New to Orange Tractors

[couleedude]

Just got a Kubota L2502 Tractor Package from the local dealer. Comes with a whole list of attachments

Offer Includes:
+ Kubota LA526 Loader
+ Kubota 66" Quick Attach Bucket with Bolt on Cutting Edge
+ Land Pride BB1260 - 60" Box Scraper
+ Land Pride AP-PFL3048 - 48" Pallet Forks
+ Land Pride QH16 Quick Hitch
+ Land Pride RCF2060 - 60" Smooth Top Cutter

First new tractor ever, and hoping that this thing will do what I need it to.

Using it to clear a chunk of sagebrush property and rocks, grade driveway, move snow, etc. I will be hopping on this site if I ever encounter any issues or have any questions.

 

[ddavis83864]

Welcome to the addiction, keep us posted on your progress with the new equipment.

 

[couleedude]

I just hope I am happy with my purchase. I really did not do a lot of research. I was looking at only a couple of brands, and this one was a winner with the package and price.

My only experience with tractors is using a large Ford to run a cow ranch (mostly moving round hay bales, some construction stuff) and an old Ford N that I got running after many years of rusting away. I used it mostly for driveways. Both were very old and always had something breaking on them. Will be nice to be able to go out and use it without having to do repairs (at least for the next year or many).

 

[forky]

What was your total new package price?

 

[couleedude]

What was your total new package price?

I don't have the final cost, including the delivery over the snowy mountain passes to my property, but the advertised price was $36,100, zero interest. Delivery could go from $200 to $2000 depending on how nasty and icy the pass is.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

For the driveway, I hear a land plane is the cat's meow, but I've never used one. Out of my budget. I got a Ratchet Rake and I am VERY happy with it.



Always happy to help you spend your money!

 

[ddavis83864]

I just hope I am happy with my purchase. I really did not do a lot of research. I was looking at only a couple of brands, and this one was a winner with the package and price.

My only experience with tractors is using a large Ford to run a cow ranch (mostly moving round hay bales, some construction stuff) and an old Ford N that I got running after many years of rusting away. I used it mostly for driveways. Both were very old and always had something breaking on them. Will be nice to be able to go out and use it without having to do repairs (at least for the next year or many).

You'll be happy with your purchase. After some time you will find uses for the equipment that you never realized. When I bought our tractor three years ago I had never owned or really used a tractor. Now there are days that go by that I don't know how I lived without it. The tractor is a complete force multiplier and allows me to get work done that I would have otherwise had to wait for other people to show up and help with. It also allows me to get large jobs done in much less time that before. For example, we have 10 acres of nearly flat grass area that needs to be mowed. Before I had the tractor it would take me days to get it mowed, now it takes a good afternoon. In the past I also struggled to control weeds on the property, now with the tractor and three point mounted sprayer tank I have everything under control and the property looks fantastic.

 

[couleedude]

You'll be happy with your purchase. After some time you will find uses for the equipment that you never realized. When I bought our tractor three years ago I had never owned or really used a tractor. Now there are days that go by that I don't know how I lived without it. The tractor is a complete force multiplier and allows me to get work done that I would have otherwise had to wait for other people to show up and help with. It also allows me to get large jobs done in much less time that before. For example, we have 10 acres of nearly flat grass area that needs to be mowed. Before I had the tractor it would take me days to get it mowed, now it takes a good afternoon. In the past I also struggled to control weeds on the property, now with the tractor and three point mounted sprayer tank I have everything under control and the property looks fantastic.

I have 22 acres in eastern WA state. My neighbor cleared most of the sage on the bottom 6 acres (flat area where we have the house, cabin, etc.). I need to drag the sage to smaller piles to burn, move some medium sized rocks around, and do some dirt moving to level the property out a bit. I will be mowing with this, as well, once the rocks are moved. In the future, I have to cut a road up a rocky mountain behind my house so I can easily access the upper 15 acres of my property. Also, clearing snow off the driveway so my mother can get her little car in and out. Things like that for now. I KNOW more will come...

