L2501 Question

[ItBmine]

Anyone switch from a B2620/B2601 to an L2501? I was thinking of adding an L2501 to my stable because I don't want a DPF motor.

Obviously the L2501 has more lift capacity but that is not what I want. It's use would be box blading on my roads and hills when I have the backhoe on my B.

But my salesman told me there would be no difference in pulling power over my B620?

 

[Goz63]

While I don’t have a B his statement doesn’t make sense. The horse power may be similar but weight and torque are not. I know with my L2501 and weighted tires my box blade is awesome. Do you already have a box blade? I have the LP BB2560. That is heavier than the standard 12 series the dealers typically put with the L series. It weighs in at just shy of 500#. I have used it to grade out my barnyard before putting in 45 yards of sand and also did work on my driveway. The only thing I wish I had done from the get go was getting rear remotes and top-n-tilt. That will be added in the spring. Really gives the box blade more functionality. You can do it manually but it is slow, very slow. You have to stop and get off to make adjustments each time you need the angle changed. If you are looking for your L to do box blading add that up front. JMHO

 

[Jchonline]

Anyone switch from a B2620/B2601 to an L2501? I was thinking of adding an L2501 to my stable because I don't want a DPF motor.

Obviously the L2501 has more lift capacity but that is not what I want. It's use would be box blading on my roads and hills when I have the backhoe on my B.

But my salesman told me there would be no difference in pulling power over my B620?

Weight does the work in dirt, not HP. There will be a difference. How much? You probably need a 30% weight gain to see a noticeable difference in work accomplished. I haven’t looked at the specs, but lift capacity on these entry Ls is pretty lackluster. I f you dont have much use for more lift, I suppose it could be a good change. Max height at the pins the LA525 is 1150#, no bucket.

Also I hope you dont have a bunch of hills…HP does help there.

 

[JimmyJazz]

Engine displacement is another consideration. The L2501 has 1647cc vs 1123 for the B2601. The weights are 2623lbs and 1632 respectively. The l2501 is meaningfully larger and more powerful than the B2601. The price may be less for the L2501 also. I think its a bargain comparatively speaking.

 

[ItBmine]

That's what I thought.....I figured the L2501 should have more torque.

Yes, I do already have a box blade. It's the 1260.

This is the first hill and the other is slightly steeper, but my B2620 has no problem box blading up them.

 

[TomRC]

I'm planning to upgrade from my B2601 as well to more than likely and L series. What concerns me about the L2501 is pulling power with a finish mower up slopes. Not in tall grass but grass that is cut weekly. I need sufficient power to mow up slopes in medium gear! I'm thinking the L2501 might struggle which is making me lean towards an L3301. Pulling power up slopes is my main issue with the B2601.

I've read where some feel the L2501 is lacking in pulling power up slopes. I also box blade some sloped portions of my gravel driveway. Not as concerned about box blading as it is not something you do than often but for time sake I don't want to have to drop down to low gear while mowing up slopes and this is what has me a bit concerned about the L2501.

 

[Rdrcr]

Anyone switch from a B2620/B2601 to an L2501? I was thinking of adding an L2501 to my stable because I don't want a DPF motor.

Obviously the L2501 has more lift capacity but that is not what I want. It's use would be box blading on my roads and hills when I have the backhoe on my B.

But my salesman told me there would be no difference in pulling power over my B620?

I upgraded from a B2601 to the L2501 HST. The L2501 is fantastic! I’m extremely happy with the performance.

My B2601 was struggling with ground engagement work and removing tree stumps.
The L2501 has excelled at those tasks on my property. It has done everything the B2601 couldn’t do and much more. Plus, it gets things done quicker. Once again, I’m extremely happy with the upgrade from the B2601 to the L2501.

Power, hills and slopes.

First and foremost, the L2501 will spin all 4 tires (R14) in low gear while working. So, it has power and torque (my B2601 did the same) in those conditions. With that said, high gear is really only useful for transit on flat ground, there just isn’t enough power in that gear for work on this tractor. I do most of my work in medium gear as long as its not difficult ground engagement stuff.

Mike

 

[Rdrcr]

I'm planning to upgrade from my B2601 as well to more than likely and L series. What concerns me about the L2501 is pulling power with a finish mower up slopes. Not in tall grass but grass that is cut weekly. I need sufficient power to mow up slopes in medium gear! I'm thinking the L2501 might struggle which is making me lean towards an L3301. Pulling power up slopes is my main issue with the B2601.

