B2920 replacement

[troverman]

I have a 2013 B2920 I use in my landscaping business. It has a loader and belly mower, and I also mow with a 4-floot vrismo flail mower. Although there is nothing wrong with it, I tend to keep things a certain time, get value out of them, and buy new.

The problem is this: There is no 29HP B-series anymore. It looks like if I want to keep the belly mower option and have 29HP, I'd have to buy the deluxe B series with 33HP and a slightly larger frame size. This is a significantly more costly tractor.

If I was willing to give up the belly mower, would anyone consider an L2501 as a replacement for the B2920? Yes, it has less power but it also is gear drive which uses it's power more efficiently. It is also very well priced.

Thoughts?

 

[mickeyd]

The L2501 is a great tractor and you won't really notice the 4HP less.

It is a bigger footprint with a lot more weight than the B2920.

 

[dirtydeed]

Have you considered the B2650? A bit lighter than the L2501 and will accept a belly mower (RCK60-30BA, RCK72-30B). I believe that it also uses the same engine as your B2920, they just turned down the rpm/pump on the 2650 to make it fall under the dpf requirements. The loader lift capacity is roughly the same (L vs. B), and they do use the same BH77 backhoe. I have the 60" loader bucket on mine, and it's just fine.

I don't think you'd want the B3350 with its dpf issues...

best of luck in your decision.

 

[troverman]

That's one of my concerns, weight. Kubota is saying a 2601 HST weighs about 1600lbs; the L2501 gear drive is 2600lbs. SO...1,000lbs more to move and 4-less HP. My concern is that I mow steep slopes with the B2920 and my 4-foot flail behind it. Sometimes the grass is very tall and I need everything it has. I know gear drive makes up for a little bit of the problem, but I'm unsure.

 

[troverman]

Have you considered the B2650? A bit lighter than the L2501 and will accept a belly mower (RCK60-30BA, RCK72-30B). I believe that it also uses the same engine as your B2920, they just turned down the rpm/pump on the 2650 to make it fall under the dpf requirements. The loader lift capacity is roughly the same (L vs. B), and they do use the same BH77 backhoe. I have the 60" loader bucket on mine, and it's just fine.

I don't think you'd want the B3350 with its dpf issues...

best of luck in your decision.

What would be the advantage of a B2650 over a B2601? They have the same power rating. I won't be getting a backhoe...probably just a loader.

I have a 2018 MX4800, I'm well aware of the DPF.

 

[dirtydeed]

What would be the advantage of a B2650 over a B2601? They have the same power rating. I won't be getting a backhoe...probably just a loader.

I thought you were looking for something that could use your existing belly mower.

 

[troverman]

I thought you were looking for something that could use your existing belly mower.

Are you saying the 2650 uses the same exact belly mower as the 2920 but the 2601 uses something different?

 

[dirtydeed]

Are you saying the 2650 uses the same exact belly mower as the 2920 but the 2601 uses something different?

I posted the belly mower model numbers the 2650 uses for you (did you not see it?). I do not think the 2601 and 2650 share mower decks...they are physically different frame sized tractors.

 

[troverman]

I posted the belly mower model numbers the 2650 uses for you (did you not see it?). I do not think the 2601 and 2650 share mower decks...they are physically different frame sized tractors.

I must have glossed over that. I do currently have an RCK60-30B mower deck on the B2920. I guess I'm surprised because the B2920 is the same frame size as the B2601. I always thought the Bxx50 series were a little larger frame and would use different mowers?

 

[dirtydeed]

according to the brochure, the B-01 series uses RCK54-32, RCK60-32 (drive over decks).

B-50 series uses RCK60-30BA or RC72-30B . I have no idea what the "A" is for in the 60" model and if it would work with yours, but it would seem like it may...

Perhaps someone (or your dealer) would know for sure thereby saving you the cost of a belly mower.

Regarding the dpf "issue". I was only calling to your attention that there have been many DPF issues specifically with the B3350 model. Not dpf issues in general. I was interested in the B3350 when I was looking for a new machine and had 3 different dealers flat out refuse to sell me one (they all had them on their lots).

