I need to upgrade from my L2250 2WD

[Bill Kalbo]

I have a Kubota L2250 2WD with a front loader and I love it but I need to upgrade a bit.

What it doesn’t have that I want/need is 4WD, Power Steering, and HST.

The specs of the L2250 are:

Engine (gross) 26.5 hp
Wheelbase 64.6 Inches
Length 108.3 Inches
Width 49.4 Inches
Height 79.9 Inches
Ground clear 12 Inches
Front tread 39.8 Inches
Rear tread 40.0 to 44.7 Inches
Shipping 2380 LBs

I want to stay in this general size, maybe more HP, but not required. I can’t go much bigger as I have lots of trees and buildings to work around and bigger won’t work.

Rear hydraulics for accessories would be nice but not required.

What OLDER Kubota models would you recommend that are about the size of the L2550 but with 4WD, Power Steering, and HST? I’m not looking for a newer tractor, so avoiding the BX models.

Thanks,

Bill

 

[PaulL]

It's an L-series with a 1.3L engine.

Logically any L series will fit. Current equivalent model would be an L2502 (26HP machine with a 1.6L engine). Model before is an L2501, made from 2014, available with an HST and 4wd.

There was an L2800 from 2004-2010. That is a desirable machine, no emissions but 29HP from 1.4L. There was also an L3400, which had the 1.6L that's now in the L2501/2, but tuned to give 32HP. Also a desirable machine.

TractorData.com Kubota L2800 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

TractorData.com Kubota L3400 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

Arguably when you move to 4wd you don't need quite as much weight. Depends what you're doing. But you could look a the "large B" - B2630 from 2006-2012, B2650 from 2013 till recently, now known as the LX2610. This is a bit lighter, but similar power.

TractorData.com Kubota B2630 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

TractorData.com Kubota B2650 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

The BX is definitely not in this size class - did you mean LX?

Of course, if you also want a markedly better tractor (as well as newer and 4wd) you could look at the Grand-L. A bit larger, noticeably more luxury with a really excellent transmission. More expensive too. L3240 would be an example, but there were a whole range with Lxx30, Lxx40 and Lxx50 over time, ranging from about 30HP up to about 60hp.

TractorData.com Kubota L3240 tractor information

www.tractordata.com

 

[Bill Kalbo]

Thanks PaulL.

All great suggestions that fit the bill but, except for the L2800 and L3400, most are too expensive for my pocket. Did they make any comparable tractors in the late 90’s and early 2000’s that might be closer to what I can afford?

 

[PaulL]

The full list of what they made is here:

TractorData.com - Kubota farm tractors sorted by model

www.tractordata.com

You have to poke around a bit, and I'd focus on tractors that are an L or a B (ignore the rest). I'd take a stab at:

• B2710 or B2910. Early 2000s, perhaps a bit small, but HST and maybe in your price range
• L2500 Late 90s. You'd need L2500DT for 4WD, can't see if it's HST but I think not.
• L2900 looks to be a grand-L. Shuttle shift, but not HST I think
• L3010 looks to be a grand-L in the early 2000s, has an HST. I suspect they hold their value well though

Others can comment, but it looks to me like your options are therefore:

• Any of the larger B series. They came in different sizes, and were HST all through the 90s. You give up a bit of size, but they're pretty common (aka cheap), and with 4wd and HST maybe you don't need as much power and weight as you have now
• If you need an L-sized machine, then you have a problem. The standard L is cheaper, but they weren't HST until closer to 2010 (the L2501 really). The grand L had better transmissions earlier (either shuttle in the late 90s, or HST glide shift in the early 2000s). But they're really good machines, so they're also expensive
• Or.....you could buy a brand new L2502 on 5 years to pay, and have a warranty and a great machine. Sure, it's way out of your price bracket.....but you're spending someone else's money on it all interest free

 

[BAP]

Bill, if you give a price range that you want to be in, it would be easier for people to make model suggestions and help you find a tractor. Are you looking to sell what you have to offset the cost of a newer tractor?