Confused by the manual of the L2501 HST

[old and tired]

Well, The clutch pedal must be depressed for engine start...

Unless you bypassed the clutch safety switch... .

 

[nerwin]

It's confusing to me because the L2502 doesn't have a clutch but fundamentally it's the same tractor and drivetrain right? I mean the four wheel drive lever is in the same place and works the same way. That doesn't need the clutch.

 

[ken erickson]

It's confusing to me because the L2502 doesn't have a clutch but fundamentally it's the same tractor and drivetrain right? I mean the four wheel drive lever is in the same place and works the same way. That doesn't need the clutch.

Obviously not the same drivetrain, 2501 has a clutch, 2502 does not.

Personally I would not go too far down the rabbit hole trying to compare two similar but different Kubota models. Operate your tractor using the guidelines in the L2501 manual and common sense and you will be fine.

 

[Marky]

It's confusing to me because the L2502 doesn't have a clutch but fundamentally it's the same tractor and drivetrain right? I mean the four wheel drive lever is in the same place and works the same way. That doesn't need the clutch.

It has no clutch pedal, it has a switch. When the switch is off, it is the same as having the clutch disengaged (pressed in) on a 2501.
I don’t have a HST but I have seen my friend start his 2501HST while standing next to it many times. He told me that as long as the pedal was in the neutral position it would start without being in the seat. I have started it myself while sitting in the seat without pressing the clutch. So, you do not have to press the PTO clutch pedal to start it. Same with my 2502DT gear drive. If the “forward-reverse” lever is in neutral and the PTO lever is off, it will start while standing on the ground.

 

[ken erickson]

It has no clutch pedal, it has a switch. When the switch is off, it is the same as having the clutch disengaged (pressed in) on a 2501.
I don’t have a HST but I have seen my friend start his 2501HST while standing next to it many times. He told me that as long as the pedal was in the neutral position it would start without being in the seat. I have started it myself while sitting in the seat without pressing the clutch. So, you do not have to press the PTO clutch pedal to start it. Same with my 2502DT gear drive. If the “forward-reverse” lever is in neutral and the PTO lever is off, it will start while standing on the ground.

I would speculate your friends L2501 has a malfunctioning safety switch for the clutch pedal. Yes I can start my L2501 from next to it, as long as I have the clutch pedal locked down in the disengaged position. My L2501 will NOT start without the clutch pedal being depressed. As per the manual.

 

[mcmxi]

I would speculate your friends L2501 has a malfunctioning safety switch for the clutch pedal. Yes I can start my L2501 from next to it, as long as I have the clutch pedal locked down in the disengaged position. My L2501 will NOT start without the clutch pedal being depressed. As per the manual.
View attachment 142449

Manuals can really suck. Maybe my brain works differently, but that last important detail should either read "Clutch is disengaged" or "Clutch pedal is depressed". The word disengaged is specific, and to say that the pedal is disengaged is confusing to me. I would read that as "don't depress the clutch pedal".

"Lost in translation" isn't just a movie.

 

[ken erickson]

Manuals can really suck. Maybe my brain works differently, but that last important detail should either read "Clutch is disengaged" or "Clutch pedal is depressed". The word disengaged is specific, and to say that the pedal is disengaged is confusing to me. I would read that as "don't depress the clutch pedal".

"Lost in translation" isn't just a movie.

LOL,
I agree that there are many instances of confusing wording in manuals after translation. That being said, it is clear in my mind what the intention is when it comes to "clutch pedal is disengaged".

Here is further verification from the manual . The testing procedure for the safety switch for the clutch pedal.

Bottom line, on a HST L2501 the clutch pedal must be depressed, (clutch disengaged) for the engine to start. Thats assuming it has properly functioning safety switches as installed from the factory.

 

[nerwin]

We all call the HST pedal the treadle pedal but Kubota calls it "speed control pedal". The manuals should be written in a way for us normal folks can understand who don't have an engineering degree, like me

 

[mcmxi]

LOL,
I agree that there are many instances of confusing wording in manuals after translation. That being said, it is clear in my mind what the intention is when it comes to "clutch pedal is disengaged".

Here is further verification from the manual . The testing procedure for the safety switch for the clutch pedal.

Bottom line, on a HST L2501 the clutch pedal must be depressed, (clutch disengaged) for the engine to start. Thats assuming it has properly functioning safety switches as installed from the factory.

View attachment 142450

"Release the clutch pedal" makes a lot more sense if the intent is to remove one's foot from it. "Clutch pedal is disengaged" sounds a lot more like remove your foot than depress the pedal.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I would speculate your friends L2501 has a malfunctioning safety switch for the clutch pedal. Yes I can start my L2501 from next to it, as long as I have the clutch pedal locked down in the disengaged position. My L2501 will NOT start without the clutch pedal being depressed. As per the manual.
View attachment 142449

Will not start is with the Clutch pedal pressed down.
That is when the clutch is disengaged, up clutch is engaged.

 

[nerwin]

So this is what I concluded after researching for hours. This seems to apply to atleast the later models of the L2501.

The clutch is only needed to start the tractor and to engage/disengage the PTO.

However it is not necessary to use the he clutch to "shift" into L-M-H ranges. You simply stop the tractor, make sure the HST pedal is in neutral position and then simply shift into your desired range. Sometimes you need to tap on the pedal to get it to lock in fully.

You also have no need to push the clutch in for the 4WD lever. No need to take it out of range, just wanna make sure the wheels are not spinning and just pull in the lever. Sometimes you need to use the HST pedal to get it to go in and often to get it to go out of 4WD, you can either lift the machine up with the loader or turn the wheels full lock to hit the HST relief and that often allows you to get out of 4WD.

This is just what I concluded from my hours of research.

