B2601. 54" or 60" loader?

[Tundrabuggy]

Hello. New member here. Just sold my BX25. I am about to pull the trigger on a B2601. I am on the fence about the bucket size that I want. The tractor will be mostly used for moving dirt, sand, and some gravel. I will also use it to lift firewood rounds up to a wood splitter. One dealer states that all they sell on the B2601 is the 60". Another dealer says to go with the 54". I am leaning toward the 54". 60" is stated on Kubota build site as a "Light Material bucket.
Also, my BX25 had R4's. They were great in the woods, never punctured one. Anyone have any issues with the R14's?
Thank you.

 

[Steve67]

For what it’s worth I have the 54” on my b2601 and with the bxexpanded tooth bar it is capable of digging jobs or moving gravel, dirt, etc. To me it’s a better fit for b2601 compared to the 60” bucket

 

[RCW]

I don’t have a B2601.

I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either 54 or 60.

I think the light material buckets are of similar construction, just a little bit bigger, and thus may be a little heavier. Detracts from the lifting ability of the loader a little.

Looks like you’re using the loader more for heavy stuff like dirt, stone and wood blocks.

You’re not moving mulch around which is much lighter

I agree with @Steve67 that a 54” would be fine and definitely agree that a Piranha Toothbar is a must-have.

I’ve had a PTB from BXPanded since I got my BX years ago and love it.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

I agree with above advice.

Only other thing I would add is that I would want the narrowest bucket that covers the tracks.

 

[lynnmor]

I have the 54" on a B2601, never needed or wanted a larger one, you can always take another pass if need be. Get a heavy cutting bar, either straight or a Piranha type depending on usage as they will prevent the bucket from developing a smile.

 

[PaulL]

I have 54". I probably would have purchased the 60" if it were available, but I don't feel that I've missed it.

Light materials I don't think refers to the construction, it refers to the fact that if you filled the 60" bucket with heavy materials the machine would have trouble lifting it.

Of course, my loader technique isn't that flash, so my bucket isn't full all the way to the top all that often.

I don't think you can go wrong either way. I'd buy the bucket that's in stock at the dealer you want to buy from.

 

[Tire Biter]

A 60” bucket full of whatever is gonna be a lot of weight off the front of that tractor. I have a 54 and have had the rear off the ground in the rough With a bucket full. I’m happy with the 54 on the 2601.

 

[Tundrabuggy]

I did have the Piranha tooth bar on the BX25. I liked it alot. I plan on getting one for the new tractor also. I may get the 60" bucket and try it out. If I don't like it, I can always buy a 54" and use to 60" for snow removal.

 

[Grindstone]

I have the 54" on mine and haven't had any complaints or issues.

 

[saskydude]

I have a 60" because that's what was on it. They said they sold all the 2601's that way. If I'm scooping something heavy I just get A 3/4 bucket and away I go. Less spilling on a bumpy road is a bonus and the build quality is perfectly fine. I ordered the R14's but they took months to get so i used the R4's for a winter. The R14's are far superior in snow removal, I don't spin the rears as much compared to the R4's. R4's will wear better in the long term, though.

 

[DustyRusty]

I would recommend the 60" bucket, and it will be overall a better fit, even if you can't fill it with heavy loads. Ask what the weight difference is between the 60" and the 54" bucket. Read previous comments below.

54" VS 60" FEL Bucket

Ordered a LX3310 and the salesman asked if I wanted the 60" bucket rather then the 54" bucket. He said the 60" bucket is made from the same material as the 54" bucket but is called a light duty bucket because if you fully load it, the tractor might not be able to raise it. Did anyone else go...

www.orangetractortalks.com

60" vs 54" bucket for B2601?

I took your response and showed it to the dealer and he said you were absolutely wrong and that the buckets are made of the same gauge steel in both versions and the 60" is only rated as light duty because it is possible for you to overload the lift capacity of the loader with a full bucket...

www.orangetractortalks.com

B2650 54" or 60" loader bucket?

B2650 54" or 60" loader bucket? Pros and cons. I have 50% clay dirt 50% soft dirt. I am going to put a piranha blade on whatever I get to scarf off the scotch brush. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

www.orangetractortalks.com

Difference in buckets for the la 435 loader

Ok so I'm new to tractors and just recieved 70% of my tractor. I wanted to know what the difference is between the 54 inch bucket and the 60 inch light material bucket? Is one prefable over the other? I ask as I signed for a 60 inch but it showed up with the 54 inch. Im not knocking my dealer...

www.orangetractortalks.com

and for opinions outside of OTT........

FEL Bucket 54" or 60"

The difficulty is - there is no definition for heavy duty. On the two bucket choices I had - the heavier bucket simply had thicker steel - more bracing - added gussets - more welds. Agreed The 54” and the 60” buckets for the b2650 are the same other than width. 3 inches wider on each side of...

www.tractorbynet.com

Kubota Light Materials Bucket - Too Light?

I got a light material bucket for my tractor and its not light. It's called light material because its recommended that you use it only for light material so you don't over load the FEL. So, any issues with digging with it? Is it durable enough? I know it comes with reinforced steel at...

www.tractorbynet.com

It really comes down to opinions, and everyone has one.

