Need an additional Smaller Bota...

[ccs]

I pretty recently bought an M5-111 with FEL and a land pride 8' mower and a 15' batwing mower. Love the machine. I need another Kubota, but smaller...

Id like a second and smaller machine to be able to jump on and off of (no cab) to handle smaller tasks..quickly grade some gravel drive, mow a smaller section (not a large field)...move a small pile of dirt...maybe a post hole digger...box blade...etc. etc. ---- smaller jobs that dont require dragging out something as large as a 100 hp M5...but yet enough muscle to handle tasks.

So I'm considering a B2650 or an L3901..again with an FEL and even add a backhoe attachment, if I get the B2650, thinking about the 72" mid mount mower deck...

Is the B2650 going to be big enough to do what I want -- yet would the L be too big for smaller jobs and almost overlap with owning an M series?? Thanks for helping me think it through....and any advice.

 

[chim]

My 4th tractor is an L3200 HST, R4's and for me it's the ideal size. It's large enough to do real work, and small enough to be nimble. The others lacked weight and horses for what I wanted to do. This one handles a 6' RFM just fine. We have 3-1/2 acres of grass to mow here and 1/2 acre for a neighbor. Some winters we get almost no snow and others are a lot more fun. Our paved driveway is about 100 yards long and the gravel drive to the shed is less than that. I take care of snow removal for the neighbor and the church. The FEL has been used quite a bit for burying an LP tank, moving dirt and crushed stone and of course snow removal. A set of homebrew brush forks make tree trimming / storm cleanup easy.

 

[mjhenry04]

get the 3901. Amazing machine. Light enough to not tear stuff up but powerful enough to do what needs to be done.

 

[sdk1968]

hee hee.... not being a real farmer...

an L3901 IS a big tractor to me.


small tractors.... BX series (any BX)

midsize tractors... B series 2601, 2650, 3200, 3301

L= large tractor ... 3650, 3901

M = Monster tractor

 

[conropl]

If you can swing the cost, the L3560 would be a good fit. Compared to the L3901, it is heavier (which helps with the dirt work), you can get a bigger loader with higher lift capacity and a little bigger bucket (LA805), and it has more features like hi/lo speeds for each range (L/M/H), stall guard, auto throttle up amongst others.

Just another option.

 

[ccs]

If you can swing the cost, the L3560 would be a good fit. Compared to the L3901, it is heavier (which helps with the dirt work), you can get a bigger loader with higher lift capacity and a little bigger bucket (LA805), and it has more features like hi/lo speeds for each range (L/M/H), stall guard, auto throttle up amongst others.

Just another option.

I think the L3901 would be the Biggest I'd want to go, remember Ive got an M5-111 that will more than lift anything I need to do. This second machine is to do smaller jobs...to jump on and off of quickly -- but still be able to handle a box blade or lift smaller loads..

Right now I'm torn between a B2650 and either an L3301 or L3901...but Ive read the B2650 is much more deluxe in its comforts and features as the L is a "standard" tractor ?? But I have also heard and read when going to an L from a B the L is much beefier and heavy duty....Uggh, tough decision.

 

[prof.fate]

B's from what I"m learning have mid and front PTO..and have emissions motors (DEF I aassume).

L's don't have the emmissions stuff..is it a big deal or not? DEF expires..I assume they'll have exhaust filters..I drive school bus as a PT job and all our units are now DEF equipped..most are fine, some (15%) are 'lemons' and plug filters..and it's not fun nor cheap to deal with that.

 

[D2Cat]

All diesels over 26HP have the emissions "stuff". B's, L's, M's, doesn't matter.

 

[NEPA Guy]

My next door neighbor has a L3901. He raises cattle. I've seen it in action. That would be my vote.

 

[Tractor Dell]

Right now I'm torn between a B2650 and either an L3301 or L3901...but Ive read the B2650 is much more deluxe in its comforts and features as the L is a "standard" tractor ?? But I have also heard and read when going to an L from a B the L is much beefier and heavy duty....Uggh, tough decision.

