Stumped...B2650 or L3901

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
Having tough time deciding between a B2650 and an L3901. Have a larger Kubota tractor for big jobs. Want a smaller one to use for everyday stuff...scoop gravel, some mowing of fields, run a tiller for deer food plots, run the occasional backhoe, landscape grader, post hole digger...

just afraid I'm going to miss the extra HP that the L3901 can provide to run all those potential implements...? On paper the tractor specs in size arent that much different. Sat on them both, L feels good -- just dont want to buy "too big" for an everyday chore tractor...as I said, have an M series for really heavy duty stuff.

Anyone buy a B2650 and wish they had an L or bought an L over the 2650 and wish they had the smaller 2650 ?
 

armydoc78

New member
Nov 28, 2016
34
0
0
46
Jefferson, SC
I bought the 3901 for everyday use and have not looked back. I have bigger tractors for the big stuff. I use my 3901 for mowing pastures, running a hay tedder and rake, pulling a light leveling disc, and feeding my cows. I can comfortably move two 4x5 bales at once. There are some days I wish I had the 4701, but completely satisfied with my 3901.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Mike.O

Member

Equipment
B2650
Mar 28, 2017
109
0
16
CT
Me, Me, Me!!!

I have a B2650 Loader/Backhoe. Love it, but wish I went to the L2501.
 

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
2,122
1,244
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
I had a B7500 for 10 years and sometimes it was too small when doing loader work or using some of the 3PH implements. The L3200 I've had since 2012 fits me better and has rarely been too small for the tasks. Since most of the dirt has been moved to where it belongs, the majority of work in the past few years has been using a rear finish mower. I have a homebrew FEL tool in the works now for some upcoming projects in the Spring - cleaning up the fence row and doing some minor grading in the back yard.

A smaller tractor wouldn't handle a 6' finish mower, and this tractor isn't too big to do my neighbor's 1/2 acre. It's an ideal size for our 3-1/2 acres.
 

Huskerfan

Member

Equipment
Kubota B2650 HSTC, Grasshopper 725Dt
May 24, 2016
64
1
8
Iowa
B2650. Get the cab version if you can. I’m continually amazed at its capabilities.
 

Stmar

Active member

Equipment
B2650HSDC
May 23, 2017
929
47
28
Buffalo, Wyoming
I went with the B2650HSDC for the cab option. Would I like more power? Sure everybody wants more power but I had to decide if I wanted comfort and footprint at a reasonable price. So far the B has done everything I have wanted, is very maneuverable and way more comfortable than my iron seat Ford 8Ns. Is heat and AC worth $4k+? At my point in life a resounding YEP!!
 

DuckDog

New member

Equipment
B2650
Jun 23, 2017
72
3
0
Laotto, IN USA
I went with the B2650HSDC for the cab option. Would I like more power? Sure everybody wants more power but I had to decide if I wanted comfort and footprint at a reasonable price. So far the B has done everything I have wanted, is very maneuverable and way more comfortable than my iron seat Ford 8Ns. Is heat and AC worth $4k+? At my point in life a resounding YEP!!


+1 to this.

I have B2650 and it’s doing all the things I need. Was trying to find away to put it. This sums up my thoughts as well. Minus the cab option.

Footprint and comfort at a reasonable price. Well said!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
I went with the B2650HSDC for the cab option. Would I like more power? Sure everybody wants more power but I had to decide if I wanted comfort and footprint at a reasonable price. So far the B has done everything I have wanted, is very maneuverable and way more comfortable than my iron seat Ford 8Ns. Is heat and AC worth $4k+? At my point in life a resounding YEP!!
Yes, agreed - cab is a must - but I have an M5-111 with a cab. For this smaller everyday chore tractor, I specifically don’t want a cab. I want to jump on and off quickly and not fuss with a cab
 

Sqidget

Member

Equipment
BX24
Feb 5, 2011
43
0
6
Richmond, RI
One other thing to consider is a Mid PTO. The B2650 has one, but there is no availability of a mid PTO on the Lxx01 series.
 

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
One other thing to consider is a Mid PTO. The B2650 has one, but there is no availability of a mid PTO on the Lxx01 series.

Yes - did consider - no interest in a mid mount PTO
 

RCW

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2360, FEL, MMM, BX2750D snowblower. 1953 Minneapolis Moline ZAU
Apr 28, 2013
9,159
5,261
113
Chenango County, NY
ccs- I'm going to take a different angle.....