I know the diff lock is a little scary but it's not when you understand how it works. You just don't want your wheels to be spinning at the same time otherwise you'll shear that of that pin in the diff. But it does say sometimes you need to rock the tractor back and fourth with the HST pedal to get it to lock in. That's just what I saw.

 

[ken erickson]

Will not start is with the Clutch pedal pressed down.
That is when the clutch is disengaged, up clutch is engaged.

Disagree, the tractor will ONLY start with clutch pedal pressed down ie clutch is disengaged.

Yikes. Either I am missing the boat , mis reading the manual or my tractor does not preform as intended or ...........?

 

[TheOldHokie]

I been reading through the manual for my L2501 and there are a few things that I am slightly confused about and was hoping some folks here could clear it up for me.

So the first one was operating the tractor it self. I know the L2501 has a clutch and you must push it in order to start the tractor. However, I wasn't aware that you also need to push the clutch in the change the range of the hydrostatic. The manual clearly states you must depress the clutch to "shift" into Low, Medium or High. However when I watched videos on this tractor, I never saw them doing that? They stop and put it in different range. Am I missing something here? Haha.

The second one has to do with engaging 4WD. The manual also states that you must depress the clutch to engage 4WD but again the videos don't show them using the clutch, they just pull the lever and to take it out of 4WD, you also need to depress the clutch?

Thirdly has to do with the PTO. I know that in order to engage PTO, you need to fully depress the clutch, move the PTO lever to on position and slowly release the clutch. This I do know. However, it doesn't mention that you need to push the clutch in to turn off the PTO, you can just shut it off and this ok? Do I need to be stopped to do this?

The manual is a bit confusing on some of the things. Just trying to clear these things up first. Because I don't want to damage the tractor the first time I go use it haha.

Thanks!

L3901 HST Z will start without depressing clutch.

Changing speed ranges is done with the tractor motionless. Clutch is not required but sometimes it helps get the gears lined up.

Same for 4WD changes.

No first hand experience on an L2501. On the L3901 you can disengage the PTO without using the clutch but I don't.

Dan

 

[ken erickson]

I’m sure that is possible. I have read a lot of posts on forums stating that a 2501HST will start without pressing the clutch. Maybe the range lever has to be in neutral position and the PTO off. I have seen that posted as well.

Nope. The range lever can be in H M L or neutral . As long as the HST pedal is in a neutral position, clutch pedal depressed (clutch disengaged) and pto lever in off position the tractor will start. Again, in a properly functioning L2501 HST the clutch pedal must be depressed for the tractor to start.

 

[ken erickson]

L3901 HST Z will start without depressing clutch.

I concur. When you look at the L3901 HST manual there are no mentions for starting the tractor or checking the safety systems that deal with the clutch pedal.

Maybe that is where some of the confusion comes from is that most people think that the L2501 , L3301 and L3901 are the same tractor except for engine size.

 

[nerwin]

I concur. When you look at the L3901 HST manual there are no mentions for starting the tractor or checking the safety systems that deal with the clutch pedal.

Maybe that is where some of the confusion comes from is that most people think that the L2501 , L3301 and L3901 are the same tractor except for engine size.

I think the L2501 and L3301 are pretty much the same except HP but the L3901 is definitely a little different...dare I say on the slightly more "premium" side? I thought the L3901 is bigger but it also uses the LA525/526 loader. I know the L4xxx series is the big frame models with even larger engines.

Did your L3901 come with the floor mats and the second fender grab handle? I've seen a lot of the L3901 that do.

 

[Marky]

I would speculate your friends L2501 has a malfunctioning safety switch for the clutch pedal. Yes I can start my L2501 from next to it, as long as I have the clutch pedal locked down in the disengaged position. My L2501 will NOT start without the clutch pedal being depressed. As per the manual.

I’m sure that is possible. I have read many posts stating different configurations including many that start as long as the PTO is off and the DT shuttle or HST range levers are in neutral. It may be that it varies by year. It seems odd that the 2502DT has no switch on the clutch. Switches are on the PTO lever, and the shuttle lever.
This seems to confirm switches on the PTO and range/shuttle levers for 2017 models. But now I wonder if you can trust any of this stuff..

 

[nerwin]

I’m sure that is possible. I have read many posts stating different configurations including many that start as long as the PTO is off and the DT shuttle or HST range levers are in neutral. It may be that it varies by year. It seems odd that the 2502DT has no switch on the clutch. Switches are on the PTO lever, and the shuttle lever.
This seems to conform switches on the PTO and range/shuttle levers for 2017 models. But now I wonder if you can trust any of this stuff..

There is stuff in the manual that others posted here for the L2501 that isn't in the one I downloaded from Kubota. It says 2014? Maybe I have the wrong one but that's the only one I could find. Maybe there are a number of revisions made for each year model. Even though the tractors are probably the same, surely Kubota has made changes here and there to work out bugs.

 

[ken erickson]

I’m sure that is possible. I have read many posts stating different configurations including many that start as long as the PTO is off and the DT shuttle or HST range levers are in neutral. It may be that it varies by year. It seems odd that the 2502DT has no switch on the clutch. Switches are on the PTO lever, and the shuttle lever.
This seems to conform switches on the PTO and range/shuttle levers for 2017 models. But now I wonder if you can trust any of this stuff..

I have the electronic version of the WSM for my L2501. It does not mention that there are any kind of SN cut offs for changes in the safety switches but I suppose its possible.

A couple of screen shots from the WSM.

Picture showing the location of the clutch safety switch

Picture of the "flow" my term of the safety switches and if they will allow the tractor to start.

Notice that the PTO lever switch , disengaged, the HST pedal in Neutral , and the clutch pedal depressed for the engine to start. If any ONE of these conditions is not met, the tractor will not start.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Someone wanna throw in some oil advice just to round this right out.