 

[couleedude]

Are there any things I need to look out for on this new tractor? Any maintenance issues I should prepare for, etc? Are there any common pitfalls or mistakes made by new owners that I should watch for?

Overall, I am pretty handy having run a 1000 acre cow ranch for many years. I am not worried about fixing things, just catching them before they break, if I know what to watch for.

 

[forky]

I would check the front axle to make sure it is full of kubota super utd2 fluid. Most new owners
find it to be low. Mine was down 2 quarts. Easy enough to check and fill.

 

[couleedude]

I would check the front axle to make sure it is full of kubota super utd2 fluid. Most new owners
find it to be low. Mine was down 2 quarts. Easy enough to check and fill.

That is EXACTLY the kind of thing I was asking about! Thanks!

 

[couleedude]

Our old Ford tractors had the tires filled with water. I don't think I will need that.

Or Will I???

 

[forky]

Depends on your use. Mine are for lifting full buckets of heavy wet snow, and also the slopes in our woods. R1's and loaded tires are not nice to lawns though.

 

[Sidekick]

Rim guard (beet juice) in the tires is worth it if you're going to do a lot of loader work or have slight hills.

 

[ddavis83864]

Are there any things I need to look out for on this new tractor? Any maintenance issues I should prepare for, etc? Are there any common pitfalls or mistakes made by new owners that I should watch for?

Overall, I am pretty handy having run a 1000 acre cow ranch for many years. I am not worried about fixing things, just catching them before they break, if I know what to watch for.

Just make sure to regularly check fluid levels and keep them maintained. Perform it yourself (just keep good records) or get the regularly scheduled service work done. I'd suggest having some extra super UDT2 hydraulic fluid on hand. Looks like the only attachment you have that could spill any is your loader (can't image you will be taking it off very often though). But you will want to have extra pins/clips and spacers if needed for your three point attachments. Its not if you will lose any its when.

 

[couleedude]

The topsoil on my property is Mt St Helens ash, primarily. About 24-36" deep in most places. It is VERY soft. I will try it without the ballast for now, as I worry that I may sink the tractor or just dig DEEP grooves. My neighbor does NOT use it, I will check with my other neighbor who has had a large CAT on his property for years.

 

[couleedude]

Just make sure to regularly check fluid levels and keep them maintained. Perform it yourself (just keep good records) or get the regularly scheduled service work done. I'd suggest having some extra super UDT2 hydraulic fluid on hand. Looks like the only attachment you have that could spill any is your loader (can't image you will be taking it off very often though). But you will want to have extra pins/clips and spacers if needed for your three point attachments. Its not if you will lose any its when.

Awesome suggestions! I will make sure to purchase these before I head out east. Once I get out there, it is a 3 hour round trip to get any parts. While I am in town (where I work and live most of the time) the Kubota dealer is right next door to my office.

 

[Shawn T. W]

Your box blade/scraper is probably the heaviest you have for the rear (for now!)

Highly recommend have at the minimum that on the back, a heavy ballast box would be better ... 1000+ Lbs on the back will not only help keep your back tires on the ground, and the front end from tipping you over . . . It will save your front end from excessive wear!

Think of your tractor as a teeter totter ... Too much weight on one end doesn't work, it must be balanced, your loaders manual should cover this, unfortunately it more than likely will not list an actual weight! But say something to the effect of filled rear tires AND rear ballast ... The more you want to pick up on the front loader, the more you need on the rear ...

 

[jyoutz]

Where the OP is located, I would suggest Bioballast as liquid tire fill instead of rim guard. It is manufactured in the PNW and is a better product than Rim Guard (not messy, still non corrosive, and has additives to condition the tire rubber).

 

[couleedude]

With our old big ford tractor, we would put a large round bale on the back and then pick up HEAVY things with the front. Sometimes, I worried the the tractor would fold in half from all the weight on both ends. I swear you could see a little flex at times!!!

Most of the time we just left the bigger brush guard on, and maybe added some logs if needed.

Luckily, I don't have much that weighs too much on my property. Maybe 500 lb rocks would be the most I would need to move.