 

[Trev450r]

I have a B2601, and it has the 60" bucket. I wouldn't go any smaller. I've moved lots of dirt, sand, gravel, wood chips, and snow.

 

[Tundrabuggy]

I would recommend the 60" bucket, and it will be overall a better fit, even if you can't fill it with heavy loads. Ask what the weight difference is between the 60" and the 54" bucket. Read previous comments below.

54" VS 60" FEL Bucket

Ordered a LX3310 and the salesman asked if I wanted the 60" bucket rather then the 54" bucket. He said the 60" bucket is made from the same material as the 54" bucket but is called a light duty bucket because if you fully load it, the tractor might not be able to raise it. Did anyone else go...

www.orangetractortalks.com

60" vs 54" bucket for B2601?

I took your response and showed it to the dealer and he said you were absolutely wrong and that the buckets are made of the same gauge steel in both versions and the 60" is only rated as light duty because it is possible for you to overload the lift capacity of the loader with a full bucket...

www.orangetractortalks.com

B2650 54" or 60" loader bucket?

B2650 54" or 60" loader bucket? Pros and cons. I have 50% clay dirt 50% soft dirt. I am going to put a piranha blade on whatever I get to scarf off the scotch brush. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

www.orangetractortalks.com

Difference in buckets for the la 435 loader

Ok so I'm new to tractors and just recieved 70% of my tractor. I wanted to know what the difference is between the 54 inch bucket and the 60 inch light material bucket? Is one prefable over the other? I ask as I signed for a 60 inch but it showed up with the 54 inch. Im not knocking my dealer...

www.orangetractortalks.com

and for opinions outside of OTT........

FEL Bucket 54" or 60"

The difficulty is - there is no definition for heavy duty. On the two bucket choices I had - the heavier bucket simply had thicker steel - more bracing - added gussets - more welds. Agreed The 54” and the 60” buckets for the b2650 are the same other than width. 3 inches wider on each side of...

www.tractorbynet.com

Kubota Light Materials Bucket - Too Light?

I got a light material bucket for my tractor and its not light. It's called light material because its recommended that you use it only for light material so you don't over load the FEL. So, any issues with digging with it? Is it durable enough? I know it comes with reinforced steel at...

www.tractorbynet.com

It really comes down to opinions, and everyone has one.

Thank you DustyRusty.
I did a search before posing the question, but I did not use "FEL" ,I used loader instead. I knew this question has been asked lots of times,

 

[Tundrabuggy]

A 60” bucket full of whatever is gonna be a lot of weight off the front of that tractor. I have a 54 and have had the rear off the ground in the rough With a bucket full. I’m happy with the 54 on the 2601.

I will have ballast, there will be a backhoe on it also. I can attest that on the BX25, even with the backhoe on it, a full bucket is a lot of weight up front.

 

[JimmyJazz]

Hello. New member here. Just sold my BX25. I am about to pull the trigger on a B2601. I am on the fence about the bucket size that I want. The tractor will be mostly used for moving dirt, sand, and some gravel. I will also use it to lift firewood rounds up to a wood splitter. One dealer states that all they sell on the B2601 is the 60". Another dealer says to go with the 54". I am leaning toward the 54". 60" is stated on Kubota build site as a "Light Material bucket.
Also, my BX25 had R4's. They were great in the woods, never punctured one. Anyone have any issues with the R14's?
Thank you.

I also have the B2601 with the 54 inch bucket and Piranha tooth bar. I feel the 54 inch bucket is plenty big enough given the loaders lifting capacity. I also added some bolted on shackles to the top of the bucket. I like to use straps to aid in lifting ,securing , pulling logs ,shrubs ,fire pits ....... you get the idea. Others like chains. Many here have commented as to what kind and where to get them. I bought mine off of either Amazon or eBay. Nice to have. I opted for turf tires with the rears loaded as I do plenty of mowing. You will love the B2601 . I have beaten the hell out of mine on my 2 1/2 acre suburban lot. Its important to remember that these little tractors can kill you so be careful. I have nearly shit my pants on several occasions. Be safe and good luck!

 

[Velma]

Depends on what is in the bucket...60" of dirt/rocks maybe too much for the B. Sometimes 54" is too much.

 

[PA452]

I'd go with the 60".

I debated the same option when buying my B2650. Now I can't imagine having a smaller bucket. As said, they call it a "light material" bucket just because if you really filled the thing to the brim with a heavy material it might be a little heavy for your machine. If you're going to have a backhoe though, that's excellent ballast. Can't speak for the B2601, but with my machine the loader simply won't pick up a heavy load before the rear wheels are even close to coming off the ground.

 

[Tundrabuggy]

Thank you all for the posts. I went with the 60". It looks like my trails out at the camp will be just a bit wider. That is okay, I will be able to drive the side by side down them.
I won't have the tractor for a while, the dealer has to order the backhoe.

 

[PaulL]

Thank you all for the posts. I went with the 60". It looks like my trails out at the camp will be just a bit wider. That is okay, I will be able to drive the side by side down them.
I won't have the tractor for a while, the dealer has to order the backhoe.

You can get the tractor, then take it back to fit the backhoe. If that was something you needed.

 

[skeets]

Pick up a tooth bar, while the 2601 works well a tooth bar will help a whole bunch