I've read where some feel the L2501 is lacking in pulling power up slopes. I also box blade some sloped portions of my gravel driveway. Not as concerned about box blading as it is not something you do than often but for time sake I don't want to have to drop down to low gear while mowing up slopes and this is what has me a bit concerned about the L2501.

The L2501 HST will struggle pulling a large finish mower up hills or cutting tall grass in medium gear. If you’re okay going slow, you won’t have an issue…there’s plenty of power and torque in low gear.

You’ll definitely need more power if you want to go faster in those conditions.

Mike

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

Anyone switch from a B2620/B2601 to an L2501? I was thinking of adding an L2501 to my stable because I don't want a DPF motor.

Obviously the L2501 has more lift capacity but that is not what I want. It's use would be box blading on my roads and hills when I have the backhoe on my B.

But my salesman told me there would be no difference in pulling power over my B620?

I upgraded from a B2620 to a L3301.

I pull a small 66" finishing mower over very sparse / dry grass so don't notice much of a difference here.

However where most of my work comes from is the BH (16" bucket) digging stumps, Wallenstein logging winch, EA root grapple for moving logs to wood processor, bucket (66") to move split wood around a wood lot into back of pickups, and logs to a wood processor, etc.... In winter I rear snowblow and will say I am probably twice as productive with the L over the B. (twice as much work overall across these tasks made in same time)

both machines are flawless in my experience.

I will say your salesman is wrong on the pulling power as tires are bigger, tractor is heavier, HP and torque both higher.

 

[TheOldHokie]

The L2501 HST will struggle pulling a large finish mower up hills or cutting tall grass in medium gear. If you’re okay going slow, you won’t have an issue…there’s plenty of power and torque in low gear.

You’ll definitely need more power if you want to go faster in those conditions.

Mike

I can't speak for the L2501 but I do have experience with my L3901 and even it can be taxed with a 6' finish mower in M range. Given the difference in HP I would image an L2501 will be even more so. Mower HP is exactly why I chose the L3901 over the L2501. I still do most of my mowing in L range simply because it is more than fast enough on my hilly terrain.

YMMV,

Dan

 

[TomRC]

Maybe low gear on a L3301 or L3901 is faster than low gear on my B2601. But when pulling my finish mower up a slope on the B2601 in low gear its slowwwww in low gear and with 4 or so acres to cut on weekly basis I need a good medium gear solution.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Maybe low gear on a L3301 or L3901 is faster than low gear on my B2601. But when pulling my finish mower up a slope on the B2601 in low gear its slowwwww in low gear and with 4 or so acres to cut on weekly basis I need a good medium gear solution.

Just slightly faster - 3.7 vs 3.9 MPH according to the operator's manuals. My L3901 and 6' Woods RD mower is happy mowing in M as long as I am not trying to cut 2' high growth on a 15% grade. If I was mowing large areas of relatively flat ground and did not have a lot of side slopes to deal with M would be fine. Mowing weekly you would never have a problem.


Using a 72" mower at 3.9 MPH (L range) it takes about 1-1/2 hours to mow 4 acres. At 6.8 MPH (M range) you would you get that down to about 45 minutes.

Dan

 

[TomRC]

Sorry to the OP for getting off topic but may help to realize some of the possible power issues with the L2501 and slopes be it with box blades or mowers.

I'm currently using a 5' finish mower but would like to step up to a 6' Lanpride finish mower, be able to handle slopes in medium gear. Grass will rarely be more than 6" tall as it's cut regularly. I've seen some videos of a guy pulling a 6' finish mower with an L3301 on slopes which was encouraging. Just don't want ANY PART of low gear and weekly mowing tasks! Might even consider a 3901 gear drive. I like the hydro but I'm wondering if putting in gear, taking the foot off the pedal and just going would be easier since mowing is my main task. Probably crazy to be thinking about a gear drive but the 3901 unlike the 3301 does have a 2 stage clutch!

 

[jimh406]

I mow my uphills in L with my L2501 with a RCF2072. I probably could do M with less treadle pedal. My grass is thin since it is dry here. My hills may be steeper than yours. I have no issues with any gear downhill.

So, I think you can easily do M downhill which splits the time difference.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Sorry to the OP for getting off topic but may help to realize some of the possible power issues with the L2501 and slopes be it with box blades or mowers.

