Thank you everyone!… From a new tractor owner. (B2601)

[Jazamei]

So, after reading through a myriad of comments from the members out here, and learning from their experience and wisdom, I decided to pull the trigger on a B2601.
Also with the help of the forums, I decided to get the following implements:
Backhoe (BH 70)
Pallet Forks
Tiller (RTA 1250)
Boxblade (BB 1560)
Grapple (SGC 0660)

I am a new tractor owner so it’s going to be an interesting summer as I learn how everything works.

I don't have much land… so I probably went overboard with everything and I do admit that I got a touch of implement-itis and I had to reel myself in a bit.

The tractor gets delivered next week and I just wanted to thank everyone who takes the time to post and comment on everybody’s questions. It really does help newbies like myself!

That said, are there any suggestions as to how a new tractor owner should go about learning everything? And is there anything that I should not be doing?

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Congratulations! The best time EVER is the day the new tractor shows up. Good times.

My advice to a tractor newbie is to 'take it slow'.

And, since you also got a backhoe with it, that is a whole different learning and fun experience.

As my SIL used to say; "Oh, Happy Day"!

Be safe. Watch your overhang in turns.

Eric

My family always say a prayer over a serious new machine.

 

[PaulL]

You must be super happy. Pictures when it arrives.

I bought my B2601 knowing I can get a backhoe later, which is one good reason to go B v's BX. I've never got one, and only had a few times where I would have used one. I don't really have somewhere to store one either.

My best advice is to remember that you can tip a tractor over on flat ground if you're not careful. They can lift way more than they can safely move. Keep your load low - never drive with the bucket high in the air, even empty. Also remember that the front wheels contribute no stability - they're on a pivot. If the back wheels are not solidly planted, it's very easy to tip. This is one of the reasons you ballast the rear when using the loader. If your rear wheels are light, be doubly (or triply) careful when turning, and definitely don't drive on hills with the rear wheels light.

My second best advice is that a small tractor is still a tractor. And tractors are stronger than anything you might drive them into. Fence posts, landscaping, the side of your house. I've hit all those. And had to fix them. Never any damage on the tractor (or at least not serious damage), but a 5 minute job turns into a 2 hour job when you have to fix the things you broke. Go slow when near things, and remember the back and the front both stick out, you have to watch both of them whenever you're moving.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

That said, are there any suggestions as to how a new tractor owner should go about learning everything? And is there anything that I should not be doing?

I would start with the Kubota operators manual. And then read here in the forum. Plenty advice on what to do and what to avoid

 

[RMS]

When it's delivered, make sure the the driver goes through all of the functions with you. Also have him show you how to disconnect/reconnect the hydraulic hoses. Have them walk you through taking the loader/backhoe on/off, how to check oil, location of grease fittings, how to clean air filter & radiator.
Some of this seems simple, but when everything is new it can be frustrating to figure out and looking up in the owners manual (which you should read through).

Good luck with your new machine and enjoy!

 

[matt-m]

Congrats on the purchase! Mine has enabled getting after all kinds of projects on our property. But it's not hard to take the little B to its limits, so be careful. Ballast is a must. I've got a three point ballast box and filled rear tires that greatly improve stability / usability of the front end loader. I fabed up bracket on the front to take three 70# suitcase weights for whenever I'm doing anything serious off the 3 pnt (flail mower, wood chipper, box blade, land plane, watering rig). I've got a bit of a grade in spots so also did rear wheel spacers.

 

[Hugo Habicht]

Oh, one thing: when you have stones in the loader, do not lift it too high, or tilt the bucket down a bit while lifting. A friend of mine had a big rock fall out and dented the bonnet of his brand new tractor. Reading in the forum here this does not seem such a rare event

 

[Bearcatrp]

As mentioned above, read the manual. All of it. Then read it again. Pay attention to the maintenance schedule. Also mentioned above, take it slow until you get more experience. When using the loader, always keep it low to the ground when moving. When loading the bucket, be on level ground or real close to it. After reading here about folks tipping over there tractor, am very cautious when using the loader, keeping it slow and close to the ground when moving. IF you ever tip it, shut off immediately and don’t try to start it after you get it upright. Good luck and enjoy your new tractor. Don’t forget to post pictures.

 

[Missouribound]

As someone who tipped their tractor over in the first two weeks....this is the best information you can heed:
" When using the loader, always keep it low to the ground when moving. When loading the bucket, be on level ground or real close to it."

I was confident and moving a pile of dirt pretty quickly. I lifted the bucket and dumped the load and backed up with the bucket up...rear wheel went in to a small hole and the center of balance shifted.
I was on the ground, the machine on it's side and kept running. Turned off the key and it kept running.
I'm not sure what I did but eventually it stopped running.
With the help of a jack and my wife I brought the tractor upright and let it sit for an hour or so.
It started right up and that experience made me instantly more cautious.
The bright side was two fold....taught me a quick lesson first of all.
And secondly, the width of the turf tires kept the side of the tractor from every touching the ground.
Today it still looks like new.........

 

[Mikeymotorbikey]

Congratulations! The B2601 is an awesome machine.

