Hi! My first time on this forum and hoping for advice on joining the Orange family. I’ve been using an 8N Ford to mow my 13 acres and have loved it—always starts, fixed with hand tools, looks great, takes me back in time. But also scares the daylights out of me because of the list of people that have gotten killed by that thing in the last century. Time for something with modern safety features but NOT modern emissions controls. And as few electronics as possible. How old do I have to go in a Kubota to avoid emissions controls? And any warnings about critical safety features I would miss by going TOO old? It would be primarily running a 5-6 foot brush hog, used every few weeks and not in the winter, and would need to fit in an 8N sized shed. Thinking maybe L sized Kubota 40HP or so...I’d be very grateful to hear what you folks think. Thank you!
Getting Started
- Thread starter Steven Dan
- Start date
BigG
Well-known member
Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
You can buy a new L2501 as it has no emission controls. It is the new tractor most like your 8N. No computer, no emissions, simple to use. The 25hp is more then enough to run the 5 foot hog. You can buy it as a 2 wheel drive with R1 ag tires, with a gear transmission, and without a front end loader. It would damn near be an 8N with more hp and the modern live PTO. Water the tires and front weights would give you a simple safe tractor. A 2 year warranty and 0% rate on the loan and you would be good to go, The only option you need to buy is a telescoping stabilizers for the 3 point hitch. Part # L8430.
This is from Kabota build page for a L2501
I bought a L2501 in this form:
4 x 4
hydrostatic transmission
front end loader with a SSQA
3rd function valve to run a bucket grapple
1 rear remote to operate the hydraulic top link
R4 tires that I would change to R1 (ag tires)if I did it again
still need the L8430 kit
This is from Kabota build page for a L2501
I bought a L2501 in this form:
4 x 4
hydrostatic transmission
front end loader with a SSQA
3rd function valve to run a bucket grapple
1 rear remote to operate the hydraulic top link
R4 tires that I would change to R1 (ag tires)if I did it again
still need the L8430 kit
Last edited:
Thank you! I actually just measured my hog and it’s closer to 6 ft and I’ll tell you that 8n struggles with it. But I see your point—keep the hp under the emissions requirements. So what is a telescoping stabilizer for? And what’s a rear grapple?
BigG
Well-known member
Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
Most of the old Fords have a steel bar on the out side of the 3 point to prevent the arms from hitting the tires. Some guys use chain to do the same thing. The newer low hp tractors come with a turnbuckle arrangement to do the same thing. It is a poor design for most applications as they are not very strong and the lock nut often comes loose. The upgrade which come standard on the more deluxe tractors are the L8430 sway bars. They are much better and stronger then the turnbuckles.
I do not know where you got the rear grapple question.
What part of Ohio are you in? I grew up in Noble Co.
I do not know where you got the rear grapple question.
What part of Ohio are you in? I grew up in Noble Co.
If I was mowing 13 acres there is a big difference between a 5 & 6’ brush hog, I would definitely run a 6’ wide version, I run both widths today but would not run a 6’ wide brush hog on my smaller L3200 tractor, it will bog down when I’m cutting tall heavy meadow grass and brush. I support your idea of something more around 40hp or more. I have a newer L3901 that has a little more power and will run a 6’ wide brush hog better , this has the latest emission control but to be honest I don’t notice any issues. I know if you take it slow you can get away with less horse power.
good luck in making a selection
Agree with upnorth on the L3200. I haven’t ran a 6 foot bush hog on mine but with 5 ft I can bog it down at times. Its rare that I can’t throttle through it but I wouldn’t consider a 6 ft on mine. The 3200 specs out about the same as the 3301.
BigG
Well-known member
Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
L2501 = $14,618 24.8 hp
L4701 = $20,610 47.3 hp
Using a mowing calculator.
Mowing at 3 mph with a 5 foot mower equals 1.64 acres per hr. 13 acres / 1.64 acres per hour = 7.93 hrs
Mowing at 3 mph with a 6 foot mower equals 1.96 acres per hr. 13 acres/ 1.96 acres per hour =6.63 hrs
$20,610 - 14,618 = $5,992
7.93 hr - 6.63 hr = 1.3 hrs
For a tractor that has no emissions, no computer, will preform far better than an 8N and save almost $6000. The OP is happy with the 8N. The OP also stated that he used the tractor for little else. I think the L2501 would shine.
L4701 = $20,610 47.3 hp
Using a mowing calculator.
Mowing at 3 mph with a 5 foot mower equals 1.64 acres per hr. 13 acres / 1.64 acres per hour = 7.93 hrs
Mowing at 3 mph with a 6 foot mower equals 1.96 acres per hr. 13 acres/ 1.96 acres per hour =6.63 hrs
$20,610 - 14,618 = $5,992
7.93 hr - 6.63 hr = 1.3 hrs
For a tractor that has no emissions, no computer, will preform far better than an 8N and save almost $6000. The OP is happy with the 8N. The OP also stated that he used the tractor for little else. I think the L2501 would shine.
BigG that’s an interesting view of things and presents a case for spending 1.3 hours more mowing and saving $6k. I really enjoy seat time on my tractors but my time is also at a premium, I’m sure other forum members have this issue too and sometimes more power can be overkill but is useful to complete tasks quicker, I generally run my Woods BBX72 on the back of a MX 5800, it’s overkill but it’s quick and I can move onto the next task.
I look forward to early retirement where time is not so limited and I can consider to do things at a slower pace and enjoy that seat time. I look forward to putting more hours on all of my equipment.
BigG
Well-known member
Equipment
l2501, FEL, BB, Rotary cutter, rake,spreader, roller, etc. New Holland TL80 A
I could not agree more with you that time is very important. But I was trying to point out that yes there are advantages to bigger tractors. The cost is tough to swallow sometimes. If the OP was pretty happy with the 8N then the cost savings would be a big plus for the L2501 for the relatively small amount of time that you gain.
I know most of the guys on here are often in favor of the bigger the better but the hour and 18 min per cut is not that big of a deal to save $6000. Also I see the people saying the new emissions are not a big deal but what is it going to be like in 15 or 20 years from now when the parts are no longer made. The 8N is around 70 years old and is still usable. Are these computer controlled tractors going to be running in 20 years? Will the dealer still be able to clear the codes off the computer when a problem arrives? I do not think it is worth the gamble to buy the complicated tractors if you do not make your living with the tractor.
And just a silly thought. $6000 at 2% compounded daily grows to $8100. A nice down payment for the next one.
I got a job to level several truckloads of dirt around a school building. At the time I had a 1528 MF (28 hp) and I have a TL80A New Holland. I used the 5 foot box blade on the 80 horse HN to do the bulk of the dirt work. It was amazing how quickly I spread the dirt. If I had an 8 foot BB...... Days with the MF turned into hours on the NH. Made me some money. But the MF would have done it.
Not just the $6,000 cost of the bigger tractor but everything that you add to it is more expensive, loader, bigger heavy duty rotary cutter, rear blade, box blade, grapple, etc... probably use more fuel in most cases as well.
If I were working a large farm as my source of income, production would be paramount, time is money. But I just use my tractor for land maintenance of my property. In fact I look forward to doing tasks with it and am almost disappointed when done and I have to put it back in the garage. So a few more laps around the pasture, trips with the loader, moving logs cut to 12' instead of 18', pulling a 72" rear blade instead of an 84", 60" flail instead of a 72", isn't a disadvantage to me. I can accomplish the same work it might just take a bit longer. Time is fun!
ROFL... AFTER RETIREMENT... You’ll wonder where you ever found the time to GO TO WORK!BTDT.