I'm currently using a 5' finish mower but would like to step up to a 6' Lanpride finish mower, be able to handle slopes in medium gear. Grass will rarely be more than 6" tall as it's cut regularly. I've seen some videos of a guy pulling a 6' finish mower with an L3301 on slopes which was encouraging. Just don't want ANY PART of low gear and weekly mowing tasks! Might even consider a 3901 gear drive. I like the hydro but I'm wondering if putting in gear, taking the foot off the pedal and just going would be easier since mowing is my main task. Probably crazy to be thinking about a gear drive but the 3901 unlike the 3301 does have a 2 stage clutch!

I just got off the 69 hours L3901 HST pulling a Woods RD7200 finish mower with nearly new blades. You can see the grass is not very high but I am cutting it tight. Mowing uphill in mid-range @2300 RPM the engine will sag 300+ RPM when it hits the steeper spots. And I am not talking about the very steep spots at the top - just the steeper ones in the middle of the slope. In mid-range the tractor cannot maintain a travel speed significantly faster than in low range and even if it could I would not operate it that fast because it is not safe.

That's real world data so you can be quite sure it is 100% indicative of what the L3901 machne can and can't do. Extrapolate to a L2501 at 2/3 the HP.

Dan

 

[PaulL]

If your tasks are limited by traction (such as perhaps box blading), then the L2501 will do them better. It has quite a bit more traction due to quite a bit more weight.

If your tasks are limited by HP rather than traction, like trying to go uphill in higher gears, pulling a mower uphill, I guess box blading if you're going uphill and trying to do it fast, all those would need more HP. The L2501 has more torque, but not more HP. If those are your tasks then I'd look at a more powerful L.

 

[DaveFromMi]

Yesterday, I used the L3901 and 5' bush hog to mow a meadow. The worse part of it had 6' high thistles and ironweed, 1' high broom grass, some other thick 1' high thistles, thick 5' milkweed. The bush hog was set for ~4.5".
During the worst part, I had to get down in 1st gear due to overloading the bush hog. Spent a good part of time in 2nd. Most was mowed in 3rd and 4th gear. At one point in 2nd gear, the engine bogged down about 50 RPM, but went to 1st gear due to the awful noise from the bush hog.
Plenty of power, but pushed the limits of the hog.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I started thinking about an L2501 and no DPF a couple of years ago as I was looking for an additional tractor. The mediocre FEL lift capacity was not a worry as I had a MX for heavier work. I eventually looked at the L3301 as I wanted at least 25 PTO HP, I ended up with a L3901 in the end because the difference from the L3301 and L3901 in price was minimal.

I know it's easy to spend other people's money but I felt that in the end I made the right long term decision for my use. I do a lot of brush hog cutting with a heavy 5' rotary cutter and run many hours with a large chipper. In the winter the L3901 runs a 5' or 6' snow blower, I never have to worry about HP with these sized attachments.

It's nice to have that little extra power than you might need.

 

[RCW]

I think the bottom line is still weight for traction purposes, but your PTO needs on hills does add an interesting twist.

Been following the comments from guys with L series machines with interest.

At 30HP and almost 7,000 pounds, my old ‘Moline can out-pull most small modern tractors easily. But at 30HP and gas, it wouldn’t out-do many on the PTO, even a B series maybe.

 

[TomRC]

I just got off the 69 hours L3901 HST pulling a Woods RD7200 finish mower with nearly new blades. You can see the grass is not very high but I am cutting it tight. Mowing uphill in mid-range @2300 RPM the engine will sag 300+ RPM when it hits the steeper spots. And I am not talking about the very steep spots at the top - just the steeper ones in the middle of the slope. In mid-range the tractor cannot maintain a travel speed significantly faster than in low range and even if it could I would not operate it that fast because it is not safe.

That's real world data so you can be quite sure it is 100% indicative of what the L3901 machne can and can't do. Extrapolate to a L2501 at 2/3 the HP.

Dan

Have you tried mowing those slopes with the loader off? I can pop the loader on and off my B2601 pretty quick and gives me a good bit more power. Problem with the B2601 and the loader off is the front end becomes very light. Have to be careful.

I would think an L3301 or L3901 with spacers and filled tires with the loader off could lift a 5' or 6' finish mower without having such a "tipsy" front end and have a good bit more power to pull up the slopes.