 

[85Hokie]

Have you considered the B2650? A bit lighter than the L2501 and will accept a belly mower (RCK60-30BA, RCK72-30B). I believe that it also uses the same engine as your B2920, they just turned down the rpm/pump on the 2650 to make it fall under the dpf requirements. The loader lift capacity is roughly the same (L vs. B), and they do use the same BH77 backhoe. I have the 60" loader bucket on mine, and it's just fine.

I don't think you'd want the B3350 with its dpf issues...

best of luck in your decision.

I would second the B2650 too. Now if the bellymower does not fit - then sell it and start over. The 2650 is a bit larger than the standard B series, and 26 HP vs 29 HP - you will not see a difference in power.

 

[troverman]

according to the brochure, the B-01 series uses RCK54-32, RCK60-32 (drive over decks).

B-50 series uses RCK60-30BA or RC72-30B . I have no idea what the "A" is for in the 60" model and if it would work with yours, but it would seem like it may...

Perhaps someone (or your dealer) would know for sure thereby saving you the cost of a belly mower.

Regarding the dpf "issue". I was only calling to your attention that there have been many DPF issues specifically with the B3350 model. Not dpf issues in general. I was interested in the B3350 when I was looking for a new machine and had 3 different dealers flat out refuse to sell me one (they all had them on their lots).

Interesting. I now remember watching a Messick's video about the 3350 and DPF issues. Supposedly they are finally all corrected, but I'd be leery as well. How do you like your 2650? I'd love to see a photo. Are the tires larger than on a standard B?

 

[Clover13]

Interesting. I now remember watching a Messick's video about the 3350 and DPF issues. Supposedly they are finally all corrected, but I'd be leery as well. How do you like your 2650? I'd love to see a photo. Are the tires larger than on a standard B?

FWIW, my dealer mentioned to me that next year they are going to build the 3350 with the L series emissions parts to be done with the DPF issues they experienced. Not sure what your timeline is, but may want to wait and see if you're in no rush.

 

[troverman]

I would second the B2650 too. Now if the bellymower does not fit - then sell it and start over. The 2650 is a bit larger than the standard B series, and 26 HP vs 29 HP - you will not see a difference in power.

It's hard for me to believe there is no difference in power. Like I said, I'm mowing on steep slopes usually with the 4-foot flail mower. Right now with my B2920 if I'm headed uphill, in low range, wide open throttle, in tall grass I can cause black smoke to exit the exhaust pipe and RPMs to start to drop until I ease off the hydrostatic pedal. With that being said, I can only imagine a slightly larger machine with three less horsepower would suffer this fate even sooner than the 2920.

 

[troverman]

FWIW, my dealer mentioned to me that next year they are going to build the 3350 with the L series emissions parts to be done with the DPF issues they experienced. Not sure what your timeline is, but may want to wait and see if you're in no rush.

Probably the biggest problem is getting the DPF tube and EGR cooler to fit under the smaller B-series hood.

 

[dirtydeed]

Here's some comparison info:

https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/defa...mparison-pdfs/b01_comps.pdf?sfvrsn=c54a214c_2

Messicks video comparing B-50 series to L01 series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9fOIMiROKY

IMO, the B-50 series is only very slightly smaller than the L-01 series, but weighs approx 1000? lbs less. The B2650 is roughly 150 lbs heavier than the B2601, but has larger wheels/tires, has a torque(ier) engine producing more torque at less rpm. Like I said, I believe it is the very same engine as your 2920, but the rpm is limited to keep the HP down under the threshold. It is NOT the same engine used in the B2601.

I moved from a BX23 to the B2650. I looked at the small L(01) and small B(01). Both are very nice machines, but my property is very wet (swamp road is my street addy) so I wanted a lighter weight machine than the L -01 series. The B-01 series honestly didn't feel all that much larger than my BX23. Anyway, the difference in weight between the B2601 and the B2650 was very slight, but the overall size difference was noticeable (I also wanted the greater ground clearance).

