I learned to let a tool do the work. And I have a reasonable understanding of physics. I am not a professional machine operator and I didn't grow up driving a tractor, but I have a bit of skill. Not saying I can flip a dime up on the forks or that I don't tap something with the bucket every now and then accidentally, but I am not just driving this thing into walls for the fun of it.

So each time something like this happens I am asking myself, am I just a really bad operator, is this equipment made poorly, or do I not have the right equipment. My fear is, I go spend a bunch of money and end up back in the same place. Maybe it is just the usual wear and tear when working a machine hard.

 

[Geezer3d]

If you have the money and don't mind the heavier machine leaving tracks in your lawn then bigger is better.

I have an LX2610 SU and I work it as hard as it is capable of working. I have never broken anything. I have an BH77 backhoe with a substantial sub-frame so that may be making the difference. I also have a heavy grapple and work that and the loader bucket as hard as the hydraulics will allow.

I bought the LX rather than a heavier machine because I drive across my lawn a lot and don't want to tear it up. The LX with R14 tires is still rough on the lawn if it is wet at all, but acceptable to me. I'm sure the weight of the backhoe and sub-frame add a lot of weight, especially to the back tires.

 

[HowardTractor]

I bought the LX rather than a heavier machine because I drive across my lawn a lot and don't want to tear it up. The LX with R14 tires is still rough on the lawn if it is wet at all, but acceptable to me. I'm sure the weight of the backhoe and sub-frame add a lot of weight, especially to the back tires.

I have the R14s and have ballast in the rear tires. About 1/3 of the property is lawn / landscaped and I do leave some ruts I am not super happy about there. So definitely a concern.. My property is difficult for being only ten acres. I am surrounded by mature tries, there are a few spots that are a bit hiily, about 1/3 is landscaped, and the rest is flat field. The field is cut and bailed by a local farmer, but we have plans to utilize it, building a barn and planting a small orchard. So I seem to have some different needs in a small space.

 

[SAR Tracker]

Got my LX2610 Cab version new in December 2020. Now right at 400 hours on it. Only bolts broken have been shear bolts on the snowblower auger and impeller shaft. Used a LOT with the forks to haul logs, ,and the BH77 to hold logs up for chainsaw to keep chain out of the dirt and to save my back. Couldn't be happier with mine.

 

[HowardTractor]

Got my LX2610 Cab version new in December 2020. Now right at 400 hours on it. Only bolts broken have been shear bolts on the snowblower auger and impeller shaft. Used a LOT with the forks to haul logs, ,and the BH77 to hold logs up for chainsaw to keep chain out of the dirt and to save my back. Couldn't be happier with mine.

Glad to hear it. I always hear people talking about putting the LX's through their paces with great success. Which is why I am wondering what the heck I am doing wrong

 

[Runs With Scissors]

It's crazy how people see thing differently.

There is a fine line between use and abuse.

I'm not casting aspersions on anyone's character here, rather I am relaying my experience.

One of my SIL's is about 27. He's a good guy with a "good" head on his shoulders, HOWEVER he is an absolute nightmare on machines......of any kind......cars, trucks, tractors, boats.....you name it he will break it and then scratch his head and wonder what happened.

I was helping him dig out a stump one day and I'm on the tractor.

He says "Hey Paul, just ram it with the bucket and see if it moves!"

I yelled back " Fu@k you!!!!! .........This is not a Battering Ram it's a fu@@ing tractor for fu@ks sake...and stop fu@@ing giving me advice, I fu@@ing hate that!!!!" ( I'm a joy to work with )

He just thought it was perfectly OK to "ram it" with the bucket.

When I loan him tools, I always say out loud "DO NOT treat this like it's yours, treat it like it's mine"

 

[BobInSD]

...Not saying I ... that I don't tap something with the bucket every now and then accidentally...

Very familiar feeling. Normally the other stuff breaks, not the tractor. I'm still having trouble convincing my wife that I "accidently" took out the vinyl fence I've been asking her if I could take down. I can also tell you exactly what sucking up a sump pump hose in a 3-pt snowblower looks and feels like...