Oh, one thing: when you have stones in the loader, do not lift it too high, or tilt the bucket down a bit while lifting. A friend of mine had a big rock fall out and dented the bonnet of his brand new tractor. Reading in the forum here this does not seem such a rare event

Mine has a dent in the bonnet, got it in the first week of ownership moving firewood. So depressing!

All good info above. A ballast box and filled tires are a must for your new adventure.

 

[skeets]

Congratulation on your 2601, if I may offer some observations from mine. Yes all of the above with the FEL low and slow! I dont know or miss if you had the rear tires filled, if not, tell the dealer you want that. From my usage with mine, you might want to think about wheel spacers sometime in the future, I did 2 inchers on each wheel,,, and it stabilized it up for me, of course Im in the coal country so everything is on a hill. Think everything through, look at it and then think it through again, bad things can happen in a heart beat!
Now most importantly, never and I mean never let the better half use your tractor! If its hot and you are mowing,,, splash water all over and come in the house saying damn thats a lot of work, or if you are moving snow same thing stuff snow every place saying damn its cold out there. Never never never et the better half know just how much fun you are having with your new toy,,,, errrrr tool ye tool dats it And of course we need pictures , we love our tractor porn!

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Excellent advice,

I'll add: Initially plan on everything taking 5x as long as you think it should and go that slow because "stuff you never thought of" happens, and it's best to get that experience without wrecking something, like yourself.

The most dangerous time is when a person becomes confident they're good at using a tractor. As dangerous as being a new owner is, it's more dangerous when a person becomes over-confident in their abilities and some new experience happens, and happens quickly; when two or three things go wrong in combination tends to be when an operator is overwhelmed and "things happen, badly."

I'm new to tractoring and before doing something I sit on the tractor and plan on things going wrong every step of the way, and make emergency plans "if this then do that." Like "if a wheel comes off the ground drop the bucket, then figure out if I needed to drop the bucket." Things happen so fast I've come to place my open hand underneath the loader leaver so I can only drop the bucket, eliminating the time to think "which direction do I move the loader control." I'm constantly amazed at how fast things can and do go wrong, and learned to do things those ways to keep me out of trouble (which I find all too often).

Another thing I learned recently is "I don't need more Front End Loader lifting capacity." I want more capacity, I can increase the lifting capacity, but the tractor isn't heavy enough to safely lift more in the operating environment it's in. OTT members have mentioned that, I remembered that, and sure enough they're correct.

I'm very thankful for OTT and the members taking their time to educate others; their contributions have saved me time, money, and frustration, kept me from damaging things unintentionally, and made the experience of owning a Kubota excellent. I hope your experience is just as awesome.

 

[jsouth68]

I love my B2601. I've had it almost 2 years. Take it slow and practice and maybe watch some youtube videos. It took a bit of practice for me to get comfortable taking the FEL off and on to mow. I have some recommendations on items to add. The 2 rear remotes, add them when you can and add them both at the same time. I have a hydraulic top link and a side shifting and tilting flail mower. (I can't use the toplink with the flail though, I'd need 1 more port for that) The top link helps keep my Rear Blade RB1660, at the proper angle easily. Work lights on the rops, they help a lot in the winter when it gets dark so early. The B2601 already has the wiring for it under the "passenger" side rear fender. Here are some items that weren't made for the B2601 but fit perfectly or with a slight mod. 1. The BX ROPS knob. Fits right on the nut already welded to the ROPS on the B2601. Helps with ROPS rattle. 2. The B2650 step (Step Aid) bolts right on the B2601, it already has the mounting brackets, you just need some bolts and nuts. Makes getting on and off quite a bit easier. (If you have a mid mount mower though it will hit the step when it's all the way up). 3. The Lx2610 ratcheting side link, fit's fine on the B2601. If you don't have a hydraulic side link this is a very useful option. It's a lot easier than dealing with the turnbuckle. 4. The bucket level indicator for the LA535 fits fine on the LA435 with one slight mod. you need to drill a hole higher up on the flat section of the indicator rod so it will lay in the bend when the bucket is level)

Rops Knob, Rops Light and Step (Step Aid, it's called),

Ratcheting side link

Rear Hydraulics.

Bucket level indicator

 

[Clevus]

I’ve had a B7500 for a few years.
I picked up a B2601 last year because the deal was too good to walk away from. I initially thought it was a scammer, but he was only a couple miles from me. He used it a couple times in the winter to blow snow. 100 hours in 8 years. It was neglected as well.

i have a few implements, but by far the most useful, on both, has been the landscape rake.
gratuitous pic

 

[Bearcatrp]

Forgot to mention. Get a ballast box for the rear. Put around 300 lbs in it. If you try to pick up a full load of dirt in your bucket without any ballast, your rear tires will come off the ground. Your ass will pucker real quick when this happens. Mine came up around 6 inches before I could drop the bucket. Happens fast.

 

[PaulL]

I’ve had a B7500 for a few years.
I picked up a B2601 last year because the deal was too good to walk away from. I initially thought it was a scammer, but he was only a couple miles from me. He used it a couple times in the winter to blow snow. 100 hours in 8 years. It was neglected as well.

i have a few implements, but by far the most useful, on both, has been the landscape rake.
gratuitous pic

I just gave my landscape rake to my brother in law. I used it when putting in the lawn to rake stones. Haven't used it since - 7 years. Glad to have it out of my shed.