So far, I like the B2650, but I don't have all that many hours on it (maybe 60 hours) and I do not mow with it. I really wanted the B-3350SU, but they wouldn't sell me one.

 

[SDT]

That's one of my concerns, weight. Kubota is saying a 2601 HST weighs about 1600lbs; the L2501 gear drive is 2600lbs. SO...1,000lbs more to move and 4-less HP. My concern is that I mow steep slopes with the B2920 and my 4-foot flail behind it. Sometimes the grass is very tall and I need everything it has. I know gear drive makes up for a little bit of the problem, but I'm unsure.

If you are power limited now, you will be disappointed if you do not buy more HP.

SDT

 

[troverman]

Here's some comparison info:

https://www.kubotausa.com/docs/defa...mparison-pdfs/b01_comps.pdf?sfvrsn=c54a214c_2

Messicks video comparing B-50 series to L01 series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9fOIMiROKY

IMO, the B-50 series is only very slightly smaller than the L-01 series, but weighs approx 1000? lbs less. The B2650 is roughly 150 lbs heavier than the B2601, but has larger wheels/tires, has a torque(ier) engine producing more torque at less rpm. Like I said, I believe it is the very same engine as your 2920, but the rpm is limited to keep the HP down under the threshold. It is NOT the same engine used in the B2601.

I appreciate the info, dirtydeed. Based upon your chart, I can see a couple of things: the 2601 engine is rated at 2800RPM while the 2650 is at 2500RPM. The 2650 also has more torque. Interestingly, my 2920 engine is also rated at 2800RPM, so I'm guessing it is a derivative of the 2601 engine. I wonder how much torque my 2920 engine makes; cannot locate that anywhere...but either way, the 2650 makes more torque than the 2601.

Based upon this info, I am becoming more interested in a 2650. The purchase price is a fair bit less than a 3350, too.

 

[dlundblad]

I have a 2013 B2920 I use in my landscaping business. It has a loader and belly mower, and I also mow with a 4-floot vrismo flail mower. Although there is nothing wrong with it, I tend to keep things a certain time, get value out of them, and buy new.

The problem is this: There is no 29HP B-series anymore. It looks like if I want to keep the belly mower option and have 29HP, I'd have to buy the deluxe B series with 33HP and a slightly larger frame size. This is a significantly more costly tractor.

If I was willing to give up the belly mower, would anyone consider an L2501 as a replacement for the B2920? Yes, it has less power but it also is gear drive which uses it's power more efficiently. It is also very well priced.

Thoughts?

I get confused on the different B models, but the guy at my local dealer said he wouldn't sell me a B3350 because they've been so problematic due to the diesel particulate filter. I do like the physical size of the B2650 and B3350 though.

He recommended the L2501 to me so I am no help there as my plan is to have a rear mount finisher. Call me skeptical, but he talked me into a cheaper model too.

*I'm not sure on the minimum horsepower requiring emissions equipment, but the L2501 will not have that. I like simple. The B2650 has a digital dash whereas the L2501 has analog gauges too.

 

[dirtydeed]

Ok, I'll try this one last time...the B2920 and the B2650 both use the very same engine (D1305). The B2920 generates more HP because of the increased rpm that it's allowed to run (2800 rpm vs 2500 rpm in the B2650).

Having said that, you'd be giving up some hp (at least 2hp difference at PTO) to run your flail with the B2650. As you mentioned before (and others above), you are already struggling with hp as it is. So, maybe its just not a good fit for your application.

The only reason why I mentioned the B2650 was that it was pretty close on HP to what you already have and would likely accept your current belly mower. I wasn't trying to sell you on one.

The B3350 would likely be a good fit, but it would seem that they come with some fairly common dpf issues (especially for northerners). I recall seeing some on this forum that experienced no issues at all with this model, but I'm not sure of their use/case or where they were located (north/south).

I hope you can find what you're looking for. Best of luck.