You have a BIG tractor for BIG jobs. That's a given (lucky guy)!

The B2650 has some "amenities" a standard L might not have. Don't know what they are, but I see guys reference them. But, it's a little 'cuss compared to your big machine.....

Would you consider an L2501? Same horsepower, bigger frame than the B2650, without the mid-PTO (which isn't a concern for you)?

If you won't consider the L2501, then I think you would want the 3901, for the weight and horsepower.....while the 2650 is very capable, I honestly wonder if the B would seem like a toy after operating your M....

JMHO, and best wishes in your endeavor!!

PS - I have a BX and an old 30 hp/6,500 lb row-crop tractor, so I'm not endeared to either the B or the L....
 
Last edited:

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
3rd vote for the L2501. It***8217;s a Work horse, strong, and reliable for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have definitely considered the L2501...but since the machine is the same dimensions and frame as the L3901..if I personally were going to get the L2501, I'd just get the L3901...no difference, just more HP...and costs a few bucks more.

My thought has been that I want to go down in size enough from the M that I dont feel at all similar to operating the M -- but dont want to go down too small that I feel like Im on a "garden tractor" -- I've researched the B2650 and it looks very capable...but with my desire run the FEL, a Backhoe, a 5" brush hog, a tiller, possible a post hole digger and etc. on this smaller machine..I cringe to think the b2650 may let me down just a bit in its HP ...? The backhoe is one of the biggest concerns for me...feel like the B is gonna get moved all around when backhoe digging...
 
Last edited:

Tunaslayer

New member

Equipment
L2501 TLB, Wheelhorse 417-8/414-8


The main draw was no DPF emissions stuff on the 2501. If you know what you are in for with that, then you are good to go, but if not, read up on regen cycles, and the DPF equipment Kubota uses. Not bashing it in any way. This was my first and possibly last tractor, and I did not need to add to the learning curve.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

hodge

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
John Deere 790 John Deere 310 backhoe Bobcat 743
Nov 19, 2010
2,903
450
83
Love, VA
It sounds like you are leaning towards the 3901. Go for it, if you've got the money. Few people ever wish that they had gone smaller, but many wish they had gone bigger. If it isn't much bigger than the 2650, then there's no real advantage to the smaller tractor (other than cost). If you are going to do much loader or backhoe work, you'll probably appreciate the heavier tractor.
 

Larry0071

New member
Dec 30, 2017
31
0
0
Pittsburgh, Pa
I love my B2650, I also considered the L2501 but the physical size and weight steps up at the L and I wanted compact, yet larger than my BX that I sold. The B2650 is already fairly large compared to the BX, but the loader and Backhoe are over 2x the capability. I also went with the larger tires that are optional on the B3350 to get it heavier, wider and more surface area on the ground for mowing. All in all, I'm personally very happy with my choice, and I would do it again.


Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,831
5,581
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
Larry, did you end up with both sets of tires? The taller tires would make a difference. They look good, to. You almost need another step to get up there!:D
 

Larry0071

New member
Dec 30, 2017
31
0
0
Pittsburgh, Pa
Larry, did you end up with both sets of tires? The taller tires would make a difference. They look good, to. You almost need another step to get up there!:D
No, I paid the $450 cost to upgrade from the standard rims and tires to the B3350 optional ones. They did give me the factory seat suspension, I really despise that you buy the premium B--50 series but they remove the suspension seat if you get the BH77 backhoe. Now I sit on the rubber hard stops. Terrible engineering on Kubota for that.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 

ccs

New member

Equipment
M5-111HDC12 4WD w/FEL, RC4615, RCF3696: L4060 w/FEL, QH15, RCF2072, BB2572
Jul 5, 2017
128
1
0
Pennsylvania
No, I paid the $450 cost to upgrade from the standard rims and tires to the B3350 optional ones. They did give me the factory seat suspension, I really despise that you buy the premium B--50 series but they remove the suspension seat if you get the BH77 backhoe. Now I sit on the rubber hard stops. Terrible engineering on Kubota for that.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
good info Larry -- thanks for the pics -- great looking machine you have there...My M obviously no way around the Regen and even DEF fluid...I've been told the Regen cycle on the L3901 isn't that big of a deal ?? Rev the RPM's and let it do its thing...have I been misinformed ?