Here is a video Messick's did comparing the B and Standard L tractors. Not sure if you have seen it or not, but I think it may help answer a few of your questions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9fOIMiROKY

 

[virginiavenom]

I'd go B2650, get a cab, don't look back.

 

[sdk1968]

All diesels over 26HP have the emissions "stuff". B's, L's, M's, doesn't matter.

like Cat said... if you are going bigger(new) than 26... you are gonna have that stuff anyway...

my Deluxe B is an awesome "little" tractor... but Sheepfarmer can talk you into that Grand L 3560 in a heartbeat which is just as nice.

if its not a Grand L? its not as feature nice as a Delux B.


that Grand L is my "fantasy tractor"

 

[sheepfarmer]

Ccs, I have an L3560 and a B2650. Of the chores you mention, the only one I'm not certain for the B is having enough 3 pt lift to dig post holes well. Someone that has a phd and a 2650 might be able to tell you its limitations.

 

[Mike.O]

Might be nice to not have a DPF on your second machine, especially if its going to be jumped on for quick tasks and short usages.

L2501 or B2650 would be my vote.

 

[RCW]

Might be nice to not have a DPF on your second machine, especially if its going to be jumped on for quick tasks and short usages.

L2501 or B2650 would be my vote.

Mike - - Excellent point.

That does sound like his intent for the 2nd machine, so worthy of consideration, if they'll do what he needs.

 

[Stmar]

I went with the B2650HSDC to get the factory cab. The Messicks video was pretty good at pointing out the features of the B and L series. My B did come with the deluxe 3pt adjustable arms, didn't think I would need them but found that they do come in handy when you need that extra inch or so. I have only had the B since May so have not gone through a winter yet but everything I learn reinforces my buying decision, the only thing I would change is upgrade the radio to Bluetooth. No DPF was also a factor in the equation.

 

[ccs]

Might be nice to not have a DPF on your second machine, especially if its going to be jumped on for quick tasks and short usages.

L2501 or B2650 would be my vote.

Mike -- that is a good point and yes more of an on and off for smaller jobs...definitely will NOT be doing a cab allowing for quicker easier on and off -- I have the Cab with heat/AC/Stereo on the M5.

Just concerned the B2650 wont have the HP to pull a bogged down box scraper or a grading scraper and etc.?

 

[Stmar]

If I had not wanted the cab I would have probably gone with the L. At this point I have no interest in the mid pto, that could change in the future and may be a benefit if I ever sell it. I usually go for as simple as possible, fewer things to go wrong, but after last winter I decided to add a bit of comfort to my life.

 

[ccs]

If I had not wanted the cab I would have probably gone with the L. At this point I have no interest in the mid pto, that could change in the future and may be a benefit if I ever sell it. I usually go for as simple as possible, fewer things to go wrong, but after last winter I decided to add a bit of comfort to my life.

Stmar...I watched Messicks video on the B vs. L and noticed his pointing out that the B was considered deluxe (controls in better spots, no hump in middle to step over) -- while the L was more of an "economy offering" ? (controls in less desirable locations, large hump in middle to step over, etc.) --- I haven't gotten out to see the B vs. L yet so just going off what reading and watching...any thoughts on this stuff from you B vs. L owners...?

 

[RCW]

...any thoughts on this stuff from you B vs. L owners...?

ccs - can't comment on appurtenances since I only have a little BX and a 65 year old Minneapolis Moline.

You know importance of weight with a tractor.

A more deluxe B at 26 hp and 1,700 lbs, won't pull like a standard L at 25hp and 2,600lbs. (I'm just guessing weights - you ought to verify my guesses)

Add the tire load/wheel weight capacities, etc. difference gets much bigger with the L over the B.

I do think Mike has a good thought about the Tier 4 system on the <27hp tractors if you're only looking at sporadic/periodic use.

Like you said, look at them.

More importantly, decide what you need it to do that your big machine cannot do better/quicker.

Good luck!!